Adoption bill sparks protest

By: Andy Mead

For more than a decade, a small group of people has gathered in Frankfort while the legislature is in session to support bills that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

This year, they're also rallying against something — a bill that would ban adoptions by anyone "cohabiting with a sexual partner outside of a marriage that is legally valid in Kentucky."

Senate Bill 68 is seen as anti-gay by gay rights organizations in the state.

The main thrust of the "Kentuckians Value Fairness" rally scheduled from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Capitol Rotunda will be to support the "fairness" anti-discrimination bills.

But the rally could get a boost from people who turn out to oppose the adoption bill.

"A lot of additional allies have cropped up since this Senate bill came out," said Chris Hartman, director of the Fairness Campaign.

People from several groups, including social workers and pro-adoption organizations in Louisville and Pikeville, are expected to take part in Wednesday's rally, Hartman said.

Political activists, including members of Young Democrats and the Libertarian Party of Kentucky, also are lending their support, said Jordan Palmer, president of the Kentucky Equality Federation.

There's even a group on Facebook, the social networking site. "Stop SB 68 in Kentucky" has more than 5,000 members.

The sponsor of the bill, state Sen. Gary Tapp, R-Shelbyville, did not return a call seeking comment Tuesday.

The bill has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee. Its chairman, Sen. Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, said he had not formed an opinion on the bill. He said he planned to meet with Tapp to discuss it, but until then "I don't know enough to be opposed to it or for it."

The Family Foundation of Kentucky is for the bill, said David Edmunds, a policy analyst for the group. He said research shows that homes with unmarried couples — either homosexual or heterosexual — are less stable than homes with married couples.

"This is about a child's needs, not adult desires," Edmunds said.

But Ken Moellman, chairman of the state Libertarian Party, said the bill would hurt children if it became law.

"It's unfortunate that some would rather see a child left in a group home or in the foster care system rather than put in a stable environment ... and brought up in a home where they're loved," he said.

Hartman, of the Fairness Alliance, said that if SB 68 is approved by the Senate, he thinks it can be stopped in the House.

The bills that will be supported at the rally are Senate Bill 95, sponsored by Sen. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington; and House Bill 72, sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville.

Similar bills have never gotten out of a committee in either house. Hartman said he isn't expecting more this year.

Same-sex couples march for marriage

Sandra Maggard and Tina Parker have been together for five years.

On Thursday, they walked arm-in-arm down the hallway of the Fayette County Clerk's Office. The couple asked the county to recognize their relationship with a marriage license.

They were denied.

"In a way I was hoping we would come and people would change their mind" about gay marriage, Maggard said. "If our grandkids are OK with it, why can't the world be OK with it?"

On Thursday, gay couples across Kentucky walked into county clerks' offices to request marriage licenses. The event was part of National Freedom to Marry Week, which was organized by Marriage Equality USA and other gay rights groups.

Jordan Palmer, president of the Kentucky Equality Federation, said they were trying to draw attention to the denial of a human right. He wants to see repeals for the state's gay marriage amendment (a recent constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage and civil unions) and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allows states to do the same).

"We don't really care if it changes people's minds," Palmer said. "It is really about making people aware that we are not afraid anymore, and we will be fighting for our rights and we will overturn it."

Nonetheless, Palmer admitted to being nervous before he asked for his marriage license with his partner, Daniel Hill.

"It is intimidating," he said. "I'm shaking just thinking about it."

The clerk, Getha Helfenberger, politely refused to issue the license, explaining that gay marriage is banned by the state. Palmer shook her hand.

Only two couples asked to be married in Lexington. Palmer said turnout was stronger in Louisville. He estimated that 70 people from college gay-straight alliances showed up.

The Family Foundation of Kentucky, a socially conservative group that was instrumental in passing the state constitution's gay marriage ban, said gay rights groups should follow the proper procedure for amending the constitution.  "I think that there is nothing wrong with people making symbolic gestures like this; it's a free country," said Martin Cothran, a senior policy analyst. "But at the same time, this is not how you change the constitution. Trying to do it any other way is at bottom cheating. And we don't believe in cheating."

