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!
Kentucky
Fayette County school board chair, KEA sue to block Kentucky law that would oust current members
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX NEWS) — Fayette County Board of Education Chair Tyler Murphy and the Kentucky Education Association have filed a lawsuit challenging a newly enacted Kentucky law that would overhaul the governance structure of Fayette County Public Schools and force all current board members out of office at the end of 2026.
The lawsuit names the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the Fayette County Board of Elections and Fayette County election officials as defendants.
At the center of the legal challenge is Senate Bill 4, which lawmakers passed over Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto earlier this year.
Under the law, the seven-member Fayette County Board of Education would be reduced to five district-based seats, the lawsuit reads. The terms of all current board members would end Dec. 31, 2026, and new elections would be held for the restructured board.
The lawsuit argues the law is unconstitutional and asks the court to block its implementation, including any election-related actions tied to the measure.
Court filings contend the legislation unlawfully targets a single school district and interferes with the terms of duly elected local officials. Plaintiffs also argue the law violates provisions of the Kentucky Constitution governing local elections and public officeholders.
Attorneys included exhibits detailing criticism of Murphy and Fayette County Public Schools leadership from state lawmakers, including a petition seeking Murphy’s removal and a letter from state Sen. Chris McDaniel calling for the resignations of Murphy and Superintendent Demetrus Liggins.
The lawsuit seeks a declaration that the law is invalid and requests expedited review from the court due to upcoming election deadlines.
No hearing date had been announced as of Wednesday.
The lawsuit comes as Fayette County Public Schools continues to face scrutiny over budgeting decisions, district spending and governance issues that have drawn attention from state lawmakers over the past year.
In a statement, Representative Matt Lockett criticized Murphy as he highlighted what he stated are district failures under Murphy.
“This lawsuit is nothing more than an attempt to distract from the disaster that Fayette County Public Schools is under Tyler Murphy’s leadership as board chair. Under his watch, the district has spiraled into a financial crisis so severe that it is now seeking to borrow up to $110 million simply to keep the lights on and make it through the school year. Students have been failed. Families have been failed. Teachers and staff have been failed. Taxpayers have been failed. And the Lexington community has been left paying the price for years of mismanagement and poor oversight.
Rather than taking responsibility for the district’s financial failures and focusing on what is best for students, he has chosen to file a lawsuit challenging a law that was duly passed by the General Assembly and enacted through the constitutional process. He may be emboldened by recent rulings by activist judges, but there are no legitimate grounds for overturning a duly enacted statute simply because you can’t do the right thing by this community. The General Assembly has both the authority and the responsibility to establish standards for public offices and governance structures across the Commonwealth.
At a time when Fayette County schools are facing unprecedented financial turmoil, the focus should be on accountability, transparency, and fixing the problems that have brought the district to this point. The only filing Fayette County taxpayers should be expecting from Mr. Murphy is his resignation.”
LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — An Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda has been causing fear around the world, and a Lexington doctor is preparing in the event a case is found in Kentucky.
According to the CDC, there have been 49 deaths and over 300 confirmed cases across the two countries, with more suspected cases still being investigated.
UK Healthcare is working to become a Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center through the National Special Pathogen System, which would allow the facility to treat Ebola patients in-house.
Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels, an infectious disease physician at UK Healthcare, said the current outbreak is serious, but Kentucky residents are not at significant risk.
“Ebola scares people just because of the mortality, the death rate, associated with it and some of the long term consequences when you do survive. Fortunately, the strain that we’re seeing in Eastern (Democratic Republic of Congo) is thought to be not as deadly, but either way it’s a very serious disease. It carries a lot of stigma and fear,” Van Sickels said.
Here in Kentucky, however, is a very safe environment, Dr. Van Sickels said.
Currently, Dr. Van Sickels says UK Healthcare operates as an assessment hospital, meaning it can evaluate patients with symptoms who have traveled to regions with active outbreaks, coordinate testing with the state, and transfer patients to higher-level care centers if needed.
Once the Level 2 designation is complete, UK Healthcare will be the only facility in Kentucky with that capability.
“We’re the only facility in Kentucky that is able to have a level 2 designation once we finish this grant award and get approved,” Dr. Van Sickels said.
In January 2026, UK Healthcare received a grant from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), the governing body of the National Special Pathogen System.
“It’s approximately half a million dollars to transform our institution,” Van Sickels said.
The funding has been used to run simulation drills in coordination with Lexington Fire, EMS, and the state health department. The grant also enabled UK Healthcare to upgrade its protective outerwear, with all seam points covered to provide additional protection. Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids.
During a recent site visit and simulation, evaluators identified vulnerabilities in the facility’s previous protective suits.
“When we had our site visit and had our stimulation, for example, they said that the seams that we had on our old suits, you could pull and stretch, and that they were rather porous,” Van Sickels said.
Van Sickels had been working on the preparedness project since the beginning of the year.
Citing lessons learned from the 2014 West Africa Ebola epidemic, which spread to the U.S. and resulted in 4 cases and 1 death.
“Ebola 2014 taught a lot of hospitals in the US about high consequence infections, established what is now NETEC, the educating body for our country, uh, about high consequence pathogens,” Van Sickels said.
“We’re constantly wanting to push preparedness, uh, because that is the key to success in evading further outbreaks,” Van Sickels said.
UK Healthcare expects to complete its Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center designation by the end of summer.
The Kentucky Wildcats have had some fits with West Virginia over the past few days, as the baseball team was sent home by the Mountaineers on Monday night. Now, they have flipped a Wildcat commit.
Bryian Duncan Jr., a Cario, Georgia native, committed to the Wildcats in March and has now flipped to West Virginia. The 3-star running back had a recent visit to Morgantown, then announced his commitment to the Mountaineers.
Duncan, a 5-foot-9 player who can play out wide and at running back, is the No. 60-ranked ATH in the nation and the No. 89 player in Georgia, according to 247 Sports. He’ll play in the Big 12 with the Mountaineers, giving himself a good opportunity to become a true gadget guy with legit speed.
This isn’t a big disappointment for the Wildcats, as they’ll collect nearly 10 commitments as the summer rolls on and already have a pretty loaded RB room for the class of 2027. Kelsey Gerald and Mason Ball are two tailbacks who have already pledged their commitment to the program.
Head coach Will Stein and Co. have been stellar on the recruiting trail as they have the 13th-best class overall and the fourth-ranked class in the SEC, according to 247 Sports. Expect the Cats to pick up a few more commits here soon and rise in the rankings.
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