Fairness Campaign Newsletter December 2009

Published on December 2016 | Categories: Documents | Downloads: 62 | Comments: 0 | Views: 926
of 6
Download PDF   Embed   Report

Comments

Content

r eceobbe t m er DOc 2009 2006
No Room for Racism—A Call to Action PLAN TO ATTEND In our last newsletter, we ran a story entitled “Race and Reconciliation,” highlighting
Woody’s Tavern owner David Norton’s public apology for racist and sexist remarks made at his bar that he had denied for over a year. Sadly, on the night of September 21, less than one month after the apology, Mr. Norton launched another tirade of prejudice against customers in his establishment. According to witnesses, a bar patron lifted the corner of one of Woody’s pool tables to dislodge balls stuck inside, prompting a yelling spree from Mr. Norton, who ultimately chased every patron out of the bar. As he ejected them, he yelled after customers, calling them all “trashy faggots,” and then, referring to a group of African Americans, stated, “Look at their skin color. You know what’s on the tip of my tongue.” Following these incidents, the Fairness Campaign Coordinating Committee promptly approved a public boycott of Woody’s Tavern, supported by nearly a dozen other organizations including blkout, commonGround, Jobs With Justice, Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression, Lambda Law Caucus, Metropolitan Community Church, Sienna, TECK, Transformations, University of Louisville Office of LGBT Services, W.E.N.C.H. and Women In Transition. At this time, the bar is no longer called Woody’s Tavern, though it is still open for business and owned by Mr. Norton, and is still under our boycott. The incidents of racism at Woody’s spurred the formation of the Fairness Campaign’s Dismantling Racism Committee in early October—with the intent to continue public dialogue and action around the dismantling of America’s deep-rooted systemic racism, which we continue to see every day. The Dismantling Racism Committee’s first event, a community “Speak Out” on racism, prejudice Community members join in Speak Out on and discrimination beginning with the Woody’s racism, prejudice and discrimination at UofL. ordeal, convened over 50 community members at the University of Louisville to share and discuss their points of view on prejudice. Blatant acts of racism in the city extend far beyond Woody’s. Most recently, The CourierJournal reported on racist actions an employee claims to have been forced to commit by her employers at the Maker’s Mark Lounge in 4th Street Live. There, the employee, who is suing the corporation, alleges she was told to keep the “darker element” out of the front of the restaurant to make it appear more “white” near the windows, and was instructed to discourage groups of African Americans from hosting events and patronizing in the establishment. The Fairness Campaign has always understood the inherent intersectionality of all forms of prejudice and oppression—racism, sexism, classism and homophobia—and believes when an atmosphere of racism and acceptance for inequality is allowed to go unchallenged, all our efforts toward equality and unity suffer. Therefore, the Fairness Campaign has become part of a national effort to strengthen the United States’ capacity to operate from a place of love, equity and justice and engage white people across the country in publicly standing against the heightened and ongoing racism taking place nationally. Former Fairness Coordinating Committee member and Highlander director Pam McMichael has facilitated this effort, which has taken the form of a call to action pledge that you may sign online. Please take a moment to read the call to action on the next page, then log on to the internet and sign your name at www.USforallofus.org.
continued on page 2

2nd Statewide Fairness Summit
Saturday, January 16, 2010 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Frankfort, KY RSVP to [email protected] or 502.893.0788 FREE
(breakfast and lunch provided)

The Statewide Fairness Coalition* will convene the 2nd Statewide Fairness Summit in Frankfort to develop statewide strategy against anti-gay legislation and for the passage of a statewide anti-discrimination law that will protect all Kentuckians. All individual supporters and groups are invited to attend the Summit.
*ACLU-KY, Fairness Campaign, Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Kentucky Fairness Alliance, Lexington Fairness

★ Legislative Committee - Jan. 5 & 17 6:30 p.m., Fairness office, help develop the Campaign’s legislative strategy for the upcoming long session in Frankfort. ★ Dismantling Racism Committee - Jan. 6, 6:30 p.m., Fairness office, join in the ongoing dialogue on dismantling systemic racism and learn more about how all forms of prejudice intersect. ★ Community Building - Jan. 13 & 27 6:30 p.m., Fairness office, work to bring our community together to discuss important issues through outreach, dialogue, social media & networking. ★ Fairness Lobby Day and Rally in Frankfort - Feb. 24, 9 a.m. lobby training, Capitol Annex, 1 p.m.,rally in Capitol Rotunda, Frankfort, KY.

