As Kentucky’s 2026 legislative session winds down, Queer Kentucky will be keeping y’all updated throughout all of it. Lawmakers will meet Tuesday and Wednesday to pass any final legislation before the veto period begins Thursday — a two-week-ish period where Gov. Andy Beshear will be able to sort through all of the bills on his […]
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No, Kentucky is not set to quickly and quietly declare transgender people “mentally ill” this week. And no, Kentucky’s GOP-dominated legislature is also not about to silently kick trans people out of teaching in the last seconds of the 2026 legislative session. Y’all, I am once again respectfully begging you to get your Kentucky politics […]
Friends, the time is near: Kentucky’s 2026 legislative session has mere days left. Lawmakers are scheduled to meet four days over the next week to hammer out the details of the next two-year state budget, along with passing any other bills they think Gov. Andy Beshear could veto, by 11:59 p.m. on April 1. They’ll […]
What is a shell bill? Kentucky’s legislative process follows a set of rules, but there are several common ways lawmakers can reshape or fast-track bills. Fun fact: Kentucky lawmakers can’t just go around filing new legislation throughout the entire legislative session. They have a deadline to file new bills each year, weeks before the end […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Queer Kentucky Announces Divya Karthikeyan as Editorial Manager Louisville, KY — Queer Kentucky has named award-winning journalist Divya Karthikeyan as its new Editorial Manager, ushering in the next chapter for Kentucky’s only LGBTQ newsroom. Karthikeyan will oversee the editorial direction and daily operations of Queer Kentucky’s newsroom, guiding coverage of LGBTQ […]
Kentucky lawmakers file immigration bills tied to ICE enforcement in 2026 session.
Kentucky Rep. Bill Wesley files HB 867 requiring bathroom use based on birth sex.
Kentucky Sen. Gex Williams files SB 351, targeting transgender teachers’ licenses..
Gov. Andy Beshear, Silas House headline Kentucky Fairness Rally as key bills advance.
Kentucky SB 72 advances allowing health care refusals on conscience grounds.
Kentucky lawmakers propose a House Bill 553 expanding limits on gender-affirming health care coverage.
Legislative Process: A clear, step-by-step guide to how a bill becomes law in Kentucky and what happens at each stage.
A Kentucky Republican lawmaker has filed House Bill 360, which would criminalize drag performances in public or where minors may be present.
Lexington panel examines restoring voting rights for people with felony convictions in Kentucky.
See who’s running for United States House and Senate on Kentucky’s 2026 federal ballot.
Track key LGBTQ bills and legislative changes during Kentucky’s 2026 General Assembly with our Bill Tracker.
Explore Kentucky House and Senate candidates for 2026 and see who’s running statewide.
Kentucky’s 2026 legislative session begins with closed chambers and high stakes for LGBTQ Kentuckians.
After a Roebling Bridge protest, Covington and Northern Kentucky face urgent questions about safety, power and community.
As Kentucky’s 2026 legislative session nears, Queer Kentucky recaps two panels on LGBTQ+ issues and action.
Queer Kentucky covers LGBTQ+ policy, elections and power from Frankfort in 2026.
Covington officer suspended after Roebling protest as LGBTQ+ concerns over policing grow.
Judge Lewis Grant Paisley remembered for advancing LGBTQ+ rights and true allyship in Kentucky.
2025 sees record-breaking wave of anti-trans bills, threatening rights nationwide.
Transgender lives are under siege; survival depends on allies willing to stand and fight back.
A transgender student finds acceptance, community, and hope at the University of Kentucky.
Bathroom bans target trans people, risking safety while failing to solve real issues.
Kim Davis is back at it. She’s asked the Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality.
LGBTQ+ programs at Kentucky’s public colleges and universities appear to be largely spared as schools implement the state’s new sweeping anti-DEI law.
Mathematical models indicate that the worst-case scenario of the Trump administration’s HIV-related cuts could result in 3 million deaths and an infection rate outpacing the virus’s peak in the 1990s.
New Kentucky law targeting trans Medicaid care takes effect Friday, leaving access in limbo.
Jim Obergefell reflects on 10 years since marriage equality and the fight still ahead.
Supreme Court upholds Tennessee’s ban on puberty blockers, hormone care for transgender youth.
Kentucky’s 2025 interim session starts in June—here’s why it matters and how to get involved in Frankfort.
Ullrich’s Personnel File Reveals Pattern of Complaints As Northern Kentucky gears up for Pride under a second Trump administration — one already markedly more hostile toward the LGBTQ+ community — one of the people trusted with protecting a marginalized community is under fire for allegedly repeatedly violating civil rights of those he is trusted […]
Learn your rights in Kentucky if your nudes or deepfakes are shared without consent.
Kim Davis strikes again. SCOTUS this time.
Mitch is out? So who will be in?
A ban on Medicaid provided gender-affirming care takes effect this June.
Kentucky’s 2025 legislative session is officially done.
CDC HIV prevention cuts could harm Kentucky and Ohio’s public health efforts.
Rep. Bill Wesley denied a trans woman bathroom access, igniting backlash.
The Christian-faith investing movement is a key factor driving American companies away from their DEI efforts.
It’s the last two days of Kentucky’s legislative session. Follow our live blog!
Transgender inmates in Kentucky will no longer have access to gender-affirming health care after Gov. Andy Beshear let a bill become law without his signature Wednesday. Senate Bill 2 — one of the Republican-dominated Senate’s top priorities during the 2025 legislative session — will now go into effect in late June. “The Governor does not […]
Trans advocates celebrate joy and resilience at Kentucky Capitol Rotunda.
Emma Curtis made history as the first openly transgender city council member in Kentucky, shaping LGBTQ+ leadership.
