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Immerse Yourself In Kentucky’s Vibrant LGBTQ+ Scene At This Year’s Bourbon & Belonging

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Immerse Yourself In Kentucky’s Vibrant LGBTQ+ Scene At This Year’s Bourbon & Belonging


While Kentucky has long been renowned for its prowess at horse racing and roots music, the state’s most renowned industry just might be distillation. For well over a century, the Bluegrass State has excelled at the art of whiskey production, with roughly 2.7 million barrels of bourbon produced in 2022—and this October, the commonwealth is celebrating Kentucky’s whiskey scene with the first official Bourbon & Belonging.

Organized at the behest of non-profit organization Queer Kentucky, this event seeks to highlight the intersection of the Bluegrass State’s LGBTQ+ community and the surrounding bourbon scene, with a wealth of exciting events in store from October 2nd to 6th. While the week is packed full of informational sessions and workshops that highlight the art of distillation and mixology—Bourbon 101 lessons, distillery tours and cocktail classes, to name a few—guests can also look forward to exploring the state’s dining and performing arts scene with drag brunches and multi-course dinners.

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While Kentucky’s largest municipality—the riverside city of Louisville—is hosting its fair share of events, it’s far from the only destination that’s joining in on the fun this October. There are eight sponsor destinations involved in Bourbon & Belonging, with sites ranging from Frankfort—a city that’s served as the commonwealth’s capital since 1792—to Bardstown, a historic settlement that’s known for hosting the annual Kentucky Bourbon Festival each September. For Frankfort visitors, downtown venue Mortimer Bibb’s Public House is kicking off the festivities with a drag show complete with specialty cocktails on the night of the 2nd, while hardcore Bardstown bourbon aficionados should be sure to sign up for October 5th’s VIP Tasting Experience, a prestigious event that offers an opportunity to sample nine bourbons sourced from some of Kentucky’s most lauded distilleries.

Meanwhile, Louisville is offering a particularly wide range of activities for guests to enjoy all throughout the week. For visitors wishing to support LGBTQ+-owned businesses, be sure to swing by The Myriad Hotel—a polished property that operates in a former disco ball factory—for a combined drag brunch and pool party to close out the week, while Le Moo Steakhouse has been a top spot for their drag brunches for years on end, with a lively performance scheduled for October 5th. For more lowkey events, visiting gastronomes should be sure to embark on October 3rd’s Pride Plates food tour for a deep dive on Louisville’s queer history paired with decadent soul food and cocktails, or make their way to the Frazier Kentucky History Museum for some added information about Kentucky’s lasting legacy of LGBTQ+ residents. And of course, some of the hottest gay bars in Louisville’s Highlands district—Big Bar and Chill Bar, to be precise—are certain to draw huge crowds all throughout the week as well.

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While Kentucky may not be the first state that springs to mind when it comes to LGBTQ+ tourism, Bourbon & Belonging shines a spotlight on the rich queer culture that’s woven into the fabric of the Bluegrass State, providing an opportunity for both lifelong locals and newcomers to share a dram together. With the inaugural festival just a few months away, now is the perfect time to start crafting your perfect October itinerary, with no shortage of dazzling bars, restaurants and—of course—distilleries all coming together to form one truly unforgettable week.





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Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in backyard

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Kentucky woman, 35, charged with homicide after using abortion pills then burying fetus in  backyard


A Kentucky woman was charged with fetal homicide after allegedly using abortion pills and burying the fetus in a Christmas-wrapped lightbulb box in her backyard — when she got pregnant following an affair.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was arrested Wednesday after going to a Campton health care clinic, where she told staff members she used medication purchased online to end her pregnancy, which is illegal in the state, according to Kentucky State Police, FOX 56 reported.

Police said Spencer allegedly admitted to taking the pills on Dec. 26 and burying the fetus — described as a “developed male infant” — two days later in a shallow grave at her Flat Mary Road home.

Melinda Spencer, 35, was charged with fetal homicide after taking abortion pills to end her pregnancy in Kentucky, where that is illegal. Kentucky State Police

After obtaining a search warrant, cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag, court documents showed.

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Spencer later confessed that she allegedly ordered the pregnancy-ending drugs after conceiving with a man who was not her boyfriend, claiming she didn’t want him to find out, police said, per the outlet.

Authorities said she wanted to “abort the fetus on her own.”

Cops found the remains wrapped in a white rag and stuffed in the holiday-decorated box inside a plastic bag in her backyard. AP

It’s unclear how long she was pregnant before taking the pills.

An autopsy has reportedly been scheduled to establish how developed the fetus was.

In Kentucky, nearly all abortions are illegal, with a doctor only authorized to perform one to prevent death or serious injury to the mother.

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The deadly offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. Getty Images

There are no exceptions for rape or incest.

State law also bars the distribution of abortion medication.

Spencer was charged with first-degree fetal homicide, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and first-degree promoting contraband, the outlet reported.

The homicide offense makes her eligible for the death penalty. She also faces life behind bars if convicted.

Spencer is being held at Three Forks Regional Jail in Beattyville.

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience

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Lancaster resident describes Kentucky earthquake experience


LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – A 3.1 magnitude earthquake hit Kentucky Sunday afternoon with an epicenter between Richmond and Lancaster, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The USGS “Did You Feel It” survey received reports from people in Richmond, Danville, Stanford, Lancaster and Lexington.

Caroline Boyd, a retired nurse from Lancaster, was reading at home when the earthquake began at 12:47 p.m.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say shaking but it felt like a rumbling in my basement or even outside,” Boyd said.

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Boyd said she felt and heard the ground beneath her rumble followed by a loud boom.

“I thought to myself what on earth is that? Because there is no trains or train station nearby, so I knew it was not a train. So, I just sat there and listened. I would say it lasted about 10 to 15 seconds,” Boyd said.

After the tremor, Boyd called her neighbors and then the sheriff’s office. Dispatchers told her there had been an earthquake.

Dustin Price, deputy director and public information officer for Garrad County Emergency Management Agency, said the agency first heard from Bluegrass 911 about reports of a loud boom and shaking.

“Approximately we were able to confirm through the state that there was a confirmed 3.1 magnitude earthquake that hit through Garrad County,” Price said.

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No injuries or property damage were reported, according to Price.

Boyd said she was thankful the earthquake did not cause more serious problems.

“Even if I would’ve had to relocate if there was a problem. I have two pets, so it could’ve been really bad,” Boyd said.

Garrad County EMA said they are thankful for all the agencies who helped respond to the incident.

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County

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3.2 magnitude earthquake with no immediate reports of damage confirmed in Garrard County


GARRARD COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Governor Andy Beshear reports that a 3.2 magnitude earthquake has been reported in Garrard County.

“This range does not typically produce sizable damage – just shaking – and thankfully, that is all that’s been reported so far,” Beshear said on social media Sunday.

According to the Lincoln County EMA, the earthquake happened around 12:47 p.m. with a shallow depth of 8 kilometers.

NWS Louisville reports the location of the quake to have been near the Garrard/Madison County line.

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Multiple agencies are also reporting no immediate reports of damage.





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