The Political Bridge

Louisville's LGBT Community in the 1980s: Forum on Feb. 16 from David Williams, Editor of The Letter

---

Louisville .  1981.  The Humana Building was yet to be built.  There was no Kentucky Center for the Arts.  The Watterson Expressway was still a four-lane nightmare.  The airport was an antiquated remnant of the 1950s called Standiford Field.

 

Old Louisville was still struggling to spiff itself up.  Cardinal Boulevard was called Avery Street , and it was only two lanes.  The tall apartment building across from the Confederate Monument was called Confederate Towers .  Its address was on Confederate Place .

 

Belknap campus was half the size it is today.  There was no student center.  Ekstrom Library was brand new.  Where the athletic fields sit today, several low-lying warehouses and factories stood.

 

In that same year, what was Louisville ’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community doing?

 

Metropolitan Community Church was nearing its 8^th anniversary, and there were two small social and support groups.  The city had two major gay bars:  the Downtowner and the Badlands Territory (to be renamed the Discovery that year).  And that’s it.  No political groups, no health organizations, no other social or support groups, not even student groups:  nothing.

 

Fast forward to the end of the decade.

 

In 1989, the LGBT community convinced the old Louisville Board of Aldermen to pass an ordinance banning discrimination against people with AIDS.  In 1990, that same community convinced the Board of Aldermen to pass a hate crimes ordinance that included the category of sexual orientation (though not gender identity).  In 1991, the Fairness Campaign was launched, initiating eight years of efforts before a local LGBT civil rights ordinance was finally passed.

 

What happened in Louisville ’s LGBT community in the 80s that enabled such a decade of growth and progress in the 90s and beyond?  Why the 80s, and not the 70s or the 90s?  What lessons did the community learn in the 80s, what challenges?  What victories did it have, and what defeats?  In short, why was the community so sedate in 1981 and so noisy ten years later?

 

“Busting Out:  Louisville ’s LGBT Community in the 1980s” hopes to answer those and other questions.  Seven leaders from that era will participate in a forum to be held at Strickler Hall, Room 102, on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 from 7-9 PM .  The public is invited to attend and ask questions.

 

For more information, contact Brian Buford at the University of Louisville ’s Office for LGBT Services ([email protected]) or David Williams, founder of the Williams-Nichols Archive and Library for LGBT Studies at the University of Louisville, at [email protected].

 

NOTE:  Some sources note the panel will be held at Chao Auditorium in Ekstrom Library, but that has been changed to Room 102, Strickler Hall, which is right behind the Speed Art Museum.

 

Rep. Meeks Presents Grant Check to Kentucky Shakespeare Festival

February 10, 2010 Contact: Ed Lawrence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    Communications Director    

    502-564-3757, ext. 473

    [email protected] 

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Arts leaders came from across the Commonwealth today to celebrate the public value of the arts and to thank legislators for their continued support of the Kentucky Arts Council.

Rep. Reginald Meeks presented the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival with a ceremonial check for $27,347 for a Kentucky Arts Partnership competitive grant awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council in July 2009. James F. Wilson, interim executive director, accepted the check on behalf of Kentucky Shakespeare.

Kentucky Arts Partnership grants provide operational support to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations to ensure year-round arts activities and opportunities are available to Kentuckians.

“It is not often that you can receive something of such great value for free. The Kentucky Shakespeare Festival’s ‘Shakespeare in the Park’ is quality arts entertainment for the people of Louisville at no cost, making it accessible to anyone and everyone who wants to participate,” said Rep. Meeks.

“Not only does Kentucky Shakespeare Festival provide the city with great annual events, they work tirelessly in schools during the rest of the year to assist teachers in using the arts to teach a variety of areas, including conflict resolution, through professional development and residencies,” said State Sen. Denise Harper Angel, who was unable to attend.

Kentucky Shakespeare Festival provides free classical theatre performances to over 12,000 audience members each summer. The organization's programs engage children, educators and others in Kentucky all year long in the literature and history of Shakespeare's plays and the discipline of the performing arts. Kentucky Shakespeare Festival has toured in all of Kentucky's 120 counties.

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Click on link below to download print-quality photo.

http://artscouncil.ky.gov/ArtsDay/photos/KyShake.jpg

Photo 1 Caption: L. to R. Lindy Casebier, deputy secretary, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet; Rep. Reginald Meeks; James F. Wilson, interim executive director, Kentucky Shakespeare Festival; and Lori Meadows, executive director, Kentucky Arts Council

The Louisville Mass Transit System(TARC) Announces Cut Backs on Service info courtesy of State Senator Denise Harper Angel and State Rep Reginald Meeks

Due to a budget shortfall caused by the current economic downturn, TARC is cutting back service on many routes effective Feb. 21, 2010.

