Restore the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program!

To all members and subscribers,

HIV and AIDS healthcare in Kentucky stopped in 2007 when the Commonwealth failed to renew the
Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program.  The health of low-income Kentuckians living with HIV, as well as the lives of those at risk of infection are in grave danger; we need your help to restore the program!

Kentucky has more than 1,200 people enrolled in its program for low-income HIV and AIDS patients.  But the Lexington Herald-Leader reports nearly 100 patients are on a waiting list that started in June for the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program (a Kentucky program, different from the Ryan White Programs)

"The fact that the Commonwealth stopped funding the low-income program in 2007 is inhumane, shortsighted, and threatens individual and public health," stated Kentucky Equality Federation President Jordan Palmer.

According to the Lexington Herald-Leader:



State lawmakers acknowledge they have overlooked the program. They think it deserves state money again, but nobody is sure where that money would come from in the 2010 General Assembly, where the talk will be about cuts. Economic forecasters predict a possible state budget shortfall of more than $1 billion over the next two years.

"Frankly, with some of these programs, the legislature just loses track of them because at any given moment there's 1,500 issues in front of us," said House Health and Welfare Chairman Tom Burch (D-Louisville). (story)


You can help people with HIV/AIDS healthcare in Kentucky. Use the same letter below (or write your own) to contact the House Committee on Health and Welfare Members.

Click HERE to sign the action alert!




Others News

The events calendar has also been updated with many new events being held by various organizations across the Commonwealth, including Equality Northern Kentucky, and the Imperial Court of Kentucky!

The United We Stand news blog has officially changed its format and is no longer under the control of Kentucky Equality Federation.  Though it remains the "official" endorsed news blog of the Federation, United We Stand now has five contributors with journalistic freedom and independence from any organization.  We urge you to subscribe to LGBTI related news!  United We Stand's new internet address is www.UnitedWeStandKY.com.


According to their new website:


United We Stand is Kentucky's Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex news blog. United We Stand maintains objective journalistic independence from any endorsed organization. United We Stand is currently officially endorsed by Kentucky Equality Federation, Marriage Equality Kentucky, and Kentucky Equality PAC.


Due to the health problems currently facing our president, the October 03, 2009 event Equality....Don't Stop Believin' was canceled. None of our other volunteers had the experience to manage such an event without direct involvement from President Palmer which currently, simply isn't possible. Everyone who purchased tickets for the event will receive a refund no later than 11/30/2009 by check or electronic deposit back to your account.

Have you signed Marriage Equality Kentucky's Marriage Declaration yet?  The Marriage Declaration is a proclamation that marriage is a basic constitutional right that should be extended to all people. For additional information.

June Newsletter


YOUTH SUMMIT:
Registration is now open for the 2009 Greater Cincinnati GLBTQ Youth Summit on September 26th, 2009.

The Summit will be held at Northern Kentucky University and will feature a full day of educational workshops, a socializing lunch hour, expansive community resource center, and an entertaining dinner show. This event is free, and open to people of all ages.

NEW GROUPS:
A number of new groups have been created by Regional Directors and Outreach Directors. Please visit the Community Outreach Page for additional information and join us!

SPECIAL EVENT:
As a reminder, the Equality......Don't Stop Believin' event has been rescheduled for October 03, 2009 in a special area of Adonis. Tickets remain available for purchase; don't miss your chance to see Ryan Hill and Brian Kent live!

Proceeds benefit Kentucky Equality Federation, Marriage Equality Kentucky, and GLSEN Greater Cincinnati.

RECENT NEWS:

Kentucky Equality Federation and Marriage Equality Kentucky present: Equality - Don't Stop Believin'

Kentucky Equality Federation will be sponsoring or co-sponsoring events around the Commonwealth this year to raise money to fight attacks against the LGBTI community when the Kentucky General Assembly reconvenes in January.

For a complete listing of events, visit the calendar at http://www.kylgbt.org/.

Western Kentucky Pride Luau
Kentucky Equality Federation is co-sponsoring the Western Kentucky Pride Luau on May 16, 2009 with the Western Kentucky Pride Association.

Stonewall Pageant
Kentucky Equality Federation is co-sponsoring the Stonewall Pageant in Western Kentucky on June 06, 2009 with the Western Kentucky Pride Association at the Old Opera House in Guthrie, KY.

Equality - Don't Stop Believin'
Kentucky Equality Federation and Marriage Equality Kentucky present: Equality - Don't Stop Believin'.

Several stars will be lending their talent to the Equality - Don't Stop Believin' Event:

Comedian Ryan Hill: Though best known as a stand-up comedian, Ryan is also famous for his television commercials, especially freecreditreport.com, Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, and Doritos. Ryan has made numerous TV appearances: Girls Club (Fox), Earth 2 America (HBO and TBS), Carson Daly Bash (MTV), and the Dogeball Movie Special (MTV).

Singer Brian Kent: After releasing his first full length debut album in 2008 "Breathe Life," Brian has been a sensation in the music industry; his high-energy, emotional voyage in music expressed in radio-ready and club-friendly tracks. His current single, "Whatcha' Doin To Me" already hitting the Billboard Charts at # 35 (as of April 23, 2009) and is his second #1 on Sirius Satellite Radio's Hot 20 Charts.

Equality - Don't Stop Believin' will take place on June 20, 2009 at Adonis in Cincinnati, with after party events taking place at Yadda Club in Covington, KY.

"We are very grateful to Adonis and Yadda Club for donating space for this big event," stated Kentucky Equality Federation Treasurer Nick Herweck. "We have great establishments and stars contributing to our grassroots efforts to bring tolerance and diversity to Kentucky; the success of this event will significantly increase the money we have available for public education and community outreach."

Click here to purchase tickets, watch one of Brian Kent's music videos, or watch Ryan Hill doing stand-up live! Sponsor information is also available from this page!

BENEFIT:
All proceeds will benefit our affiliate, Kentucky Equality Coalition, Inc. for income tax purposes.

Call Congress - Help Pass the Hate Crimes Bill

Call Congress - Help Pass the Hate Crimes Bill

PLEASE help the LGBTI community by making a 45-second call to your U.S. Representative's office - even if you've already called. Call 202-224-3121 and tell your member of Congress to vote YES on the hate crimes bill.





This action alert is in cooperation with the Human Rights Campaign.

Giving back to our Youth - Art Sale Benefit

Kentucky Equality Federation Gives Back
Kentucky Equality Federation is proud to announce its collaboration with We Care Child and Family Services.

We Care is a child-placing agency offering services to children in need of substitute care. An all inclusive agency, We Care proudly serves a variety of cultures to include LGBTI teenagers and at risk youth.

On Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, Kentucky Equality Federation is giving back to an organization that gives so much to youth and the community. Kentucky Equality Federation is donating thirty (30) 'survival kits' to the children of We Care, containing everyday necessities such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, body spray, toothbrushes and toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.

"After a failed attack on the LGBTI community's ability to adopt children and serve as foster parents with Senate Bill 68, we thought this was a wonderful thing to do for our youth." - Laura Reed, Kentucky Equality Federation's Managing Director.

Artwork Sale
During the month of April, the artwork of artist Kimball Roy will be displayed at The Bar Complex in Lexington. Roy, a local Lexington artist is also Kentucky Equality Federation's Assistant Treasurer
and a member of the Board of Directors. A portion of every piece sold will benefit our affiliate, Kentucky Equality Coalition, Inc.