Posts tagged Fairness
HRC rules against Hands On Originals
5 months ago
As we finish Thanksgiving and move toward Christmas (or whatever you may choose to celebrate), we realize there is much to be thankful about this holiday season. Queer communities enjoyed some major victories in the recent elections. Three states voted for gay marriage, and one voted not to create a Prop 8-type legislation. Gay officials were elected to office in several places including Tammy Baldwin who will serve as the US Senate’s first openly gay senator. In Lexington, we have enjoyed a massive victory as well. The Human Rights Commission ruled that Hands On Originals (HOO) is guilty of discrimination by refusing to print the 2012 Lexington Pride Festival t-shirts.
To recap, the Lexington Pride Festival Committee gathered quotes last year to have their t-shirts printed. HOO provided the best quote for the needs of the committee. When the committee contacted HOO to accept the quote, HOO refused to do the work under the grounds that they were a Christian organization.
The Lexington Pride Festival is a committee of the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization (GLSO). The committee reported HOO’s refusal to the board, which decided to pursue a discrimination complaint with the Human Rights Commission (HRC). The board was able to do this under Lexington’s Fairness Ordinance. The Fairness Ordinance states that a company that provides general services cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation. The GLSO argued that printing t-shirts is a general service; therefore, HOO cannot discriminate against GLSO by refusing to print t-shirts on Christian grounds after providing a quote.
The story went viral, was in the newspaper for several days, made TV media, spawned two Facebook groups, and saw a protest demonstration take place. The HRC began working immediately and gathered mountains of research. HOO asked for mediation, and representatives of GLSO met with them at the HRC. Mediation failed, and the HRC kept the investigation going.
After months of diligent research and investigating, the HRC finally produced a verdict against HOO. The GLSO was elated, and is proud to operate in Lexington. GLSO president Aaron Baker said, “We didn’t win any money – we won what we were looking for all along – a declaration that HOO acted wrongly and an order not to do it again.” This situation demonstrates that gay people do not have to put up with discrimination. They are valuable members of our society, and Lexington knows it. Perhaps the best holiday gift of all is knowing that we can stand up for our rights and win.
Click here for the official judgment from HRC
Gold Sponsor: Kentucky Fairness Alliance
11 months ago
We are pleased to announce and welcome the Kentucky Fairness Alliance (KFA) as a Gold Sponsor for this year’s festival! The KFA has been a proud sponsor of the festival for 3 years now! 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. They are dedicated to building a Fair Kentucky from the ground up for over 19 years now!
In addition to everything that KFA does, they also offer three education scholarships at their annual “Out & About” Gala held in November. Make sure you stop by their booth at the event and thank them for everything they do to make our Commonwealth a more “family friendly” place to live!
Be sure to check them out at:
Silver Sponsor: Lexington Fairness
12 months ago
We are proud to announce that Lexington Fairness is a new Silver sponsor of the Lexington Pride Festival. We are honored to have Lexington Fairness as a supporter of the festival and voice for the LGBTQQII Community.
Lexington Fairness is committed to achieving equal rights under the law, acceptance, and fairness for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people in Central Kentucky through local community action, grassroots advocacy, network-building, and educational outreach.
Each year in the month of June, Lexington Fairness presents the annual Fairness Awards fundraiser as a part of Lexington’s pride month festivities. Proceeds from this fundraiser support Lexington Fairness’ bullying prevention program, Project Speak Out. As our youth face bullying every day, Project Speak Out brings a program of support and resources for school and community leadership to stand and make a difference. By purchasing a ticket for the Fairness Awards, you help fund bullying prevention for our youth.
Check out their website by clicking the image below to find out how you can get tickets to this amazing event.
