Yes, Dorothy, you aren’t in just in Kansas anymore — you’re in Kentucky, Texas, Minnesota, Florida, South Carolina…and no, it’s not the knock on the head while the tornado dislodged your humble farm house, it’s a nationally coordinated plan to deprive trans and non-binary Americans of their Constitutional rights. Hold on to your hats, pop that Dramamine, tighten your seatbelt for the gale force winds in “Inside the Secret Working Group That Helped Push Anti-Trans Laws Across the Country” and The Anti-Trans Hate Machine: A PLOT AGAINST EQUALITY
Embracing Inclusive Democracy in Kentucky
The Journey Toward Greater LGBTQ+ Political Representation
Atransformative narrative unfolds in the verdant heartland of Kentucky, where history and progress intersect. It’s a story of courage, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of inclusive democracy. This narrative champions a simple yet revolutionary idea: the halls of power in Frankfort should reflect the diverse tapestry of identities that make up the Bluegrass State.
The Call for LGBTQ+ Candidates in Kentucky
LGBTQ+ political representation in Kentucky faces historical and ongoing challenges. The LGBTQ Council for Kentucky Democrats calls for YOUR voice, resilience, tenacity, and deep-seated commitment to democracy. You are not just a potential candidate; You are the vanguard of a more representative Kentucky, advocating for policies that embrace every Kentuckian’s dignity and rights.
Overcoming Barriers: The Path Ahead for LGBTQ+ Representation
The journey for LGBTQ+ candidates in Kentucky is fraught with challenges. Yet, this path, marked by opposition and hardship, underscores the importance of LGBTQ+ voices among our elected officials. Stories of determination and the community’s support inspire us and you to solve the critical need for diverse representation in shaping a fair and equitable society.
Rallying Support for LGBTQ+ Political Engagement in Kentucky
We are on a quest to identify outstanding LGBTQ+ representatives. The Council is mobilizing resources, mentorship, and support networks dedicated to uplifting LGBTQ+ candidates. This section outlines actionable steps and resources we have made available for those ready to make their mark in Kentucky politics, emphasizing the importance of unity and shared purpose in this endeavor.
A Future of Equality and Representation
The vision of a more inclusive Kentucky is within our grasp. By championing LGBTQ+ political representation, we pave the way for a future where everyone can see themselves reflected in their government. This is not just a campaign for the here and now but a foundational effort toward building a Kentucky that celebrates diversity, champions equality, and embodies the spirit of democracy. We Are Kentucky!
In Conclusion: Your Voice, Your Power
To the aspiring LGBTQ+ candidates in Kentucky, this is your moment. The path to political representation is a personal and collective journey toward creating a state that honors every citizen’s identity and rights. Together, we can forge a future where the principles of inclusive democracy guide our way—a Kentucky that stands as a beacon of progress, equality, and representation for all.
Step Forward for Change
Become LGBTQ+ Representation in Kentucky Politics
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In-depth, Intelligent, Intriguing, Inspiring
2024 KY General Assembly Bill Tracking
Check Fairness Campaign for LGBTQIA, diversity/equity/inclusion in healthcare and education Bills! https://www.fairness.org/legislativeaction/
Follow bills’ progress on Legislative Research Commission‘s excellent website https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/24rs/record.html
SB 93: Prevents public and charter schools from using programs or training that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Prohibits public school districts and schools from expending any resources or funds or to implement any programs that address “diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging”.
HB 9: bans DEI in public colleges 24RS HB 9 (ky.gov) Sponsor: Decker (SB 93: prohibits expanding resources for schools to DEI and sense of belonging Education Committee in Senate 24RS SB 93 (ky.gov) Sponsor: Meredith)
| Sponsors | K. Herron, L. Willner, C. Aull, T. Bojanowski, G. Brown Jr., L. Burke, A. Camuel, B. Chester-Burton, A. Gentry, D. Graham, D. Grossberg, N. Kulkarni, R. Palumbo, J. Raymond, R. Roarx, R. Roberts, S. Stalker, C. Stevenson |
| Summary of Original Version | Repeal and reenact KRS 344.010 to define various terms; amend KRS 344.020, relating to the purpose of the Kentucky’s civil rights chapter, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.025, 344.040, 344.050, 344.060, 344.070, and 344.080, relating to prohibited discrimination in various labor and employment practices, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.100 and 344.110 to conform; amend KRS 344.120 and 342.140, relating to prohibited discrimination in places of public accommodation and advertisements therefor, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.170, 344.180, 344.190, 344.300, and 344.310, relating to the state and local human rights commissions, to include prohibition of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in the scope of their powers and duties; amend KRS 344.360, 344.370, 344.380, and 344.680, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain housing, real estate, and other financial transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.367, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain insurance sales, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; amend KRS 344.400, relating to prohibited discrimination in certain credit transactions, to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; make various technical amendments; amend KRS 18A.095 to conform. |
HB 330: Bans conversion therapy 24RS HB 330 (ky.gov) Sponsor: Willner
https://translegislation.com/bills/2024/KY
KY HB304 EDUCATION AN ACT relating to education and declaring an emergency.