2263 Frankfort Avenue Louisville KY 40206 / phone: 502 893-0788 / email: [email protected]
1

Let’s build a U.S. for All of Us Director’s by Chris Hartman – isn’t it about time?
We long for a country that lifts all of us up, dares to care, offers love, generosity, and justice. We reject the racism that keeps us divided. We celebrate our interdependence and our capacity to love our neighbors as ourselves. We are white people standing together for a community of caring. Racism is not just a thing of the past; it continues to be woven into all of our institutions and structures, privileging those of us who are white and creating inequities for people of color. Racism is used to confuse us, make us forget that our lives and futures are interconnected. We believe that racism, in all its forms, robs us all of our humanity. We are white people standing against the racism we see, hear and feel as the nation’s right wing and some in the media whip up a backlash of fear about the leadership of President Obama, the first African American President of the United States, and the agenda for change on which he was elected. We see blatant racism showing up in hostile signs, words and actions at “tea parties,” demonstrations, and town hall meetings; in the effort to stop school children from listening to the President, something school children have done since the dawn of radio; in public tolerance of ministers who openly pray for the President’s death; in the scapegoating of immigrants; and in the organized attacks on people and groups working for urgently needed change. Far beyond legitimate disagreement over policies, these are old fear-and-smear tactics used by those who profit as we fight among ourselves. The stresses of financial meltdown, unemployment, environmental crisis, and war make us an easy target for race-based fearmongering. But this time we will not be fooled and we will not be divided. We understand how our lives are shaped by race, by class, by gender, by who we love and where we come from. We also honor our deep connections each to the other as we work together to solve pressing problems. Our ability to transform this country into one that truly works for all of us – where we effectively address our serious economic and environmental problems — is made possible only in a racially just society. Let’s work together to build what Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. called “the Beloved Community.” We can take action. The first step is to say together: “There is no room for racism in a U.S. for all of us.” Sign on at www.USforallofus.org. 2

Note – 2009’s Lessons

It has been a year. Though I write this just prior to my first anniversary as director of the Fairness Campaign in January, it has felt in every way a full year. And as our newly-formed Statewide Fairness Coalition prepares for the long legislative session in Frankfort--one we know will be fraught with anti-fairness legislation--I realize if I do not take time to reflect now, I may never. So, here are five outstanding lessons I have learned from my first year with the Fairness Campaign: 1.) Beware the craft of those who work the Commonwealth’s Capitol. While our support opposing anti-adoption state Senate Bill 68 was unprecedented and outspoken, it could not save us entirely from the craft of those who work the Capitol. Late in the day on March 5, 2009, after all committees and the general assembly had adjourned, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Robert Stivers (R) District 25-Manchester, called a secret Judiciary Committee hearing to pass the anti-adoption legislation. He invited only Republican Senators, the bill’s sponsor, Shelbyville Sen. Gary Tapp (R) District 20, and the Louisville policy analyst for the Family Foundation David Edmunds. Edmunds and Chris Hartman Tapp both spoke in favor of the bill, while there was no one present to speak in opposition. In less than 10 minutes, anti-adoption Senate Bill 68 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously, without debate. By this point, it was apparent to me that directing the Fairness Campaign in Frankfort would be something like leading the charge up a steep, slippery, craggy mountain slope (an image WHAS-11’s Rachel Platt jokingly conjured for me just before an interview on her afternoon “Newsmakers”). 2.) 10,000 heads are better than one. A few months prior to my joining the Campaign, a statewide alliance of Fairness-minded groups was already in the works that ultimately became an official Statewide Fairness Coalition of five organizations: the Fairness Campaign, ACLU-KY, Lexington Fairness, Kentucky Fairness Alliance, and the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (the Coalition will likely grow following the next Statewide Fairness Summit on January 16 in Frankfort). Thanks, I must imagine, to our newly formed Coalition, unrelenting public support, and a Facebook group from Lexington (“Stop SB68”) that garnered nearly 10,000 supporters, 2009’s anti-adoption Senate Bill 68, though it passed committee, never reached the conservative Senate floor where it surely would have passed—truly an unprecedented victory for Fairness. There are a myriad of possibilities that could explain Senate leadership’s decision to halt the bill’s progress (search “David Edmunds 68” on www.youtube.com for one interesting interpretation), but I firmly believe it was our Coalition’s collaboration and our collective inciting of relentless citizen lobbying that brought that bill down. True congratulations, to everyone. (We must not rest, however, as we have been assured anti-adoption legislation will return in 2010.) 3.) Passing a law does not a magic wand wave make. Though we celebrated a historic decade of civil rights under the Fairness Ordinance in Louisville this year, anti-gay discrimination still sadly exists within our “Fair” city. Since taking this position, I have received more than a dozen complaints of discrimination (mostly in employment) from within our city limits. While not every claim is ultimately deemed valid, and many are still under investigation by the Human Relations Commission, I have been shocked by the volume of complainants. I expected to receive discrimination complaints from out in the state (and I have), but I thought Louisville would be far further progressed. This reinforces the notion that the community organizing and education the Fairness Campaign does around Fairness joins the National Equality March in DC anti-gay discrimination, even within Jefferson County, is still vitally important, and that the passage of the Fairness Ordinance in 1999 did not magically eradicate acts of anti-gay prejudice and discrimination in our city. We must all continue to be tireless advocates for LGBT equality in our homes, our jobs, our places
continued on page 5

