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Fairness Campaign is hosting a series of events connecting LGBTQ Kentuckians with legal resources

FILE - The cover of a U.S. Passport
AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File
FILE - The cover of a U.S. Passport

In anticipation of the incoming administration’s promised rollbacks of civil rights for gay and trans people, the Fairness Campaign is helping LGBTQ Kentuckians update their legal documents.

President Elect Donald Trump will enter office in a little over a month, bringing with him a platform which proposes banning gender affirming care for minors, restricting and potentially halting access to gender affirming care for adults, and rolling back antidiscrimination policies protecting LGBTQ people.

To prepare for all possible scenarios, the Fairness Campaign, a Kentucky civil-rights advocacy group, is offering a series of events to assist LGBTQ Kentuckians with support and resources.

"We want to connect folks to the organizations that can offer the assistance that people are seeking following the election," said Chris Hartman, the Fairness Campaign's executive director. "Especially for our transgender community, who are urgently seeking to get gender marker updates, especially on passports, or get new passports. The window may close very soon on the opportunity to get a gender marker consistent with folks' gender identity from the federal government."

Hartman says the intent is to triage threats to trans rights first, while also providing support to LGBTQ couples who may need to establish powers of attorney, set up wills and trusts, or make sure both parents are listed on children’s birth certificates.

"Folks are looking to protect their relationships, their marriages, to make certain that their children are protected should anything happen to the landmark Obergefell case that granted same-sex marriage across the United States," explained Hartman.

Though Hartman said the possibility of Obergefell being overturned is low, it's not an impossibility, as there has already been a lawsuit coming out of Kentucky challenging the ruling - with Kim Davis as the plaintiff.

"I don't want to suggest that Kim Davis' case is going to be the one that could overturn marriage," said Hartman, "But it is the first shot across the bow, and so we've got to be prepared for all potential outcomes."

Earlier this week, oral arguments were made in US v Skrmetti, a decision which will determine whether Tennessee’s law banning gender affirming care for minors is unconstitutional on the basis of sex discrimination. Should the court decide to uphold the Tennessee law, Hartman said the access to care in the Commonwealth would remain unchanged, as Kentucky's ban mirrors Tennessee's.

"However, if we are to prevail at the Supreme Court, which is possible, probably not probable, we could see access to care open back up all across the United States," said Hartman.

Fairness Campaign's Resource Events:

  • LEXINGTON: Monday, Dec. 9, 6-8 pm
    AVOL Kentucky, 1824 Hill Rise Dr STE 100, Lexington, KY 40504
  • NKY: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 6-8 pm
    NKY Pride Center, 230 W Pike St, Covington, KY 41011
  • LOUISVILLE + SOUTHERN IN: Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6-8 pm
    Louisville Pride Center, 1244 S. 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40203
  • BOWLING GREEN: Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-8 pm
    Lisa Rice Library, Meeting Room 2, 1225 State St, Bowling Green, KY 42101

For those unable to attend one of the events, The Fairness Campaign is also offering to connect people to resources through a form on their website.