Around the Commonwealth

Western Kentucky University Denies Domestic-Partner Benefits

Last week, Western Kentucky University’s “employee benefit committee” voted 8 to 6 against allowing benefits for both same-sex and opposite-sex unmarried partners. According to school officials, only about a handful of university employees would actually qualify for the “domestic partner” benefits if the university was to offer it. The issue was first brought up last year after resolutions were passed by the Student Government Association and University Senate.

Fighting for HIV/AIDS funding in a troubled economy; how much education is enough for medical professionals?

In a series of condemnations and action alerts to raise public awareness of bad legislation, Kentucky Equality Federation, now joined by the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group condemned House Bill 350. With Kentucky’s economy in ruins, additional human services are expected to be cut by lawmakers before the end of the 2010 legislative session.

Radio Shack Corporation rating in a Kentucky discrimination case disagrees with HRC’s Buying Guide

Kentucky Equality Federation’s Discrimination, Hate Crimes, and School Bullying Committee released a letter commending Radio Shack Corporation for its response to a discrimination case. According to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) 2010 Buying Guide however, Radio Shack Corporation scored near the bottom of the list along with Wal-Mart, Office Depot, and Meijer.

Louisville social justice organizations invite Mayoral candidates to a public forum

With one openly gay candidate running for Lexington’s top government position, organizations in Louisville have invited candidates running for Louisville Mayor to a public forum on February 02, 2010.

Kentucky’s 2009 LGBTI Recap

If ever there were a roller-coaster year, 2009 was it. A we await the new year, Kentucky’s exhausted LGBTI civil rights leaders, as well as the thousands of activist, supporters, and allies enjoy some much needed downtime before it all starts again in 2010.

Kentucky’s reporting of U.S. Senate candidates lag; one candidate blasts the U.S. Government

Major media outlets have largely ignored Darlene Price, as well as Maurice Sweeney, the only black person running for U.S. Senate to represent Kentucky.

National News

U.S. Supreme Court to rule on anti-gay protests at funerals; the end of the road for the Westboro Baptist Church?

In a shocking move, the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to rule on whether constitutional free-speech rights protected anti-gay protests by members of a Kansas church at funerals for U.S. military members killed in Iraq. The group maintains that God hates homosexuals above all other kinds of “sinners” and that homosexuality should be a capital crime.

Virginia college students fight back against Attorney General Cuccinelli’s position on gay rights

Virginia college students began to mobilize Monday in response to a legal opinion from Attorney General Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II. declaring Virginia’s public colleges have no authority to ban discrimination against gay employees. Students at Virginia Commonwealth University planned a rally for noon Wednesday, with several hundred students committed. At Christopher Newport University, student Republican and Democratic leaders will discuss their next steps at a bipartisan meeting Friday.

U.S. Senators Call for End to Ban on Gay Men Donating Blood

New York Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined 17 U.S. senators in calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to overturn a ban on gay men donating blood. Many states criminalize gay men donating blood. The senators said that while hospitals and emergency rooms are in urgent need of blood products, “healthy blood donors are turned away every day due to an antiquated policy and our blood supply is not necessarily any safer for it.”

U.S. Supreme Court refuses to stop gay marriage in Washington, D.C.

U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts today denied a last-minute request by traditional marriage supporters to stop Washington, D.C.’s same-sex marriage law from taking effect. As a “matter of judicial policy,” Roberts said in an opinion that it has been the practice of the U.S. Supreme Court not to intervene in local matters.

Archdiocese Vs. Washington, D.C. on Gay Marriage – The Archdiocese Stops Healthcare Coverage

Today, the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. which has been battling the District of Columbia government about same-sex marriage since last year when The District proposed same-sex marriage legislation, announced it will stop health benefits for new members and same-sex couples.

West Virginia lesbian couple denied housing because of sexual orientation

Race, sex, age, disability — it’s common knowledge that if you discriminate based on those things, you could face a tough legal battle no matter where you live in the United States. But what if you’re gay? That still depends on where you live. It’s a lesson learned the hard way by one woman who’s speaking out after what she calls a hurtful decision.

