Michael McKay

The Courier-Journal;

The forum was hosted by the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights

UofL includes "sexual identity" in non-discrimination policy%2C the only Kentucky university to do so

A HUD rule provides equal opportunity and treatment for LGBT people who utilize HUD housing

Seven cities have passed local ordinances expanding civil rights based on gender identity

Kentucky colleges are making progress in creating a welcoming living and educational environment for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, but more could be done.

Advocates, educators and guests gathered at the Brown Hotel Thursday for the second LGBT Fair Housing Forum hosted by the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights to discuss changing laws, policies and attitudes about the LGBT community.

Brian Buford, director for the LGBT Center at the University of Louisville, explained how creating a floor of a UofL dorm housing a majority of LGBT students had an immense effect on their retention and overall experience.

"Ignoring the barriers would have set them up for failure," Buford said. "I think some of them would not have been successful, especially some of our trans-students who are just beginning to experience part of their identity. If they had to negotiate that on their own traditional housing it would have been a challenge."

UofL is the only public university in Kentucky to include "sexual identity" in its non-discrimination policy.

The forum is part of the commission's work with the U.S Dept. of Housing and Urban Development to reach LGBT people and their families who are interested in housing and other discrimination, according to a news release.

In 2012, HUD established a rule that provides equal opportunity and treatment for LGBT people who utilize HUD-funded housing and financing.

Under the rule, eligibility determinations for HUD housing must be made "without regard to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status." It's also prohibited to inquire about an applicant's sexual orientation or gender identity eligibility purposes, according to the release.

Molly Kerby, an assistant professor at Western Kentucky University, said WKU was the first school in the state to have a LGBT resource center and also had a themed LGBT floor, but the momentum stalled because of a lack of administrative support.

"It just died away and now everyone else is surpassing us, and we're looking back at what we did have and don't have any more," Kerby said.

Kerby said she knows of six LGBT students at WKU who are looking to transfer because of the climate at the university. In April, there was a racially-motivated assault against a LGBT student.

"It's just escalating," she said. "Who knows why, but we need to stop it."

Seven cities — Covington, Danville, Frankfort, Lexington, Louisville, Morehead and Vicco — have passed local ordinances expanding civil rights based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

But even in cities where those laws don't exist, the universities are moving toward expanding LGBT rights.

Murray State University has adopted preferred name policies that cater to transgender students. Northern Kentucky University is jockeying toward adding "gender identity" to its non-discrimination policy.

Sandra D. Moore, associate provost for diversity at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, said it's important to "keep our eye on the prize."

"Yes we have advanced, but in every areas of our under-represented community there's so much more that needs to be done," Moore said.

The keynote speaker, higher education LGBT leader Ronni Sanlo, told the group that they must be agents of change.

"If a population, any population, of students is not protected on your campus, does the university have an obligation to tell potential students they're not welcome and that they're not safe on your campus?" Sanlo asked.

Reporter Michael McKay can be reached at (502) 582-4653. Follow him on Twitter @MichaelMcKay716.