Kentucky couldn't pass a single anti-LGBTQ+ bill this session — and it's not alone

The 2024 Kentucky General Assembly adjourned on Monday without advancing any anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

The state Senate and House of Representatives ended their last session without passing any of the proposed bills targeting the queer community. While several bills advanced past committees, with some even advancing to the other legislative body, none became law.

These included House Bill 47, which would have weakening local LGBTQ+ Fairness Ordinances across the state, Senate Bill 147, which would have restricted drag performances, and Senate Bill 239, a "conscience" clause for medical workers to deny care to patients based on moral objections.

Chris Hartman, Executive Director of state LGBTQ+ advocacy organization the Fairness Campaign, noted that “Kentucky now joins other states across the South — including Florida, Georgia, and West Virginia — where nearly every single anti-LGBTQ+ measure introduced in these statehouses was defeated this year."

“Today marks a massive victory in the fight against worsening hostility toward LGBTQ Kentuckians," he said in a statement. "Over the last few months, thousands across the commonwealth stood fiercely in defense of their LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors, and made it clear to lawmakers: enough is enough. The vast majority of Kentuckians support fairness and equality for all, and for the first time in years, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle spoke to that sentiment."

More than 550 anti-LGBTQ+ bills were introduced across the U.S. in 2023, and 80 were passed into law. In 2024, 484 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced and 20 have passed into law, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. There are currently 175 bills advancing, and 167 bills that have been defeated.

Trey Grayson, a former two-term Republican Secretary of State in Kentucky who now lobbies for LGBTQ+ supportive business coalition Kentucky Competes, added that "it’s clear that the anti-LGBTQ+ agenda is starting to fail, both in Kentucky and across the country."

"It’s my hope that our leaders continue on this path of rejecting extremism, advancing equality, and focusing on legislation that will improve the health, well-being, and livelihood of all Kentucky families," he said.