Kentucky Equality's Response to the Family Foundation of Kentucky's attack on the National Freedom to Marry Day

Kentucky Equality Federation and Marriage Equality Kentucky coordinated (with many allies in Louisville), the Marriage Counter Actions here in Kentucky; the Herald-Leader covered the story with the Family Foundation of Kentucky calling our initial attempts to raise awareness of the harm the current same-sex marriage ban has on couples in Kentucky "cheating." In addition, they announced their support of Senate Bill 68.

Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer responds:

"This is another example of how so-called family organizations are some of the most useless, money-hungry scams in the world with their bizarre and all-encompassing 'gay fetish.'

With national divorce rates rising because of layoffs, increases in daycare, and an economy in the tank, one would think a 'family oriented organization' would be focused on economic solutions to help take the stress off couples (such as using their money to provide free daycare instead of lobbying Frankfort against domestic partner benefits, and using children as political pawns). But, instead, they continue to focus on keeping a minority group of families from having the same civil liberties and protections as the majority.

How can excluding gay couples from hospital rooms, fighting to keep us from providing health insurance for each other, and teaching hatred for people who are different be a family value? In Kentucky, you cannot be fired for being a smoker, but you can be fired for being gay……now THAT is cheating (what the Family Foundation of Kentucky called Kentucky Equality Federation’s coordination of the National Freedom to Marry Day in Kentucky).

It is our generation's obligation and opportunity to bring equality to the gay community; we stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us – the time is here."

Five Questions with Jordan Palmer

By: Michael Jones · January 23, 2009
Topics: Defense of Marriage Act · Marriage Equality

We're launching a new weekly series here at gayrights.change.org, where we'll ask five questions to a leader in the struggle for LGBT rights. Think of it as our version of Time Magazine's 10 Questions (only we won't be asking Hugh Hefner or T. Boone Pickens questions any time soon). First up in the hot seat is Jordan Palmer, a member of the Board of Directors for Marriage Equality USA and the founder of Kentucky Equal Rights (now known as the Kentucky Equality Federation). Palmer gives his take below on lessons learned from the passage of Proposition 8, what states he sees as next in line to recognize marriage equality, and why it's important that marriage equality activists come together during the upcoming National Freedom to Marry Day -- among other good stuff.

GAYRIGHTS.CHANGE.ORG: Marriage Equality USA (MEUSA) is releasing three reports this month on the struggle for marriage equality in the U.S.. The first report was a look backward on the No on 8 campaign in California. What lessons were learned by marriage equality supporters in the defeat of the No on 8 campaign?

Concerned that California’s No on 8 campaign didn’t utilize the grassroots community to its potential and recognizing the harm associated with a campaign run by political consultants without sufficient accountability or transparency to the larger community, Marriage Equality USA organized community forums across California and received over 3,100 responses to our on-line survey to reflect the collective wisdom learned from the mistakes of this campaign. MEUSA's report entitled "We Will Never Go Back – Grassroots Input on California's No on Proposition 8 Campaign" identified many positive outcomes from the official No on 8 campaign, but also cited the following major concerns and future opportunities:

• Clergy leaders, identified as the most effective messengers for marriage equality, were underutilized in the No on 8 campaign,
• People of color are part of our LGBTI family and we must promote their leadership and inclusion to inform and direct outreach to these communities,
• The official No on 8 campaign ads lacked heart and inexcusably excluded same-sex couples and their families,
• The official No on 8 field plan lacked visibility and ignored potential volunteers,
• The official No on 8 campaign abandoned our LGBTI community and supporters in the Central Valley, and
• Empowering our grassroots community will help advance our national marriage equality movement.

Under each item of concern or future opportunity, we have also identified a Call to Action that allows us a way to move ahead in addressing these issues. For example, under the section related to the role of clergy, we have asked clergy leaders to take the opportunity of President-Elect Obama's selection of Pastor Rick Warren as the invocation speaker to share with their local congregations and/or communities, reasons why they believe marriage equality is important and begin the slow process of healing and outreach to continue the dialogue with persuadable people of faith.

