The Honorable Steve Beshear, Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

The gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) community contribute enormously to the Commonwealth's economy yet our struggles are not recognized.

I respectfully request that you follow the example of California Governor Jerry Brown and U.S. President Obama in recognizing June as LGBTI history or pride here in the Commonwealth.

California Governor Brown called June 28, 1969 a “historic turning point” — a day when LGBT citizens in New York City resisted police harassment stemming from discriminatory laws during the Stonewall Riots. He noted that “California has been a leader in advancing the rights of its LGBT citizens.”

Kentucky has also been at the forefront of civil rights also, being the first state in the South or Midwest to issue a Civil Rights Act.

"Though additional progress must be made in the Commonwealth to achieve equality, it is proper and important to recognize and celebrate the substantial and important gains that have been achieved and the contribution the LGBTI community make." - Kentucky Equality Federation Founder Jordan Palmer

cc: Josh Koch, President
cc: Kentucky Equality Federation Board of Directors