Special thanks go to the many donors who contribute to make the Fairness Campaign's continuing work for justice and equality possible. See yourself among this list of Fairness stars by making a financial contribution today!

2009 Friend of Fairness Donors
Gary Adair Steven Adams & Michael Miller Michelle Adcock Grace Akers & Maria Price Michael Aldridge Ann Allen Bill & Patricia Allison Michael Alt Debra Anderson & Gary Cusick Judy Arant Angela Armstrong Ricke Arrowood Keith Ashley & Charlie Weber Allan & Elise Atherton Kevin Bach Joanna Badagliacco & Robert Tannenbaum George Bailey & Porter Watkins Roberto & Patricia Bajandas Chiquta Baker Mary Ann Ballard Sam Baltimore Richard Bancroft Stephon Barbour Willa & Steve Barger Mark Baridon Karina Barillas Corrie Barkman Laura Baron Stephen Bartlett Matthew Barzun James Bean Jeff Been & Eric Graninger David Bell Patti Bell & Jeanne Hanley Kim & Susan Bentley-Jonason Elizabeth Bergner Danielle Bernstein Edith Bingham Emily Bingham & Stephen Reily Eleanor Bingham Miller Mary & Elzie Ray Bird Chris Bischoff Eileen Blanton & Rick Nelson Rebekka Bodine Emily Boone Fred Borho Marilyn & Alan Bornstein David Bostock Robert & Joe Botts Marla Boudreaux Judy Bowen Carl Bowman Jacqueline Boyatt Steve & Patty Boyce Rodney & Greta Bramer Tim Brauch Bill & Sandy Braunstein Matt Brewington Chaz Briscoe Keith Brooks Nickole Brown Owsley Brown Charitable Fund Brown-Forman Corporation Anne Bryant Michael Buchanan Brian Buford Deb Burda & Linda Wemes Peter Burgelis Michele Burkholder Michael Burris Stephen Buss Mark Cain & Don Phillips Joan Callahan & Jennifer Crossen Brad Calobrace Mary Lou Cambron & Karen Compton Andie Camden & Todd Johnson Johanna Camenisch Craig Cammack Michael Canales Nicole Candler Michelle Carle & Nannette Boyd Milton Carpenter Don Cartwright & Robin Lucas Robert Caruthers A.G. Casebeir & Susan Lane Lindy Casebier Alice Cash Sydney-Casandra Cashman Elizabeth Cassady Jennifer Catlett & Guy Dove Vicki Catlin Christine Catron Vicki Cavanaugh Lee Cave & Andy Patterson Alan Chan Greg Chaney David & Debbie Chervenak Rusty Cheuvront Kyle Citrynell Helen Claiborne Deanne Clark Holly & Darci Thoune Kay Clark Denise & Ronald Clayton Debra Clem Mark Clements Rae Cobbs & Harriet Leach John & Eboni Cochran Jody Cofer Chris Coffman Lucinda & James Coffman Tiffany Cole Hall Khalilah Collins Frederic Colmache Maureen Connelly Samantha Dawson Lois Deddens Eddie Deutsch Jim Dickinson & Timothy Combs Julia Dietrich & Barbara Powers Elizabeth Dinkins Donna Dornbrook Sam Dorr & Charles Raith Double Dog Dare John Doukas & Patrick Kelly Jennifer Dowd Connie Gambrel Jaison Gardner Joyce & Gordon Garner Sarah Garrison Jessica George Brent Gettlefinger Larry & Ricky Gettleman Anna Giangrande Jessica Gibson Louis & Norma Giesel David Gill Merritt Gill Pearley Gillespie Nancy & Sheldon Gilman Nikki Giovanni Bud Glass Marilyn Glattstein Tony Glore Judy Goldsmith & Andrew Klapper Tiffany Gonzales Andy Goss W. Henry Graddy Kelly Gream & James Wimpsett Mary Moss Greenebaum Robert Greenwell Kira Griffitt Madeline Griffitt Katharine Griswold Mark Guidry Sandy Gulick Jane Guthrie Elizabeth Haendiges Angela Stallings & Kenneth Hagan June Hampe Sharon Handy Melanie Hardison Jerry Hardt & Diane Yoder Margaret Harris Neenah Harris Chris Hartman Mary Lynn Hartman Cassandra Harville Sara Havens Ethan Hawes Angelia Hawkins Bob & Laura Hawley Ben Haydon Jorden Hayes Elisha Haynes Gary Haynes Smith & Annie Haynie Bob Hays & Don Hixon Jenny Heath & Mary Hicks Lauren Heberle & Jonathan Lowe Lesley Heck Gail Heller Tony Helm & Jim Hill Colette Henderson Fred Hendler & Nancy Martin Jimmie Henley Patty Henry Susan Herlin Roberta Hershberg Susan Hershberg Edward & Stasia Ann Hessel Kevin Hickey Fred Hicks Jean Hicks John Hicks Victor Hicks Jessica Higgins

