Fairness Campaign Newsletter April 2010

8/9/2019 Fairness Campaign Newsletter April 2010

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2263 Frankfort Avenue Louisville KY 40206 / phone: 502 893-0788 / email: [email protected]

PLAN TO ATTENDMr./Ms. Sienna 2010 Pageant April 9, 10 p.m., Starbase Q, 921 We

Main St.

The Laramie Project April 14, 8 p.mopening night with post show talk bac

hosted by Fairness, $12 general admissio

The Playhouse at UofL, 1911 South 3r

Street, 852-6814.

5 Singer/Songwriters for Fairness

Ashley Burchett + Mindy Tolle + Nic

Payne + Jenn Stout & Anna Vogelzang,

April 15, 8-11 p.m., $5 suggeste

contribution, Derby City Expresso, 33

East Market St., 442-0523.

Dance Tax Day Away! April 111 p.m.- 2 a.m., to benet Fairness wit

DJs Sk8 Ninja & Lady J, $5 suggeste

contribution, Derby City Expresso, 33

East Market St., 442-0523.

Elizabethtown Community CollegDrag Night April 16, 8 p.m., SciencAuditorium, 600 College Street Roa

Elizabethtown, KY.

PFLAG Bruce and Margaret LincoScholarship Banquet April 18, 5 p.mFirst Lutheran Church, 417 East Broadwa

$10 suggested donation.

Down & Derby 2010 May 1, 8 p.m

to 4 a.m., beneting Louisville AIDS Wa

and Wings Clinic, $30, $5 drinks,Louisvil

Water Tower, 3005 River Road.

Dismantling Racism Committee May 5, (1st Wednesday of every month

6:30 p.m., at UofL Intersection,

UofL's Red Barn Building.

Fairness Pride Committee everother Wednesday, April 28, May 12 & 2

6:30 p.m., Fairness Ofce.

Louisville Youth Group support an

social group for LGBTQ youth 14 2

weekly meetings. Call 499-4427.

April

2010

No Anti-Fairness Legislation FiledFor the rst time in recent memory, neither the Kentucky State Senate nor the House

led a single piece of legislation targeting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

Kentuckians. Building on the incredible grassroots momentum stirred last year by Senator

Gary Tapps anti-adoption bill, the Fairness Campaign and its Statewide Fairness Coalition

partners ACLU-KY, the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Kentucky Fairness Alliance

and Lexington Fairness tackled the 2010 legislative session with a strong, unied energy.

Together, through bi-weekly legislative strategy calls and constant communication among our

allied organizations, we were able to focus all our efforts on an aggressive offense strategy

that led to the many victories we enjoyed this session.

Record Number of Co-sponsors on Statewide FairnessAfter hitting a plateau the past several

years in terms of the number of legislators

co-sponsoring statewide anti-discrimination

Fairness laws, the Statewide Fairness

Coalition secured the rst non-Louisville,

non-Lexington co-signer on Rep. Mary

Lou Marzians statewide Fairness House

Bill 117. The addition of Covington Rep.

Arnold Simpson on the bill brought the totalnumber of co-signers to a record 10% of the

full Kentucky House of Representatives.

This achievement, coupled with a matched

record of co-sponsors on Sen. Kathy Steins

statewide Fairness Senate Bill 138 sets the

stage for continued co-sponsor growth and

the very real possibility of a committee

hearing on statewide Fairness as early as

next year.

Dual Parent Adoption Bill Heard in

Committee

Following last years failed anti-adoption measure, the legislature this session

witnessed an incredibly positive hearing of

Rep. Tom Burchs Dual Parent Adoption House Bill 195, which would allow unmarried partners

the ability to become legal parents of the children for whom they care. Family court attorney

and gay adoptive father Bryan Gatewood offered expert testimony to the House Health and

Welfare Committee on the need for such a law to protect a childs right to receive many of the

benets legally adopted children enjoy, such as Social Security benets upon the death of a

parent, the right to be covered by both parents insurance, the right to receive child support, and

many others. Toni Joyce, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers,

continued on page 5

Unprecedented Victories in the 2010

Kentucky Legislature!

