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(Frankfort, Kentucky) Gay activists and some
business leaders say they're concerned recent actions by Gov. Ernie Fletcher's
administration and the General Assembly could be construed as anti-gay and drive
away businesses interested in coming to the state.
"Bigotry is bad for business," said
Alan Hawse, vice president of information technology for the California-based
company Cypress Semiconductor, which has offices in Lexington.
Hawse said two decisions this month - one by
Fletcher to remove wording from an executive order that would protect homosexual
employees from discrimination and another by the General Assembly to give $10
million to a private university that expelled a student for being gay - send the
wrong message to potential investors.
"We go from a backwater state trying to
attract business to a backwater, bigoted state trying to attract business,"
said Hawse.
The General Assembly set aside $10 million in its
budget for a pharmacy school at the University of the Cumberlands. The small
Baptist school in Williamsburg recently expelled sophomore Jason Johnson after
he revealed on a Web site that he was gay.
College officials have said a university policy
allows them to expel a student who "promotes sexual behavior not consistent
with Christian principles," including homosexuality.
Fletcher, who on Monday is expected to announce
which state projects in the budget will be targeted for line-item vetoes, could
still decide against giving the money to the University of the Cumberlands.
Brett Hall, a spokesman for Fletcher, dismissed
Hawse's concerns and said Fletcher's administration wouldn't discriminate
against gay or lesbian job candidates and employees.
"We don't ask people if they're gay and how
would we know?" Hall said. "I can't imagine it would be an issue at
all."
Nevertheless, Fletcher drew the ire of gay
activists when he removed wording protecting sexual orientation and gender
identity from the state's anti-discrimination laws on April 11. Kentucky is one
of almost two dozen states that have no statewide policies or laws to protect
gay workers.
"It has an overarching impact on the state
in terms of attracting tourism, attracting conventions and attracting businesses
that want to make their home here," said Christina Gilgor, executive
director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance.
Still, some Kentucky businesses are making an
effort for a more diverse workplace. Lexington-based Lexmark International
allows employees to join networking groups like the Gay/Straight Alliance of
Lexmark Employees. Lexmark is also among the growing list of companies who offer
benefits to partners of gay and lesbian employees.
"Diversity in all of its definitions
continues to be a key focus in our recruitment efforts," Lexmark spokesman
Tim Fitzpatrick said in a statement. "(It is) also a consideration in
succession planning because we recognize diversity as a strength that will help
us compete more effectively in a global marketplace."
Several cities in the state, including Lexington
and Louisville, have adopted fairness ordinances that protect gays from
discrimination. An attempt to add a constitutional amendment that would overturn
the ordinances was shot down in the state Senate.
Gary Gates, a researcher for the
sexual-orientation policy group Williams Institute at UCLA, said U.S.
corporations are showing more interest in diversity and tolerance.
"If you believe that the market is what
rules in this world, all the trends in corporate America say that increasing
amounts of policies that promote diversity are good for the bottom line,"
Gates said
©365Gay.com 2006
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