On Friday the Republican controlled Kentucky Senate passed a resolution that could include gay and lesbian people in Kentucky.  The Kentucky Senate is trying to reduce its embarrassment of Rand Paul.

Louisville Democratic Senator Gerald Neal introduced the resolution during the 2010 special session.  It was adopted without objection in the predominantly Republican chamber.  Senator Neal said that Paul’s extreme beliefs have made Kentucky “a laughing stock.”

However, did Senate Resolution 31 include gay and lesbian couples?

Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

Section 1. The Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky finds discrimination in any form to be inconsistent with American values and stands firmly behind the principles of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966.

Section 2. The Senate of the General Assembly rejects any attempt to retreat from the guarantees provided by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Kentucky Civil Rights Act of 1966, and urges all residents of the Commonwealth to do likewise.

Though not law, it does show how embarrassed Kentucky’s Republican Senate is with Kentucky’s U.S. Senate Candidate, Rand Paul.  Kentucky Equality Federation, Louisville Fairness Campaign, and Kentucky Fairness Alliance have tired to get the Kentucky Senate to pass a non-discrimination law to protect LGBTI people in employment, housing, credit, and accommodations for years.

Paul’s comments have drawn fire from Governor Steve Beshear, as well as House Speaker Greg Stumbo. (previous story)

Tea Party Movement Grows

Republican Rand Paul is leading Democrat Jack Conway by 51% to 45% percent in the race to fill the senate seat being vacated by the GOP’s Jim Bunning, according to a SurveyUSA poll conducted May 25-27 for the Louisville Courier-Journal/WHAS11. The margin of error is 4.2 points.

The new poll says in addition to strong support from conservatives and Tea Party activists, Paul has big leads among whites, regular church-goers, gun owners, those earning more than $50,000 a year and those opposing abortion.

45% of voters say they are either neutral in their view of the Tea Party movement or have no opinion. 36% see the movement favorably while 19% regard it unfavorably.

Only 4% say they are active Tea Party movement participants with another 41% saying they are not active but agree with the movement’s views.