Rep. Jim Wayne, Rep. Tom Burch, Sen. Kathy Steinand Rep. Mary Lou Marzian speak at Statewide

Fairness Coalition lobby day & rally at the Capitol.

Fairness supporters rally in the Capitol rotunda.


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Its Still Going Directors Note:What a Difference a Year Can Make

continued

by Chris HartmanIn 1998, a photograph of my then-

partner and myself was displayed in the

photography contest at the Kentucky State

Fair. In the picture, I am standing in front

of my partner smiling, and wearing an Isle

of Lesbos tank top while she looks over

my shoulder. It depicts nothing salacious or

shocking. The photograph is just a portrait, andalthough the State Fair Board accepted it as

suitable for families from all over the region

to view, within hours of its presentation news

of its existence had reached the ears of Bill

Smithwick, president of Kentucky Baptist

Homes for Children, where I worked at the

time. Within a week, I was asked to resign

from my position as a Counselor/Family

Specialist.

Today, people often ask me, So what

happened in that case anyway? They are

usually surprised to hear me say, Its still

going.

In 2000 a lawsuit brought by the

ACLU and Americans United for Separation

of Church and State was brought on behalf

of several taxpayers and myself. The lawsuit,

Pedreira v. Kentucky Baptist Homes For

Children, asserts that Kentucky Baptist

Homes has no right to accept state and federal

funding while imposing religious dogma on

the children in its programs.

In addition to the constitutional

challenge, the lawsuit also claimed

discrimination by arguing the Homes religion-

based anti-gay employment policy violates

civil rights laws.

On August 31, 2009, the 6th U.S. Circuit

by Alicia Pedreira

Court of Appeals dismissed the discrimination claim, but reversed a lower court ruling

nding that Kentucky taxpayers have standing to bring a legal challenge to the states decisi

to fund Ky Baptist Homes for Children (since renamed Sunrise Childrens Services), whi

indoctrinates children placed under state care with its religious beliefs.

Americans United Senior Litigation Counsel Alex J. Luchenitser, who argued the app

before the court, stated This decision puts the brakes on the Religious Rights efforts to ke

taxpayers out of court in order to allow unfettered public funding of religious indoctrinatio

Proselytizing groups should not be able to get away with using government money illega

because they think that no one can sue them.

The case may be returned to district court for trial, however the defendants ha

announced that they will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case. It is unlikely the U

Supreme Court will hear our case, but it is certainly possible; they will likely make the

decision in May or June of this year. In the meantime, the defendants also asked the Six

Circuit Court to put the case on hold until the higher court decides whether or not to hear

The Sixth Circuit Court has not yet ruled on this request. If the Supreme Court decides n

to hear it, our case will go back to the trial court.

I would like to thank the legal team representing Pedreira for continued support

this decade-long case, as well as the other plaintiffs.

Following last years heated battle to defeat anti-adoption Senate Bill 68 in our stat

legislature, it seems almost incomprehensible to me that I write of the incredible progre

the Fairness Campaign has made with its Statewide Fairness Coalition partners during th

years legislative session. From the Kentucky Houses unanimous passage of the Hospi

Visitation Rights Bill, to the incredibly positive informational hearing on the Dual Pare

Adoption Bill and the historic absence of anti-Fairness legislation in Frankfort, we have tru

witnessed a legislative session like no other for Fairness in

the Commonwealth, and we are not done yet!

As ACLU-KY Executive Director Michael Aldridge,

Kentucky Fairness Alliance lobbyist Wes Wright and I

cased the Capitol this year alongside committed volunteers,

we increasingly heard support from both Senators and

Representatives for our commonsense anti-discrimination

Fairness law, which would protect all Kentuckians from

discrimination in the workplace, in housing, and in public

accommodations on the basis of perceived sexual orientation

or gender identity. While many of the elected ofcials are still

hesitant to place their names on the legislation as ofcial co-

sponsors, they have assured us that when the bills reach theHouse and Senate oor, we can count on their vote. Now is the

time to increase our citizen lobbying efforts in the legislative

off-season to seize this unique window of opportunity to pass the statewide Fairness law!

