LEXINGTON - A University of Kentucky women's health conference session on lesbian health that has drawn complaints from two state senators has the support of university President Lee Todd.

        Mr. Todd said Friday that UK's mission was to improve the lives of all Kentuckians through teaching and research.

Lee Todd

        “That includes providing continuing education to the citizens of the commonwealth and beyond,” he said in a statement from Massachusetts, where he is attending a meeting. “We are an equal opportunity university and pride ourselves on not discriminating against anyone. To do otherwise would be a great disservice to all Kentuckians.”

        Earlier this week, Sen. Charlie Borders, R-Russell, called the UK Women's Health Center, which puts on the Women's Health in Kentucky conference, and made, in his words, “what you could call a veiled threat” to UK's funding.

        On Thursday, he said he would withhold judgment about whether to investigate that funding until he knew whether Mr. Todd was aware of the session.

        He was, officials said.

        But Senate President David Williams said Friday that UK's funding would not be affected by the fracas.

        Mr. Borders and Sen. Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park, questioned whether the conference should hold a 90-minute session on lesbian health issues.

        Mr. Roeding, who is president pro tem of the Senate, wrote to Mr. Todd on official letterhead to complain that UK would “recognize a lifestyle that the vast majority of women in Kentucky do not agree with.”

        Mr. Todd said the university has the responsibility to educate. “Part of that responsibility is to educate health professionals on the issues they face in today's diverse society,” he said.

        Mr. Borders called Mr. Todd's comments “interesting” and said he looked forward to discussing the matter personally.

        “I believe it's my responsibility to ask questions if I believe taxpayer dollars are being used questionably,” he said. “Now it's up to the public to let their voices be heard so that the president can determine if what they're doing is in the best interests of the state.”

        The conference is paid for with private fund raising, UK officials said. However, some of the co- sponsors, such as the Kentucky Commission on Women, receive some state money.

        Mr. Williams said the Senate would certainly not attempt to curtail UK's funding.

        However, the Burkesville Republican argued that the university should have used more sensitivity in choosing the session's title.

        “What I see here are two members of the General Assembly who did not like the listing of this as lesbian health issues,” he said. “They felt the way it was presented was a political statement.

        “Academic freedom should not be infringed upon, but everybody on either side ought to be sensitive to the way these things are proposed.”

        Other sessions this year are devoted to health issues concerning African-American, Hispanic and rural women.

        The session will be part of the conference, which will take place Sept. 9 and 10.

        “I appreciate the concern of individuals, but I think it's important to educate health-care professionals on the issues that surround lesbians,” said James Holsinger, chancellor of the UK Medical Center.

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