As anticipated, Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed a bill that would both allow conversion therapy in Kentucky and prevent transgender Kentuckians on Medicaid from accessing gender-affirming health care. Kentucky’s overwhelmingly Republican legislature, though, is likely to override his veto of House Bill 495 during the final days of session this coming week. “Conversion therapy is torture, […]
Poll shows most Kentuckians prioritize public education & healthcare over anti-trans laws.
Kentucky’s push for a government efficiency office may cut costs—but at what expense to marginalized groups?
It’s Friday, and it’s almost the end of the General Assembly in Frankfort.
This is the final full week of Kentucky’s 2025 legislative session and, honestly, thank God for that.
Queer Kentucky compiled this list of allies, advocates and organizations doing the work in and around Frankfort — from groups you can get involved with, to activists speaking against bills, to elected officials filing and supporting pro-LGBTQ+ legislation.
This list comes after weeks of careful consideration and repeatedly running through scores of nominations, including some of my own recommendations from my time as a politics reporter.
Kentucky Republicans push a bill that could roll back protections and keep conversion therapy legal.
Kentucky’s political climate threatens Queer, Trans and BIPOC communities, but Louisville Pride is still working.
In a note Wednesday, University of Cincinnati Vice Provost Nicole Mayo and Vice President Bleuzette Marshall write in part, “This was an error on our part, and we apologize for the harm it may have caused.”
UC students protest new ‘biological sex’ restroom signs and rollback of DEI efforts amid Ohio Senate Bill 104.
This story was originally published in Uncloseted Media, an LGBTQ focused investigative news outlet Research is ongoing around trans women in sports. But Riley Gaines has become the darling of the far-right by using transphobia before science to make bank from attacking the community. Story by Hope Pisoni, Photos by Gage Skidmore At the 2022 […]
Under a Republican bill advancing in the Kentucky legislature, a reported 67 incarcerated people would have to stop taking “cross sex hormones” if the treatments are paid for with public funds.
Without guidance from the Bureau of Prisons, trans people are “told one thing from one staff person and a totally different thing from another.”
The funniest jokes are obviously the ones you have to explain. I mean that is what I tell myself when no one laughs at my attempts at humor. See—when I said the turtle, it obviously was referencing the 1950’s era misconceptions and…never mind you don’t get it… Those kinds of jokes, super funny right? Some […]
Queer Kentucky’s limited print publication “25 Faces of Fairness” is available now on our website, in select stores, or available free to monthly supporters at any dollar amount. Not a Queer Kentucky monthly member? You can sign up here. By Chad Kamen and Cassidy Meurer Special thanks to Pam McMichael for her help on this. All photos from […]
The Kim Davis name is popping up again.
Is same-sex marriage on the chopping block in 2025?
In recent years, the LGBTQ+ community has faced growing uncertainty about the future of their rights, especially following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The ruling not only removed abortion access as a constitutional right but also raised concerns about the stability of other landmark decisions, including Obergefell v. Hodges, which […]
Do you know how to advocate for yourself in Frankfort? We break it down for you.
Have you met Kentucky’s trailblazer Jim Gray?
Kentucky doesn’t have a full-state fairness ordinance. Why not?
With anti-trans executive orders from Trump on the way, one trans woman reflects on what’s to come.
Keturah Herron made history in 2022 as Kentucky’s first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to the House of Representatives, and again in 2024 as the state’s first openly LGBTQ+ woman elected to the Senate.
As Kentucky Becomes the 23rd State to Ban Conversion Therapy, Religious Leaders Can Still Legally Practice Nationwide.
Week one of the legislative session is complete. What happened? KYGA25
Stay up to date with #KYGA24 with our bill tracker!
A new administration is upon us. What can trans people do?
Get ready for #KYGA25! Kentucky’s 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 7. Expect debates on income tax cuts, education reform, anti-DEI bills, and more. Find updates, bills, and watch sessions via KET or LRC.
Kentucky’s 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 7, focusing on income tax cuts, public education reforms, anti-DEI policies, and potential LGBTQ+ legislation, with short-session energy in play.
Ever wondered about your state reps and how the stars guide them? Let’s dive in.
Kentucky’s Department of Corrections has proposed rules to enhance protections for transgender inmates, focusing on healthcare access, pronoun respect, and housing considerations. The move aligns with federal standards but has sparked GOP criticism over potential taxpayer-funded surgeries.
A Supreme Court ruling on gender-affirming care bans could reshape trans youth rights in Kentucky and nationwide.
Keturah Herron is one of Queer Kentucky’s 25 Faces of Fairness.
It is no secret Donald Trump’s campaign was full of hateful rhetoric aimed at basically every marginalized population, but what exactly could his presidency look like for the LGBTQ+ community?
It’s Election Day 2024! Queer Kentucky & QNN are covering key Kentucky and national races, amendments, and more. Polls open 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Follow us for real-time updates, results, and live insights throughout the day.
Many Gen Z voters are casting their ballots for the first time this year nationwide, with 40 million of them of eligible voting age. But where other states have seen a swell of Democratic support amongst young voters, Kentucky is an odd-one-out, with political party preference nearly cut in the middle among younger voters.
Kentucky’s Amendment 2, deciding if public funds can go to private schools, has become the state’s most expensive ballot fight, with over $12 million raised and millions more from federal PACs.
Kentuckians this year are seeing a record number of LGBTQ+ candidates running in a dozen races, from local school boards to state senate.
