KY Primary Election 2019 Newsletter
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We’re with Adam & Gill VOTE Tuesday, May 21 FairnessVotes.com for Full Endorsements Another important Kentucky Primary Election is before us, and it could help shape the future of Primary Election ‘19 our commonwealth for LGBTQ rights, reproductive freedom, racial justice, immigrant rights, and so much more. C-FAIR, the Political Action Committee of the Fairness Campaign, has endorsed Page 2 Adam Edelen and Gill Holland in the Democratic Primary for Kentucky Governor and Lieutenant C-FAIR Endorsements Governor. As we look for the strongest ticket with the broadest embrace of Fairness-supported values, Edelen-Holland is our clear choice to face off against Governor Matt Bevin in the General Page 4 Election. Inside you’ll find our other Primary Election endorsements. 2018 Year in Review The election comes on the heels of a hectic and eventful 2019 Kentucky General Assembly, which Page 7 saw major setbacks for reproductive justice and state worker pensions, but surprises in a Governor Special Thanks to 2018 veto of the pension bill and court victories in some of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws. The “Friends of Fairness” session was notably quiet on the LGBTQ rights front, with only one explicitly anti-LGBTQ bill filed, Donors an anti-adoption bill that went nowhere. Conversely, Statewide Fairness Laws in the Kentucky Senate and House both achieved record co-sponsors, including nearly a quarter of the legislature. 2263 Frankfort Ave, Louisville, KY 40206 | (502) 893-0788 | www.Fairness.org | @FairnessCamp KY Primary Election Endorsements Adam EDELEN – Kentucky Governor Democratic Primary Gill HOLLAND – Kentucky Lt. Governor Democratic Primary Adam Edelen and Gill Holland will ensure that every Kentuckian has equal rights under the law. They believe the ability to marry who you love, the right to have access to housing without discrimination, and the security to keep your job regardless of how you identify are basic human rights that all Kentuckians deserve and must have. As Kentucky State Auditor, Adam Edelen was the first statewide elected official in Kentucky to endorse marriage equality for all LGBTQ people, before the question of marriage was decided at the U.S. Supreme Court. Adam also used his office to uncover a shameful lack of testing of more than 3,000 previously unaccounted-for rape kits in Kentucky, a backlog that denied and delayed justice to victims across the Commonwealth. He is a founder and partner in a number of startups in the energy technology and sustainability industry. 2 5 Heather FRENCH HENRY – KY Sec. of State Dem. Primary Throughout her careers in theater, fashion, and pageants, Heather French Henry counted innumerable LGBTQ people among her friends and supporters, and she attributes her Miss America success to many of them. She has always counted herself an ally, and hopes to see the nation continue to become more LGBTQ accepting. She is a past recipient of the Charles W. Anderson medal, which Governor Steve Beshear awarded her for commitment to diversity and providing equal opportunity hiring at the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. Chris TOBE – Kentucky State Auditor Democratic Primary Chris Tobe worked for former Kentucky State Auditor Ed Hatchett on his executive staff overseeing all areas of the office and has over 25 years of financial experience. In the late 1990s, he wrote reports on pensions, university foundations, and state cash investments for the auditor’s office. He’ll be the first auditor with master’s degrees in both Accounting and Finance. Chris has fought corruption in Kentucky for the past twenty-plus years by helping former State Rep. Jim Wayne write most of his pension corruption legislation. Josh MERS – Kentucky State Treasurer Democratic Primary Josh Mers is openly gay, proudly married to his husband, and the proud father of two foster children aged 11 and six. He has been an outspoken advocate for social justice in Central Kentucky for the better part of his adult life. Over the last four years, he has served as the Chair of Lexington Fairness, advocating for the Central Kentucky LGBTQ community and working with the Fairness Campaign to advocate for our commonwealth as a whole. He would become Kentucky’s first openly-LGBTQ statewide elected official. Julie MUTH GOODMAN – Fayette Circuit Court Judge Div. 4 As a District Court Judge, Julie Muth Goodman has repeatedly upheld a person’s reproductive freedom and holds the distinction of officiating the first same- gender wedding ceremony in Fayette County after the historic Obergefell v. Hodges ruling for the freedom to marry. During her eleven years on the bench, she has used her voice to guarantee that everyone in our country is treated fairly. and she is the best choice to fill this judicial vacancy in Fayette County. C-FAIR is the Political Action Committee of the Fairness Campaign [email protected] | PO Box 3431, Louisville, KY 40201 | (502) 893-0613 3 2018 Fairness Campaign Year In Review Jan. 