UK HealthCare won’t participate in Lexington Pride Festival, citing KY anti-DEI law
University of Kentucky HealthCare will not participate in the 17th annual Lexington Pride Festival as the school pulls resources dedicated to “identity-based events,” school officials said Thursday.
University of Kentucky spokesperson Jay Blanton confirmed some of the university’s health care units that previously had booths at the festival were notified they would not be allowed to do so in 2025.
“We have informed units that university resources cannot be expended on events or activities that we believe the federal government would define as identity-based events,” Blanton said in an emailed statement.
UK employees can still participate in the Lexington Pride Festival, Blanton said, but the school and hospital system will not.
The festival marks the university’s latest attempt to end diversity, equity and inclusion efforts amid a push by Republicans across Kentucky and nationwide. Kentucky state lawmakers in March passed a bill that requires public colleges and universities in the commonwealth to dismantle DEI offices, programs and incentives, following similar efforts at the federal level.
Still, UK is one of about 50 colleges and universities nationwide under federal investigation for allegedly failing to fully scrap DEI efforts.
“In fact, that is specifically what the university is under federal investigation for at this time,” Blanton said. “We have not told people they cannot participate as private individuals. This is consistent with counsel and direction we have provided as the institution has sought to comply with federal law and directives.”
Blanton said hospital units were “proactively” told they would not be able to participate in the festival, held during June each year to promote and celebrate Pride month.
It was not immediately clear Thursday afternoon if other parts of UK participated in Lexington Pride Festival in previous years.
Ernesto Scorsone, an openly gay retired state senator and former Fayette County circuit judge, said he was “shocked and embarrassed” by UK’s decision.
Scorsone is a two-time graduate of the university.
He said UK’s interpretation of the statute to rollback DEI initiatives does not bar them from marketing their health care services to members of any community.
“(Pulling out of the Pride festival) says they don’t want LGBTQ patients at the hospital — it makes no sense,” he told the Herald-Leader. “Marketing to those communities, it makes dollars and sense. Not doing that is actually taking aim at the communities, saying that they are not worthy of being sought after as patients and customers.”
Lexington Pride Festival President Jason Schubert said UK Healthcare had about four to six booths at previous festivals to reach underserved populations.
“We are looking forward to serving and supporting the community throughout the festival and throughout the year,” Schubert said.
Schubert also said Lexington Pride is thankful for the support from all of their vendors.
UK’s Office of LGBTQ* Resources declined to comment.
Investigation into UK’s use of DEI initiatives
Kentucky’s legislature passed House Bill 4 this year, a Republican priority bill that ordered public colleges and universities to scrap DEI programs by June 27.
Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the bill, saying it was rooted in “hate,” but the GOP supermajority overrode his veto.
UK was the first college in Kentucky to dismantle its Office of Institutional Diversity last year, prior to HB 4’s introduction and passage, followed soon after by Northern Kentucky University. Republicans at the time praised those moves.
But in March, the U.S. Department of Education announced UK was one of 50 universities, and the only one in Kentucky, under investigation for failing to abide by a federal order that barred DEI programs in public colleges.
The investigations were announced one month after the Trump administration warned colleges they could lose federal funding over “race-based preferences” in admissions, scholarships or parts of student life on campus.
University officials said they believe the investigation is related to the school’s former connection to The Ph.D. Project, a networking organization that helps doctoral students complete their degrees. The university ended its association with the group, and notified the Department of Education, but the investigation is ongoing.
In April, UK also canceled graduation celebrations for minority students, including programs for LGBTQ+, Black and first-generation students. President Eli Capilouto said the ceremonies were canceled because “we believe that’s what is required, and we believe complying with the law is the best way to protect our people and our continued capacity to support them.”
Students and community members rallied to offer alternative celebrations for students.
This year’s Lexington Pride Festival is scheduled for Saturday, June 28, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
