PRIDE GUIDE 2003 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE A-9

Kentucky order covers sexual

One

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orientation, gender identity of the finest songwriters of her generation

by Charles Wolfe

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Frankfort, Ky.-Gov. Paul Patton on May 29 signed an order prohibiting discrimination against state government employees or job applicants on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

It applies to the governor's executive cabinet agencies, which together employ more than 30,000 people.

Patton leaves office in December, and the next governor could rescind the order. But Patton believes the order "was the right thing to do" and hopes his successor will keep it in effect, his general counsel, Denis Fleming, said in an interview.

The executive order "makes it a policy of the commonwealth not to discriminate" on any of several bases, including race, religion, sex, age or disability. Fleming said sexual

orientation and gender identity were the "key addition" to the policy, having been suggested to Patton by a Democratic legislator, state Sen. Ernesto Scorsone of Lexington.

Fleming also said the policy was in the vein of "fairness ordinances" enacted in Louisville, Lexington and Covington. About a dozen other states have instituted similar policies, Fleming said. (An Ohio sexual orientation order signed in 1983 was replaced in 1999 by one that didn't include sexual orientation.)

The Kentucky order does not apply to public institutions or agencies not under the governor's direct control, examples being school districts, colleges and universities.

But for the bulk of the executive branch, "it essentially puts state agencies... under notice" that there can be no discrimination in hiring or pay and no harassment of individuals for any of the stated reasons, including sexual orientation or gender identity.

Tobias has after-work seminars on Thursdays

by Eddie Jones, Jr.

Columbus-The Tobias Project's mission is to provide prevention education to African American men related to health disparities, especially in HIV and AIDS, and to create an empowering environment for men of color.

The organization's philosophy is that African American men lead a life that may be characterized by isolation, fear, antagonism and character assault. Therefore, the goal is to create an environment where everyone respects and supports each other, wherever he is on his journey.

The group's goals are to engage in educational and developmental activities within the African American community in Columbus related to HIV prevention, and provide education on diversity, homophobia, health issues, and demographics of the alternative population. Additional goals are to provide role models to others in the community through study, research, writing, publica-

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tions, programs and seminars, and distribute information for citizens and professionals.

Thursday evenings are "Tobias After Work" events, held at the organization's offices at 844-A East Main St. in Columbus. These provide empowering and educational presentations and seminars relevant to the community, with light refreshments and beverages.

As a member-founded and membershipdriven organization, the Tobias Project is always looking for ways and means to better serve its members, their communities and the city around them. Any suggestions on programs to sponsor, speakers to recruit or events to attend would be welcomed by program director Brandon Frazier, 614252-2727, bfrazier@tobiasproject.org. The group's web site is now up at www.tobiasproject.org.

Eddie Jones. Jr. is the executive director of the Tobias Project.

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