Pride Guide 2002 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE C15

West Virginia coalition works for rights, hate crime laws

by Scott Britton

Charleston, W.V.-The West Virginia Lesbian and Gay Coalition is the Mountain State's political advocacy organization working for LGBT equality.

Formed in 1991 out of a National Organization for Women committee, the Coalition operates on volunteer energy and leadership combined with membership dues from gay and straight supporters. The group lobbies the state legislature for equal rights, conducts educational programs for college classes and community groups, and provides interviews for statewide media.

Since its formation, the Coalition has lobbied primarily on two issues: amending the West Virginia hate crime statute to include disability and sexual orientation, and amending the West Virginia human rights and fair housing acts to include sexual orientation.

Through the Coalition's work with other statewide advocacy groups and allies in the legislature, the 2000 session witnessed the passage of a hate crime bill in the state senate.

This marked the first time that West Virginia lawmakers affirmed the legitimacy of sexual orientation as a protected class.

Even though the measure failed in the House of Delegates on the last day of the session, the Coalition celebrated the Senate's precedent-setting vote. Then, in July of that year, the failure of the hate crime measure was tragically highlighted when Arthur Warren of Grant Town was murdered by two young acquaintances. Warren, known to friends as J.R., was black, gay, and disabled.

When local law enforcement officials ruled out bias-sexual orientation or otherwise as a motive in the crime, a Coalition steering committee member organized a mass candlelight vigil outside the Marion County Courthouse. With help from the Human Rights Campaign and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defa-

Northern Kentucky now has

a Fairness Alliance chapter

by Charles King

and Dean Forster

Covington, Ky.-The Northern Kentucky Fairness Alliance is a newly-formed chapter of the larger Kentucky Fairness Alliance, a statewide organization which has championed individual rights in Kentucky for the last eight years.

We support the KFA's mission of promoting equality for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity and educating the public about their LGBT neighbors. Northern Kentucky Fairness Alliance is energizing the local LGBT community. We believe

that equality on

sexual orientation

and gender identity issues is inseparable from equality for all dis-

enfranchised people. In that spirit, we are working to implement and defend various rights initiatives both locally and in Frankfort.

We believe that it is impossible to achieve equality for LGBT people in a world that is racist, sexist and classist. This means that, while our primary focus is on issues of sexual

been involved in Cincinnati rights issues. In 1997, Maria Price, former lobbyist for KFA, organized a meeting of local residents to enlist their support of KFA activities statewide. The few people involved were enough to establish fundraising efforts and an “action alert" legislative call system.

Along with strong representation on the state steering committee, this encompassed KFA activity in Northern Kentucky until spring 2001, when interest increased. This

energy evolved into the formation of a local chapter in early 2002.

The Northern Kentucky Fairness

Alliance can be reached at 859491-3608, by mail at P.O. Box 121293, Covington KY 41012, or online http://

www.kentuckyfairness.org.

Charles King is chair of the Northern Kentucky Fairness Alliance. Dean Forster is head of the media relations committee.

orientation and gender identity, we have equal Curbside

concern for oppression faced by all disenfranchised people.

We believe that our work must focus on building a broad base of support for issues of social justice that includes, but is not limited to, issues important to our community. This means that long-term change is of greater significance than any single issue, campaign, or candidate, and our educational and political efforts reflect that priority.

We will treat all members of our community with the same dignity and respect that we demand from the non-gay community. Our strength comes from the members we represent and the alliances we build with other progressive groups, individuals and organizations. We will approach our work by representing the interests of our members and will not engage in back room politics or power-brokering that compromises those principles.

Northern Kentucky people had always

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mation, the vigil drew hundreds of mourners and changed the tone of the investigation. For ten years the Coalition has sought to change attitudes, policies, and laws that apply to LGBT people in West Virginia. The Coalition has built an extraordinary alliance with disability-rights activists at the state and local level to advance the hate

crime legislation. Civil rights groups including the NAACP, organized labor, religious organizations, and professional societies also stand with the Coalition in this struggle, but it is the partnership with disabilityrights groups, spearheaded by the Fair Shake Network, that distinguishes its work.

Recently, the Coalition began focusing on local organizing, and in early February 2002 the Charleston City Council overwhelmingly passed an anti-hate crime ordinance for the capital city specifying crimes based on sexual orientation and disability.

Although the Coalition has worked primarily on policy issues, volunteers have initiated other projects and services to change institutions and change the hearts and minds of people in this state. These include:

Speakers Bureau. A small group of volunteers makes presentations to college classes and other groups on civil rights, homophobia, and transphobia.

Media Interviews. The Coalition coordinates media outreach and response on LGBT issues as needed.

Informational Voice Mail System. A voice mail system offers callers information about resources, including referrals to national youth hot lines.

Referral Service. A list of LGBT-friendly therapists and counselors across the state has been posted to the website, and attorneys will be added as they are identified.

Bias Incident Intake. The Coalition documents incidents of harassment, hate crime, employment discrimination, and other evidence of anti-LGBT bias.

Newsletter. A quarterly newsletter, The Flicker, provides members with information and opportunities to get involved.

Action Alert. An e-mail action alert is activated during the legislative session and throughout the year to give members a chance to voice their opinion.

To join the Coalition, see our web site at http://members.aol.com/wvlgc, e-mail us at WVLGC@aol.com, or call 304-343-7305.

Scott Britton is the co-chair of the West Virginia Lesbian and Gay Coalition.

DR. KEITH W. BEARD

LICENSED PSYCHOLOGIST & LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR

Marshall University Psychology Clinic Huntington, West Virginia

Psychotherapy for gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender issues-coming out-family issues-problems with children of gay or lesbian parents-religious conflictsemployment issues-relationship difficulties Call for an appointment: (304) 696-2781

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