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#REDIRECT [[Kentucky Equality Federation#Jordan Palmer]] |
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'''Jordan Palmer''' is an American [[social activist]], Kentucky politician, civil rights activist, entrepreneur,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hannaford |first=Alex |date=2011-04-30 |title=Growing Up Gay and Transgendered in Appalachia |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2011/04/growing-up-gay-and-transgendered-in-appalachia/238047/ |access-date=2023-10-05 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> and the founder of the [[Federation for Kentucky Equality, Inc.|Kentucky Equality Federation]]. Palmer is from [[Hazard, Kentucky]] and is credited for having [[2004 Kentucky Amendment 1|Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 1]] (banning same-sex marriage), being struck down by a Kentucky judge, pushing the first hate crime convictions under the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], and holding the first equality protests against a sitting governor and members of the [[Kentucky House of Representatives]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=About Col. Jordan Palmer|url=https://www.jordanpalmer.us/p/about-col-jordan-palmer.html|access-date=2021-01-07|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kentucky Equality Federation protests Representative Fischer's comments, though he still stands by them|url=https://news.kyequality.org/2006/10/kentucky-equality-federation-protests.html|access-date=2021-01-07}}</ref> Palmer was the first openly gay person to run for the Kentucky Senate. |
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== Personal life == |
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{{R to section}} |
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Palmer is the son of a Church of Christ minister.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Anti-gay Christians miss message|url=https://news.kyequality.org/2006/12/anti-gay-christians-miss-message.html|access-date=2021-01-07}}</ref> |
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{{short description|Jordan Palmer is Kentucky public figure and American social activist}} |
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== Gay rights == |
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In early 2006 Jordan founded Kentucky Equal Rights (later renamed Kentucky Equality Federation by a majority vote of its members) to advance the interests of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the [[Commonwealth of Kentucky]]. Palmer also served as on the Board of Directors and the Executive Vice President of Development of [[Marriage Equality USA]] based in San Francisco, California from 2007-2009. |
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=== Kentucky Equality Federation === |
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==== Denied Marriage Licenses ==== |
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In February 2009 Palmer organized gay and lesbian couples going to county court clerks offices in Kentucky to apply for a same-sex marriage license only to be denied. Palmer told the media his intention was to raise awareness of Kentucky's ban on same-sex marriages.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ortiz |first=Brandon |date=2009-02-13 |title=Gay couples ask clerks for marriage licenses |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/latest-news/article43990728.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Same-sex couples march for marriage|url=https://news.kyequality.org/2009/11/same-sex-couples-march-for-marriage.html|access-date=2021-01-07}}</ref> The action was condemned by the Family Foundation of Kentucky, which Palmer dismissed as "another example of how so-called family organizations are some of the most useless, money-hungry scams in the world with their bizarre and all-encompassing 'gay fetish.'"<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kentucky Equality's Response to the Family Foundation of Kentucky's attack on the National Freedom to Marry Day|url=https://news.kyequality.org/2009/02/kentucky-equalitys-response-to-family.html|access-date=2021-01-07}}</ref> Palmer later organized churches refusing to sign marriage licenses until gay marriage was recognized in Kentucky.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Staff Reporter |first=Herald-Leader |date=2011-06-10 |title=Congregations of 18 Kentucky churches consider refusing to sign marriage licenses |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/living/religion/article44101584.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-04}}</ref> |
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==== Marriage Equality Lawsuit ==== |
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{{main|Kentucky Equality Federation v. Beshear}} |
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On September 10, 2013 the Kentucky Equality Federation sued the [[Commonwealth of Kentucky]] in Franklin Circuit Court claiming Kentucky's 2004 Constitutional Amendment banning [[same-sex marriage]] violated sections of the commonwealth's constitution.<ref name="Group files lawsuit challenging Kentucky's ban on same-sex marriage.">{{cite news | url=http://www.kentucky.com/2013/09/12/2817807/group-files-lawsuit-challenging.html | title=Group files lawsuit challenging Kentucky's ban on same-sex marriage. | work=Lexington Herald-Leader | date=2013-09-12 | accessdate=2014-01-01}}</ref> Case # 13-CI-1074 was assigned by the Franklin County Court Clerk<ref name="Kentucky Equality Federation v Commonwealth of Kentucky digital copy.">{{cite press release | url=http://lezgetreal.com/2013/09/kentucky-equality-federation-sues-void-states-equal-marriage-ban/img001/ | title=Kentucky Equality Federation v Commonwealth of Kentucky digital copy. | publisher=Lez Get Real | date=2013-09-13 | accessdate=2014-01-01 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225005654/http://lezgetreal.com/2013/09/kentucky-equality-federation-sues-void-states-equal-marriage-ban/img001/ | archive-date=2013-12-25 | url-status=dead }}</ref> (the location of the [[Kentucky State Capitol]]). The lawsuit was conceived by President Jordan Palmer,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://community.kyequality.org/2013/09/kentucky-equality-federation-sues.html|title=Kentucky Equality Federation sues the Commonwealth of Kentucky for marriage equality|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref> written and signed by Vice President of Legal Jillian Hall, Esq. |
