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Hazard, Kentucky City Council: Change the pool's rules! Kicking out gay people from the pool is not O.K.
  1. Signatures
    3,630 out of 5,000
    Petitioning
    1. Hazard City Commissioner (+ 7 others)
      Petitioning
      close
      • Hazard City Commissioner (Lou Ella R. Farler)
      • Hazard City Commissioner (Jimmy Lindon)
      • Hazard City Commissioner (Dr. John F. Gilbert Jr., M.D.)
      • Hazard City Commissioner (Donald "Happy" Mobelini)
      • Mayor of Hazard (Nan Gorman)
      • Director of Pavilion (Charlotte Sizemore)
      • City Attorney (Paul R. Collins)
      • City Manager (Carlos Combs)
  2. Created By
    Kentucky Equality Federation
    Somerset, KY
About this Petition Petition Letter Petition Updates

Two gay men with developmental and intellectual disabilities were kicked out of the pool at The Pavilion, a government-funded recreational facility in Hazard, Kentucky because "gay people weren't allowed to swim there."

According to Raw Story:

"The Pavilion staff immediately entered the pool area and asked my clients and their staff to leave the Pavilion," Mending Hearts Executive Director Shirlyn Perkins recalled. "My staff asked The Pavilion staff why they were being asked to leave, and they were informed that 'gay people' weren't allowed to swim there."

"My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it. My staff continued to argue with this man, but was ultimately forced to leave. My clients, whom already feel ridiculed and different, left the city owned facility crying and embarrassed for trying to participate in 'normal' activities that everyday 'normal' people do," she added.

The Kentucky Equality Federation has demanded an apology from the Hazard, Kentucky City Council for this blatant discrimination.

While the City of Hazard's Mayor Nan Gorman is sympathetic and has formally apologized, the real power to resolve this issue lies with the City Manager Carlos combs and the City Attorney, Paul R. Collins. We demand a resounding apology from the entire city government, including the City Manager Carlos Combs, and the City Attorney. 

Sign below to send an email to the City condemning this outrageous act while demanding an apology.

NEW:  An apology is also due the LGBTI community of Hazard, and gender identity should be added to the pools rules against discrimination. 

PROTEST UPDATE: Video from Lex18.com on the Protest/Community Rally.

 

 

 

 

Why People Are Signing
Recent Signatures

Hazard City Council: Do not discriminate against gay people

Greetings,

Two gay men with developmental and intellectual disabilities were kicked out of the pool The Pavilion, a government-funded recreational facility in Hazard, Kentucky because "gay people weren't allowed to swim there."

It is completely unacceptable to kick out anyone from a public pool for who they are.

Mending Hearts Executive Director Shirlyn Perkins reported the following exchange after the two men were asked to leave for being gay, "My staff told this man that what he was trying to do was discrimination. The man stated that what he was doing was in the Bible and he could do it. My staff continued to argue with this man, but was ultimately forced to leave. My clients, whom already feel ridiculed and different, left the city owned facility crying and embarrassed for trying to participate in 'normal' activities that everyday 'normal' people do," she added.

This is blatant discrimination and will not be tolerated. I demand you apologize immediately to the men who were harassed and intimidated at a publicly-funded facility.

An apology is also due the LGBTI community of Hazard, and gender identity should be added to the pools rules against discrimination.

cc: Kentucky Equality Federation


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