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The Queer Kentucky Polaroid Project: Vincent Donahue – Queer Kentucky

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8 months ago

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The Queer Kentucky Polaroid Project: Vincent Donahue – Queer Kentucky


What is your name?

Vincent Donahue

 

In what city and county do you live?

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Lexington, Fayette

 

What are your pronouns?

He/Him

What does the word Queer mean to you?

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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?

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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.

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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? 

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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.

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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! 



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Kentucky

Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for March 1, 2026

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7 hours ago

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March 2, 2026

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Kentucky Lottery Cash Ball, Pick 3 Evening winning numbers for March 1, 2026


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The Kentucky Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Sunday, March 1, 2026 winning numbers for each game.

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Cash Ball

03-07-16-32, Cash Ball: 25

Check Cash Ball payouts and previous drawings here.

Pick 3

Evening: 4-5-5

Midday: 3-1-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Pick 4

Evening: 3-8-0-2

Midday: 6-2-3-9

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Millionaire for Life

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

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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.



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Kentucky

Woman dies in head-on collision in Bullitt County

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19 hours ago

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March 1, 2026

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Woman dies in head-on collision in Bullitt County


Kentucky State Police is investigating after a Shepherdsville woman died Feb. 28 in a two-vehicle crash in Bullitt County.

A preliminary investigation shows the crash, which occurred at 7:34 p.m. at the intersection of KY 44 East and Watergate Drive, began when the passenger-side tires of a Toyota Tacoma heading westbound on KY 44 East dropped off the right side of the roadway and onto a steep shoulder, Master Trooper Bryan Washer said in a statement March 1.

The teenage driver “overcorrected, causing the vehicle to cross the centerline into the eastbound lane and into the path of a Ford Escape.”

Due to a head-on collision, the Ford Escape went down a small embankment and overturned on its roof before coming to rest, Washer said. The driver of the Ford Escape, Sarah Weisman, 27, was pronounced dead at the scene by the Bullitt County Coroner’s Office. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was not injured from the crash.

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Trooper Scott Wheatley and Detective Brad Holloman of the State Police conducted the initial investigation into the crash, Washer said. Holloman continues to investigate.

Latest: 9 people injured, 1 critical, after Cincinnati mass shooting

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at lbertucci@usatodayco.com or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter



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Three NKY girls wrestlers win titles, including a third for Emma Moore

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1 day ago

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March 1, 2026

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Three NKY girls wrestlers win titles, including a third for Emma Moore


LEXINGTON, KY – The Kentucky High School Athletic Association has sponsored a girls state tournament for three seasons.

That’s three seasons of wrestling over the dirt at Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park

That’s three seasons of the girls having their own day to crown winners and placers.

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And three seasons of Emma Moore climbing up the podium, taking her place as a Kentucky state champion.

Moore, a Walton-Verona senior who said she picked up the sport once the KHSAA started sanctioning, has gone 12-0 in her three trips to state with eight pins and a tech fall on the record.

More: Conner wrestler Badida makes grandpa, brother proud with state title

“I feel great,” Moore said of ending her preps career on top again. “I feel like I made a lot of growth season and I’m really proud of what I was able to accomplish.”

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Moore won the all-Northern Kentucky state final at 107 pounds, besting Ryle eighth grader Peyton Brinkman, 13-5. Moore beat Brinkman with a 17-1 tech fall in the regional championship, but had to battle with Brinkman for three complete periods in the state final.

“I felt like she was better at stopping my attacks today,” Moore said. “But, I just make sure to get to my offense and wrestle like myself.”

Brinkman was one of three Brinkmans to place at the state tournament. While younger sister finished as runner-up, older twin brothers and Ryle sophomores Aiden and Bryant placed second and fifth respectively.

Moore’s championship was the 14th in Walton-Verona history. Of those 14, three came from Emma, two came from brother Spencer and two more came from brother Ryan.

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Highlands junior Emma Hood grinds out 152-pound championship

Emma Hood had a 3-0 lead in the 152-pound KHSAA state final and just around a minute needed to hold on to win her first championship.

When opponent Bralyn Maynard of Prestonsburg tried to get out of Hood’s grasp, she bent Hood’s leg sideways at the knee, causing Hood to immediately react to the injury. Hood’s injury time ticked away before she hopped up, ready to continue on.

With the knee barking, Maynard scored a quick reversal and cut Hood’s lead to 3-2. For 44 seconds, Hood had Maynard wrestling on top, but unable to score any more points.

“That last minute was just pure fight or flight,” Hood said. “After the knee, adrenaline kinda kicks in and I really couldn’t feel it at all for the last minute of the match.

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“She gets the reversal with about 46 seconds left. The whole time I’m replaying how it felt last year to lose to her and making sure that didn’t happen again.”

Hood was a runner-up last year, losing to Maynard by a pin in the match’s final seconds. The championship was the fourth state placement for Hood, who also placed fifth in 2024 and eighth in the Kentucky Wrestling Coaches Association girls tournament in 2023 that ran before KHSAA sanctioned a tournament.

With the win, Hood became the first wrestler in Highlands history ‒ boy or girl ‒ to win a KHSAA wrestling championship.

Cooper freshman Aaliyah Svec finishes off undefeated season

Aaliyah Svec’s freshman season is one that will hard to improve on, but she’s up for the challenge.

Svec’s first season as a high schooler saw her go 19-0 for the year, claiming Kentucky’s 138-pound state championship. She didn’t even wrestle a full-length match in the postseason, going 8-0 across the regional and state tournaments with six pins and a pair of tech falls.

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One of those pins came in the 138-pound final as Svec pinned North Hardin’s Payton Perry in the third period while Svec was already sitting with an 8-2 lead.

“It’s absolutely wild,” Svec said. “I never thought I would be here. I’ve grown up doing this sport and I’m just so, so grateful for these opportunities.”

Like Hood, Svec’s championship was also historic for Cooper as she also became the first wrestling state champion ‒boy or girl ‒ in the program’s history.

Northern Kentucky girls wrestling state placers

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107 – 1. Emma Moore (Walton-Verona), 2. Peyton Brinkman (Ryle); 114 – 6. Leah Boggs (Campbell County); 138 – 1. Aaliyah Svec (Cooper), 6. Preslee Steiber (Ryle); 152 – 1. Emma Hood (Highlands), 7. Devon Banks, Simon Kenton; 165 – 5. McAyla Steffen (Campbell County); 235 – 6. Fanta Mariko, Cooper.



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