International News

Republic of Uganda may Withdraw Anit-Gay Legislation because of International Pressure

The law was proposed in Uganda’s Parliament following a visit by leaders of U.S. conservative Christian ministries that promote therapy for gays to become heterosexual. However, at least one of those leaders has denounced the bill, as have some other conservative and liberal Christians in the United States.

U.S. Ends HIV/AIDS Travel Ban

During U.S. President Ronald Regan’s administration, the United States Government established a ban that prohibited HIV positive visitors and immigrants from entering the United States. Today, the ban was lifted.

Uganda continues to defy the world with proposed law to execute homosexuals; Worldwide outrage continues

Republic of Uganda proposes law to executive homosexuals. The worldwide outrage continues. In a groundbreaking move, a representative of the Pope in the audience read a statement strongly condemning the criminalization of homosexual conduct. A powerful U.S. Representative urged the Republic of Ugandan to ‘come to their senses’ and reject a controversial proposed law that would punish homosexuality with life in prison, without the possibility of parole or pardon.

Nations largest gay newspapers close, including the Wasington Blade

The nation’s oldest LGBTI newspaper, the Washington Blade closed today after having just turned 40 years old. The Washington Blade, owned by Window Media, the nation’s largest owner of gay newspapers, also closed the South Florida Blade, Southern Voice, Houston Voice, David Atlanta Magazine, bitchsession.com, Genre Magazine, and the 411 Magazine. Employees arrived at work this morning at all of the newspapers locations to find the doors locked and a sign posted on the front door.

Viewpoints

Liberty Counsel’s Agenda for 2010: Take Back America

In an email to members, the anti-gay, very powerful Liberty Counsel outlines its 2010 priorities. Perhaps this email would have been somewhat inspiring had it not been so misguided. It was Liberty Counsel that first sounded the alarm to dismantle California’s same-sex marriage law. Should the legislation filed by Mary Lou Marzian (D-Louisville), a Senior Representative in the Kentucky House of Representatives to repeal Kentucky’s ban on same-sex marriage, civil unions, and “similar institutions,” make it out of a House Committee, we’ll have one heck of a fight on our hands.

Obama/Oprah White House Christmas in Bad Taste

I found it bad taste for Oprah Winfrey to host the “White House Christmas” television special. We are in the middle of a major recession; states have no money, people continue to become homeless, jobs continue to shrink, people are starving right here in the United States, and homosexuals may soon be executed in the Republic of Uganda.

What can a Gay Kentuckian really do?

Viewpoint: I see the Fairness Campaign, Kentucky Fairness Alliance, and the Kentucky Equality Federation tirelessly show up for -fight after fight, and I think- geez, when will this ever end? And I also wonder, what can we really do for today’s gay teenager in Elizabethtown or Paducah? I came across an unexpected answer in my reading tonight.

World AIDS Day, AIDS in Kentucky and AVOL

Since the termination of the Kentucky AIDS Assistance Program people living with HIV/AIDS are in need of assistance today more than ever. With December 1st being World Aids Day, I can think of no better way to contribute to the Worldwide event than to make a donate to AVOL, or attend their Red Ribbon Ball on December 5th at The Red Mile in Lexington.

Church, state and gay marriage

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is warning the District of Columbia Council that the church will stop contracting to provide social services if the city approves same-sex marriage as planned. To which the only valid response is, “OK.”

Marriage equality lost, but not losing

But whether it is the National Organization for Marriage, the Liberty Counsel, the American Family Association, or the Family Foundation of Kentucky, anyone who denies that “American opinion is shifting” inhabits a fool’s paradise. Opposition to gay marriage is shrinking. In 1996, 65 percent took a negative view. Since then, support has fallen by about one percentage point a year. Basically, one (1) out of every eight (8) Americans has gone from opposing the concept to endorsing it.