The document discusses LGBT rights and advocacy in Kentucky. It provides demographic data showing 3.9% of Kentucky's adult population identifies as LGBT. While some cities have non-discrimination ordinances, statewide protections do not exist. The largest advocacy organizations work to promote legislation protecting LGBT individuals from discrimination and to educate the public. Strategies for influencing policy include community events, lobbying lawmakers, and appealing to shift public opinion over time.

1. LGBT IN KENTUCKY
Strategies to influence/ change public policy.

2. KENTUCKY DEMOGRAPHICS
 Total State Population:4,339,367
 Total Adult Population:3,362,177
 Total LGBT Population:131,125
 LGBT % of State Adult Population:3.9%
 % of Same-Sex Couples Raising Children:18%
 Considered socially conservative
 Only 35 percent of polled Kentuckians support same-sex
marriage, support has increased in recent years
http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/profile_state/KY

3. KENTUCKY DEMOGRAPHICS
• 2 counties out of 120 have an ordinance prohibiting
private employment discrimination based on gender
identity.
• 6 cities have an ordinance prohibiting private
employment discrimination based on gender identity.
• 2 counties out of 120 have an ordinance prohibiting
private employment discrimination based on sexual
orientation.
• 6 cities have an ordinance prohibiting private
employment discrimination based on sexual
orientation.
htwww.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/profilestate/KYtp://

4. LGBT RIGHTS IN KENTUCKY
Same-sex sexual activity legal?
Legal since 1992
(Kentucky v. Wasson)
Gender identity/expression
Transsexuals may alter their birth certificate after sex-
reassignment surgery
Discrimination protections Sexual orientation and gender identity protections
Family rights
Recognition of
relationships
None at state level
Adoption Single homosexuals may adopt
htwww.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/profile_state/KYtp://

5. LGBT RIGHTS IN KENTUCKY
• Private employment
• Eight Kentucky cities have local non-discrimination ordinances—or Fairness Ordinances—covering sexual
orientation and gender identity:
• Covington (2003),
• Danville (2014),
• Frankfort (2013),
• Lexington-Fayette County (1999),
• Louisville Metro (1999),
• Morehead (2013),
• Vicco (2013) – The smallest city to pass a Fairness Ordinance.
• Midway (2015). The City of Henderson adopted a non-discrimination ordinance in 1999 but a subsequent
group of city commissioners removed the protections in 2001.
https://pediaview.com/openpedia/LGBT_rights_in_Kentucky

6. HATE CRIMES & LGBT IN KENTUCKY
Hate crime laws
• Kentucky statutes cover hate crimes based on sexual orientation but DO NOT include not
gender identity.
• On March 15, 2012, the Kentucky State Police and FBI arrested several individuals for the
beating of Kevin Pennington
• Kentucky Equality Federation’s president, Jordan Palmer, began lobbying the U.S.
Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky In August 2011 to prosecute after stating he
had no confidence for the local commonwealth to act. “
https://pediaview.com/openpedia/LGBT_rights_in_Kentucky

7. Strategies to influence public policy
• Largely the LGBT community has focused on marches, events and appealing to the emotions of the public to
sway public opinion or influence public policy.
• The LGBT community does have advocates who lobby and promote public and social policy change at a
statewide level as well.
• Several laws have now been amended and/or passed protect the LGBT communities rights, such as, same
sex marriage.

8. LGBT MOVEMENTS IN KENTUCKY
• Annual Gay & Lesbian Film Series
Kentucky Fairness Alliance held the 1st Annual Gay & Lesbian Film Series Kickoff Gala on May 30, 2008 in
Louisville. The Human Rights Campaign was a sponsor for the event.
• Lexington pride festival 6/24/2017
March with us in the Kentuckiana Pride Parade
 May 26, 2016
 Posted in LGBT Rights
“5,6,7,8 … show your pride and celebrate!” The ACLU-KY will take to the streets once again at
this year’s Kentuckiana Pride Parade. March along with us! Kentuckiana Pride Parade Friday,
June 17, 7 p.m. Downtown Louisville We’ll have flags to wave and balloons to celebrate LGBT
visibility and wins against discrimination. Come out to mark […]
https://pediaview.com/openpedia/LGBT_rights_in_Kentucky

9. LGBT ADVOCATES IN KENTUCKY
• Louisville, Kentucky was the birthplace of The Fairness Campaign.
• Fairness Campaign is a member of the Equality Federation and recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)4
organization.
• Primary focus is preventing discrimination due to sexual orientation and/or gender identity. They
promote statewide legislation that provides protection.

10. LGBT ADVOCATES IN KENTUCKY
Kentucky Equality Federation is an umbrella organization for LGBT civil rights.
Members include Federation for Kentucky Equality, Inc., Kentucky Equality Coalition, Inc., and Kentucky Equality PAC.
Mission Statement
Kentucky Equality Federation believes all people are endowed with inalienable rights to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness and fulfillment free from oppression, discrimination,
school bullying, and hate crimes regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, creed, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other defining characteristic.
The end of discrimination is not simply the elimination of flagrant abuses, rather it is the ability of a person to fully exercise their Kentucky human rights to the same full extent enjoyed by their
peers, without fear of retribution, aspersion, or harm, be that harm political or social.
We assist and act as public advocate for people who have been bullied, discriminated against, or victimized in addition to assisting them with legal remedies. When the laws have not caught up
to the moral needs of society, we will seek their modification, pursuant to the creation of a just society.
Kentucky Equality Federation fights for:
•Bully-Free Schools across Kentucky •Gender-Neutral Marriage (marriage equality) •Equal Ballot-Access and Voting Rights •Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Equality
in Kentucky (the Kentucky lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex civil rights movement)
•Every other measure necessary to leave future generations with a legacy of justice and freedom.
We will remain ever vigilant against bureaucratic abuses of power, the evils of discriminatory legislation, and every other tool of oppressors, be they individuals, corporations, organizations, or
governments.
We commit to the struggle for equal rights for all classes of people, groups, and organizations which share our values and call on all free and fair-minded people who share these values to join
us in our common cause, and welcome all who share our commitment to justice and equality.
http://www.kyequality.org/about.htm

11. LGBT Advocates in Kentucky
• The Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA) was first formed in 1993 and based in Kentucky. In 2013 it merged with The
Fairness Campaign.
• KFA offered education and advocacy to the LGBT community as well as individuals and families in Kentucky.

12. LGBT Advocates in Kentucky
• The ACLU of Kentucky has been an supporter of the LGBT community from the beginning.
• ACLU promotes a society that all individuals enjoy equality, personal autonomy and privacy.
• ACLU is nationwide with a 50 state network of affiliate offices filing cases in state and federal courts.
• ACLU appears before the Supreme Court more than any other organization except the Department of Justice.
• ACLU is nonpartisan and nonprofit.

13. References
http://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/profile_state/KY
https://pediaview.com/openpedia/LGBT_rights_in_Kentucky
http://www.kyequality.org/about.htm