Kentucky Legislature Overrides Veto of Bill Protecting Right to Discriminate Against Gays Based on Religious Beliefs

Last week I reported that Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear had vetoed House Bill 279, by which a "religious individual could claim an exemption from any law or policy that prohibits discrimination" according to the ACLU, "leaving racial minorities, women, LGBT people and others without adequate protections."

The ACLU earlier this month had expressed concern that the bill might be used to undermine existing LGBT Fairness protections for individuals covered by local statutes in Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Vicco, Kentucky.

Tuesday night, the Kentucky legislature voted to override Beshear's veto:

The House's 79-15 vote sent House Bill 279 to the Senate, which voted 32-6 to override the measure.

The one-paragraph bill that stirred strong emotions now will become law in 90 days.

The bill says that government shall not infringe on any person's sincerely held religious beliefs unless it can show with "clear and convincing evidence" some compelling governmental interest for doing so.

Kentucky LGBT Activist Chris Hartman's Car Damaged, Defaced with Swastika During ACLU/Fairness Campaign Dinner

During the Kentucky Fairness Campaign's annual dinner with the ACLU on Friday night at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Fairness Campaign Director Chris Hartman's car was the target of an apparent hate crime, WFPL reports:

Fairness Campaign Director Chris Hartman left at about 11:30 p.m. and discovered that his car parked near the Ali Center had been sideswiped while parked on the street—the mirror damaged, the side dented and scratched. He called Louisville Metro Police to file an accident report.

Officers noticed more. A swastika was drawn in black marker on a Fairness bumper sticker. Two Obama campaign stickers were defaced, too—"F--- You" written on one and devil horns and fangs written drawn on Obama's face on the other.

Police are investigating it as a hate crime, Hartman said Sunday in a teleconference call. He plans to contact the Kentucky Human Rights Commission and may also file a hate crime report.

There's no way of knowing whether the vandalism was targeted at him in his capacity as one of Kentucky's leading activists for LGBTQ issues, Hartman said.

On Friday, Governor Steve Beshear vetoed a bill that would have protected the rights of businesses to discriminate against gays based on releigious beliefs. The ACLU earlier this month had expressed concern that the bill might be used to undermine existing LGT Fairness protections for individuals covered by local statutes in Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Vicco, Kentucky.

The Fairness Campaign is now urging its followers to: Leave a message for "House Leadership" & "My Rep" to UPHOLD #HB279 VETO! 800.372.7181

Kentucky Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Protected Right to Discriminate Against Gays Based on Religious Beliefs

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has vetoed House Bill 279 , by which a "religious individual could claim an exemption from any law or policy that prohibits discrimination" according to the ACLU, "leaving racial minorities, women, LGBT people and others without adequate protections."

From the Governor's website:

“Religious freedom is a cornerstone of this great nation, and a right enshrined in both the United States Constitution and the Kentucky Constitution,” said Gov. Beshear.  “I value and cherish our rights to religious freedom and I appreciate the good intentions of House Bill 279 and the members of the General Assembly who supported this bill to protect our constitutional rights to practice our religion.  However, I have significant concerns that this bill will cause serious unintentional consequences that could threaten public safety, health care, and individuals’ civil rights. As written, the bill will undoubtedly lead to costly litigation.  I have heard from many organizations and government entities that share those same concerns. Therefore, after giving this measure thoughtful analysis and consideration, today I vetoed the bill.”

HB279, sent to the Governor on March 11, would allow an individual to disregard any state or local law that places a substantial burden on his or her sincerely held religious belief.  As written, the government would have to show by “clear and convincing evidence” that the state has a compelling interest in requiring the person to follow the established law, and that there is no less restrictive means to accomplish the government’s objective.

The ACLU earlier this month had expressed concern that the bill might be used to undermine existing LGBT Fairness protections for individuals covered by local statutes in Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Vicco, Kentucky.

Kentucky House Passes Bill Protecting Right to Discriminate Against Gays Based on Religious Beliefs

Kentucky passed a heinous bill today, the ACLU reports:

Today Kentucky's House passed House Bill 279. The bill, entitled the Religious Freedom Bill, is designed to protect individuals' religious liberty from undue governmental interference. And though laudable in its purpose, the bill, as currently drafted, would undermine existing civil rights protections in the Commonwealth. It now moves on to the Senate.

If the Senate chooses to keep the bill's current language, and not amend it to include specific protections for civil rights laws, a religious individual could claim an exemption from any law or policy that prohibits discrimination-leaving racial minorities, women, LGBT people and others without adequate protections. We are particularly concerned that this bill could be used to undermine existing LGBT Fairness protections for individuals covered by local statutes in Louisville, Lexington, Covington and Vicco, Kentucky.

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 An authentic shirtless photo of a furry Mark Twain from the 1880s has made its way onto the Internet.

 One of two gay bashers in Kentucky apologizes to the victim two years after the attack: "I'm asking on your behalf if you'll have mercy on me."

 Kanye Kardashian and Kim Kardashian announce they're having a baby girl.

 Study says it explains the strong bond between many gay men and straight women: "...close friendships between straight women and gay men may be characterized by a unique exchange of unbiased mating-relevant information that may not be available in their other relationships." 

 Police car among property vandalized with swastkias and anti-gay graffiti in Bethesda, Maryland.

 Booed gay soldier Stephen Snyder-Hill will work with FreedomOhio to be lead advocate for marriage equality in Ohio.

 Goodbye, Jermaine Jackson. Hello Jermaine Jacksun.

Toni Braxton wants a specific film role: “I would like to play a lesbian … and do a whole make-out scene and the whole thing, just something completely different than people would expect from me. Not a lipstick lesbian, either.”

 Six actors who have taken home both Oscars and Razzies.

 Google vs. Apple - the former might be in the lead: "Google has successfully positioned itself as the one company poised to take advantage of the next wave of technological progress."

 Michelle Obama dances up a storm on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.

 Are Republicans dropping their opposition to gay marriage? "The Republican Party may not be there yet, but...supporting gay marriage is the future of the GOP."

Gay Adult Film Actor Donny Wright Arrested for Drunken 'Mischief' at Louisville Firehouse

Louisville Police arrested a man who broke into Metro Fire House and was found getting busy on the firefighters' gear, WHAS reports:

Metro Firefighters say they heard glass shattering on one of their bay doors and when they went to investigate, they found 27-year-old Nicholas Gonzales masturbting on gear he removed from lockers.

Firefighters were able to detain the intoxicated Gonzales until police arrived. When asked why he broke in the firehouse, Gonzales said “because he wanted to.”

Gonzales is aka gay adult film actor Donny Wright. He was charged with burglary, public intoxication and criminal mischief.

(via gawker)