With the heated political climate for LGBTQ+ Kentuckians, there have been many responses from communities across the state– from anger, to hope, to exhaustion. In 2023, in response to the first legislative session with a slate of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, young Kentuckians rallied in the hundreds at the state capital to fight SB 150. In 2024, […]
While the Presidential race is all over our screens, we know that true decision-making power happens closer to home. Enter our 2024 Queer Election Guide & Toolkit, designed to inform folks about what’s on their ballot, why it matters, and what those big issues are that we keep hearing about.
In response to the alarming rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and actions across the political landscape, a groundbreaking coalition of 11 independent LGBTQ+ newsrooms has come together to form the Queer News Network (QNN). This initiative aims to provide in-depth and nuanced coverage of the 2024 General Election through an LGBTQ+ lens, ensuring that the voices and […]
“As a queer employee of UK, I feel they didn’t stand up for me… And if this is what standing up looks like, it’s dire in Kentucky.” Senate Bill 6 and House Bill 9 were the two anti-DEI bills in the 2024 session. Both of them died in the legislature, despite Republican lawmakers’ bureaucratic efforts […]
Covington — one of Kentucky’s largest cities — might be changing how its local government is structured if its residents give the green light this November. Over the summer, a group of local leaders called Covington Forward launched a petition to put something on the November ballot to make Covington run by a mayor and […]
The Democrat signed an executive order blocking the discredited practice Wednesday morning in Frankfort surrounded by mental health and LGBTQ+ advocates, along with some lawmakers who have tried to pass legislation banning it. Beshear’s executive order specifically prohibits state or federal funds from going to conversion therapy for minors, along with allowing licensing boards to […]
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is expected to ban conversion therapy via executive order Wednesday, per an announcement from his office. A brief media advisory sent out Tuesday evening said Beshear would “take action to protect Kentucky youth.” Beshear plans on signing the executive order at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the State Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort […]
Yes, there’s a presidential race on the ballot this November. Yes, and the vast majority of Kentucky’s state legislature seats are also on the ballot. Oh, and yes, there are also scores of local school board races across the state. Maybe some other local races or decisions, depending on where you live. But we really […]
So, you might have already heard a thing or two (or maybe fifteen) about Amendment 2 in Kentucky. And, no, not the 2022 version of Amendment 2, which dealt with abortion. (I don’t know what it is about Kentucky making their controversial proposed constitutional amendments the second one on the ballot, but I don’t make […]
Kentucky voters will have a slate of local, state and federal races — yes, hello, presidential race! — to vote on when they head to the polls this fall. But, among a whole lot of names, there will be two chunks of text to read through and decide on. Those will be the two proposed […]
When T. Duane Gordon got a push notification on his phone alerting him that J.D. Vance had been chosen as the Republican vice presidential nominee, he couldn’t believe it. “It had been covered all over the press that he was under consideration, but in the back of my mind, I kept thinking, ‘No matter how […]
photos by Jon Cherry for Queer Kentucky So, um, not sure if y’all heard, but apparently Gov. Andy Beshear might be the next Vice President of the United States. It isn’t a done deal yet. But he’s allegedly one of a handful of folks being vetted to be current Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate […]
The “rural-urban divide” has been named a major fault line in American politics. This conversation leaves people quaking every presidential election, when rural swing states are often named as the deciding factor of the national vote. JD Vance, venture capitalist and senator from Ohio, has been named Donald Trump’s running mate for November’s presidential election. […]
photo by Lauren Smith-Reed (they/she) Young people sit in front of a crowd looking towards the stage at Henderson, Kentucky’s first-ever Pride on June 30, 2024. In 1999, the western Kentucky town of Henderson passed the fairness ordinance to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation. Henderson was originally the third city in Kentucky to have LGBTQIA+ […]
Kentuckians in crisis can now connect with suicide prevention, mental health, and substance abuse counselors using a nationwide, easier-to-dial phone number – 988. Phone service providers will now direct 988 calls to the existing national lifeline with its 13 Kentucky call centers, and connection to additional crisis services will be provided if necessary. The American […]
This story is part of a series from Queer Kentucky focused on following the 2024 Kentucky General Assembly from a queer lens. Follow Queer Kentucky on your favorite social media platform to stay up-to-date with our GA24 coverage. If you are a Kentuckian who identifies as LGBTQ+ and you would be open to sharing how […]
Today is the infamous sine die, which is the action that officially ends this legislative session. This legislative session has included at least 14 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, with anti-DEI bills being particularly publicly controversial. Of all of the bills, only 1 of the anti-LGBTQ bills passed. House Bill 5, a broad-reaching crime bill, will become law […]
UPDATE: On April 11, the Kentucky Youth Law Project, an organization working to enhance legal protections for queer youth, denounced BCTK’s actions and called for its executive director, Rebecca Blankenship, and its one lobbyist, Michael Frazier to resign immediately. “In these difficult times, it is imperative that all nonprofit organizations scrupulously follow the laws, rules […]
photo by Jon Cherry for Queer Kentucky Of the slate of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation this session, it looks like the healthcare discrimination, religious freedom expansion, anti-drag, and anti-DEI bills are all dead. There is always the chance that bills that did not pass will be infused into bills that have passed, like HB 470 was infused […]
photo: Jon Cherry for Queer Kentucky February 2024 There is a continuous wave of bills regulating the civil rights of LGBTQ+ communities, and many people in the community feel like they are drowning. Currently at 479 bills, there is a nationwide influx of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. But, where are these bills coming from? The bills in […]
