Come Together Kentucky (CTK) 2008

Kentucky Equality Federation today announced all online donations made to Kentucky Equality until April 10, 2008 will benefit Come Together Kentucky.

Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer initially made the cutoff date April 04, 2008, but extended it until April 10, 2008 because of Come Together Kentucky’s dire need for funds. Kentucky Equality Federation has raised $368.00 of the $2,000.00 requested since April 01, 2008.

The goal of Come Together Kentucky 2008 is to facilitate learning and dialogue between the different secondary education institutes in Kentucky (and since it is at Northern Kentucky University this year, Cincinnati schools will be invited as well). Come Together Kentucky's workshops and speakers aim to promote diversity and understanding of others.

Come Together Kentucky was started 1996, and this is the fist year it is held at Northern Kentucky University. Programming for this event will be in the areas of: Cultural, Service, Education and Leadership.

"Education and exposure to diversity in non-threatening environments promotes tolerance; it is critical this occur during high-school and college, when individual minds are significantly more open to social diversity." - Jordan Palmer

Countdown! Make your stand!

We need your urgent help to kill a bill in the Kentucky House of Representatives that will redefine domestic-partner to exclude same-sex couples (House Bill 118 and Senate Bill 112).

Anti-gay activists want to strip away domestic-partner benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people at Kentucky universities.

Earlier this month, Kentucky Equality Federation management had meetings with House Leadership to kill SB 112 and HB 118. Both bills died in Committee (thanks to your emails and support). However, some lawmakers are trying to go around the Committee on Health and Welfare and bring the killed bill to the floor (called a “discharge”) for a vote. If Democrats in the House get enough votes for a discharge, we’ve been advised the bill will pass if the entire House is permitted to vote on it.

Join Kentucky Equality in urging all members of the Kentucky House of Representatives to stop these hateful attacks Kentucky’s LGBT population.

Click here to sign the petition.

Thank you for helping Kentucky Equality Federation stop unfair attacks on our equality.

Protect Kentucky Families – Fight the Healthcare Inequality Bill.

January 31, 2008 - House of Representatives Bill 118 is the House version of Senate Bill 112 that passed 30-5 on January 30, 3008. House Bill 118 was condemned by Kentucky Equality Federation as a sneak attack (story) by House Democrats on Healthcare Equality.

Public universities and other government agencies would not be allowed to offer health insurance to the unmarried domestic partners of their employees should this bill become law.

House Bill 118 hamstrings University of Kentucky President Lee Todd and University of Louisville President Jim Ramsey in managing their institutions, which allow health insurance for domestic partners. "We continue to hope that the legislature will allow universities to make health-care decisions that affect their employees," said UK spokesman Jay Blanton.

Senator Vernie McGaha, the official who introduced SB 112 (passed in the Senate on January 30, 2008) stated: "That marriage is between a man and a woman. I do not recognize domestic partnership as being a correct thing. My Bible teaches against it.”

Click here to sign our Action Alert and ask the Kentucky House of Representatives to reject House Bill 118. Please be sure to sign any other Action Alerts you haven't signed.

Help spread the word! Forward this action alert to your friends and family!