Amend KRS 158.191 to ensure parental rights and involvement by requiring notification within two business days of specific events; require a district to adopt procedures that both encourage students to speak with parents and require facilitation of the discussion with parents; forbid a district or school from adopting policies that keep any student information confidential from parents or refuse information requested by a parent with specific exceptions; forbid a district from requiring school personnel or students to use nonconforming pronouns for any individual instead of just students, establish the type of mental health services that the section does not prohibit a district from seeking for students; amend KRS 158.1415 to prohibit a child in any grade level from receiving instruction on a specific topic a parent has provided written notice to the school asserting an objection due to religious or moral beliefs; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to establish a cause of action for violations; create a new section of KRS Chapter 158 to prohibit a disciplinary action or adverse employment action for an employee informing a parent of specific information about a student or declining to use a pronoun or title inconsistent with the individual’s biological sex; amend KRS 158.193 to establish that a school employee may participate in voluntary, student-initiated, student-led prayer when invited to do so; EMERGENCY.
KY HB358 BIRTH CERTIFICATES AN ACT relating to birth certificates.
Amend KRS 213.046, 213.056, and 213.071 to require the biological sex designation on a birth certificate to be either male or female and prohibit a nonbinary or any symbol representing a nonbinary designation including the letter “X.”
KY HB390 CIVIL RIGHTS AN ACT relating to sex-based classifications. Anti Bostock; strict gender binary per Chris Hartman. KY Commission on Human Rights.
Create new sections of KRS Chapter 61 to define “boy,” “equal,” “female,” “girl,” “male,” “man,” “sex,” and “woman”; prohibit any state or local law, regulation, ordinance, or policy from treating males or females unfairly from similarly situated members of the opposite sex, but permit separation of the sexes if in the interest of maintaining safety, privacy, and fairness; provide a non-exhaustive list of examples of areas in which public entities may distinguish between the sexes; require any public school, public school district, state agency, department, local government, special district, or any political subdivision of those entities that collects vital statistics to identify each person as either male or female; provide that the Act may be cited as the Kentucky Women’s Bill of Rights.
KY HB9 EDUCATION AN ACT relating to postsecondary education and declaring an emergency.
new sections of KRS Chapter 164 to define terms; prohibit a public postsecondary education institution from providing differential treatment or benefits on the basis of an individual’s religion, race, sex, color, or national origin; from influencing the composition of the student body or scholarship recipients on the basis of religion, race, sex, color, or national origin; from implementing a student housing assignment plan on the basis of religion, race, color, or national origin with designated exceptions; from expending any resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion, the promotion of discriminatory topics, or bias incident investigations; from soliciting statements on an applicant’s experience with or views on religion, race, sex, color, or national origin; from requiring a course or training on diversity, equity, and inclusion or discriminatory concepts as a program requirement; and from permitting credit from a course dedicated to the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion or discriminatory concepts to count towards the total number of credits required for a degree or certificate, or disseminating or profiting from any research, work product, or material that promotes or justifies discriminatory concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion; establish exclusions; require each governing board of a public postsecondary education institution to amend the institution’s policy on nondiscrimination to include a clause on ideological neutrality that prohibits institutional discrimination on the basis of an individual’s political or social ideology; prohibit a public postsecondary education institution from requiring or encouraging any individual to endorse or condemn a specific political or social ideology or make any inquiry into the political or social ideology of students, faculty, and staff or from providing preferential or prejudicial consideration or treatment to an individual on the basis of that individual’s actual or perceived political or social ideology; prohibit the Council on Postsecondary Education from providing differential treatment or benefits on the basis of an individual’s religion, race, sex, color, or national origin or from expending any resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion or discriminatory topics…
Pride and Joy in the Kentucky LGBTQIA+ Community: A Celebration of Summer
The onset of summer in Kentucky marks a time of warmth, longer days, and a shared sense of joy that particularly resonates within our LGBTQIA+ community. This feeling intensifies during the celebration of Pride, a period for us to come together, expressing ourselves openly and relishing in the diversity that shapes us.
