Gay protection left
out of new
anti-discrimination
policy
By Deborah Yetter,
courier-journal.com from the Web, April 11, 2006
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Gov. Ernie
Fletcher eliminated a policy Tuesday that protects gay state employees or job
applicants from discrimination because of their sexual orientation.
He replaced the 2003 employment policy of his predecessor, former Gov. Paul
Patton, with an executive order that bans employment discrimination because of
“race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, veteran status and
disability.”
It makes no mention of sexual orientation.
Fletcher spokesman Brett Hall said the governor has no intent to discriminate
against gay workers.
Rather, the new order -- issued as Fletcher proclaimed “Diversity Day in
Kentucky” -- mirrors federal affirmative action policy and is meant to prohibit
discrimination against anyone, he said.
“We protect workers from discrimination, period,” Hall.
Several lawmakers criticized Fletcher, saying the policy is a step backward for
Kentucky, as some states and major employers expand ant-discrimination policies
to gay and lesbian workers.
“Gov. Fletcher has declared open season on gay state employees,” state Sen.
Ernesto Scorsone, D-Lexington, said.
Scorsone, who is gay, called the governor’s action “callous, unfair and
indefensible.”
dyetter@courier-journal.com
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