GAYRIGHTS.CHANGE.ORG: MEUSA is one of the lead organizations, along with Join the Impact, behind the February 12 "National Freedom to Marry Day," -- a day of action where same-sex couples request marriage licenses from clerks across the country. What's the story behind this day and what are the plans for this year's day of action?

Marriage Equality USA started the Marriage Counter Action/Get Engaged for Marriage Equality in 2001. This year, we invited Join the Impact to join us, and we are very excited to be working with them and look forward to a large turnout. We do this annual direct action during Freedom to Marry week to make marriage discrimination visible. It forces our local clerks to have to look us in the eye, see our children, and enforce a discriminatory and unjust law at their counter – it moves everyone who witnesses this sad, but powerful event and gives us the opportunity to tell our stories and show that we live in every community and want to honor and protect our families like everyone else.

GAYRIGHTS.CHANGE.ORG: Does MEUSA ever get behind efforts to pass civil union legislation, or is the organization solely focused on marriage?

Marriage Equality USA does support civil unions and similar relationship protection legislation as a stepping-stone to marriage equality.

GAYRIGHTS.CHANGE.ORG: What are the states you see as most likely to recognize marriage equality in 2009?

I’ll start with one that might surprise you.

On December 9, 2008, the Iowa Supreme Court heard oral argument on its marriage equality lawsuit. The lower trial court has determined that denying same-sex couples access to civil marriage is unconstitutional and we are hopeful that the State Supreme Court will confirm this ruling. We have a wonderful chapter in Iowa working hard to do the education and outreach work necessary to sustain a positive decision and make Iowa the first Midwestern State to recognize marriage equality.

In New York, where the state already recognizes marriages of same-sex couples performed out-of-state, has a strong chance at passing marriage equality legislation and the Governor is already on record as a firm supporter who will sign that bill into law.

It is very likely we will continue to see states in New England upgrade their separate and unequal system of civil unions into marriage equality – New Jersey is the furthest along the path in this regard, but efforts in Vermont, Rhode Island and other places are moving forward.

Of course, we are hopeful that the California Supreme Court will repeal Proposition 8. This court has already determined that denying same-sex couples the right to marry is unconstitutional. The courts must affirm their important role in protecting the minority from the tyranny of the majority and stop efforts to put people’s civil rights up for a popular vote.

GAYRIGHTS.CHANGE.ORG: What does the grassroots of MEUSA look like?

On a chapter level, local meetings, knocking on doors, local community organizing……that’s what it is about; this is one-on-one work to change the hearts and minds of your neighbors, family members, and friends. That is what it takes to bring real change to our entire republic. No one at Marriage Equality USA is paid, no staff. We need money to cover expenses, but I think the 2008 election setbacks in Arizona, Arkansas, California, and Florida, have taught us that no amount of money can replace volunteering, grassroots organizing, and the perseverance of an all - volunteer organization. Yes, we have a tight organizational structure; we would not be able to function without it, but getting people involved as leaders in their local communities, that is our goal...you might even go so far as to call it a ‘dream.’

GAYRIGHTS.CHANGE.ORG: And one more bonus question -- What would you say it will take in order for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to be repealed, and how close are we to seeing its repeal?

We must get out in our local communities, tell our stories, and mobilize. We must meet in person with our states elected Congressional delegations and educate them on marriage equality and the unfairness and impact that DOMA has on seniors, on children and on hardworking Americans. We need to create an environment so President Obama can deliver on his promise to repeal DOMA. It is up to us – what are we willing to do, how active will we be – it has less to do with our politicians and more to do with our community getting engaged and bringing this justice forward. This is a choose your own answer – to each reader – it is up to us. It is our generation’s obligation and opportunity to see this injustice righted in our lifetime. We stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us – the time is here, the time is now, history is calling us – will we answer the call? If you will enlist in the love warrior army – join us at www.marriageequality.org and help us make history together.

News Link: http://news.change.org/stories/five-questions-with-jordan-palmer-marriage-equality-usa

Student groups plan second Pro-Choice Day

Politics, privacy and same-sex marriage will all be celebrated on April 10 in the University Center at Northern Kentucky University. Common Ground, NKU’s gay-straight alliance, and NKU Students for Choice, a pro-choice advocacy organization, will be hosting a series of events as part of their Second Annual Pro-Choice Day.

