MURRAY STATE UNIVERSITY BOARD OF REGENTS APPROVE FAIR WORKPLACE POLICY
Murray --- The Murray State University Board of Regents voted 7-4 today to officially include gay, lesbian, and bisexual faculty and staff in the university's non-discrimination policy.
"Today's action by the Board of Regents brings Murray State in line with all the other public institutions of higher education across the Commonwealth," said Jody Cofer, Murray State employee and chair of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance Board of Directors. "What has been the practice of most members of the university community is now official policy. Fairness for all university workers benefits the entire community, but most importantly it sends a signal that Murray State truly is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution for all members of society."
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With over 10,000 members, the Kentucky Fairness Alliance seeks to advance equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people through leadership development, public education and by encouraging participation in the democratic process.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
New leader on board...
Hey, folks: I want to share good news to fairness supporters. Recently, long-time fairness supporter and activist super-star Ms. Jessica Loving of Louisville has joined the Board of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance. She has a long resume of accomplishments and her expertise will continue to benefit the lgbt community as she takes on this new leadership role.
Ms. Loving is a former member of the national Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union and at one point worked as executive director of their KY division. She has served as deputy commissioner of tourism for the state and is responsible for the state's former marketing slogan "Oh! Kentucky".
Ms. Loving is a trustee and former chairperson at the University of Louisville. She live in Louisville with her husband, attorney Sheryl Snyder.
WELCOME, JESSICA! The fairness community benefits from your work.
~Jody
Ms. Loving is a former member of the national Board of Directors for the American Civil Liberties Union and at one point worked as executive director of their KY division. She has served as deputy commissioner of tourism for the state and is responsible for the state's former marketing slogan "Oh! Kentucky".
Ms. Loving is a trustee and former chairperson at the University of Louisville. She live in Louisville with her husband, attorney Sheryl Snyder.
WELCOME, JESSICA! The fairness community benefits from your work.
~Jody
Friday, February 8, 2008
KY's Senate Passes Hateful Legislation
Kentucky Senate passes bill disallowing health care benefits for domestic partners
By: Murray State University’s The News, Robin Phelps
Kentucky's Senate passed a bill last week that will prevent universities and institutions from allowing domestic partner healthcare benefits.The vote passed in the Senate 30-5, according to the Kentucky Kernel. A majority voted that employee benefits should only be available for university employees' spouses and family members.Jody Cofer, program specialist for undergraduate research, said the 2004 marriage amendment should not determine whether domestic partners receive healthcare benefits."Granting benefits is not the same as granting legal status," Cofer said.While Cofer said domestic partner benefits would not constitute a legal marriage, Sen. Ken Winters , R-Murray, said the Senate's Saturday decision was a constitutional choice."Domestic partner benefits is a significant deviation from the Constitution," Winters said. Matthew Middlebrooks, junior from Humbolt, Tenn., said he agrees with the Senate's decision."I support the Senate's decision because otherwise you would have to start giving people's boyfriends and girlfriends benefits," Middlebrooks said. "How can (domestic partners) have the right to be on each other's health insurance when an unmarried straight couple don't have the right to each other's benefits? The Senate says you have to be married, so why make an exception for only homosexuals? You have to do what's fair, that's what it boils down to."For the past two years, Cofer said the Kentucky Fairness Alliance has worked to achieve healthcare benefits for domestic partners within Kentucky's public agencies. By the admittance of domestic partner benefits, Cofer said Murray State would gain a competitive edge.According to the University of Louisville's Web site regarding domestic partner benefits, the university's addition of the policy will encourage the school's diversity; Cofer said he agrees."(This) move means that U. of L. can compete more effectively with the nation's top colleges to recruit outstanding faculty," Cofer said via email."This matters to the competitiveness of our higher education institutions and why, more frankly, a more diverse society is better for all of us." Cofer said he expected the outcome from the Senate last week, but he hopes the bill, once in the hands of Kentucky House's Health and Wealth committee, will grant the authority to universities to make the decision regarding domestic partner benefits. "I'd like to see that esteemed body put a halt to this hateful legislation," Cofer said.While the marriage amendment stands in the way of progress for Kentucky Fairness Alliance members , Cofer continues to stress the issue's importance."It does not directly affect Murray State at this point in the game, but it will at some point in the future," he said. "Where does one draw the line?"
By: Murray State University’s The News, Robin Phelps
Kentucky's Senate passed a bill last week that will prevent universities and institutions from allowing domestic partner healthcare benefits.The vote passed in the Senate 30-5, according to the Kentucky Kernel. A majority voted that employee benefits should only be available for university employees' spouses and family members.Jody Cofer, program specialist for undergraduate research, said the 2004 marriage amendment should not determine whether domestic partners receive healthcare benefits."Granting benefits is not the same as granting legal status," Cofer said.While Cofer said domestic partner benefits would not constitute a legal marriage, Sen. Ken Winters , R-Murray, said the Senate's Saturday decision was a constitutional choice."Domestic partner benefits is a significant deviation from the Constitution," Winters said. Matthew Middlebrooks, junior from Humbolt, Tenn., said he agrees with the Senate's decision."I support the Senate's decision because otherwise you would have to start giving people's boyfriends and girlfriends benefits," Middlebrooks said. "How can (domestic partners) have the right to be on each other's health insurance when an unmarried straight couple don't have the right to each other's benefits? The Senate says you have to be married, so why make an exception for only homosexuals? You have to do what's fair, that's what it boils down to."For the past two years, Cofer said the Kentucky Fairness Alliance has worked to achieve healthcare benefits for domestic partners within Kentucky's public agencies. By the admittance of domestic partner benefits, Cofer said Murray State would gain a competitive edge.According to the University of Louisville's Web site regarding domestic partner benefits, the university's addition of the policy will encourage the school's diversity; Cofer said he agrees."(This) move means that U. of L. can compete more effectively with the nation's top colleges to recruit outstanding faculty," Cofer said via email."This matters to the competitiveness of our higher education institutions and why, more frankly, a more diverse society is better for all of us." Cofer said he expected the outcome from the Senate last week, but he hopes the bill, once in the hands of Kentucky House's Health and Wealth committee, will grant the authority to universities to make the decision regarding domestic partner benefits. "I'd like to see that esteemed body put a halt to this hateful legislation," Cofer said.While the marriage amendment stands in the way of progress for Kentucky Fairness Alliance members , Cofer continues to stress the issue's importance."It does not directly affect Murray State at this point in the game, but it will at some point in the future," he said. "Where does one draw the line?"
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Congrats, Mr. Vice-Chairman!
Congrats, Mr. Vice-Chairman. I'm pleased to tell all of you fairness supporters out there that recently, the KFA Board of Directors elected Travis Myles of Louisville as Vice-Chair. Travis has been a long-time supporter of fairness both locally and beyond. He served as co-chair of the organizing committee with the Beaux Arts Ball in 2005 and 2006. He has served on the KFA Board over the past year. He is a graduate of the University of Louisville's law school and currently practices in Louisville.
Congrats, Travis!
~Jody
Congrats, Travis!
~Jody
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Valentine's Dance for the WKY LGBT Community
On Saturday, Feb. 16, the Metropolitan Community Church of Paducah is hosting a Valentine's Dance for the LGBT community and other fair-minded folks. It begins at 6:30 p.m. on the 16th at 728 Tennessee Street in Paducah. If your interested, check it out. They are accepting $5 donations to benefit their ministry. http://www.mccpaducah.org/index_files/Page412.htm
~Jody
~Jody
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