Tami Conti & Tabby Lewis Martha Neal & Graham Cooke Michael Cooper David Corbett Angie Cornett Dario & Madeline Covi Amy Cubbage & Graham Troop Cassandra Culin & Kyle Ellison Kate Cunningham Robert & Delores Cunningham Henry Curtis David Dafoe Janet Dakan Dee & Judy Dale Nichole Davis

Andrew Downey Lisa Doyle Gary & Kathleen Drehmel Julie Driscoll & Kathleen Hall Joan & Tom Dubay Jeana Dunlap Molly Eames Maree Ecrevan George & Jean Edwards David Eicher Glen Elder & Jim Gibson Marshall Eldred & Andree Mondor Hollis Ellis Jane Godchaux & Bert Emke Carl Enoch & Lloyd Cole Tracy Evans & Kelly Clark Juli Evers Evolve LLC Dan Farrell Marshall & Heather McConnell Farrer Melissa Faurest Terry Feathers Joseph Felts Lauren Ferguson Aletha Fields First Unitarian Church Greg Fischer John Fischer Richard & Marjorie Fitzgerald Ted Fleischaker & Ivan Howard Ernie Flores Fleur de Lez Virginia Forest & Patria Fielding Donna Fosberg & Jackie Lucas Cate & Peter Fosl Sarah Frederick David & Patricia French Lori Frey Harriette Friedlander Ellen Friedman Francis & Dawn Friedrich J. Scott Frisch Martha Frisch Joan Frisz Elliot & Shelley Fu Terry Fultineer Denise Mucci & Guy Furnish Nicole Gaines Harry Gallagher