by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky LanternMarch 19, 2024 A House committee on Tuesday advanced a Senate bill to regulate “sexually explicit” performances hosted in “adult-oriented businesses” which opponents have labeled as “anti drag.” Members of the House Veterans, Military Affairs & Public Protection Committee voted to approve the latest version of Senate Bill 147, sponsored by […]
photo: Jon Cherry for Queer Kentucky. Drag queen May O’Nays speaks at the fairness rally on February 18 in Frankfort. A national kerfuffle over whether or not a bill is a threat, the moves to ban drag, and national think tanks influencing Kentucky state policy… oh my! Updates on HB 747, HB 5, SB 6, […]
by Sarah Ladd, Kentucky LanternMarch 6, 2024 FRANKFORT — A bill placing new restrictions on “adult-oriented” businesses, which opponents have blasted as “anti-drag,” passed the Kentucky Senate Wednesday 32-6. It can now go to the House for consideration. Senate Bill 147 prohibits “adult-oriented” businesses from being located within 933 feet of a child care facility, […]
photo by Jon Cherry There is a slate of at least 14 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in Kentucky’s 2024 Legislative Session, and this is alarming to many folks– both LGBTQ+ and not. But, there are organizations, advocates, and community members coming together to testify against, publicly denounce, and oppose said bills. Additionally, there are pro-LGBTQ+ bills that […]
photo by Jon Cherry for Queer Kentucky On the same day as the Fairness Rally and Lobby Day for LGBTQIA+ rights, the House Judiciary Committee planned a hearing at 10 a.m. to hear what is being referred to as the “anti-Fairness law,” or House Bill 47. HB 47 would, “allow for private individuals to sue […]
As Kentucky’s 2024 Legislative Session continues, so does the controversy following the bills filed. This article will cover 5 more anti-LGBTQ+ bills, bringing the grand total to 14 anti-LGBTQ+ bills so far in this session. The Fairness Campaign, Kentucky’s leading LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, has designated 12 bills as being anti-LGBTQ+. Of those 12, Queer Kentucky […]
Kentucky legislators have now introduced a total of 9 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the 2024 legislative session. The newest of these bills includes: Senate Bill 147, House Bill 402, House Bill 49, House Bill 358, House Bill 390, and Senate Bill 147. This is following a continuation of last year’s legislative session where at least 9 […]
By the end of 2023, 510+ anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced legislatively across the United States and tracked by the American Civil Liberties Union. This was a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills filed in state legislatures in the United States. As of January 26, the ACLU has named 367 filed bills attacking LGBTQ+ rights so far […]
As queer people, interacting with government and politics is as difficult as it is necessary. With so much information being constantly fed to us, it is increasingly hard to know where to access information about the political realities facing the LGBTQ+ community. Every political party has fucked us over, and few candidates have earned our […]
After a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills were filed across the nation in 2023, LGBTQ+ Americans have already seen 125+ anti-trans bills filed within the first week of 2024. In Kentucky, where the community is still navigating 2023’s Senate Bill 150, one of the strictest anti-trans bills in the country, Queer Kentucky is closely following […]
Last year, 510 anti-LGBTQ+ bills swept legislative sessions across the country. Of this national total, at least 9 were from Kentucky, and multiple of the bills were filed as education bills – but all of them impacted Kentucky’s youth, namely LGBTQ+ youth. These bills varied from censoring students’ pronouns in the classroom and outing students […]
Associated Press Former county clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses in Rowan County, Kentucky, to same-sex couples, must pay a total of $260,104 in fees and expenses to attorneys who represented one couple, according to a federal judge’s ruling. The new payout is in addition to $100,000 in damages a jury said […]
Beyond the small entryway, on the dance floor and at the meat racks across from the bar, was where Louisville’s gay congregation met to whore-ship, and David’s first few weeks at that bar were a “real revelation.” “I found Jesus. Except he was sitting at the end of the bar having a drink,” Williams said. […]
“The first Pride was a riot.” This slogan went viral in June of 2020, after countless white queer Louisvillians were activated by LMPD’s murder of Breonna Taylor and the growing global uprising against police brutality. Its primary use was to agitate the ruling class Gays™️ who were critical of the Black Lives Matter protests by […]
story by Jessica Carner she/her photo by Quinton Thomas he/him I’m what you might call a late bloomer; a “later-in-life” lesbian. It’s a thing, y’all. Even though my first romantic relationship was with a woman, when that young love died on the vine I pushed those feelings aside and conformed to what was expected of […]
Kentucky is one of many states that are working to pass anti-drag-performance bills, which by no coincidence negatively impacts transgender people and may lead to further oppression of entire LGBTQ+ communities. Kentucky’s Senate Bill 115 describes drag as a “live performance involving male or female impersonators […] that appeals to a prurient interest in sexual […]
Not long after I got sober, I developed a sense of urgency toward the world I’d spent so much of my life trying to escape. If I wasn’t sleeping or at work, I was facilitating trans-inclusivity workshops, writing this column, lobbying at the capitol, attending direct action trainings, organizing fundraisers, or fighting for changes in […]
by Belle Townsend she/[email protected] Named one of the most extreme anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the nation, the gender-affirming care component of the omnibus anti-trans bill SB 150 has been TEMPORARILY BLOCKED by a federal judge. This means that gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth has been at least temporarily found unconstitutional and a continuum of care can […]
by Belle Townsend (she/they)[email protected] Emma Curtis grew up on her family’s tobacco and cattle farm in Woodford County in central Kentucky, and she considers herself lucky to call Lexington home. A graduate of Woodford County High School and Centre College, Curtis is an independent filmmaker who tells the stories of “interesting, amazing, and fascinating” people […]