 

Five routes will be eliminated and service will be reduced on 17 routes.

 

The following routes, all of which have alternative service, will be eliminated:

 

#46X – 26th/42nd G.E. Express

#69X – New Albany Express

#70X – Clarksville Express

#96 – West Louisville Circulator

#22 – 22nd St. (Saturday)

  

Little-used route segments on the following routes will also be discontinued:

  #1 Fourth Street Trolley

#15 Market Street

#31 Middletown

#43 Poplar Level

#49X Westport Express

#61X Plainview Express

64X Southern Oldham County Express.

 

Finally, there will be service reductions on the following routes:

 #1 Fourth Street Trolley

 #2 Second Street

 #4 Fourth Street

 #6 Sixth Street

 #12 Twelfth Street

 #15 Market Street

 #19 Muhammad Ali

 #25 Oak Street

 #37X Iroquois Park Express

 #45x Okolona Express

 #49x Westport Express

 #53X Breckenridge Express

 #58 Bashford Manor

 

#61x Plainview Express

 #63 Crums Lane

 #64X Southern Oldham County Express

 #67X Oldham I-71 Express

 #71 Jeffersonville Express

 #72 Clarksville-New Albany

 #73 Charlestown Road Express

 #78 Downtown Bluegrass Express.

 

A complete list of changes can be found here. Note: The file is a PDF. PDF files require Adobe Acrobate Reader to view.  The latest version of the Reader may be downloaded for free from http://www.adobe.com.

 

New schedules will be available on the bus the week before the schedule change and will be available at www.ridetarc.org under “TARC News” up to two weeks before the schedule change. For specific schedule information, call 585-1234.

 

Visit: http://www.kipda.org/publicNotice/publicNotice02211001.aspx for more details

Interesting Story in Lexington Herald-Leader on Fundraising Issues at the University of Louisville

LOUISVILLE — The University of Louisville's foundation awarded a $200,000 no-bid contract last summer to an advertising firm whose CEO sits on the university's board of trustees.

U of L President James R. Ramsey, who also serves as president of U of L's non-profit foundation, acknowledged last week it was "a mistake" to give the contract to Creative Alliance, the firm headed by university trustee Debbie Scoppechio, without shopping around.

He said the foundation's board began drafting a tighter contract approval process and oversight policy after the Herald-Leader requested the foundation's consulting contracts through the Open Records law in December...

Read more

New Campaign Headquarters Opening for Tyler Allen's Candidacy for Mayor of Louisvillle

Please join the Tyler Allen for Mayor Campaign at the grand opening of our new Campaign Headquarters on Saturday, January 23rd. Come meet Tyler, the staff, fellow supporters, and hear more about how you can help Tyler continue his conversation about making Louisville a better place for everyone.

Here are the details:

Saturday, January 23rd at 11:00am

Billy Goat Strut Building

600 East Main Street

Louisville, KY 40202

As you know, Tyler is running for mayor to make this a smarter city. A city that is smart enough to know its strengths and build on them. A city that is smart enough to know its weaknesses and learn how to make things better. A city that is smart enough to unleash the power and potential of its people.

This is an exciting time for Louisville. Tyler represents a new kind of leadership. We urge you to join us as we strive to build a better city for everyone. Tyler has made it clear that we are going to compete for every vote across Louisville: from Valley Station to Lyndon and Russell to Fern Creek.  We need your help making phone calls, knocking on doors, writing letters, and talking to your neighbors about why you support Tyler.

The conversation starts this Saturday morning. Bring your family and friends as we begin sharing our vision for this great city.

See you Saturday!

A Few Political Notes from DrTed

 

Scott W. Brinkman (R) House District 32 might not be filing for re-election.  A potential Democratic candidate for this office provided me with this information. If true (which I doubt), then is Mr. Brinkman thinking about running for Mayor of Louisville?

I have heard rumors about other possible candidates for Mayor of Louisville.  A very well respected political operative has told me that Anne Northup is contemplating a run for mayor.  Bruce Lunsford is also (according to the rumor mill) thinking about running  for this office.  I have been told by those who know Mr. Lunsford that he IS NOT going to run.

CQ Politicsreported that the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) spent $20,000 in coordinated funds for the Kentucky senate race.  Looks like Kentucky will once again be a prime senatorial battleground.

