Kentucky
The Queer Kentucky Polaroid Project: Vincent Donahue – Queer Kentucky
What is your name?
Vincent Donahue
In what city and county do you live?
Lexington, Fayette
What are your pronouns?
He/Him
What does the word Queer mean to you?
Being Queer means to experience love and life differently than what is expected of your sociological upbringing. It is the experience of sharing community with those like you. It is an indefinable aspect of the individual that cannot be changed, but rather grows with you. Queer is a loving defiance.
What was it like growing up as a Queer person in Kentucky?
Being Queer in Kentucky was a unique experience that I wouldn’t change for the world. I felt isolated and alone, living in an environment that wasn’t made for people like me. It felt like there was nobody like me. It made those moments of finding community and acceptance even more profound, and I have learned to grow past my own biases in the process.
What would you say to any person struggling to come into their own identity?
Don’t rush it, and don’t feel pressured. You don’t have to define anything to a ‘T’, you can be fluid and uncertain. What matters most is coming to terms with what you feel most comfortable and at home with. Everyone is highly individual and unique, and that’s natural, and you will reach your answers eventually.
What issue are you most passionate about in the Queer community? And what do you think the best solution or approach would be?
Inner division is something that I believe is becoming a larger issue in the community, especially now. There is nothing good to come out of infighting. The community is stronger together, rather than as individuals. We need to express love and compassion, and back up fellow queers, while listening to and educating on the history of the queer community. There is strength in unity.
Where have you found community?
I have found community in smaller spaces. Going to coffee shops, bars, small local activities, you name it. Leaving the home is how I have found my in-person community, but there is also the world wide web! Online community is just as special to me. Being able to connect with such unique and fascinating individuals and form friendships whether in person or online is one of the best experiences in the world.
How have recent political changes affected your life?
The recent political landscape has brought some fear to my life. As a transgender male, I know that the narrative is that I was “corrupted” and wanted to escape being a woman, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. I know that as I begin to pass as a male, that I am safer than my trans sisters, but it does not stop the fear and worry for my own safety as well as my community. It has become more acceptable to openly be crude, aggressive, and outright violent towards transgender people. Being queer in 2025 has become a matter of survival.
What are some ideas you have for bringing other queer people together for community?
Focusing on the concept of “mutual aid” is important. Bringing your individual skills to help others and foster an environment of community and kindness is important nowadays. Exchange skills, information, life stories, among other things in group events. Organize celebrations to distract from the world around you.
If you have been on HRT, how has it changed your outlook on life?
Before HRT, I was doubtful I would ever be happy and live the life I envisioned. I mourned the life as an old man in a rocking chair watching reruns of my favorite shows I’d never get to live, the days on the beach without a shirt playing Frisbee with friends, every small moment of masculinity I’d never get to have. Then I started testosterone. Everything has changed, and I’ve come to be the happiest I’ve been since I was a kid. I can see a future with me in it.
What are some LGBTQ+ experiences/artists that have helped you express the struggles or the joy of being queer?
Artists like Dorian Electra, Ethel Cain, Gottmik, among others, make me happy with a variety of emotions, feelings, and expressions around being Queer and similar experiences.
Are there any specific queer friendly places you’d like to highlight and share with the rest of the community?
Lussi Brown, Al’s Bar, Third Street Stuff. Well known in the Lexington area.
If you have some accomplishments you’re proud of, share them here! The accomplishments of queer people are something that should be celebrated!
I’ve given talks on a thesis paper in art history and had my artwork presented in a few galleries!
GRAYSON, Ky. (WSAZ) – New information has been released in the search for a missing woman at Grayson Lake.
According to game wardens with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Marly Kinney, 19, of Ashland, was last seen at Grayson Lake on Wednesday afternoon.
They say search efforts are focused on the water at this time and include Kentucky State Police aerial support, drones, boats, and K9 assistance.
Crews suspend search for missing teen for the night
The search is now into its third day, with officials saying on and off rain has hindered their search and that a group of 50 volunteers are walking the banks of the lake to help in the search.
Search and rescue boats have been seen at the lake as well.
Officials say there are still many questions, including if Kinney is still alive and where exactly she went missing.
They also say they’ve been using a variety of equipment, including sonar and thermal detectors, as well as helicopters and underwater drones.
WSAZ received a statement from Kinney’s family Friday afternoon:
“We are very appreciative of the absolute surplus of support from law enforcement, search and rescue, 1st responders, and all of the community and its volunteers that are here with us and for us searching for Marly. We do not even know how to express our absolute gratitude to you all. We continue to have faith she will be found and brought back to us. We know we have the very best people doing all they can to bring her home.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 911.
We are still working to get more information.
Previous coverage can be found here.
Copyright 2026 WSAZ. All rights reserved.
13 things more likely to happen than winning the Powerball jackpot
Hoping to win the Powerball jackpot? Here are 13 things more likely to happen than becoming an instant millionaire.
The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at Thursday, June 25, 2026 winning numbers for each game.
Cash Ball
02-08-24-32, Cash Ball: 09
Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Evening: 6-3-0
Midday: 9-6-0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Evening: 5-7-6-0
Midday: 5-2-6-6
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
03-13-14-34-45, Bonus: 01
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Courier Journal digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
On Thursday, Kentucky’s home and away SEC opponents for the 2026-27 season were revealed and on top of learning the three opponents who they will play twice, there are some very intriguing matchups. In conference play, Kentucky will face six teams who are among the top 25 in many preseason rankings.
In SEC play, Kentucky will play Tennessee, Vandy and Ole Miss all both home and away. The home matchups include Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Vandy. As for the road tilts, the Wildcats will face Florida, Georgia, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Oklahoma, Texas, Tennessee and Vandy. Let’s take a look at some interesting developments from the schedule release.
John Calipari returns to Rupp Arena (again)
In Calipari’s first year with Arkansas, he got the best of Kentucky when he came into Rupp Arena and left with a 10-point victory, a game where you could really feel the tension all game long in the building from Kentucky fans, which translated onto the court with the players. Last season, it was Kentucky who shocked everyone when they stole one on the road against a top 20 Arkansas team after a rough up-and-down season up to that point. Now, the two will face off again as Kentucky will look to get the win in Rupp and make sure Calipari doesn’t get two in a row in the building. It’ll be another highly-anticipated showdown.
Kentucky hits the road at Texas
This is shaping up to be a major challenge for Kentucky next season and may even end up being one of the biggest games of the season. Texas is seen by many as a clear top 10 team, with some even having them within the top five and when you combine that with the fact that the game is on the road, the Wildcats will have their hands full. The Wildcats fell to the longhorns in the 2024-25 season, and it’ll be a much stiffer challenge this time.
Which game could be a trap?
We don’t have the game-by-game dates yet, so it’s hard to say with a lot of confidence, but opponent-wise, Georgia could really give Kentucky fits. In Pope’s first year, his team struggled handling the physicality of the Bulldogs and now, they’ve retained one of their best guards for another year and have added physicality through the portal. Mike White’s teams love to make opponents uncomfortable and they could do that once again down in Athens. Another sneaky team to watch is Oklahoma, who will have very good guard play. Kentucky will face both teams on the road.
Overall, it’s a pretty fair SEC schedule for a Kentucky team who has the capability of a return to being atop the conference once again. Mark Pope has such a system-fit squad and he can do some damage in the SEC.
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