Never before has the statewide Fairness law achieved a hearing in either the Hou

or Senate, and it is long overdue for one. If we continue to ramp up our base of allies an

supporters across the state, and pressure those representatives in leadership here in Louisvil

we may nally see the hearing that brings us leaps closer to securing Kentuckys legacy

the civil rights leader of the South. If we do not act now and together, however, we risk losi

that pioneering distinction our Commonwealth earned in the late 1960s, as we became t

rst southern state to pass anti-discrimination civil rights and fair housing laws.

Let us keep the momentum moving forward, and focus our efforts directly on Frankf

and a Kentucky House Judiciary Committee hearing on statewide Fairness! Please call yo

representatives in Frankfort today at 502-564-8100 and ask to set a meeting in your homdistrict during the spring or summer to discuss Fairness. A Statewide Fairness Coaliti

representative will be happy to help you set the meeting and accompany you if you call 50

893-0788 or e-mail [email protected]. Legislators will only listen if you tell them to! No

is the time. Make a difference and make the call today!

Its Still Going


3/6

The Committee for Fairness and Individual Rights (CFAIR), the political actioncommittee of the Fairness Campaign, proudly announces its endorsements for the May 18,2010 primary election. CFAIR once again conducted an endorsement process that engaged

candidates in wide-ranging discussions of issues important to both the lesbian, gay, bisexual,

transgender community and the larger Louisville Metro community. CFAIR endorsement

interview teams were each populated with a diverse representation of Fairness supporters. To

join a CFAIR interview team for the November general election, please e-mail CFAIRTeam@

gmail.com.

Councilman David Tandy Mayor of LouisvilleCFAIR endorses Councilman David Tandy in the Democratic primary for mayor.

Councilman Tandy is a longtime friend of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender

community, and this is his third endorsement by CFAIR. In his interview, Councilman

Tandy set out a broad, vigorous, and enthusiastic vision for Louisville. He spoke of the

commonalities across neighborhoods, racial and ethnic

backgrounds, and socioeconomic class. In addition to

his focus on education, Councilman Tandy spoke of the

practical considerations to move Louisville forward.

Councilman Tandy is a former president of the

Louisville Metro Council, a longtime attorney, treasurer

of the Kentucky Democratic Party, and former staffer to

U.S. Senator Wendell Ford. His website lists his broad

community involvement: www.electdavidtandy.com.

CFAIR endorses Councilman David Tandy in a

crowded and impressive eld of Democratic primary

candidates. Along with Councilman Tandy, several otherDemocratic candidates sought the CFAIR endorsement.

Councilman Tandy was the strong choice of the CFAIR

interview team, but we were heartened also to receive solid

responses from Tyler Allen, Greg Fischer, Councilman Jim King, and Shannon White. Candidate

Connie Marshall also interviewed. Shannon White spoke with particular commitment to the

LGBT community. We commend her for that passion and hope she will seek ofce again in

the future.

On May 18, voters will only get to choose one candidate in the Democratic primary

for Mayor of Louisville. After careful consideration, CFAIR chooses Councilman DavidTandy. Certainly, many Fairness supporters are active and committed in other campaigns; ourcommunity is well represented in many of those campaigns. We commend this involvement

and encourage it to continue. If you are a voter who has not yet decided, CFAIR urges you to

vote Councilman David Tandy, Democrat for Mayor.The process: The mayoral interview team was comprised of nine individuals, and was

broadly diverse of the Fairness community. All six of the above candidates returned completed

questionnaires and had interviews with the team. Each interview was about one hour and

covered a wide variety of topics. All team members participated in all of the interviews,

and no team members had volunteered, given money, or otherwise committed to any of the

mayoral candidates. Over a two-day period, the team spent about 10 hours in interviews and

deliberations, and then forwarded its recommendation to the CFAIR Board, which made the

nal endorsement decision.

CFAIR Endorsements for May Primaries

Councilwoman Tina

Ward-Pugh, Metro

Council 9th DistricCouncilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh h

once again received CFAIRs endorsement

Louisville Metro Council District 9. Forme

an Alderwoman in the old City of Louisvil

Councilwoman Ward-Pugh has long been

erce advocate of the LGBT community, awas instrumental in the passage of the Fairne

Ordinance. Ms. Ward-Pugh has been a leadi

voice in the establishment of the Afforda

Housing Trust Fund, in passing Louisvill

smoke-free legislation and the Green Trian

Initiative on sustainability.

