KFTC Blog

Students, faculty and staff at Georgetown College have been organizing for the past few months to put pressure on their Board of Trustees to enact a policy not to discriminate against people just because of their sexual orientation for either employment or enrollment.

Scott County KFTC members have been working in solidarity with activists on the campus, helping to think through strategy and pitching in as we can – and there have been a series of great events, meetings, and local communications work to help move the campaign forward.

But for the next 10 days, the campaign is kicking into high gear with an incredible series of events including speakers, a concert, a day of silence, a vigil, rally, silent disco, and even a camping expedition on campus' main lawn. 

If you're in the area, please join us for one or more events.  And look for pictures afterwards on this blog to see how things turn out.   

In an attempt to share more of the stories from former felons across the Commonwealth, we’re presenting a series of short interviews every few weeks on our blog and in our newsletter balancing the scales.

Mantell Stevens is a life-long Kentuckian who's a smart guy, works hard, volunteers at Imani Baptist Church, and enjoys the outdoors. “I’m really a country boy. I like getting muddy and riding four-wheelers.”

But what he can't do is vote.  Though he's telling his story to help change that.  

"I was born and raised here in Lexington and been here all my life. I've lived on the Northside of town for the past 33 years. Growing up life was pretty good. I grew up with both parents in the household. I was fortunate enough to witness a good marriage between my parents. I’m really grateful for that."

"In the early years I was into theatre. In elementary school I was a student in SCAPA - the school of creative and performing arts student. When I transitioned to a public middle school is when I started to have more behavior problems – coming from a structured environment to a more chaotic environment. And struggling with a lot of identity issues coming from middle school to high school. I would get called “white boy” a lot because I had light skin, I talked “different” and tucked my shirt in. So, in my neighborhood I felt I had to prove myself and started getting into trouble. I was a big guy so I started trying to prove that I could intimidate people and that I wasn’t soft like they thought I was."

On Tuesday, a legislative subcommittee will consider again a proposal from Kentucky’s Division of Water to significantly weaken the water quality standard for selenium pollution.

KFTC members are expected to join thousands of members and supporters of the United Mine Workers of America at a rally tomorrow in Charleston, WV