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Renters and library patrons urge council action on federal cuts and library program rollbacks
Summary
Two residents used the public-comment period to urge the council to act on issues affecting renters and to oppose rollback of LGBTQIA+ programs at the Lexington Public Library.
Speakers in the April 17 public-comment period urged the council to address harms they said are flowing from federal budget cuts and to oppose the Lexington Public Library’s reduction of LGBTQIA+ programming.
Phoenix Berry, who identified themself as a District 6 renter, described long-term housing instability and urged the council to "continue to fight for renters" as federal cuts to HUD, Medicaid and Medicare affect vulnerable residents. "I consider myself one of many, a representative of many who don't have the privilege to be able to come up here," Phoenix said, asking the council to keep in mind people who lack capacity to testify in public.
Rory Hefner Templar, who spoke during the same public-comment period, told the council the Lexington Public Library "intends to roll back its LGBTQIA+ programs" and named teen pride prom, a queer craft workshop and board game night as examples. "I am frustrated, devastated, and I'm concerned," Templar said. They cited a 2023 CDC estimate that 4.9% of Lexington's population identifies as LGBTQIA+ — roughly 15,687 people — and urged the council and Mayor Linda Gordon to use their positions to oppose the program cuts.
What speakers asked the council to do: Both speakers asked the council to use its influence to protect services and programs that residents rely on — Phoenix asked for sustained policy attention for renters and people receiving public benefits; Templar asked elected officials to speak out against library program reductions and to attend the library board meeting on May 14.
What the council said on the record: No formal council action on the library programs or federal funding priorities was taken during the meeting. The public comments were entered into the record for the council to consider.
Context: Public services and library programming have been discussed in other recent meetings; Kentuckians and Lexington residents who rely on housing assistance and library services have raised similar concerns in prior public comments and community meetings.
