Gay Today: World

Saying 'No' to Kentucky's Ku Klux Klan

Compiled By GayToday

Louisville, Kentucky--Over twenty organizations joined together in a call for a Unity Gathering on Frankfort Avenue here in reaction to the recent appearance of the Ku Klux Klan. The Gathering was held Sunday in front of the Fairness Campaign office at 2263 Frankfort Avenue.

Last weekend, the Klan added its voice to those of protesters who were upset by performances of Terrance McNally's play "Corpus Christi" at Artswatch on Frankfort Avenue.

"This isn't about whether you approve of that play or not. This is about the Klan and the equal opportunity hate that they spread," said Mattie Jones, Justice Resource Center.

This was borne out by the Klan's actions last weekend. The Klan simply used the controversy of the gay-themed play as an excuse to attack the African-American and Jewish communities in addition to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community with their hate-filled flyers handed out and left on cars along Frankfort Avenue.

A spokesman for the Klan has told local media that they would be back Saturday to protest.

"We cannot stand by and do nothing," said Diane Moten with Southerners on New Ground. "Anytime the Klan shows its face, good people must stand up and say that it is not OK, that we do not stand for what the Klan represents."

Related Stories from the GayToday Archive:
Gay Jesus Exhibit Needs Police Protection

India: Zealots Close Down Lesbian Movie

Trent Lott, Anti-Gay U.S. Senate Leader, Tied to Racist Group

Related Sites:
The Letter

GayToday does not endorse related sites.

The last time the Klan made an appearance in Louisville was in April of 1996 when it held a demonstration on the Jefferson County Courthouse steps. Then as now several organizations came together in a Unity Rally to say "Not in our town."

The Unity Rally was a peaceful demonstration that focused on the shared values of this community: the belief in justice, equality and diversity.

"This is a time for all good people to come together and take a stand against hate," said Carol Kraemer of the Fairness Campaign. "This shows us how important it is to work together as a community in all areas of justice."

The sponsors of the Unity Gathering include: ADAPT (Local & National), American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, Anti-Racist Action, BRAT, Community Relations Council of the Jewish Community Federation, Fairness Campaign, Fellowship of Reconciliation, First Ward Alderwoman Tina Ward-Pugh, Interweave of 1st Unitarian Church, Jeff Street Baptist Community at Liberty, Jefferson CO. NOW, Justice Resource Center, Louisville Youth Group, Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Kentucky Youth Advocates, National Coalition Building Institute, National Conference for Community & Justice, Nurses Professional Organization, Order of Jonathan Daniels, Religious Leaders for Fairness and Southerners on New Ground.