East Kentuckians Support Statewide Fairness

Lots of well-publicized energy has been put into Fairness organizing and strategizing in eastern Kentucky communities over the last year or more. Bereans for Fairness has had an exponentially growing wave of organizing efforts for a city ordinance in support of fairness and human rights, including several strong shows of local and statewide support at city council meetings and rallies.  Last summer, there was great public outcry after two men were ejected from the Hazard Pavilion pool for alleged public displays of affection.

The city of Hazard released an apology statement after dozens of people from around the region and the state rallied against the inappropriate action.  

While the media excitement around these events lasted a short time, east Kentuckians from Berea to Whitesburg continue to build momentum toward their long-term, community visions of fairness and equality in our state and beyond.  Around a dozen or so people from Perry and surrounding counties met at Hazard Community and Technical College over several months following the summer's events, forming what Perry County member Ivy Brashear called "a group dedicated to the discussion and implementation of making equality in the mountains extend to all people."  Ivy also said the group "hopes to document anecdotal evidence that shows the need for fairness ordinances to be established throughout the region, create a local support network for LGBT folks and their allies, identify local resources for LGBT folks and their allies, and identify business, community, spiritual and educational leaders with which our group may be able to partner."  East Kentucky Fairness is accessible through Facebook, at [email protected] and P.O. Box 18, Mayking, KY 41837.

Folks who were a part of these meetings currently support fairness around the region in a number of ways. Ada Smith, SONG (Southerners On New Ground) board member and Letcher Chapter Steering Committee alternate, and Cleveland Smith, STAY steering committee member and the Perry County KFTC Chapter's Steering Committee representative have become more involved with Reach Out in Letcher County, "created (a few years ago) for the support of young Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning men and women in southeastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia."  Jenny Williams, a professor at HCTC, has joined with students to form the new HCTC Diversity Club "for LBGTQ students and the people who love them," according to Jenny. 

The Diversity Club has hosted well-attended meetings and events on campus over the last few months and continue to host student activities in support of fairness.  Just last week the Diversity Club grilled pizza in a student lounge on campus and fed 40 or more people home-made, grilled fresh pizza with a variety of gourmet toppings.  Here, they did outreach and planned for the upcoming Statewide Fairness Rally & Lobby Day, hosted by the Fairness Campaign in Frankfort on Wednesday, February 22.  KFTC members and allies from around the state, along with several from HCTC and eastern Kentucky, plan to be there in support of a Statewide Anti-Discrimination Fairness Law, introduced in both the Senate (SB 69) and the House (HB 188), as well as an Anti-Bulling Law (HB 336).  

Premiering in Berea on the night of the Rally & Lobby Day, Wednesday, Feb. 22, is Appalachian author Silas House's new play "This Is My Heart For You."  Ethan Hamblin, Berea student from Perry County who also helped to form East Kentucky Fairness, was excited to learn that "the play is based on the Hazard Pavillion incident. This play is about equal love and human rights. It will focus on a group based on East Kentucky Fairness!"

"Last summer there were several incidents about equality – alleged hate crimes, discrimination, etc. – in the area, and the theme just presented itself,â€ said Silas. Call the Berea College Box Office for tickets and more info at 859-985-3300. 

The Fairness Coalition even traveled to eastern Kentucky last month during the filming of their statewide fairness commercial to include the faces and voices of several members from Perry and Letcher counties, including Jenny Williams, Heather Bates, and Josephine Richardson, as well as others in the region.  Look for familiar faces in the commercial below and contact [email protected] for information on a carpool out of eastern Kentucky to the Fairness Rally and Lobby Day in Frankfort,  next Wednesday, February 22.