Kentucky Health Justice Network is a left-of-center group in Kentucky that facilitates women receiving abortions and helps to fund and assist transgender people with surgeries and other aspects of gender changes. ^{1 2 3}

Finances

In 2020 Kentucky Health Justice Network generated $558,939 in revenue, of which $498,397 was derived from contributions and grants and $60,492 was derived from program service revenue. It had $576,374 in expenses, of which $303,159 was spent on salaries and compensation. It ended the year with $567,419 in net assets. ⁴

The network receives funding from the Educational Foundation of America, the Argosy Foundation, the Ms. Foundation for Women, Civil Liberties and Public Policy, Resist, and Raising Women’s Voices. ⁵

Policies and Projects

Abortion Funding

Kentucky Health Justice Network administers an abortion support fund. The fund is mainly run by volunteers and will provide financial assistance to pay for an abortion and will also arrange transportation for women to an abortion facility. ^{6 7}

In addition to funding and facilitating abortions, the organization also works to promote pro-abortion education through workshops focused on what it terms “reproductive justice.” This framing is part of the organization’s intersectional social justice framework that argues that issues such as racism, sexism, and sizeism are all tied together as forces of oppression that must be overcome. ^{8 9}

Transgender Funding

Kentucky Health Justice Network is also involved in the provision of services to transgender people. These services include counseling and emotional support services, assistance dealing with insurance and healthcare providers, financial aid for access to sex change services and “gender affirming items,” and education for healthcare providers related to transgender patients. It also advocates for state-level pro-transgender legislation in Kentucky. ¹⁰

National Network of Abortion Funds

Kentucky Health Justice Network is part of the National Network of Abortion Funds. This national group provides logistical and educational support to member groups. It has 80 independent member groups around the country. The organization identifies intersectionality as one of its values, stating that issues of systemic oppression—such as racism, gender, reproductive, and economic issues—are all interrelated. ^{11 12}

Leadership

Erin E.H. Smith is the executive director of Kentucky Health Justice Network, a position Smith has held since May 2020. Smith uses they/them pronouns and has a master’s degree in women and gender studies. Smith has worked on political campaigns in Kentucky as a campaign coordinator. ¹³

1. “What We Do.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/what-we-do.html
2.  “Abortion Support Fund.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/abortion-support-fund.html.
3. “Trans Health Justice.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/transhealth.html.
4. ^[1] Kentucky Health Justice Network, Return from an organization exempt from taxation (990), 2020, Part I.
5. “Supporters.” KHJN. Accessed May 11, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/supporters.html.
6. “What We Do.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/what-we-do.html.
7. “Abortion Support Fund.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/abortion-support-fund.html.
8. “What We Do.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/what-we-do.html.
9. “Abortion Support Fund.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/abortion-support-fund.html
10. “Trans Health Justice.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/transhealth.html.
11. “About.” National Network of Abortion Funds. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://abortionfunds.org/about/.
12. “Abortion Support Fund.” KHJN. Accessed May 10, 2023. https://www.kentuckyhealthjusticenetwork.org/abortion-support-fund.html.
13. ^[1] “Erin E.H. Smith | LinkedIn.” LinkedIn.com. Accessed May 11, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-e-h-smith-09884976/.