The goal is to have a same-sex marriage ceremony occur on campus, according to Jacob Barrett of the Kentucky Equality Federation, a state-wide advocacy group for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. The KEF is working with Common Ground to host the event. Presently, Barrett said they do not have a minister willing to officiate the ceremony due to schedule conflicts.

The same-sex marriage ceremony has been postponed twice, once due to weather, and again when the NKU employee and Universal Life Church minister was who was to officiate the wedding, Sam Lapin, backed out of the ceremony after concerns arose from University administrators and his supervisors. Those administrators and supervisors felt the marriage ceremony might elicit controversy and impact Senate Bill 112, which would restrict universities from extending benefits to domestic partners of gay employees. The KEF was not involved in those attempts.

Lapin has not been asked to officiate the ceremony this time around, however, he said he hopes the event is “a great success.”

The event is being advertised as “an official Celebration of Marriage” through flyers posted around campus.

In a previous interview with the Kentucky Enquirer, Sara Sidebottom, vice president for legal affairs and general counsel, said “I didn’t judge the ceremony, I judged the word ‘official,’” referencing previous advertisements that prompted her office to raise concerns about the ceremony. Sidebottom was unavailable for comment prior to press time, and Jay Manire, associate legal counsel, refused to comment.

It is illegal for a person qualified to perform marraiges to legally marry same-sex couples. The use of the word “official” makes it seem like the marriage would be legally recognized. However, Kentucky does not recognize such marriages.

Members of Common Ground did not respond to The Northerner’s requests for information.

The same-sex marriage celebration will wrap up a full day of events. It is scheduled to take place at 4:00 p.m. in the University Center lobby.

At 2:30, Kentucky State Senator Ernesto Scorsone (D-Fayette), an attorney who successfully had Kentucky’s anti-sodomy statutes overturned and a supporter of gay rights issues, will address NKU students in the UC Ballroom.

“I’m going to talk about some of the legal and political issues involving the gay community,” Scorsone said. He said part of his speech would likely include comments on his legal battle to legalize sodomy in the Commonwealth.

“Senator Scorsone is an amazing and effective member of the Senate, and as soon as we were planning on focusing this day on personal empowerment in politics, he was the natural first choice,” said Erin Sandy, vice president for NKU Students for Choice.

Scorsone will be joined by Tara Bonistall, of Planned Parenthood, who will address legal issues relating to women’s rights in Ohio and Kentucky

From 10:30 to 2:30 p.m., the organizations will host a Personal Power ‘ Politics fair that will feature organizations including The KEF, Staff and Faculty for Equality, Educators for Reproductive Freedom, the American Civil Liberties Union, Reproductive Freedom Project, Women’s Crisis Center, National Organization for Women, Cincinnati Women’s Political Caucus, Planned Parenthood, and Obama and Clinton campaign representatives.

Sandy also said she believes the issues of her organization are related to those of Common Ground.

“Students for Choice believes that couples, not the government, should decide if they will marry, and that this is a pro-choice, pro-freedom value, so therefore we proudly stand by and support Common Ground,” she said.

While students inside the University Center will be learning about pro-choice and gay rights issues, outside in the UC plaza will be a pro-life display comparing abortion to historic images of genocide. The display is sponsored by Northern Right to Life.

Northern Right to Life expects “pro-choicers” to protest the display, according to Katie Walker, the organization’s president. However, Sandy said that she hopes no such protest of their event will take place.

“I don’t imagine Right to Life [or any other organization] protesting against educating people about their role in the political sphere, and politics’ role in their lives,” Sandy said, adding that the NKU Students for Choice president, Alex Kindell, has invited Northern Right to Life to share information and literature about their viewpoints at the event instead of protesting.

NRTL expects “pro-choicers” to protest the display, according to Katie Walker, the organization’s president. However, Sandy said that she hopes no such protest of their event will take place.