by Belle Townsendshe/[email protected] Commonly referred to by critics as a dog whistle for censorship, the “parental rights” movement has been finding its footing in Kentucky. Senate Bill 5, characterized by critics as a book banning bill, passed the Kentucky House and Senate in March of 2023. This bill would create a complaint resolution policy, wherein […]
by Belle Townsendshe/[email protected] On March 17th, McKenzie Roller posted a Facebook status. In the post, they tagged a page they made called “Teen Frankfort Rally”, with the announcement that, “We will be protesting at the Frankfort Capitol March 29th on the final days of the legislative sessions.” On Wednesday, March 29, teens rallied by the […]
With at least 11 anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced in Kentucky’s 2023 legislative session, many folks are wondering where and how those bills ended up. This slate of hate contained similar language to bathroom bills, “don’t say gay/trans” bills, and anti-trans healthcare bills that have been pushed across the United States. The ACLU has been keeping an […]
The first Kentucky Republican Gubernatorial debate of the 2023 election year took place on March 7. The debate originally aired on Spectrum News, and one of the topics discussed was whether or not the government has a place in regulating the access of gender-affirming surgery for minors under 18. Alan Keck, Mike Harmon, Ryan Quarles, […]
On Friday, March 24, 2023, there will be a multi-car procession of support for Kentucky’s trans community. The procession will travel throughout Central Kentucky, starting at 4 p.m. This event is being organized by Mason Chernosky and Emma Curtis, two transgender individuals who recently spoke out against the Kentucky Senate Bill 150. The two activists […]
By Christian Brawner and Sunny Cobb With the 20th anniversary of the Iraq invasion approaching, and while facing a seemingly insurmountable upsurge in state repression against our trans community, I want to honor the legacy of our queer and gay ancestors by reminding you of our revolutionary struggle. It’s absolutely no coincidence that when the […]
Coffee Order: cold brew, two splendas, splash of cream I met Oliver a couple months ago while doing research for an article about the abortion bans. Their passion and fight immediately struck me, along with their wealth of knowledge to help the queer community. Oliver was born and raised in Louisville, KY and graduated from […]
A duo of Lexington drag performers launched a petition calling on local leaders to stand up against state and national leaders who have it out for the LGBTQ+ community Monday. The pair, Petty Poussay and Uma Jewels, founded LEXHAVEPRIDE.com and a companion change.org petition that has received over 4,200 signatures over the week. They plan to present 15 specific […]
by Belle Townsend With February 21st and 22nd being the respective filing deadlines for the KY state Senate and House, there were an influx of bills introduced. Of those is Senate Bill 5. This bill, characterized by critics as a book banning bill, would create a system to allow for parents to allege that materials […]
FEB 16 UPDATE: Chris Hartman, Executive Director of the Fairness Campaign, said that SB 150 was our most immediate threat. He was right. The bill was approved in committee already, but bill sponsor, Max Wise R-Campbellsville, wanted to add some technical corrections. Max Wise is also the running mate of Kelly Craft, coal baron Joe […]
Introduced yesterday, Kentucky House Bills 173 and 177 fall under the umbrella of “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” bills that have been sweeping the nation. This fight has been in Kentucky, but it has been taken to an even higher and more alarming level. House Bill 173 expands on the conservative education movement advocating for “parental choice” […]
As state legislators around the country gather this month to create and pass policy, 2023 brings fresh attention to ongoing efforts impacting the LGBTQ+ community. The first part of the 2023 session of the Kentucky General Assembly convened on January 3 to swear in members, elect leadership, adopt procedural rules, and file bills. It is […]
Fairness Campaign Director, Chris Hartman, submitted his application this week to be the next Sixth District Louisville Metro Councilmember. Two members of the Louisville Metro Council, David James, and Keisha Dorsey have resigned, and the council will now have to fill their seats. It has also been almost 10 years since there has been an […]
BEREA, Ky. — Kentucky’s first transgender elected official won a seat on the Berea School Board as a write-in candidate. Rebecca Blankenship has made queer history. “A write-in campaign for a school board seat is, in some ways, an easy victory. But queer rights in Kentucky will, for the foreseeable future, be advanced by strategically […]
“Did I know I was different? Absolutely. Did other kids know it? Absolutely. And while I spent some of my childhood wondering why I was different, I don’t ever recall wishing that I wasn’t,” says Owensboro celebrity, Chad Benefield. I am not an Owensboro native. I have been living in OBKY for roughly two years, […]
Kentucky advocacy groups and unions have once again launched protest actions targeting the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation’s discriminatory policies. Today the groups unveiled a billboard along I-65 near the Kentucky State Fair and plan to protest the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s annual Ham Breakfast Thursday, August 25 at 7:00 a.m. ET. The billboard, which states, “Kentucky […]
Editor’s Note: This piece is an editorial submission. As a 501(c)3, Queer Kentucky, INC cannot endorse political candidates and we must stand by that obligation. If they Paul Campaign were to reach out and want to publish something, we would legally honor that obligation as well. I was in Western Kentucky this past weekend at […]
What happens when a coalition of ultra-conservative state attorneys general sue the federal government for extending civil rights protections to the LGBTQ+ community? Naturally, a Trump-appointed federal judge rules in their favor. That’s what transpired late last Friday, when Judge Charles Atchley of Tennessee’s Eastern District blocked a federal directive to expand sex discrimination protections […]
featured article art by Juniper Moon Folk Art If breaking the law meant that you could better someone’s life and potentially save their life entirely, would you do it? This is the moral dilemma we as a Queer community and allies are facing. In 2021 alone, over 250 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced. A large portion […]
