NKU to offer same-sex benefits

Northern Kentucky University’s plan to allow same-sex domestic partner benefits (story) has reignited controversy about same-sex civil rights across the Commonwealth. The Board of Regents at NKU was wise to wait until the 2008 General Assembly adjourned before approving the new benefits.

This comes more than two years after NKU’s Faculty Senate President recommended the benefits package.

Some of the worst comments around the Commonwealth:

1. I am against anything which promotes or encourages same-sex partnership because the bible says that it is a sin. We need to encourage better moral standards for our children, even in college levels.
2. This is exactly what we needed, paying medical bills for nasty queers.
3. I have no problem with the decision IF the university would also apply this policy to heterosexual unmarried couples who "live in the employee's household for at least 12 months and be "financially interdependent" with the employee." That way the policy would be fair to everyone regardless of sexual preference. If the policy is only available to same sex partners than it is outright discrimination by a government entity. Just make it fair to everyone and everyone will be happy.

Comment # 3 makes a good point! Under this line of thinking, homosexuals are being discriminated against every day…..we cannot file joint tax returns, no marriage, no civil union, no criminal injuries compensation, no exemption from conveyance tax, no hospital visitation rights, no international immigration or Visa rights, etc., etc. Thanks for reminding us just how bad the Commonwealth of Kentucky treats us!

Congratulations to everyone at NKU and its Board of Regents......you did the right thing!

Kentucky Equality Federation protests Representative Fischer's comments, though he still stands by them.

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS - Statehouse Republican Joe Fischer is taking criticism for comments he made about gay rights and sexual orientation.

Fischer, a lawyer from Fort Thomas, said in an interview last week with The Community Recorder newspaper that it is "OK to fire someone if they're gay."

"I favor the current laws as they stand now," Fischer told the paper. "Sexual orientation shouldn't be a protected class. "Obviously, people can change their sexual orientation," he said. "Some psychologists have said so."

Fischer defended his comments during a Wednesday night campaign forum at Northern Kentucky University he participated in with his opponent, Democrat Linda Klembara of Fort Thomas.

"Under current federal and states civil rights laws it is OK," Fischer said during the half-hour forum. Sexual orientation is not a protected class. "It should not be in my opinion," he said. "The current law, I think it's fair because sexual orientation has not been a traditionally protected class like women, black, national origin and religion."

Klembara said her "faith runs deep" when asked to comment on Fischer's statements. "And my faith would never allow me to condone hatred or bigotry or discrimination toward any group of people," she said.

About 20 members of Kentucky Equality Federation, a gay rights group, protested Fischer's appearance at the forum. "As far as people being able to change their sexual orientation, it's something you are born with," said federation president Jordan Palmer. "He seems to think you can change it with the proper amount of psychology. So, my question to him is, could he change his to homosexual.

"It is unfortunate that we have people as our elected officials and representatives that aren't willing to represent all of us," Palmer said. "It is not fair, and it will never be fair, to terminate someone because of their sexual orientation."

- Kentucky Enquirer (10/26/2006)
- Kentucky Post (10/25/2006)
- Pam's House Blend (LGBT Political Blog)

Klembara said she didn't believe homosexuals could change their sexual orientation. "I don't ever remember consciously saying, 'I'm going to be a heterosexual,'" she said. "I think we're all born who we are."

Join the Northern Kentucky Chapter of the Kentucky Equality Federation at an event held by NKU's Common Ground on "National Coming Out Day."

Join the Northern Kentucky Chapter of the Kentucky Equality Federation at an event held by Northern Kentucky University's Common Ground Gay-Straight Alliance on October 11, 2006 ("National Coming Out Day").

Chris Klucsarits (Kanyon), who ascended to elite superstar status in professional wrestling before retiring from World Wrestling Entertainment in 2004, and who earlier this year revealed to a live independent show audience in Greater Sadbury, Ontario, that he was homosexual, will give a public lecture at Northern Kentucky University on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 3-4 p.m. in BEP Center Room 200 as part of NKU’s National Coming Out Day activities.

Kanyon’s visit, which is sponsored by NKU Common Ground, will include a speech, question/answer session and an autograph session.

Kentucky Equality Federation will be paying for Kanyon's accommodations during his visit to Northern Kentucky and will be providing Common Ground with $2,431.36 in products and materials to increase awareness of their efforts to promote tolerance and diversity. For additional information about this event, visit Common Ground's official website by clicking here.

Kentucky Equality Federation would continue to support its members and Gay-Straight Alliances across Kentucky. "Education and exposure to diversity in non-threatening environments promotes tolerance; it is critical this occur during high-school and college, when individual minds are significantly more open to social diversity." - Federation President Jordan Palmer on September 9, 2006.

Common Ground is the Gay/Straight Alliance at NKU. It exists primarily for the purpose of supporting and promoting the welfare of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and their allies (GLBTA) at NKU. The group is currently working to establish the Safe Zone program, which is a resource referral service that trains faculty and staff about how to support GLBTA students who come to them for help.

NKU's Common Ground is on the list of organizations supported and advocated by the Kentucky Equality Federation.

Kentucky Equality Federation is the senior organization representing the International Lesbian and Gay Association in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The International Lesbian and Gay Association consists of more than 400 member organizations on every continent in more than 90 countries.

Northern Kentucky University responds to Kentucky Equality Federation concerns.

Northern Kentucky University responds to Kentucky Equality Federation concerns.

Federation criticizes response - News

Federation criticizes response - News

ACTION ALERT - HATE CRIME AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY

On August 28, 2006 at approximately 12:30 AM someone committed a hate crime, act of vandalism, and bullying against a resident assistant, who is also a member Northern Kentucky University's Common Ground, the university's Gay-Straight Alliance (campus police report # 060549).

Writing foul language with the words "Fag......I hope you get AIDS" is a clear act of hatred directed to Common Ground, as well as the resident assistant's door it was written on.

One or more of the members of Common Ground has filed an official complaint with Kentucky Equality Federation because the university isn't doing anything proactive to either find the individual(s) involved in the incident, or advise students that such behavior is unacceptable.

The Kentucky Equality Federation would like to see university management take a more "hands on" role in this investigation, and issue a public statement condemning this action with consequences of targeting students because of their sexual orientation or gender identity clearly identified.

The academic consequences of bullying are severe, not to mention the mental and physical well-being of targeted students and bystanders alike. Students at Northern Kentucky University deserve to be able to be themselves, without having to face verbal or physical violence and be able to get an education without having to suppress their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Kentucky Equality Federation would like to know what action(s) are being taken to find the individual(s) involved and advise students that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Click here to sign the letter to Northern Kentucky University's President, as well as the Executive Assistant to Northern Kentucky University's Board of Regents.