2: Opening day of the 2018 Kentucky Jan. 30: The Maysville Human Rights March 6: Marion C. Moore School hosts an General Assembly. Commission invites the Fairness Campaign “LGBTQ 101” training for all staff led by the to present information on a local Fairness Fairness Campaign. Jan. 7: Springdale Presbyterian Church hosts Ordinance. the Fairness Campaign for a discussion on March 7: The Frost-Stuart Boys and Girls Club LGBTQ rights in its “Issues Class.” Feb. 7: The Tri State Freethinkers invite the of Kentuckiana hosts an LGBTQ discussion Fairness Campaign to speak at their meeting led by the Fairness Campaign. Jan. 9: Paducah becomes the 9th Kentucky in Northern Kentucky. city with a Fairness Ordinance prohibiting March 9: In partnership with the national LGBTQ discrimination in employment, Feb. 8: St. Francis High School hosts “Gender Equality Federation, the Fairness Campaign housing, and public accommodations. The Week,” including a panel discussion on LGBTQ hosts a “Statewide HIV Policy Summit” in 4-1 vote, led by City Commissioner Sarah rights with the Fairness Campaign, Kentucky Lexington with HIV/AIDS advocates and Stewart Holland and Mayor Brandi Harless, Health Justice Network, Planned Parenthood service providers from across the state. makes Paducah the only Western Kentucky of Indiana and Kentucky, and more. city with a Fairness Ordinance. March 11: The eighth annual “Catholics for Feb. 10: The University of Louisville’s “Engage Fairness Pilgrimage” to the Cathedral of the Jan. 11: Rep. Stan Lee introduces “HIV Kentucky Symposium” includes a workshop Assumption ends with a historic reception Criminalization” House Bill 193. The Fairness on LGBTQ rights by the Fairness Campaign. in the Cathedral undercroft to honor retiring Campaign begins working with state and State Representative Jim Wayne for his years national partners to substantially amend the Feb. 12: Jefferson Community and Technical of service as a pro-LGBTQ advocate. legislation. College (JCTC) hosts a community conversation on discrimination and prejudice March 14: Anti-LGBTQ “Pastor Protection Jan. 16: Rep. Mary Lou Marzian introduces with the Fairness Campaign, La Casita Center, Act” HB 372 is replaced with a committee “Statewide Fairness Law” House Bill 195, and the Center for Accessible Living. substitute that simply reiterates First which achieves 10 co-sponsors. Amendment protections for pastors and Feb. 14: The Fairness Campaign spends religious organizations. The substitute Jan. 20: Katy Garrison begins serving as Vice Valentine’s Day testifying against “HIV language neutralizes its LGBTQ effect, and Chair of the Fairness Education Fund, and Criminalization” HB 193 in the Kentucky it passes the House Judiciary Committee Sam Marcosson begins serving as Vice Chair House Judiciary Committee with the ACLU unanimously. “HIV Criminalization” HB 193 of the Fairness Campaign. of Kentucky, Planned Parenthood Advocates passes 81-3 in the House with competing of Indiana and Kentucky, and University of amendments, one from Rep. Lee and one Jan. 21: The Hub hosts a Drag Brunch Louisville Constitutional Law Professor Sam supported by the Fairness Campaign from benefiting the Fairness Campaign. The Marcosson. The bill passes committee with Rep. Jason Nemes. Fairness Campaign joins as a co-host of the extreme reservation by many committee Louisville Women’s Rally at the Ali Center. members, who request changes proposed March 16: The neutralized “Pastor Protection by the panel of testimony. Rep. Jason Petrie Act” HB 372 with committee substitute Jan. 23: The Fairness Campaign speaks out also introduces anti-LGBTQ “Pastor Protection passes the House on the Consent Calendar at a Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) Act” House Bill 372, which achieves 47 co- 85-2. It moves no further in the Senate. Board meeting against the tasing of a sponsors. student of color by a school resource officer March 20: The University of Kentucky at Jeffersontown High School. Feb. 21: Hundreds of Kentuckians for Fairness College of Social Work hosts a viewing of rally and lobby in Frankfort. Senator Morgan the film Freedom to Marry with a post show Jan. 25: Male High School’s Gay-Straight McGarvey introduces the “Statewide Fairness discussion with the Fairness Campaign. Alliance invites the Fairness Campaign Law” Senate Bill 190, which achieves a record to discuss LGBTQ rights in Kentucky. A seven bi-partisan co-sponsors, including March 22: “HIV Criminalization” HB 193 grassroots group in Owensboro hosts a town Republican Lexington Senator Alice Forgy passes the Senate Judiciary with half of the hall meeting on LGBTQ rights with leaders Kerr for the first time. Fairness-supported amendment from Rep. from the Fairness Campaign and Bowling Nemes and half of Rep. Lee’s amendment, Green Fairness. Feb. 28: Jim James and My Morning Jacket’s still opposed by Fairness. Senate Judiciary Waterfall Project, along with its team Chair Whitney Westerfield announces the Jan. 25-28: The Fairness Campaign supports of Jacktivists, continue their substantial remainder of Rep.