Gay rights advocates rally for anti-discrimination law
By Jack Brammer – jbrammer@herald-leader.com
FRANKFORT — Cries in the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday called for an end to discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Kentuckians.
A rally sponsored by the Kentucky Fairness Alliance filled the Rotunda and featured speeches from two officials with the state Commission on Human Rights and several state lawmakers.
The Rev. Albert Pennybaker, a retired Lexington minister with the Disciples of Christ, congratulated the rally participants and said they showed “more decency and moral integrity” than those attending a rally held last Saturday on the Capitol steps “by a questionable religious assembly.”
He later said he was referring to a “Restore America of Kentucky” rally of about 400 people that was organized by the Rev. Jeff Fugate, the pastor of Clays Mill Baptist Church in Lexington.
Fugate maintains that families are under attack by liberals and homosexuals through abortion and same-sex marriage.
Fugate was out of town Wednesday and was not immediately available for comment, said a staffer at his church.
The speakers at Wednesday’s rally encouraged passage of identical proposals in the House and Senate that would prohibit discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Kentuckians in employment, housing and public accommodations.
House Bill 117 is sponsored by Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, D-Louisville. Senate Bill 138 is sponsored by Sen. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington.
All Kentuckians should have equality under the law, Marzian said.
John Johnson, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, encouraged people to speak out for fairness.
“Good things come quickly to those who agitate,” he said. “We call on our leaders to recognize the dignity of human lives.”
George Stinson, chair of the human rights commission who identified himself as a gay male, said it would be “the right thing to do” for state lawmakers to approve the fairness legislation.
Chris Hartman, director of the Fairness Campaign in Louisville, noted that 10 legislators have signed on as sponsors of the fairness bills.
About the Author: John Stamper is the accountability editor for the Lexington Herald-Leader. A native of Monticello, Ky., he has been with the Herald-Leader in a variety of roles since graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2000. Reach him at jstamper@herald-leader.com
UKfan | Feb 24, 2010 | Reply
Why don’t we have one anti-discrimination law regardless of race, religion, sex, age, disability, or anything else that one could possible could discriminate against instead of have half a dozen different laws? Yes I agree that homosexuals should not be discriminated against, but not should someone who is has a disability, race, or for any other reason should have the same protection.
jacob freeman | Feb 24, 2010 | Reply
These people are neurotic radicals and will not stop until everyone including children are FORCED to accept them. They are unstable and unbalanced and have an end-game that would shock you if you took the time to research it.
Linda T. | Feb 25, 2010 | Reply
How does one prove or disprove he or she is gay?
Sonya W. | Feb 25, 2010 | Reply
You need a better fitting tinfoil hat, Jacob.
Joe Constitution | Feb 25, 2010 | Reply
This is in the constitution…”
“All Kentuckians should have equality under the law, Marzian said.
Yet I believe this is written by a conservative…
“These people are neurotic radicals and will not stop until everyone including children are FORCED to accept them.”
I could be wrong. Jacob, are you a progressive liberal by any chance?
Do conservatives really not know what the constitution says or are they so prejudiced and filled with hate they can’t understand the meaning of the constitution?
It’s baffling.
Big Ben 4 liberty | Feb 25, 2010 | Reply
We need this stupid bill about as much as we all need to start drilling holes in our heads.
Curtis Morrison | Feb 25, 2010 | Reply
“who identified himself as a gay male”
WTH? No, really, George is gay. He didn’t just choose to identify himself that way, and you he’s really straight like Jesus on the inside. Homophobia much, Jack?
Curtis Morrison | Feb 25, 2010 | Reply
typo in my last post…you got me flustered. should have been:
“who identified himself as a gay male”
WTH? No, really, George is gay. He didn’t just choose to identify himself that way, and he’s really straight like Jesus on the inside. Homophobia much, Jack?
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