Chris Hartman he/him, director of Kentucky’s Fairness Campaign, leads statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy, focusing on fairness laws, public education, and coalition-building to advance equality and combat discrimination.

Use one queer slang word to describe Kentucky!

Girrrrrrrrrrl

How did you activate and organize your community for equality?

I’ve tried to show up. In all parts of our commonwealth. I say, so much of the work is where we put our physical selves, or our attention.

In the last 25 years, what is one moment that gave you hope for Kentucky’s fight in equality?

Vicco’s passage of the Fairness Ordinance after a decade of drought was truly inspiring. While we knew it would become the smallest city in Kentucky with LGBTQ+ rights, we didn’t know it would be the smallest in all of America to protect queer folks from discrimination. That was truly magical, and the international media storm that surrounded it helped transform the conversation not just in Kentucky, but across America about rural LGBTQ+ support. 

What do you think is next for Kentucky in the fight for Equality?

City number 25 with a Fairness Ordinance! (And maybe 26 & 27!)

What are Kentucky’s greatest strengths when it comes to the fight for Queer equality? 

Our grassroots organizing and support. The roots are deep in the Bluegrass.

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