Kentucky Fairness Campaign Director Chris Hartman says President-elect Donald Trump is surrounding himself with people who may have a detrimental effect on the LGBT population.
Hartman says Vice President-Elect Mike Pence and Campaign Chairman Steve Bannon have already made it clear inclusion is not one their priorities.
“These are not the kind of folks that are going to be leading the country towards a path of inclusion and acceptance for LGBTQ people, for people of color, for immigrants. We worry we’ll become more vulnerable if the people in president-elect Trump’s sort of cohort implement the types of agendas that they historically pursue.”
Hartman says Pence has made anti-LGBT legislation a priority in his administration. As Indiana Governor, Pence signed the controversial religious freedom bill into law and has supported gay “conversion therapy.” Noting Bannon’s affiliation with Breitbart News, Hartman says the media outlet is known to be anti-immigrant and misogynistic.
Hartman says he’s also “extremely worried” about what will happen in Kentucky now that Republicans have control over both the Senate and House of Representatives. The new state legislature convenes in January. Hartman says the Fairness Campaign will focus lobbying efforts towards making sure Kentucky does not become the next North Carolina.
“That state has suffered an incredible economic loss based on their discriminatory legislation. Reports estimate that they may lose up to 5 billion dollars by the end of the year thanks to House Bill 2 but Kentucky’s economy cannot afford to become a state of discrimination.”
Hartman says in the past, the Democratic-led House has blocked anti-LGBT legislation from becoming law. He says the campaign will organize events in Frankfurt during the 30-day session.
Kentucky Senate President Robert Stivers said in Paducah last week leadership may not have time to discuss many ‘social issues’ like fairness ordinances.
