FRANKFORT, Ky. — A Statewide Fairness Rally at the Kentucky State Capitol helped make the voices of Kentucky’s LGBTQ community heard.
What You Need To Know
- Governor Andy Beshear attended the statewide fairness rally in the Kentucky State Capitol rotunda, joined by dozens in the LGBTQ community
- Fischer Wells, a transgender girl, attended the rally with her parents to fight for her rights, call for the end of “anti-LGBTQ” attacks
- The Statewide Fairness rally was met with dozens of supporters including Rep. Patti Minter, Rep. Attica Scott, Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson and Rep. Lisa Willner
The Statewide Fairness Rally follows a bill introduced in the general assembly that would allow state officials to not recognize same-sex marriages.
House Bill 495, introduced by Rep. Melinda Prunty, outlines where people will not have to acknowledge the marriage because of religious beliefs. It also allows state government employees to recuse themselves from authorizing those marriages based on their beliefs.
It’s reminiscent of controversy in 2015 after former Rowan County clerk Kim Davis gained national attention when she defied a U.S. federal court order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Kentuckians, including Gov. Andy Beshear, spoke up against the bill and offered support to the LGBTQ community at the rally.
Fischer Wells, a 12-year-old girl who has identified as transgender since January 2021, was one of the many speaking up for her rights to continuing playing field hockey.
“I’ve been transgender for a while now and I really think that it’s important to fight with the ACLU, the Fairness Campaign and whoever else that is willing to fight for this thing that is morally correct in our society,” said Wells.
Dozens gathered to support Fischer, as they rallied to end “anti-LGBTQ” attacks like Senate Bill 83, House Bill 23 and House Bill 495.
The bills all aim to ban transgender girls from playing girl sports in Kentucky. The rally also spoke out against “conversion therapy” practices.
Wells’ parents, Brian Wells and Jenifer Alonzo, are big supporters of their daughter but hate to see her face backlash for simply being who she is.
“We received a call and said we don’t know if you can play. We think you better sit this out. Well, [Fischer] was devastated, and we were incredibly mad and upset,” said Brian Wells.
Wells started playing field hockey at the beginning of her 7th grade year for Westport Middle School as a coping mechanism. She’s often credited as leading the team through adversity.
“I’ve made so much progress in my mental health and field hockey has made me cope really, really well,” said Wells.
Beshear attended the rally for the second year in a row and said he supports statewide fairness.
“See, diversity and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords. They are values and they are not weaknesses. They are Kentucky’s strength,” said Beshear.
That same strength is something Wells knows all about.
“I want to fight for what’s right and I don’t want to live suppressed by other people who honestly need to get out of 1961,” said Wells.
The Fischer family says Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) has been very supportive of continuing to let their daughter play field hockey, but they will continue to fight for others in the LGBTQ community.