3

2009 Friend of Fairness Donors
Alyson Hill Linda Hill & K. McKinley Cathy Hinko Peyton Hoge & Jennifer Karem Chips Holden Jessica Holman David Holton Jane Hope Karen Horan & Judy Pugh Carl Horton & Jeff Franklin David & Mary Horvath William Hoston Dan Hourigan & Ton Ali Becky House Holly Houston Karen Hovekamp & Lisa Jensen Larry Hovekamp Michael Howell Bani Hines-Hudson & Blaine Hudson Alan Huelsman Rachel Hurst Margaret Hyland lauren Ingram Rose & Ampelio Isetti Mary & Paul Ising Amanda Jackson Carlos Jackson Kristin & Lance Jackson Dominique James & Maurice Blanchard John Jameson & Greg Bryant Karen Jarboe & Nanci Moore Dawn Jenkins Judi Jennings R. Paul Jennings Alison Johnson Clark Johnson & Diane Pecknold Hannah Johnson Michelle Johnson & Erica Callam Rose Mary Johnson Allen Jones Ricky Jones Shirley & Donald Jones Yvonne Jones Eleanor Jordan Dorothy Joseph Agus Juliawan Juneteenth Legacy Theatre John & Susan Jury Kara Ann Kahao Binky Kelley Gloria Kemper-O'Neil David & Mary Lynn Kempf Martha Kenney & Ann Deibert Jane Kessinger Jim & Debbie King Amanda Kinney Chris Kirkland David & Diane Kissel George & Lasca Kisslinger Tim Kitchen John Kleber Rita Knowles Avery Kolers & Karen Christopher Carol Kraemer Forrest Kuhn Kim LaBelle Lucinda Laird Michael & Mary Ann Lambert Meghan Lampe Deborah Lancaster Kathy & Lew Lancaster Marian Lancaster George Lane & Mark Tatum Jane A. Lapinski Travis Lay James & Nancy Leach Stephen Lebder Hal & Frances Leichhardt Brian Leung Gracie Lewis Lexington Fairness Bruce & Margie Lincoln Antonia Lindauer & Tim Holman Tony & Anne Lindauer Natashia Lindsey Phoenix Lindsey-Hall Fred Look Keith Look David Lott Louisville Youth Group Tom Love & Rick Mc Collum Jessica Loving & Sheryl Snyder Gary Loyd & Jeff Cummings Barbara Luckett Travis Myles & Scott Burchett Alan Nachby David & Phyllis Nash Chris & Nilkanthi Nicholas Lisa Nicholson Kevin Noland Emily Noonan David Norman Michael O'Connell Paul & Carolyn O'Daniel Luke O'Dell Sheila O'Donnell-Schuster Brian O'Leary Alise Oliver Ann Olsen & David Owen Kathleen O'Neil & Jim Busch Joe & Mary Beth O'Reilly Arti Ortega & Denise Baytree Raymond Orthober & Maria Alcalde Lisa Osanka Dianna Ott Patricia Owen Darryl Owens K.A. Owens Donald Padgett Elizabeth Painter Rosa Constance Parrish & David Williamson Shameka Parrish-Wright Aimee Parry Heather Patton Kathleen Pellegrino Anthony Perkins & Anthony Loy Personal Best Counseling Nancy Peterson Brittany Polin Suzanne Post Agnes Poteet John & Eugenia Potter Chris Poynter Rachel Pugh Pat Purkey Letitia Quesenberry Steve Quinn Christopher Raley Denton Randall & Regina Bednarsky Nancy Rankin & Whitworth Stokes Morgan Ransdell Tom Ranz & Bill Trent Paul Ratliff Sharon Receveur Robert & Jeanne Reed Sarah Reed Linda Remington Kinton Rossman Mark & Landa Rountree Rachel Rowland Ronald Rubin Deanna Rushing & Karen Kaye John & Dotti Russell Crystal Sahner Valerie Salley Gary & Jill Sampson Kara Sanders Barbara & E. Halsey Sandford Aaron Satran & Angela Singla Jeff Sauer Elizabeth Sawyer G Sawyer & Jean Walker Mark & Zan Sawyer-Dailey Mark Schaver & Fran Ellers Sarah Scheibe Alan Scherer Craig Scherman Laurabeth Schmidt Gilbert & Bettye Schroerlucke Kim Schroerlucke & Jeanne Thompson Louise Schulman Attica Scott Marcia & Edwin Segal Sonya Selby John Selent Derek Selznick & Erin Herbert Rajesh Shah & Robert Boozman La'vonne & Michael Sheets William Shelton & Kent Echler Greta & Jacob Sherman Laura Silvey Ju Thi Sim Sue Simon Robert Simpson Steve Skipper Mike Slaton & Jake Souder Seymour Slavin & Claire Drucker Anna Smith Debbie Smith Donald Smith Scheri Smith Trisha Anne Smith-Kolb Alison Solley Toho Soma Elizabeth & Jonathan Spalding Stephen Spanyer Sue Speed Sandy Speer Meredith Spence Kristin Spies St. Williams Church E. M. Staggs Patrick Stallard Dorene & Russ Stein Katherine Steinbock Sherry Steinbock Christi Stevens George Stinson & Ed Lewis Barry Stone David Stone & Gary McClure Jennifer Stone William Stone Randal Strobo Elwood Stroder & Mike O'Leary Ann Stuarts Lane Stumler & Michael Drury Elwood & Roxanne Sturtevant Carrie Sublett Kim Summers-Bates & Beth Bates Lisa Tanner Carla & K. Grant Taylor Patricia Taylor John Tederstrom & Mark Cannon Nancy Theriot