Today, the Kentucky legislature voted to override Governor Andy Beshear’s veto of Senate Bill 83 and enact the measure as law, banning transgender girls from participating in sports alongside their peers from sixth grade through college. After months of protesting, debating, and political games, The Kentucky General Assembly passed anti-trans Senate Bill 83. Kentucky Governor, […]
Press release from Fairness Campaign Today, Governor Andy Beshear vetoed Senate Bill 83, a bill that would ban transgender girls and women’s participation in sports from sixth grade through college. Below is a statement from Fairness Campaign Executive Director Chris Hartman: “I applaud Governor Beshear for doing the right thing today and vetoing a harmful […]
Standing on the steps of the Kentucky statehouse Tuesday, organizers of Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky shared recent successes in the six-year battle to pass legislation to ban conversion therapy in the state. For the first time ever, a bill to protect LGBTQ+ youth from “conversion therapy” recently made it to the stage of being assigned […]
Kentucky lawmakers are really digging their heels in on their gross anti-trans agenda. Alongside fast-moving sports bans HB 23 and SB 83, this year legislators have introduced bills HB 253 and SB 84. The new wave of legislation aims to ban healthcare practitioners from providing gender affirming care for trans minors, and even giving a […]
One of the many prevailing misconceptions about diversity in politics – or in any leadership capacity for that matter – is that the promise of it can only lead to unqualified officials. On the contrary, diversity within an institution only makes things better: A variety of perspectives and experiences makes a government more capable of […]
Today several local LGBTQ organizations in Kentucky will be holding a rally in protest of two anti-transgender legislation, called the Kentucky Fairness Rally, the protest is being led by the Fairness Campaign, the state’s oldest and largest LGBTQ organization, in addition to ACLU of Kentucky, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, and Lexington Fairness at the […]
Frankfort, KY – Today, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and the Fairness Campaign condemn the Kentucky Senate Education Committee for advancing a bill to ban transgender youth from playing sports consistent with their gender identity. With SB 83 one step closer to becoming law, Kentucky is starting down the wrong path: if SB 83 passes into law […]
C-FAIR, the Political Action Committee of the Fairness Campaign, and the national Victory Fund today announced endorsements for Keturah Herron in the Kentucky Special Election for House District 42 on Tuesday, February 22. Herron, a former Policy Analyst for the ACLU of Kentucky, is poised to become Kentucky’s first openly LGBTQ State Representative. “Keturah Herron […]
The 2022 Kentucky General Assembly starts January 4 and a slew of anti-LGBTQ+ bills will create a challenging four months for the Fairness Campaign and other advocacy groups fighting racism, transphobia, and homophobia in the Bluegrass. For 30 years and counting, Fairness continues fostering progress. These achievements include 23 communities adopting fairness ordinances (protecting nearly […]
A coalition of Kentucky advocacy groups and unions will protest the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s discriminatory policies at their annual Country Ham Breakfast at the Kentucky State Fair Thursday morning. The groups are currently running radio ads on 97.5 WAMZ and 98.5 KISS-FM targeting the Kentucky Farm Bureau’s policies that are anti-LGBTQ, anti-Teacher, anti-Union, anti-Choice, anti-POC, […]
A Republican legislator prefiled a bill that would prohibit transgender girls and women from playing women’s sports in public K-12 schools and colleges. This bill would be part of the 2022 session of the Kentucky General Assembly. The bill was prefiled by Rep. Ryan Dotson, a Winchester Republican. The bill would apply to public schools […]
photo: Gay ACT UP members carrying huge banner that reads THE AIDS CRISIS IS NOT OVER as they walk down the street during Gay & Lesbian Pride march. MICHAEL ABRAMSON/THE LIFE IMAGES COLLECTION VIA GETTY IMAGES Queer Kentucky and VOA FIT continue HIV education partnership by Kelsey Westbrook A stark, fluorescent-lit hallway, hospital-issued outdated chairs […]
Frankfort — Kentucky Senate Bill 83, a “Healthcare Discrimination Law” that would disproportionately affect LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities, is slated to receive a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow, Thursday, February 11 at 9:30 a.m. ET. The bill, proposed by Senator Steve Meredith (R-Leitchfield), would allow any worker in a healthcare setting […]
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A slew of pro-LGBTQ bills for the 2021 Kentucky General Assembly were prefiled this week, including the first “Statewide Fairness Law” co-introduced in the State House by a Republican and the “HEROES Act,” which would restore state veterans’ benefits to some LGBTQ ex-servicemembers. “Statewide Fairness Laws,” which would add sexual orientation and […]
Kentucky’s largest city has become the second in the state to ban the discredited and deadly practice of anti-LGBTQ “conversion therapy” on minors by licensed therapists with a bi-partisan Louisville Metro Council vote of 24-1 tonight. Louisville joins twenty states, Washington, D.C., and more than seventy U.S. cities that have banned “conversion therapy” on minors, […]
Louisville could become the second Kentucky city to protect LGBTQ minors from the dangerous and deadly practice of “conversion therapy,” which seeks to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Councilman Bill Hollander filed the ordinance Monday with co-sponsors Councilwoman Jessica Green, Councilwoman Jessica Green, Councilwoman Nicole George, and Councilman Brandon Coan. The Louisville ordinance mirrors […]
In the 2020 legislative session, Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky saw 37 state legislators in both chambers and parties cosponsor the Mental Health Protection Act to ban conversion therapy. While House Bill 199/Senate Bill 85 was sidelined by COVID-19, the Kentucky House of Representatives convened an interim committee session last Tuesday to hear testimony on conversation […]
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 30, 2020) – Gov. Andy Beshear has issued an executive order to ensure that all Kentuckians are treated fairly by the state when it comes to matters of employment, services and contracting in the commonwealth. “When I ran for this office I pledged to be a Governor for all Kentuckians, and when […]