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Palmer stated to the media that: |
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{{quote|Kentucky added a facially unconstitutional amendment to its constitution via a ballot initiative process. Thus, the attempt to abrogate constitutional sensibilities in favor of a ballot initiative, as was done for Section 233A of the Kentucky Constitution in 2004, is against the very notion of equal protection as guaranteed to each and all of Kentucky's population. This should be held as true as a matter of law by the Courts, regardless of the ballot's outcome.<ref>{{cite press release | url=http://community.kyequality.org/2013/09/kentucky-equality-federation-sues.html | title=Kentucky Equality Federation sues the Commonwealth of Kentucky for marriage equality (digital copy listed on press release). | publisher=Kentucky Equality Federation | date=2013-09-12 | accessdate=2014-01-01}}</ref>}} |
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Governor Steve Beshear's legal representatives initially responded by citing foreign laws, and that gay and lesbian people could not reproduce as a reason to quash the lawsuit.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor Beshear's Case |url=https://www.slideshare.net/kjoshuakoch/governor-beshear |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=www.slideshare.net |language=en}}</ref> |
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==== Ruling ==== |
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On April 16, 2015, [[Kentucky Equality Federation v. Beshear]] also known as [[Kentucky Equality Federation v. Commonwealth of Kentucky]] was ruled on by Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Thomas D. Wingate. Judge Wingate sided with Kentucky Equality Federation against the Commonwealth and struck down Kentucky Constitutional Amendment banning same-sex marriages. Judge Wingate also struck down all laws passed by the Kentucky General Assembly. At the request of Governor [[Steve Beshear]]'s legal representation, the Judge also placed a stay on the order pending a ruling from a Kentucky appellate court (such as the [[Kentucky Court of Appeals]] or Kentucky's court of last resort, the [[Kentucky Supreme Court]]) or the [[U.S. Supreme Court]].<ref name="Kentucky Judge rules in favor of Kentucky Equality Federation and gay marriage.">{{cite news | url=https://www.facebook.com/KYEquality/photos/p.10153373501693563/10153373501693563/ | title=Kentucky Judge rules in favor of Kentucky Equality Federation and gay marriage. | work=Kentucky Equality Federation Official Facebook Page | date=2015-04-16 | accessdate=2015-07-14}}</ref> The lawsuit was a significant victory for the Kentucky Equality Federation and the [[same-sex marriage]] civil rights movement. |
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{{quote|Kentucky's statutory and constitutional bans on same-sex marriage void and unenforceable for violating Plaintiff and Plaintiff's Members Constitutional Rights", ruled Judge Wingate.<ref>{{cite press release | url=https://www.facebook.com/KYEquality/photos/p.10153373501693563/10153373501693563/ | title=Kentucky Circuit Judge rules in favor of Kentucky Equality Federation. | publisher=Kentucky Equality Federation | date=2013-09-12 | accessdate=2015-07-14}}</ref>}} |
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=== Marriage Equality USA === |
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Palmer served on the board of directors of [[Marriage Equality USA]] from 2006-2009. Palmer worked across the state of California to fight [[2008 California Proposition 8]]. During and after the No Prop 8 Campaign, Palmer told [[change.org]] and [[Time (magazine)|Time Magazine]] that he was concerned that the organization didn’t utilize the grassroots community to its potential and recognizing the harm associated with a campaign run by political consultants without sufficient accountability or transparency to the larger community.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Five Questions with Jordan Palmer|url=https://news.kyequality.org/2009/01/five-questions-with-jordan-palmer.html|access-date=2021-01-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://community.kyequality.org/2015/06/marriageequality-special-statement-on.html|title=#MarriageEquality: Special Statement on U.S. Supreme Court and marriage equality in Kentucky|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref> |
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=== First Hate Crime Convictions === |
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When Kevin Pennington was attacked in the Appalachian mountains, Palmer demanded the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] prosecute his assailants under the U.S. [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act|Matthew Shepherd and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://community.kyequality.org/2012/04/two-plead-guilty-in-kevin-pennington.html|title=Two plead guilty in Kevin Pennington case. Kentucky being the first in the United States to use to federal hate crimes law.|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref> Palmer succeeded and was active in the preparation of the trail.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Estep |first=Bill |date=2015-11-12 |title=Four face federal charges after allegedly assaulting gay man |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article44160900.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-03}}</ref> David Jason Jenkins, of Cumberland, and Anthony Ray Jenkins, of Partridge, was indicted and convicted in U.S. District Court in London, KY.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://community.kyequality.org/2012/10/kevin-pennington-hate-crime-trial.html|title=Kevin Pennington Hate Crime Trial Official Statement|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.kyequality.org/2012/04/first-federal-hate-crime-indictment.html|title=First federal hate crime indictment handed down based on sexual orientation due to Kentucky Equality Federation president Jordan Palmer|access-date=2019-05-24}}</ref> |