Gay Equality Rally Held in Kentucky Capitol

Frankfort, KY (education.org) -- Two gay rights groups lobbied lawmakers yesterday and held a rally in the Capitol Rotunda in opposition to the proposed ban on domestic-partner benefits.

The state Senate passed the bill (SB-112) in January. The bills fate now lies in the House of Representatives.

The groups also supported House Bill 33 filed by state Representative Mary Lou Marzian (D) Louisville, which is currently in the House Health and Welfare Committee for consideration.

"It's great that our legislatures are seeing that there is a huge LGBT presence in the commonwealth demanding equality and fairness under Kentucky law," stated Jordan Palmer, President of the Kentucky Equality Federation (http://www.kentuckylgbt.org), a statewide gay rights organization. Palmer added, "Every Kentuckian should feel embarrassed that we have a Senate who wants to micromanage public universities, and kills every bill filed to protect LGBT Kentuckians from discrimination in employment, credit, and accommodations."

After lobbying lawmakers, a rally was held in the Capitol Rotunda where spectators drew inspiration from Kentucky Senator Ernesto Scorsone, Representative Kathy W. Stein, and a local Pastor.

The University of Kentucky, whose domestic-partner benefits program was attacked by the state Senate was represented by UK Gay-Straight Alliance Chairwoman Corinne Keel.

"For the first time in the history of the Gay Rights Movement in Kentucky, we are able to show that gay Kentuckians exist in every region of the commonwealth, and they deserve the same rights and protections as their heterosexual counterparts," stated Paul Brown, Chairman of Bluegrass Fairness of Central Kentucky (http://www.bgfair.org), a Lexington gay rights group.

Committee Approves Anti-Bullying Bill For Schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. -- The Kentucky House Education Committee has unanimously approved an anti-bullying bill for schools.

It would require school districts to design policies to deal with bullies, but critics say that could lead to the teaching of homosexuality.

Critics say the bill could lead to the teaching of homosexuality.

Senate President David Williams - a Republican from Burkesville - said he hasn't read it, but said there's concern about whether the bill could be -- in his words -- "an excuse for the addition of curriculum dealing with aberrant behavior.

Jordan Palmer of the gay rights group Kentucky Equality Federation said Williams is homophobic and says the bill would only promote tolerance of other viewpoints.

Anti-Bullying Bill Approved

Bowling Green -- The Kentucky House Education Committee had unanimously approved an anti-bullying bill for schools.

It would require school districts to design policies to deal with bullies, but critics say that could lead to the teaching of homosexuality.

Senate President David Williams, a Republican from Burkesville, said he has not read it, but said there is concern about whether the bill could be, in his words, "an excuse for the addition of curriculum dealing with aberrant behavior.

Jordan Palmer of the gay rights group Kentucky Equality Federation says Williams is homophobic and says the bill would only promote tolerance of other viewpoints.

Kentucky examines its options against school bullying. One Republican fears protections would increase "aberrant behavior".

The AP reports that some Kentucky legislators want an anti-bullying bill for their schools.

The House Education Committee unanimously approved such a resolution, but conservative Senate President David Williams is concerned that the bill could be - in his words - "an excuse for the addition of curriculum dealing with aberrant behavior." Williams admits he has not yet read the bill.

The gay rights group - Kentucky Equality Federation - is a major supporter of the effort.

New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts are analyzing their school environments for homophobic behavior. California sent shock waves throughout the region when it enacted the Student Civil Rights Bill. And recently, an entire school in Nova Scotia showed its support for a bullied classmate by wearing pink t-shirts to classes.

Committee Approves Anti-Bullying Bill For Schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) -- The Kentucky House Education Committee had unanimously approved an anti-bullying bill for schools.

It would require school districts to design policies to deal with bullies, but critics say that could lead to the teaching of homosexuality.

Senate President David Williams - a Republican from Burkesville - said he hasn't read it, but said there's concern about whether the bill could be -- in his words -- "an excuse for the addition of curriculum dealing with aberrant behavior.

Jordan Palmer of the gay rights group Kentucky Equality Federation says Williams is homophobic and says the bill would only promote tolerance of other viewpoints.

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