Editors Note: This article courtesy of WFPL by By Amina Elahi After endorsing Mayor Greg Fischer in three back-to-back general elections, the Fairness Campaign and its political action committee are repudiating the term-limited Democrat. In a public letter published Friday and approved by the nonprofit’s staff and board, the organization said it “deeply regretted” its […]
Queer Kentucky is proud to announce that we have received a $2,300 grant from the Community Foundation of Louisville to report on a topic we are very passionate about. We requested the “Field of Interest Grant: AIDS Project Fund” in order to demonstrate awareness regarding the connection between HIV/AIDS and the LGBTQ+ community in Kentucky. […]
by Sarah Gardiner, Queer Kentucky Board Member Illness isn’t a foreign concept to queer people. The HIV epidemic of the 1980’s showed us just how quickly a community can be torn apart, how easily a government can turn a blind eye to the suffering of its citizens, and how vital it is for those affected […]
Cold Spring, KY) With a vote of four to one tonight, the city of Cold Spring, population 6,370, became the 19th municipality in Kentucky to approve a Fairness Ordinance, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to discrimination protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations. The Campbell County community becomes the fifth Northern Kentucky city to […]
(Frankfort, KY) Kentucky Senate Bill 90, a healthcare denial law that would disproportionately affect LGBTQ people, is slated to receive a hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning at 10:00 a.m. ET. in Capitol Annex Room 154. The bill, proposed by Senator Steve Meredith (R-Leitchfield), would allow any worker in a healthcare setting to […]
Supporters from all across Kentucky will come together in the Capitol Rotunda to rally for LGBTQ rights and protest discriminatory bills Wednesday, February 19 at 1:30 p.m. ET. State Representative Patti Minter (D-Bowling Green) is expected to announce a new piece of pro-LGBTQ legislation and two longtime leaders will be honored to celebrate the 20th […]
Ramona Thomas , Check out the campaign website, here! My intent to run was started early last year, when I was about a year and a half into my transition. Prior to coming out, and early on in my transition, I had almost no self-confidence, crippling dysphoria can do that to you. My whole life […]
by Ben Gierhart It goes without saying – but will be repeated here anyway – that 2020 is perhaps the most significant election year in recent memory. Of course, Donald Trump will be on the ballot, and the role of president is obviously a highly contested spot, with both national and international ramifications whatever the […]
By Remi Dior Background: A student has come into Dr. Kaila Story’s class to distribute anti-queer literature. A Courier Journal article describes the pamphlet as being 36 pages in length. An excerpt shared in the article shows that the pamphlet denounces the idea that “what people do sexually is their own business.” The pamphlet also […]
Originally reported by WDRB For the first time in history, Republicans in both the House and Senate are supporting legislation that would ban conversion therapy. Rep. Kim Banta from, Fort Mitchell, and Senator Alice Forgy Kerr, from Lexington, are backing The Mental Health Protection Act, also known as House Bill 199. The bill would make […]
by Ben Gierhart In a surprise move, Justin Bramhall, an openly gay man running for Kentucky’s 79th legislative district seat has dropped out of the race. In a post he released on Facebook, Bramhall cites a respectful deference to incumbent Representative Susan Westrom, an overlap in ideology and a misunderstanding that she would be retiring […]
By Ben Gierhart QueerKentucky spoke with Ban Conversion Therapy Kentucky and one of its founders, Tanner Mobley in September of 2019. It’s only been a few short months since then, but already tremendous progress has been made. As of Tuesday, January 14, HB 199 (one can read Representative Lisa Willner’s bill language here: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/20rs/hb199.html) and […]
With a five to three vote of the fiscal court tonight, Woodford County, population 26,368, became the first Kentucky County in two decades to approve a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Jefferson County was the last county-wide municipal government to approve the measure in October 1999 before merging with […]
Chris Hartman, Louisville, Kentucky What does the word Queer mean to you? Queer, while still steeped in a complicated history, and hurtful to many, has overall become what I feel is among the most inclusive terms—an umbrella that works to leave no one out. I definitely identify as a member of our inclusive queer community. […]
Patti Minter, D-Bowling Green and Lisa Willner, D-Louisville have filed a bill that would ban the practice of conversion therapy in Kentucky. Conversion therapy is a treatment that works to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. If this passes, health professionals won’t be able to practice the therapy regardless of age. Public funds […]
Dear Editor, On Tuesday a few men walked around the Kentucky State Capitol carrying semi-automatic weapons for a “pro gun rally” advocating for their rights to own guns and lobby againt red flag laws. First, no one is trying to take away anyone’s rights to lawfully own a firearm. Second, the argument that red flag […]
by Ben Gierhart There is a great axiom that all great change, no matter the odds, starts within. The saying couldn’t be more true than for the state of Kentucky. For progressive Kentuckians, it is easy to believe that votes don’t matter on the federal level. This current state of affairs can only improve if […]
OWENSBORO — Chadwick Benefield has been a huge supporter of the Owensboro adopting a fairness ordinance, however many community members are citing religious reason for not backing an ordinance. Benefield and a team of fellow Fairness advocates teamed up with friends Jeff Sorce and James Whitehouse and decided that for the time being, there is […]
Derek Miller Queer is a way to deconstruct the boxes within which I’ve been placed over the course of my life prior to coming out. It can be a tool for unpacking words and actions, analyzing behaviors, or simply making a statement. I often look around and find my queer peers and colleagues living with […]
State Representative David Hale wants students to use school facilities based on their biological sexes at birth in a bill he prefiled Thursday. This bill would require that all school restrooms and locker rooms be only available to students based on their biological gender at birth. The prefiled legislation, called the Kentucky Student Privacy Act, […]
