Hospital Bill Passed the House; Over $5,000 Kentuckians need YOUR help!

Dear Friends and Supporters:

Several new action alerts need your attention. We appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to bring equality to Kentucky!

HOSPITAL VISITATION RIGHTS:
The Health Facility Patient's Visitation Right passed the House of Representatives; its fate is now in the hands of the Kentucky Senate.  Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer appealed to Senate President Williams to pass the legislation.  (view)

However, the LGBTI community and our allies need to act also.  Sign the action alert for the Kentucky Senate to pass House Bill 118!

HIV/AIDS IN THE COMMONWEALTH:
HIV and AIDS healthcare in Kentucky is decimated; the Commonwealth allowed the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program to expire. Now, lawmakers in Frankfort want to remove HIV/AIDS training requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Since treatment options change rapidly, it is imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS.

The health of over 5,000 low-income Kentuckians living with HIV are already in grave danger without the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and House Bill 350 will place the lives of those at risk of infection in grave danger.  Sign the action alert to oppose House Bill 350, and the alert to Restore the Kentucky AIDS Drugs Assistance Program!

The time has come for genuine change in Kentucky. YOU have an impact!

OTHER 2010 CRITICAL ACTION ALERTS: (each alert will open in a new window)

1.  Equality Bill - No Discrimination because of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity.
2.  Declaration for Marriage Equality in Kentucky.
3.  Declaration reclaiming Kentucky's sovereignty.

2010 can be a year of change if we work for it and demand it. You have an impact.

DISCRIMINATION:Kentucky Equality Federation's Discrimination and School Bullying Committee settled a complaint against the Radio Shack Corporation, and is currently working with Wal-Mart. (more)
Follow us on Twitter (other social networking sites are also listed below such as Facebook, MySpace, and YouTube).

Continue to report your discrimination cases to us!  Because we receive so many, Kentucky Equality Federation^TM has established a new committee, the Discrimination and School Bullying Committee to continue to address the complaints you have been sending us since 2005!  We will be your advocate!

Restore the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program!

To all members and subscribers,

HIV and AIDS healthcare in Kentucky stopped in 2007 when the Commonwealth failed to renew the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program.  The health of low-income Kentuckians living with HIV, as well as the lives of those at risk of infection are in grave danger; we need your help to restore the program!

Kentucky has more than 1,200 people enrolled in its program for low-income HIV and AIDS patients.  But the Lexington Herald-Leader reports nearly 100 patients are on a waiting list that started in June for the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (a Kentucky program, different from the Ryan White Programs). 

"The fact that the Commonwealth stopped funding the low-income program in 2007 is inhumane, shortsighted, and threatens individual and public health," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader:

State lawmakers acknowledge they have overlooked the program. They think it deserves state money again, but nobody is sure where that money would come from in the 2010 General Assembly, where the talk will be about cuts. Economic forecasters predict a possible state budget shortfall of more than $1 billion over the next two years.

"Frankly, with some of these programs, the legislature just loses track of them because at any given moment there's 1,500 issues in front of us," said House Health and Welfare Chairman Tom Burch (D-Louisville). (story)

You can help people with HIV/AIDS healthcare in Kentucky. Use the same letter below (or write your own) to contact the House Committee on Health and Welfare Members.

Click HERE to sign the action alert!

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Others News

The events calendar has also been updated with many new events being held by various organizations across the Commonwealth, including Equality Northern Kentucky, and the Imperial Court of Kentucky!

The United We Stand news blog has officially changed its format and is no longer under the control of Kentucky Equality Federation.  Though it remains the "official" endorsed news blog of the Federation, United We Stand now has five contributors with journalistic freedom and independence from any organization.  We urge you to subscribe to LGBTI related news!  United We Stand's new internet address is www.UnitedWeStandKY.com.

According to their new website:

United We Stand is Kentucky's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex news blog. United We Stand maintains objective journalistic independence from any endorsed organization. United We Stand is currently officially endorsed by Kentucky Equality Federation, Marriage Equality Kentucky, and Kentucky Equality PAC.

Due to the health problems currently facing our president, the October 03, 2009 event Equality....Don't Stop Believin' was canceled. None of our other volunteers had the experience to manage such an event without direct involvement from President Palmer which currently, simply isn't possible. Everyone who purchased tickets for the event will receive a refund no later than 11/30/2009 by check or electronic deposit back to your account.

Have you signed Marriage Equality Kentucky's Marriage Declaration yet?  The Marriage Declaration is a proclamation that marriage is a basic constitutional right that should be extended to all people. For additional information.

June Newsletter

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YOUTH SUMMIT:
Registration is now open for the 2009 Greater Cincinnati GLBTQ Youth Summit on September 26th, 2009.

The Summit will be held at Northern Kentucky University and will feature a full day of educational workshops, a socializing lunch hour, expansive community resource center, and an entertaining dinner show. This event is free, and open to people of all ages.

NEW GROUPS:
A number of new groups have been created by Regional Directors and Outreach Directors. Please visit the Community Outreach Page for additional information and join us!

SPECIAL EVENT:
As a reminder, the Equality......Don't Stop Believin' event has been rescheduled for October 03, 2009 in a special area of Adonis. Tickets remain available for purchase; don't miss your chance to see Ryan Hill and Brian Kent live!

Proceeds benefit Kentucky Equality Federation, Marriage Equality Kentucky, and GLSEN Greater Cincinnati.

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