Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher, reeling from scandals and low poll numbers and facing a tough re-election campaign, reached into the GOP Toolbox this month and pulled out the Gay-Bashin' Hammer.

On April 11, Fletcher celebrated "Diversity Day in Kentucky" by removing any mention of sexual orientation from the state's anti-discrimination policy.

Then, while announcing $370 million in cuts to state projects, including $312 million in university projects, Fletcher awarded $11 million to the University of the Cumberlands, a Baptist college that had recently made headlines by expelling a gay student because the student was, well, gay. The money is contingent on a favorable outcome in a pending court case, but both the Fletcher administration and Senate President David Williams -- whose district includes the university -- are pushing hard in favor of the funding.

The fact that Fletcher is an ordained Baptist minister surely has nothing to do with his decision in this matter.

I think I can speak for all my gay friends when I implore the governor not to celebrate any further "diversity days," or we won't have any diversity left to celebrate.