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By David Williams Editor, The Letter—Kentucky's GLBT Newspaper Louisville, Kentucky, January 12-- For the fifth time in seven years, an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in employment, housing and public accommodations has been introduced before the Louisville board of aldermen. This year, the proposal also includes gender identity as a protected category. Local GLBT activists worked hard to have gender-inclusive language inserted in the bill. Unlike its previous incarnations, the 1999 proposal has been divided into three separate proposals covering employment, housing, and public accommodations, respectively.
Alicia Pedreira had informed the individual who hired her at the Kentucky Baptist Homes for Children (KBHC) that she is lesbian; he told her she'd have no problem as long as higher-ups didn't hear about it. The agency eventually learned of her homosexuality after a photo of Pedreira and her lover was displayed at the Kentucky State Fair. KBHC asked her to resign. She refused and was fired. Though affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, KBHC is funded mainly by the state of Kentucky. Ironically, it would not be covered by the proposed ordinances because it's headquartered outside city limits. If it were within the city, it would have to comply. The proposed ordinances do exempt churches and religious-based organizations if they receive a majority of their monies from churches. Anti-Fairness forces are already in high gear. Several radio stations targeting an African-American audience began airing ads warning listeners that if the measure passes, the city's children will be at risk of sexual predation by homosexuals. Source of the ads is not yet known. In addition, Dr. Frank Simon, Kentucky's leading anti-gay crusader, used his weekly television show this past Sunday to broadcast similar warnings. GayToday Editorial Note: Dr. Frank Simon, according to a report in the Louisville Courier Journal (January 13) was among "a handful of Fairness Campaign opponents." The newspaper quoted Dr. Simon as saying "This is basically an anti-Christian bill," and "It's like spitting in God's face." Kentucky's GLBT newspaper The Letter Subscriptions: $25 for the first year; $20 for renewals Address: Phoenix Hill Enterprises P.O. Box 3882 Louisville, Kentucky 40201 |