Tom Wallace Lyons David Mahoney Sam Marcosson Miriam Marcus & Jerry Kauper Leonard Mariani & Greg Hutcheson Ernest & Ona Bass Marshall Roy & Donna Martin Mary Lou & William Marzian Mike Mattingly Mary Beth Maxwell MCC Louisville Cynthia McCarty & Stuart Campbell Sarah McCauley Glenn McGregor & Mark Wright Barry McKay Randall McKenzie Sarah McKinnie Pamela McMichael Penny McTighe Doug Means & Traci Simonsen J. Robert & Donna Metzger Carla Meyer Joyce Meyer Martin & Theresa Meyer Theresa Meyer Terry Mickler Dustin Milam Kay Milam Leslie & James Millar Anne Marie Miller Christopher Miller Allan Mitchell Timothy Mitchell Tom Moffett Allen Montgomery & J.R. Cannaday Betsy & Joyce Montgomery Shirley Moorman Sandra Moreland Michael Morgan Daniel Morrical Mary Morris Curt Morrison Marion Morrison Diane Moten Marc Mourer William Mruzek Mary Mudd Mari Mujica Debra Mumford & Africa Hands Judy Munro-Leighton

Madeline Reno Natalie Reteneller Catherine Reuning Molly Rice Dana Rieber Kyle Riggs & Darrell Jagoe Richard & Janet Rink Jim Roberts & Marilyn Hrbek Elaine Robertson Samuel Robinson Stacey Robinson Janet Rockafellar Jeff Rodgers & Ed Kruger John & Teouline Rose

4

Aaron Thomas David Thomas Jerry Thomas Regan & Anne Thomas John Thompkins Deborah Thompson & Jo Ann Kalb Larry & Dawn Thompson Elise Tighe Kay & Walter Tillow Jerie Torbeck Debbie & Gary Tragesser Harold & Carol Trainer Jerry Tucker Maurice Tucker Mollie Tucker Colleen Unroe Sherrie & Stuart Urbach Jo Ann Utley Peter Van Dyke Patricia Van Houten Suzanne Vance Darryl Vancleave Pam Vitaz Anthony Vowels K.L. Wadlington Melanie Walker Carla F. Wallace Naomi Wallace & Bruce McLeod Teresa Waller Jane Walsh & Chris Harrell Lauren Wampler Andrew Wang Patrick Wang Michael Ward & Christina Hearvin Hal Warheim L. Warren Lascelles & Dale Watson Aaron Weathers Jesse Weaver Mark Weinstein Marsha & Gary Weinstein Elaine & Ron Weisberg Terry & Morris Weiss Jane Welch Dona Wells Linda Wemes Marilyn & Hannah Werst Shelly Werts Stephen Wesley Shannon Westerman Nikki Whalen Charles Whaley Becky Whipple Carolyn Whitaker & David Tandy Bobbie White Michelle Whited Antonio & Janis Wickliffe John & Janet Wilborn Nicholas Wilkerson Cherry & Edison Williams David Williams Dawn Wilson Stephenie Wilson Wiltshire Pantry Becki Winchel Bruce Wolfschlag & Ron Rebant Bette Wright Carla Wright Gordon Wright Fawn Wujick John & Catherine Yarmuth Vilis Yore Roger & Suzanne Young Allen Younger Gemma & Vincent Ziegler

