American Family Association of Kentucky founder behind the Louisville Tea Party; Kentucky Capitol to be meeting site
Jun 19th, 2010 | By Kentucky Guardian Contributors & Staff | Category: Kentucky Guardian News, Kentucky Political News, Lead Story
The president of the anti-gay American Family Association of Kentucky, Dr. Frank G. Simon, largely sponsored by Thornton’s and Kroger according to their website, is also in charge of the Louisville Tea Party, though not endorsed or recognized by the national Tea Party movement.
“Basically, one of the most anti-gay and conservative people in Kentucky has hijacked the Kentucky Tea Party,” stated an anonymous source.
The Kentucky Department of State, which regulates corporations in the Commonwealth, shows Simon in charge of both organizations:
This may explain why the Louisville Tea Party movement is anti-gay, and the reason no Democrat is been permitted to speak at their Freedom Fest 2010 event to be held at the Kentucky Capitol on the 10th, according to their website:
We are now just over three weeks away and counting for what promises to be the greatest grassroots gathering that the Commonwealth of Kentucky has ever seen. Buses are being chartered already from both the Louisville and Cincinnati areas. The “Great Lawn” at the Capitol, in Frankfort, from 5pm-8pm. In the heart of of summer, we’ll have ample cold water available at a nominal cost. But do bring your own lawn chair! (source)
According to their website, only conservative speakers will be speaking. No Democrat or progressive is scheduled. Dr. Rand Paul, is scheduled to speak at Kentucky Freedom Fest 2010.
Frank G. Simon of the American Family Association of Kentucky and the Louisville Tea Party
The Tea Party has been associated with the Libertarian Party of Kentucky. Ken Moellman, chairman of the Libertarian Party of Kentucky is quick to also point out that Rand Paul is not Libertarian. Moellman issued a press released reiterating than Rand Paul was not a Libertarian as far back as 2008: “The Libertarian Party agrees with portions of both the Democratic and Republican Party platforms; though, not always for the same reasons. The ‘non-aggression principle’ guides the Libertarian Party. Signing an oath to adhere to that principle, along with annual dues, is a requirement for full membership in the Party or to run as one of its candidates. Rand Paul is not a Libertarian.” (source)
“Libertarians typically side with Democrats on social issues and Republicans on fiscal issues.” – University of Kentucky political scientist Stephen Voss.
The Libertarian Party of Kentucky of Kentucky is an official strategic ally of Kentucky Equality Federation (source), and also works with the Louisville Fairness Campaign.
The Libertarian Party of Kentucky has rallied at the Kentucky Capitol in favor of LGBTI equality and fairness with Kentucky Equality Federation, Louisville Fairness Campaign, and Lexington Fairness as a strategic ally of the Federation. (source)
United We Stand (old version)
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Could you kindly correct your article above. My friend Ken Moellman is “quick to point out that Rand Paul is not a Libertarian,” as in Big ‘L’ Libertarian, not small ‘l’. There’s a difference. Leftist media types love to play this little game with Rand, pretending that Moellman is against him because he’s not an official dues-paying member of the Libertarian Party. True. But Rand is most certainly a member of the overall more broader libertarian movement, which includes the Cato Institute, Reason Magazine, Club for Growth, Americans for Limited Government, Sam Adams Alliance, and most assuredly the Republican Liberty Caucus.
Eric Dondero, Publisher
LibertarianRepublican.net
Another correction:
We libertarians most certainly DO NOT side with Democrats on “most social issues.”
Democrats favor mandatory seat belt laws, retrictions of gun rights, forced subsidization of abortion, bans on smoking in privately-owned facilities, reverse racism through affirmative action quotas, bans on “un-healthy” foods and spices in restaurants, massive increases on beer and wine taxes, even zoning restrictions to keep out casino gambling.
Libertarians favor Liberty. We support limited government and letting individuals decide for themselves. Democrats favor a huge Nanny-state. Please do not equate us libertarians with the Democrat big government agenda in any manner, shape or form.
Thank you.
Eric Dondero, Publisher
LibertarianRepublican.net
You are wrong about the Libertarian Party of Kentucky I have been at the Capitol when they supported Kentucky Equality Federation.
Holy shit did you look at the f_cked up grill on that dude? Scary!
Eric –
Jordan is speaking about LGBT issues, and the summary from the UK political science professor is more accurate than anything else.
There are big government jerks in both parties. Right now I’m fighting a Republican-sponsored smoking ban in Northern Kentucky, for instance. Most of our state’s Republicans are the big-government, Mike Huckabee types.
Meanwhile, Kentucky’s Democrats passed our concealed carry law in Kentucky almost a decade ago, for instance.
Not everything is so cut and dry in Kentucky’s state politics.
(And I’d still say he’s not a small-l libertarian either; Rand is a paleo-conservative. And there is a difference.)
I did not write this piece, but I do know that the Libertarian Party in Kentucky, especially Ken, has been great to work with. The real issue here is that a gay hating conservative is apparently pretending to be the actual Tea Party of Louisville and/or Kentucky without authorization. Gay people are here to stay, and we will achieve COMPLETE equality….. Everyone needs to deal with, and accept that FACT.
For the record, I think Dan Blanchard is the head of Louisville Tea. It’s just that the signature from Frank Simon is confusing at times and makes people think he’s from the Louisville Tea Party. As far as I know, though, Dan is the head of Louisville Tea.
Wow this is a great resource.. I’m enjoying it.. good article
[...] Kentucky’s Tea Party, led by the president of the anti-gay American Family Association of Kentucky, Dr. Frank G. Simon, has an anti-gay platform. (previous story) [...]
Frank Simon is NOT the head of the Louisville Tea Party. The evidence given is a snapshot of the Kentucky Secretary of State website pointing here:
http://apps.sos.ky.gov/business/obdb/(S(u3tb4h45cmx24jzvr3ds1t55))/showentity.aspx?id=0172533&ct=04&cs=99997
You’ll notice that this is for the Kentucky Tea Party, not the Louisville Tea Party.
Here is the correct info from the Kentucky SoS site for the Louisville Tea Party:
http://apps.sos.ky.gov/business/obdb/(S(o0tx3445lbo2kqa240yprtrh))/showentity.aspx?id=0733254&ct=09&cs=99999.
The names of those in charge are Marilyn Parker, Jim Coyle, and Wendy Caswell—although, Dan Blanchard is the current President.
The leaders of the Louisville Tea Party do not endorse any specific viewpoint on social issues—there is room for all types of people in their tea party. They simply support freedom, lower taxes, and limited government. Without a formal stance, members don’t all agree on social issues like gay rights, the existence of God, and the legalization of marijuana–just like in the Democratic Party, the Republican Party, and with independents.
Frank Simon registered the name “Kentucky Tea Party” who, to my knowledge, aren’t a bona fide tea party group. I’ve never heard of them holding an event or rally, so as far as I know, there haven’t been any. And, it’s important to note that every registered tea party group is an entirely separate, independent entity. The Louisville Tea Party does not answer to the Kentucky Tea Party, or to the American Family Association of Kentucky.
Many supporters of the Louisville Tea Party are also gay rights supporters–like me. There are even gay tea partiers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEo4JEaBSgo&feature=player_embedded
Please correct this mistake.
[...] A Louisville Tea Party supporter continues to flood us with emails stating the Louisville Tea Party is not anti-gay as previously reported. [...]
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[...] American Family Association of Kentucky founder behind the 19 Jun 2010. Frank G. Simon of the American Family Association of Kentucky and the Louisville Tea.. Family Matters (Family Foundation of Kentucky) American Family Association of Kentucky founder behind the [...]
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