MEDIA RELEASE

Kentucky couples fighting Kim Davis endorse Bernie Sanders

MOREHEAD, January 245, 2016 Responding to HRCs endorsement, the
undersigned Kentucky marriage equality couples that were refused licenses by Kim
Davis have issued the following statement in support of Bernie Sanders.
Reflecting upon the events surrounding Kim Davis refusal to issue marriage
licenses, it is clear that constituents suffer direct harm due to the political pandering
of politicians. Kim Davis misrepresented herself as a Democrat when she ran for
County Clerk in Rowan County to the detriment of those who elected her. Now, more
than ever, Democrats need to choose a candidate who truly reflects their values
and who will fight for their needs.
In the upcoming primary, voters have the choice of staying with an establishment
candidate like Hillary Clinton, or nominating a progressive candidate like Bernie
Sanders whose political record accurately reflects his commitment to the needs of
those he represents. Sanders has been an ally of LGBTQ people since his first term
as Mayor of Burlington in 1983. During his tenure as mayor, he banned housing
discrimination, and he walked in the citys first pride parade.
As a congressman, Bernie Sanders is the only Democratic candidate running for
office who voted against Dont Ask, Dont Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act.
Not only was Hillary Clinton initially supportive of both pieces of legislation, but it
was the Clinton administration that signed both of them into law. In 2016, we
cannot afford a Democratic candidate who would be willing to compromise our civil
rights away to people like Kim Davis.
Moving forward, Bernie Sanders promises to continue working for the LGBTQ
community by reducing bullying and by ending discrimination in housing,
employment, and health care. He supports the Equality Act, which would expand
the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to include sexual orientation and gender identity, and he
would sign into law other bills supportive of non-discrimination against LGBTQ
people. In addition, Sanders would veto any legislation that purports to protect
religious liberty at the expense of others rights.
Finally, we need to stop allowing large businesses and organizations to subvert the
will of the people by having them speak to officials and candidates for us. This only
continues to silence the voices of the American people. The Human Rights
Campaign and similar organizations do not speak on behalf of all LGBTQ people,
and they should not be the only voice that is heard. We need to take back our
voices, and once again speak for ourselves. If the American people are going to
change the rules that the establishment has set for itself, then we need to step
outside the establishment to make those changes.
In this election, it is the grassroots campaign of Bernie Sanders that represents the
spirit of the American people and the democratic process. We believe Bernie
Sanders will best represent LGBTQ people in the face of an increasingly extremist
religious and political right.
Signed by: David Ermold and David Moore; Carmen and Shannon Wampler-Collins;
list of namesApril Miller and Karen Roberts; Jody Fernandez and Kevin Holloway.
PRESS CONTACT:
Name: David Ermold

Cell: (606) 776-7551

Email: davidermold@upike.edu
David Moore, Letcher co. native, MSU grad, works in marketing dept.
It was premature, Hillarys campaign is trying to curry the support of these groups
early. HRC doesnt speak for the LGBT community. Bernie is much more progressive
He voted against DOMA, even going back to the 70s, he was supportive, he
marched in pride, hes been consistent over the years, way before any of the other
states had gay marriage, Tim Love got married in VT, Bernie is like, what you see is
what you get
Kim Davis, she ran as a dem, and we voted for her. When to came time for her to be
okay with pur rights, she said no and then changed her party affiliation. I think a lot
of politicians support these things privately, before its accepted publicly. But thats
not being a leader for change. Bernie had been for it even when it wasnt popular.
Our cases are still pending, we havent even went to court yet against Kim Davis.
Her lawyer is appealing, trying to drag things out as long as they can.
Theres no guarantee of even getting lawyer fees. We feel like we were
discriminated against. She broke the law, and no one is holding her accountable. No
one is willing to impeach, governor is supporting her, probably will go all the way to
SCOTUS. Ideally, she should be removed from office. She should have to be held
accountable.
I just hope people will consider candidates records and integrity when they vote in
this election. I hope people can look beyond rhetoric and choose the best candidate.
Jody Fernandez MSU instructor, teach teachers how to teach kids to read
As a woman, that was a tough decision for me. Ive always wanted a female
president, but I like Bernies ideas better. We have to do something about
healthcare, and we absolutely have to do something about college costs. Hes
always been pro-LGBT
She has got experience, but Bernie has been in the Senate for how many years?
Thats got to count for something. He will be able to draw congress better together
than she will.
Everyone in the Senate knows Bernie. They know what hes like, theyve worked
with him forever. If Bernie doesnt get the nomination I would go for Hillary over
anything else on the other side.
Ive gotten so tired of the political underpinning that occurs everywhere. I live in
Kentucky, and I thought Bevin was going to lose as governor.
We need universal healthcare. Its possible, its doable, if we kick business out of the
medical field. We need more affordable education for our students. The tuition has
gone up and up and up. If you look arund the world, other countries can do it,
theres no reason we cant do it. Businesses are running everything.
I dont have an issue with Socialism. Bernie is a socialism, as was FDR. He oversaw
changes in our country that helped everyone. Socialism in itself is not a bad thing.

She refused to give marriage licenses to anyone. She refused to give me and Kevin
a marriage licenses. We have, as a straight couple to marry in this country before it
was an official country. We have the right to marry in every religion in the world,
including hers. But she denied us that right based on her fear and hatred of another
group.