Create a New Forum Admin Login Member Login Contribute to Voyager Search VoyForums Help Desk VoyForums Exchange VoyForums Directory/Categories VoyForums Homepage VoyForums News FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

[ Show ]

Support VoyForums

[ Shrink ]

VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

Kentucky Governor Issues Non-Discrimination Executive Order

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: May 30, 2003 6:54 p.m. ET

(Frankfort, Kentucky) Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton Friday signed an executive order that prohibits discrimination against state employees based on sexual orientation or gender identity, among other factors. Kentucky is now the 10th state to use an executive order to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation against its public work force, and the only state to do so covering gender identity.

"Governor Patton has sent a clear message to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender state employees that they are valued and will be treated equally," said Seth Kilbourn, Human Rights Campaign national field director.

Several counties and local governments in Kentucky have passed local ordinances in the past several years that include sexual orientation and gender identity, including an ordinance that the Covington City Commission unanimously passed May 1, 2003.

"This groundbreaking measure comes on the heels of exciting local victories here in Kentucky," said Andrea Hildebran, executive director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance, the statewide GLBT organization.

"Governors in other states without workplace protections for their GLBT citizens should follow Governor Patton's lead," said Kilbourn.

"In a country where it is perfectly legal in most jurisdictions to be fired based on sexual orientation or gender identity, any characterization of this order as a 'special right' shows a remarkable misunderstanding of civil rights," said Kilbourn.

36 states do not have civil rights protections for gay and lesbian workers. A federal bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, seeks to address this issue.

©365Gay.com® 2003