With a unanimous vote of 6-0 by city council tonight, the Northern Kentucky town of Highland Heights, est. population 7,103 and home of Northern Kentucky University, became the sixteenth city in the Commonwealth with a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Highland Heights rounds out a record-breaking year for Fairness […]
Editors note: We at Queer Kentucky know Officer John Burgraff personally and he has our support. ARTICLE ORIGINALLY REPORTED BY LGBTQNATION.com John Burgraff — a gay officer with the Louisville, Kentucky Metro Police Department (LMPD) — is suing the city and the police department for anti-gay discrimination after his commanding officers effectively accused him of […]
A Louisville wedding photographer is challenging the city’s fairness ordinance on religious grounds. Chelsey Nelson said she believes marriage is between and a man and a woman and that she shouldn’t be forced to photograph same sex couples. WDRB News reported that the more than 50-page suit claims the law would “…force Chelsey to create […]
By Ben Gierhart SOMERSET — Some disturbing news has come to the attention of QueerKentucky. Kristina Brant, a PhD candidate in sociology at Harvard University and a doctoral fellow in the Multidisciplinary Program in Inequality and Social Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School, took to Twitter on Monday, November 11 to report that she believes […]
UPDATE: Matt Bevin used his right to a recanvasing that took place today, but in the end, the exiting governor said he couldn’t fight the numbers. “We’re going to have a change in the governorship based on the vote of the people,” Bevin said at a news conference. “I truly wish the attorney general well […]
The first anti-trans legislation of 2020 is in the works according to a Kentucky State Representative’s Facebook page. State Representative Savannah Maddox (R-61st District) just announced her intention to file a bill in the 2020 Kentucky General Assembly targeting transgender kids and preventing them from obtaining the care they need. Yesterday, I began drafting a […]
By Ben Gierhart In an era when acceptance of queer people seems to be at an all-time high, it may come as a shock that the idea of whether or not someone can be fired for being gay or trans is still being contested. That is exactly what is being decided on October 8 as […]
VERSAILLES — With a vote of 3-2 tonight, the Woodford County, Kentucky town of Versailles, population 8,568, became the fourteenth city in the commonwealth with a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. By becoming the fourth city to adopt the measure this year, Versailles makes 2019 a record-breaking year for […]
by Ben Giehart As I’m sure most Kentuckians are well aware, Kentucky is a red state. There are exceptions of course. As a whole, big cities like Louisville and Lexington are decently progressive – as one might expect. There are pockets of other cities and towns littered throughout the state that harbor modern civil rights […]
by Ben Gierhart In 2019, The Trevor Project, the country’s leading organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to LGBTQ young people, conducted a landmark national survey. This first-of-its-kind survey is the compilation of data from the responses of over 34,000 LGBTQ young people under 25 from all 50 states, and the results are […]
Georgetown — With a vote of 5-3 tonight, the Scott County, Kentucky town of Georgetown, population 34,395, became the thirteenth city in the commonwealth with a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Georgetown is the latest in a string of Kentucky cities that have recently voted to approve Fairness Ordinances […]
Fairness Campaign Director Chris Hartman and fairness advocates Sonja De Vries and Carla Wallace were dragged out of the Kentucky State Fair’s ham breakfast for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Thursday morning. The three were arrested after protesting KFB’s discriminatory policies against LGBTQ+ people. Each year, Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance customers are automatically charged a fee […]
Jimmy Ausbrooks official Facebook Dear Editor, I wanted to reach out to the readers of Queer Kentucky and announce my candidacy for the United States Senate. I am a native of Kentucky, a mental health counselor, and a proud gay man that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. I grew up in rural Simpson County, raised […]
DAYTON — With a unanimous vote of 5-0 tonight, the Northern Kentucky town of Dayton, population 5,338, became the twelfth city in the Commonwealth with a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting LGBTQ discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations. “Dayton is extremely excited to be able to join the other eleven cities, out of 419 in the […]
Louisville — The national Equality Federation and Kentucky’s Fairness Campaign will co-host the 22nd annual Leadership Conference in Louisville from July 17-20. The conference is the premier gathering of LGBTQ movement leaders focusing on the crucial work of winning equality in state legislatures and local communities across the country. Nearly 250 people will be in attendance to strategize, mobilize […]
PADUCAH — A Western Kentucky Pride event could be in jeopardy after conservative community members advocate for it to move indoors and out of the public waterfront. In the past week, Western Kentucky Pride Festival event sponsors have received letters requesting them to back out of the event, said Dustin Havens, director of WKPF. So […]
Jeremy McFarland, Campbellsville Participating in the LGBTQ+ Pride Panel at Taylor County Library was one of the greatest honors of my life so far. While growing up as a transgender man in Taylor County, I never imagined something like the panel ever taking place. As a panelist, I and four other openly LGBTQ+ adults shared […]
In a standing room only event, community members of Taylor County came together on Thursday to tell their heart-filled LGBTQ+ stories to the Board of Trustees of the Taylor County Library. This public event arose after backlash from conservative community members concerning an LGBTQ+ Pride Panel that took place on June 18 at the Taylor […]
By Chuck Leach, former pastor and counselor Photo by Adam Creech We must stop folks from pushing children off the ledge. Conversion therapy (sometimes called “Reparative Therapy”) does exactly that; it pushes children off the ledge by unraveling the underpinnings of self-understanding, acceptance, and personhood. Conversion therapy was concocted by well-intended but misguided people to […]
By Deena Lilygren In 2019, Queer Kentucky’s Instagram featured a snapshot of a young gay Kentuckian enjoying a drink on a Churchill Downs balcony. As always, the snapshot was accompanied by the subject’s bio, which in this case included a quotation about how hard it was to be a gay Republican. The queer community, he […]