Participate in the Political Process with CFAIR
It’s already that time of year when candidates for political office come knocking on our door to seek an endorsement in the upcoming primary elections from CFAIR (Committee for Fairness and Individual Rights), the Fairness community’s political action committee—and you can be part of the endorsement process! With several key races already heating up, including the Democratic mayoral primary between Metro Council President David Tandy, Councilman Jim King, Tyler Allen, Greg Fischer, as well as a growing field of Republicans that includes anti-Fairness Councilman Hal Heiner, CFAIR’s endorsement may prove key to a candidate’s victory come May. Outside of the mayor’s race, there are state races that are sure to draw attention and much debate, such as the Democratic primary for State House District 41 between incumbent Tom Riner and openly gay candidate Mike Slaton. As we gear up for this exciting election year, CFAIR needs your help to interview candidates seeking endorsement! We invite you to participate on an interview team to help ask candidates the tough questions critical to our community. It doesn’t take much time to engage in the process, and it’s as easy as e-mailing [email protected] to let us now you’re interested! of worship--everywhere--so people may never forget lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals deserve full and equal respect and rights. I hope in the new year to launch more programs supporting victims and preventing anti-gay discrimination in the city. 4.) Far too many folks tolerate racism. If you have kept abreast of Campaign news, you know about the further incidents of racial discrimination that recently occurred at Woody’s Tavern. If you have been involved with the Fairness Campaign for a while, you know we have a dual focus, which is to work towards dismantling systemic racism as well as LGBT equal rights, as we feel there is an inherent interconnectedness between all forms of oppression--racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia. As we launched the boycott of Woody’s Tavern with nearly a dozen other organizations, I was disturbed by the negative response we received from some members of our community (mostly a handful of young, white, gay males) who wished to defend tavern owner David Norton’s “right” to say or do whatever he wants in his own establishment. I feel it may be necessary to remind those individuals that a bar or restaurant is a public accommodation, one of the three protected areas under Louisville’s Fairness Ordinance (along with employment and housing). Therefore, it is illegal to eject someone from a bar using anti-gay slurs--why should a similar act of racism be treated any differently? Not one person came to the defense of the McDonald’s employees who committed a similar offense against two white gay men at a downtown McDonald’s last year, so I cannot begin to wrap my mind around why members of our community would defend Mr. Norton’s actions and words. The Fairness Campaign will never tolerate a blatant act of racism. Period. ‘nuff said. 5.) Community celebration is critical to Campaign sanity. The social justice work of the Fairness Campaign is endless, and, at times, can feel overwhelming. Each period in which I have felt buried deep beneath the demands of this work, there has been an opportunity to come together and celebrate with friends and allies who have been here before me, are here fighting with us now, and will work as long as the Campaign has a mission to accomplish. From the annual Wiltshire Pantry hosted dinner with the ACLU, to the inaugural Fairness Over Louisville, Fleur de Lez’s Sweet Heat Summer Fling, Carla Wallace’s annual Lawn Party and the historic Fairness X-travaganza celebration, our community has proven it knows how to party--and that has been vitally important to my sanity and sense of balance. As I look towards 2010 and the new challenges that are certain to arise, my spirits are buoyed by the tremendous support that has been shown the Campaign and me this year. I know I am better fortified to face the new year’s obstacles by the lessons learned in 2009, and I am anxious to begin the new year’s journey with you by our side. Happy Holidays, with Supporters celebrate 10 years of Fairness protections at Fairness X at the Monkey Wrench. Peace and Fairness to All. 5

2009's Lessons

continued from page 2

Thank you for your support!
List includes donations received and recorded by 11/15/09.

PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID LOUISVILLE KY PERMIT #879

2263 Frankfort Avenue Louisville, Kentucky 40206

Statewide Fairness Summit
January 16 in Frankfort

Please consider making a special gift to celebrate 10 years of Fairness!
Name: Address: City/Zip: Phone: Email: $25 $50 Other
Please make your check payable to Fairness Campaign, 2263 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206.

$100

$250

I prefer my gift remain anonymous. 6

It’s been 10 years since the Fairness law was passed in Louisville. What has that meant to you? As this year of celebration draws to a close and we reflect on our historic decade of Fairness in Louisville, we must remember our brothers and sisters across the state who still fear legal discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. In order to protect them, and in hopes of one day gaining full and equal civil rights for everyone living in Kentucky—we cannot rest. Currently we are revving up for another legislative session in Frankfort, one that will undoubtedly be fraught with anti-fairness legislation—including the likely return of an antiadoption bill—and fervent opposition to our statewide Fairness law. We need your help as we prepare for the ensuing battle in the State Capitol. What has 10 years of Fairness been worth to you? Imagine what statewide Fairness would mean to all of us! This year, make a special contribution that celebrates each year of civil rights in our city! Consider a donation of $1,000 reflecting $100 for each year, $500 celebrating $50 per year, $100 for $10 a year or whatever you can give to honor this historic decade. To make your gift today, simply log on to www.fairness.org and click the “Donate” button. Thank you for your continued support of the work for equality and justice!

Sponsor Documents

Or use your account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Forgot your password?

Or register your new account on DocShare.tips

Hide

Lost your password? Please enter your email address. You will receive a link to create a new password.

Back to log-in

Close