Ms. Ward-Pugh also chairs t

Government Accountability and Oversig

committee of Metro Council with a goal

bringing greater transparency to governme

functions and nances. When re-elected to

Council, well continue to urge Ms. Ward-Pu

to strengthen her collaborative relationsh

with labor and support progressive proj

labor agreements that ensure living wages

union workers.

William Cohen,

Metro Council

17th DistrictWilliam Cohen, a small busine

owner and board member/treasurer of t

Worthington Fire Department, exhibiteddeep understanding of the intersections

oppression during his interview with t

CFAIR team. He related his experience with t

African American civil rights movement a

work with the A. Philip Randolph Institute

the basis for his personal opposition to LGB

discrimination and prejudice.

A resident of the district for more th

30 years, Mr. Cohen not just relayed the issu

affecting his community and its residen

but related to them. He cited trafc, zonin

library and public health issues among h

chief concerns, and argued the Republicincumbent (a Fairness opponent) had do

little on his own to substantively change t

community while in ofce. CFAIR strong

endorses William Cohen, Democrat f

Louisville Metro CouncilDistrict 17.

More

CFAIR endorsements on

the next page.VOTE on Tuesday, May18


4/6

Mike Slaton, Kentucky House of

Representatives 41st District Mike Slaton is running against a long time incumbent who has not been supportiveof the LGBT community. Mr. Slaton has served as a Fairness intern and paid lobbyist in

Frankfort, and is intimately familiar with how Kentuckys State Legislature works and how

to get things done.

He comes from a family who stresses public service and has innovative ideas on how

to move Kentucky forward. CFAIR is proud to endorse Mike Slaton for Kentucky House of

Representatives District 41.

Mike OConnell, Jefferson County Attorney In the race for Jefferson County Attorney, CFAIR endorses incumbent Mike OConnell,

a former board member of the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission who previously

testied in favor of the Fairness Ordinance before the Louisville Metro Council.

Mr. OConnell has been twice appointed judge in District and Circuit Courts, twice

elected to District Court, and once elected to Circuit Court. He expressed a deep commitment

to the LGBT community, and will seek justice equally for all citizens.

Stephanie Pearce Burke, District Court

Judge Division 14CFAIR endorses Stephanie Pearce Burke in the primary for District Court JudgeDivision 14. Ms. Burke has worked tirelessly in her career to defend those individuals who

otherwise would not have had their voices heard. Ms. Burke will continue to be a passionate

and fair voice from the bench. While this race had several extremely qualied candidates who

sought the CFAIR endorsement, we believe Ms. Burkes dedication and experience make her

the best choice for this primary.

County Judge Executive:Mark Abrams Republican primaryCurt Morrison Democratic primary Mark Abrams, in the Republican primary, has been previously endorsed by CFAIR.Mr. Abrams expressed he would represent all citizens of Louisville Metro.

Curt Morrison stood out in the Democratic eld for County Judge Executive for his

vision to use the ofce as a bully pulpit to advance our communitys issues and build support

with allies across the state.

CFAIR Endorsements for May Primaries

For information about how to register to vote, go to:

http://elect.ky.gov/register.htm

To locate your polling place, go to:

www.lojic.org/apps/voter/index.cfm

reinforced Mr. Gatewoods testimony withpersonal plea for the children who this ty

of legal disenfranchisement affects, a

both then elded positive questions fro

legislators. Additional informational hearin

were requested to be held during the inter

committee meetings of the summer, and w

look forward to furthering the progress of th

pro-adoption legislation!

Please call the legislative messa

line at 1-800-372-7181 and leave a messa

thanking these legislators for supporti

Fairness legislation in 2010: Sen. Deni

Harper Angel, Sen. Gerald Neal, Sen. TShaughnessy, Sen. Kathy Stein, Rep. To

Burch, Rep. Kelly Flood, Rep. Joni Jenki

Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, Rep. Reggie Mee

Rep. Darryl Owens, Rep. Ruth Ann Palumb

Rep. Arnold Simpson, Rep. Jim Wayne a

Rep. Susan Westrom.