Governor Beshear has called a special election for February 2^ndfor Jimmy Higdon’s vacant seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) Introduces Major New Legislation to Move TARP Funds From Wall Street to Main Street

Congressman John Yarmuth

Representing Kentucky’s 3^rd Congressional District

PRESS RELEASE  

   
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 14, 2009   

MEDIA CONTACT

Trey Pollard 202.225.5401   

The “Give Main Street Credit Act” Will Provide $20 Billion in Low-Interest, Direct Loans to American Small Businesses

(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced the introduction of the Give Credit to Main Street Act – new legislation that would require $20 billion in low-interest loans be made available to small businesses throughout the nation. Using money previously set aside for Wall Street financial institutions and big banks via the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), the bill redirects funds to the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide direct lending to small companies.

“Small businesses drive economic growth and employ 50 percent of our nation’s workforce. But, even with the assistance of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, big Wall Street banks are not lending,” said Congressman Yarmuth. “We need to put Main Street ahead of Wall Street – and the bill I have introduced will give small businesses loans at the same low rate the big banks enjoy, ensuring they have the resources they need to grow and create jobs.”

The introduction of Congressman Yarmuth’s legislation coincides with President Obama’s meeting today with CEOs from some of the nation’s largest banking interests, in which the President will encourage the banking industry to unfreeze lending to small businesses.

Of the 22 banks that received the most TARP funding, three provide no small business loans at all. Over the past six months, total small business lending by these 22 banks dropped by more than $10.5 billion while SBA loan guarantees are projected to drop by $10 billion this year.

The Give Credit to Main Street Act would make loans available directly to small businesses through the Small Business Administration. Loans would be made with interest accumulating at the federal funds rate, which currently stands at 0.25 percent, with interest-only payments required for the first two years.

 

Kimberly Greenwell, Democratic Candidate for KY State Representative(33rd District), Receives Endorsement from International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 181

For Immediate Release  

 

December 7, 2009

Contact: Kimberly Greenwell

[email protected]
502-386-7038

 

Louisville, KY– Kimberly Greenwell, candidate for state representative in the 33^rd House District, received another union nod with the endorsement of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local No. 181.

The International Union of Operating Engineers agrees Greenwell is the candidate who will represent working families. "It is time for a change in the 33 District and after speaking with Kimberly, I know she will work hard to represent working families and their issues," said John Brothers, President of Local No. 181,District No. 3.

Greenwell has also received endorsements from United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Service Technicians Local 502, Teamsters Local 783 and Teamsters Local 89. 

Additional information can be found at www.kimberlygreenwell.com.

###

 

 

 

Electrical Workers Endorse Greg Fischer(D) for Mayor of Louisville: Fischer Wins Fifth, Sixth Labor Endorsements in As Many Weeks

 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers announced today that they have endorsed Greg Fischer for Mayor of Louisville. The IBEW joins four other labor unions who have given their early support to Fischer since his campaign launched October 31.

Echoing the sentiments of earlier endorsers, IBEW Local 369 Business Manager Bill Finn and IBEW Local 2100 Business Manager Curtis Stratton both cited Fischer’s ability to address the jobs issue as the deciding factor in the Electrical Workers’ decision.

“The IBEW recognizes that Greg is an innovator,” said Finn. “The future of both our industry and community depends on fresh thinking and new ideas to create jobs and Greg Fischer has spent his whole career turning ideas into action.”

“His track record of success in business growth and job creation is simply tremendous,” added Stratton. “Greg has launched, built or invested in more than 15 area firms and created more than 1,000 jobs in our area. Greg will get Louisville working again.”

“I am honored to have the IBEW’s support,” said Fischer. “My background as an entrepreneur in manufacturing, technology and construction has shown me first-hand the importance of electrical workers to our economy. Bringing small and mid-sized businesses together with organized labor, especially the construction trades, will be crucial to generating new jobs in 2010 and beyond. I welcome the IBEW to our campaign and look forward to working with them.”

The IBEW represents more than 4,900 active and retired members in the Louisville area, bringing Fischer’s total Labor support to more than 20,000 workers.

Greg Fischer has also been endorsed by the United Auto Workers, Laborers’ Local 576, the National Conference of Firemen and Oilers/Service Employees International Union (NCFO/SEIU) and Kentucky Laborers’ District Council.

####

ABOUT GREG FISCHER: Greg Fischer, an entrepreneur and community servant, is a 51-year old Louisville native, husband and father of four. He is running for the office of Mayor in 2010. For more information, visit www.gregfischer.com

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Kentucky's Metropolitan Areas Employment Rate for October 2008 and October 2009

	10/08	10/09
Kentucky	6.3%	10.7%
Bowling Green	5.4%	10.5%
Elizabethtown	6.4%	10.8%
Lexington-Fayette	5.1%	8.4%
Louisville-Jefferson	6.5%	10.3%
Owensboro	5.9%	9.2%

To find data for other states click BLS