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After the trial, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky promised to step-up hate crime conviction, a move hailed as progress by Palmer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Estep |first=Bill |date=2012-02-14 |title=Feds step up enforcement of hate crimes in Central, Eastern Kentucky |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/local/crime/article44156931.html |access-date=2023-10-03}}</ref> |
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==Politics== |
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Palmer stepped down in 2012 from the Kentucky Equality Federation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Estep |first=Bill |date=2012-05-05 |title=Kentucky Equality Federation leader steps down because of health reasons |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/state/kentucky/article44171952.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-04}}</ref> In 2014, he ran running for Kentucky State Senate, being the first openly gay person in Kentucky to do so.<ref name="PVS">{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/148912/jordan-palmer#.U-8-5PldWFk|title=Jordan Palmer's Biography|work=[[Project Vote Smart]]|accessdate=16 August 2014}}</ref> Palmer lost to the incumbent and returned to lead the Kentucky Equality Federation and its member organizations. |
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==Other== |
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On July 14, 2011, Matthew Vanderpool, the first openly gay person to run for the Kentucky House of Representatives, and Palmer's roommate, committed suicide. Palmer was also the campain manager for Vanderpool.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hewlett |first=Jennifer |date=2011-07-11 |title=Former political candidate found dead at mother's Lexington home |work=Lexington Herald-Leader |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/politics-government/article44115600.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-04}}</ref> |
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Palmer continues to be an advocate for equality across Kentucky and the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Jordan |date=2023-10-03 |title=Activist Jordan Palmer |url=https://www.jordanpalmer.us/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-10-03 |website=Jordan Palmer {{!}} Activist {{!}} Public Figure}}</ref> |
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On July 09, 2021, Palmer threatened to sue the Leslie County Board of Education in Southeastern Kentucky for not allowing a lesbian couple to attend prom together and painting over a pride flag.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-10 |title=Lawsuit threatened for alleged discrimination of LGBTQ student |url=https://www.wtvq.com/ky-equality-federation-threatens-lawsuit-for-alleged-discrimination-of-lgbtq-student/ |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=ABC 36 News |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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* [[LGBT rights in the United States]] |
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* [[LGBT rights in Kentucky]] |
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* [[Same-sex marriage in Kentucky]] |
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* [[Same-sex marriage in the United States]] |
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* [[Matthew Shepard]] |
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* [[Westboro Baptist Church]] |
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==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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==External links== |
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*[https://www.jordanpalmer.us/ Official Website] |
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*[http://www.kentuckyequality.org/ Kentucky Equality Federation] |
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*[https://twitter.com/jordanpalmerky/ Jordan Palmer on Twitter] |
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*[https://www.facebook.com/officialljordan/ Jordan Palmer on Facebook] |
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*[https://www.instagram.com/jordanpalmerky/ Jordan Palmer on Instagram] |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Palmer, Jordan}} |
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[[Category:American LGBT rights activists]] |
[[Category:American LGBT rights activists]] |
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[[Category:LGBT rights in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Kentucky Democrats]] |
[[Category:Kentucky Democrats]] |
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[[Category:People from Hazard, Kentucky]] |
[[Category:People from Hazard, Kentucky]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:LGBT people from Kentucky]] |
[[Category:LGBT people from Kentucky]] |
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[[Category:2014 in Kentucky]] |
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[[Category:Discrimination in the United States]] |
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[[Category:Hate crime]] |
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Latest revision as of 19:50, 28 August 2024
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