Okay, so my first blog. There's no question about what I want to rant about today. Today, while not paying much attention to my job, I stumbled across an online article about a bill that had been trying to make it's way through the Kentucky House & Senate. It was a bill about making it illegal for state sponsored businesses, such as a University, to offer health insurance benfits to a homosexual couple. The University of Louisville had made the decision to make this option open to their homosexual employees and ofcourse it sent our beloved bible thumping, right winged conservatives into an outrage. Therefore, earlier this month they attempted to push through a bill making this illegal. Their claim was that Kentucky residents had decided that marriage should only be open to a man and woman and therefore, anything that emulates that institution, such as shared health benefits, would be a deceitful crime to push on the citizens of this state.

So let me point out the big problems with this.

First off, this shouldn't be an issue. Under the constitution of both this country and our state, all people are guarunteed equal rights, and last time I checked, the people you sleep with or love don't make you anymore or less of a human being.

Secondly, in a state that is already known for being "backwards" and "non-progressive", it is a shame that we continue to make these mistakes that keep us from movign out of the coal and tobacco industries. Passing a law such as this would cause many educators to leave the state, and far less to come in. Without good educators, which many of these people are, we're going to continue in this slump of keeping "behind the times".

Thirdly, continuing with the idea in my second point, our Kentucky schools have to compete with other schools who do show belief and support in diversity. What progressive or liberal students are going to want to go to school in a state where they know their beliefs are not supported, or in many cases, such as The University of the Cumberlands, not even allowed. If a bill like this passes our out of state students will decrease and therefore punch another hole in our economic balloon.

Luckily,the bill doesn't seemed to have gotten anywhere, but our good 'ol bigoted right winged protectors of the sacred union between straight couples have promised not to allow the issue off the table.

Seriously, senators, if you don't care about our right as people, at least consider your state. Don't make a decision like Michigan, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin, who are now eating their words because they didn't consider the ramifications this could induce.