FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) — A state lawmaker announced new legislation in support of LGBTQ veterans at a rally at the State Capitol Wednesday.

Hundreds of LGBTQ supporters say the time is now to pass a Statewide Fairness Law in Kentucky.

At the beginning of the legislative session we asked the question why a Statewide Fairness Law hasn’t passed yet.

It’s been 20 years since a bill was first filed pushing for a law banning discrimination in employment, housing and public places based on someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

Governor Andy Beshear supports it.

“We’re here to fight to make sure every single Kentuckian counts,” says Beshear.

The Fairness Campaign says Beshear is making history as the first sitting governor to ever join this annual rally.

Supporters also want to see a bill passed that would ban conversion therapy, a practice aimed at changing sexual orientation or gender identity.

“Suicide is wrong and when we identify a practice that is causing it at these numbers we ought to be united,” says Beshear.

Democratic Representative Patti Minter of Bowling Green announced new pro-LGBTQ legislation that would restore state benefits for veterans from the “don’t ask don’t tell” era.

“Many of them who are still alive were dishonorably discharged from the military for no reason other than who they were and who they loved,” says Rep. Patti Minter.

The bill will be the first new LGBTQ legislation filed in Kentucky in four years while these supporters still wonder what it’ll take to pass the 20-year-old bill protecting their basic rights.