When the Universities in Kentucky started canceling special graduation ceremonies for students who are part of the LGBTQ+ communities, local business consultant JP Davis of JP Davis Partners decided to take action. Davis has been an open and proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, and wasn’t going to let these students be pushed out of celebrating their achievements in a safe environment.
Davis is joining Play Nightclub in hosting a City Wide Grad Pride event for LGBTQ+ students graduating from local universities.
Louisville Independent asked Davis why he stepped in to help these young folks. He kindly took the time to let us know exactly why he took the mantle of this celebration and what the community can do to help.
LIO: Why did you choose to spearhead the event?
JP Davis: I’ve never been one to sit around and take bullying of others or me. That’s what this is, pure bullying. It’s not necessary. It’s discrimination. It’s a terrible agenda.
I’m disappointed the University didn’t find creative ways to avoid this from happening but understand losing hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from the federal government in retaliation is crippling. The saddest part in all this is not seeing more people on both sides of the political spectrum speak out against all the nonsense. I thought we loved free speech? Hell, ya know when I’m agreeing with and on the same page as Candace Owen on this issue, we have real problems to deal with.
I’ll say many people have stepped up. I’ve received hundreds of messages from people offering help. Financial, time, resources, gifts, baked goods, food, drink, décor, flowers, etc. You name it. Hundreds. And I’m replying to everyone. It truly has been a team effort. There’s a whole committee!!
Sadly, most of the committee is secret because they don’t want to lose their jobs or be targeted by the school or government. Let me say that again….afraid to lose their jobs or be targeted by the school or government. What? Is this still the America I grew up in? What is happening?
What do you hope the outcome is?
Outcome? To teach the students that when there’s a will, there’s a way. The community can come together for good when bad gets in the way.
The community is larger than any one person or agenda. There’s a lot of love in this community. Some of these students aren’t out to their families, which adds a complicated layer. Nobody is asked when they walk in the door, “gay or straight?” Everyone is welcomed, that’s the point. It’s a safe place of acceptance and community — a unique celebration for many facing terrible trauma in their past, and a difficult journey of acceptance.
What do you think the universities are missing by cutting out these students from having their special event?
Colleges and universities have been put in a very tough place. Nobody wins. This is hurting the colleges and universities terribly, and they’ll feel the negative backlash for years to come.
It’s interesting to me that Charlie Kirk and other religious people have free rein on college campuses, but gay people have to be quiet. There’s a Baptist Student Union on campus. No biggie. But gay people, be quiet. Black people — Hush. Latin/Hispanic — quiet. Immigrants — quiet.
None of this is making any sense. America is strong because of DEI, not the other way around. This country is strong because of our rich diversity and free speech. The polarization is very concerning, and nobody wins with this strategy.
Colleges and universities are not 100% funded by public funds. There’s a lot of private money too. Oh, and there’s something called tuition. To reject, take away a smaller celebration from students graduating simply because of their identity, is unacceptable. While other groups get to enjoy their smaller celebrations. It’s wrong.
What can others do to help with the event, or even after, for graduates in the LGBTQ+ community?
The event will be positive. It’ll be fun. There will be smiles. It will not be political. It will not be negative. It will not be “poor me.” It will be confident. Powerful.
It’ll be colorful. There will be great food, drink, and décor. We’ll have gifts for the graduates, and the entire community is welcome to join us and have fun.
There will be a few speakers, and a great drag show following the event. To help, contact me at [email protected] or 502-333-4833.
The City Wide Grad Pride Event is May 7, from 6 – 8 p.m. at Play (1101 E. Washington St.).