Unprecedented

Victories in the

2010 Kentucky

Legislature!

Students speak out at Statewide Fairness

Coalition rally in Frankfort.

continued from pag

Citizen lobbyists participated in a training bef

meeting with legislators at the Capitol.


5/6

Arecord-breakingandincrediblydiversecrowdofnearly00FairnessCampaignand

ACLUofKentuckysupportersgatheredattheMuhammadAliCenterinMarchforthe0 th

annualFairness/ACLUdinnerhostedbySusanHershbergandtheWiltshirePantry.Among

the attendees were nearly 50 candidates for local, state and federal ofce, including most all

oftheDemocraticprimarycandidatesforLouisvilleMetroMayor.

IncrediblethanksareowedtoSusanHershbergandtheWiltshirePantryforaninnovative,

palate-provokingfour-coursemeal.Specialthanksgoestoourwonderfuldinnersponsorswithoutwhomtheeveningcouldnevercommence.

Heartfeltthanksalsogoestotheremarkableplanningcommitteewhoworkstirelessly

tomakethisspectaculareventareality.Thisyear'splanningteamincluded:MichaelAldridge,

TonAli,SamDorr,EricGraninger,ChrisHartman,SusanHershberg,EdKruger,TravisLay,

BeckyMcClellan,KendellNash,ElizabethPainter,KyleRiggs,RenScheuerman,Carla

WallaceandBeckiWinchel.

FairnessandACLUwishtothankalltheattendees,contributorsandvolunteersfor

supportingourlong-timepartnershipworkingforequalityandjusticeforall!

10th Annual Fairness/ACLU Dinner a

Record-Breaker!Fairness/ACLU Dinner

2010 Sponsors

Ton Ali & Dan Hourigan

Emily Bingham & Stephen Reily

Christy & Owsley Brown II

Rebecca Brown

Tom BurchPaul & Victoria Diaz

Jim Dickinson & Tim Combs

Sam Dorr & Charles Raith

Lisa Doyle

Greg Fischer

Harry Gallagher

John & Mary Moss Greenebaum

Bert Greenwell

Kimberly Greenwell

Sandy Gulick

Clark Johnson & Diane Pecknold

Ed Kruger & Jeff Rodgers

Travis Lay & Ren Scheuerman

Leap Frog Interactive

Jessica Loving & Sheryl Snyder

Tom Wallace Lyons

Magnolias FloristDr. Ernest Marshall

Eleanor Bingham Miller

Lisa Osanka

Darryl Owens

Eugenia & Hon. John Potter

Aaron Satran & Angela Singla

John Selent

Sandy Speer

Jennifer Starke State Farm Insuranc

Carla F. Wallace

Naomi F. Wallace

Drs. Terry & Morris Weiss

Jane Welch

Shannon White

Nick Wilkerson

anonymousNearly 300 guests attended the Fairness/ACLU dinner at the Muhammad AliCenter in March.

Susan Hershberg, Sean Donaldson

and Gil Reyes were among the

celebrants at the Fairness/ACLU

dinner hosted by Wiltshire Pantry.


6/6

2263 Frankfort AvenueLouisville, KY 40206

NOW IS THE TIME

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ThetideisturningintheCommonwealththankstoyouandyoursupport!T

continueddevelopmentofourstrongStatewideFairnessCoalitioninpartnershipwi

theAmericanCivilLibertiesUnionofKentucky,theKentuckyCommissiononHumRights,KentuckyFairnessAllianceandLexingtonFairnessisbuildingagrowingba

of equality supporters in the state. United, we have received the rst year of a three-ye

grantfromtheGillFoundationtohelpsupportourgoalofwinningFairnessacrosst

Commonwealth.

NOW IS THE TIME to renew your Fairness Campaign membership and he

advance our work of equality and justice!Byrenewingyourcommitmenttothewo

oftheFairnessCampaigntoday,youbringusonestepclosertoahearingonthestatewi

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ever before by renewing your investment in the Fairness Campaignwitha$0,$7

or$7contributiontohonorthissessionsstatewideFairnessbillHouseBill7!

Documents

Fairness Campaign Newsletter April 2010