Visualize this: A sunny Kentucky afternoon beckons you outdoors. In the heart of downtown, a Pride festival pulses with life. Laughter bounces off the vibrant city streets, under a sky speckled with rainbow flags. This is the Pride and joy in the Kentucky LGBTQIA+ community – a time to commemorate not just our unique identities but our united journey towards acceptance and equality.
But the beauty of Pride extends beyond these grand events. It is tucked within everyday moments. It’s the exchanged smiles over iced drinks on a blistering day, a supportive hug when someone bravely steps into their truth, or the communal laughter at a friendly backyard barbeque. These small yet powerful instances speak volumes about acceptance and inclusivity, the core values of our community.
The joy we experience during Pride is a tribute to our resilience and the victories of our community’s advocates who relentlessly fought for the rights and acknowledgment we currently cherish. Each joyful moment serves as a reflection of the battles conquered and a source of courage for the obstacles yet to be overcome.
As we enjoy the summer season, let’s uphold a promise to each other. Let’s ensure every voice in our community is heard. Let’s celebrate every individual identity in our dynamic spectrum. The Pride and joy in the Kentucky LGBTQIA+ community can be amplified so that our collective happiness becomes a symbol of hope, resilience, and unity.
Our community, brimming with diversity, is unified in its pursuit of equality, acceptance, and respect. Our shared joy symbolizes our strength, our determination, and our celebratory spirit. As we soak in the summer warmth, let’s hold on to this joy, allowing it to invigorate us and guide us towards a future where everyone can confidently embrace their identity.
As Kentucky Democrats, we can seize the opportunity to make this summer unforgettable for our LGBTQIA+ community. We can ensure that this season of joy isn’t just about getting by but about thriving. This summer, let’s revel in our Pride, cherish our shared joy, and work to make our community more inclusive and welcoming. This is the Pride and joy in the Kentucky LGBTQIA+ community.
Governor Beshear’s Visit to West Louisville
Hey, fellow Kentuckians! I’m excited after attending Governor Beshear’s electrifying re-election launch party today in West Louisville. Trust me; it was off the charts! I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm and want to share every bit of that energy with you. Get ready because we’re about to dive headfirst into a movement redefining Kentucky for our generation and beyond!
Inspiring Engagement and Unstoppable Grit:
Listen up, folks! We can’t afford to be passive observers anymore. It’s time to take action, be heard, and make a difference. Colonel Pamela Stevenson’s words hit me hard when she said, “I’m standing square in the middle of who I am.” That’s the spirit we need—unyielding determination and unwavering authenticity. Let’s channel that energy and fight tooth and nail to protect our democracy.
Celebrating Victories and Unleashing Our Potential:
Imagine a Kentucky where we’re not just playing catch-up but leading the charge. Governor Beshear and Jacqueline Coleman have lit a fire lifting our state’s economy and bringing investments that will put Kentucky on the map as the center for electric vehicles. Jobs will be popping up left and right, and opportunities will be knocking at our doors. Let’s give a round of applause for the victories we’ve achieved and gear up for even greater triumphs!
Inclusive Growth and Empowered Communities:
Enough with leaving certain neighborhoods behind! Congressman Morgan McGarvey hit the nail when he talked about inclusive prosperity. It’s time to bridge those gaps and ensure every Kentuckian feels the economic boom. And you know what? Governor Beshear gets it too. He’s ensuring West Louisville gets the largest investment it’s seen in the past 150 years with a major new hospital campus. That’s our commitment to uplift and create wealth in our communities.
Resilience: Our Secret Weapon:
Kentucky, we’re some tough cookies! We’ve faced challenges head-on, from the pandemic to natural disasters, and guess what? We’re still standing tall. Lieutenant Governor Coleman reminded us of our resilience and that it’ll keep us pushing forward. We won’t back down in the face of adversity. Instead, we’ll rise stronger, united as a force to be reckoned with.
Answer hate and fear… with love and compassion, empathy, inclusion.
Governor Andy Beshear
Embracing a Future Built on Love and Compassion:
No more dividing lines, no more spreading hate. It’s time to bring people together. Governor Beshear said it loud and clear: “Answer hate and fear… with love and compassion, empathy, inclusion.” Let’s create a Kentucky that embraces diversity, where every voice matters. Together, we’ll build bridges, not walls, and fight for an equitable and just future for all. That’s a governor that has our back in the LGBTQIA community.
Kentucky, we have the power to make a real difference. This election is our chance to shape the future we want to see. So, join me on this exhilarating journey as we rally behind Governor Beshear’s re-election campaign. Together, we’ll break barriers, rewrite the rules, and pave the way for a vibrant, inclusive Kentucky filled with endless possibilities. The time for action is now, and I know we’re ready to rock this! Let’s do it!
