TOPEKA, Kansas — The Republican controlled Kansas state House on Wednesday evening passed a bill that would effectively legalize anti-gay discrimination based on religious objections.
In a party-line vote of 89-27, the House advanced legislation sponsored by Republican State Rep. Lance Kinzer (R-Olathe) that would allow a religious defense to discriminate against gays.
Critics of the measure contend that the bill is primarily aimed at the small college town of Lawrence, the one remaining municipality in the entire state with such protections.
Two Lawrence representatives attacked the bill, calling the Kansas Preservation of Religious Freedom Act, an attempt to make ineffective a city of Lawrence anti-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation.
The bill would prohibit state and local governments from substantially burdening a person’s religious beliefs unless the government can prove that the burden is advancing a compelling government interest and is the least restrictive way of advancing that interest.
The measure is supported by GOP Governor Sam Brownback’s administration, the Kansas Catholic Conference and Concerned Women for America of Kansas. It was opposed by Lawrence officials, the Kansas Equality Coalition and the state chapter of the National Organization for Women.
When questioned during the vote, Kinzler acknowledged that the bill will allow landlords to refuse to rent to LGBTQ people. “I think that’s generally correct,” he said.
One lawmaker angrily denounced Kinzer’s legislation, calling it “homophobic” and said that it will hurt Kansas’ image.
“It sends the message that Kansas is not welcoming. Kansas will become known as the land of the pure as defined by the few,” State Rep. Charlie Roth said.
Filed under: Kansas
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that’s terrible
shocking !!
how can that be constitutional
Why like this? -_-
WHAAAAAT???? no way…this is the 21 st century…correct…? thats just …..TOOO MUCH!
USA: One step forward, two steps back. Always.
Appalling!!
fucking a…
bunch of sick fucks. it’s so wrong.
reprehensible…I hope Lambda Legal or another similar organization gets involved and sues them…has anyone contacted the ACLU?
once these old f*cks who have all these traditional views on the way they think we should live get out of office and the current young adult generation makes its presence known and starts to push their way into the offices…hopefully we’ll start to see a change. This is just a shame. There is no way that discrimination should be “OK” …. it makes it that much harder for those who are young and gay in Kansas because now they pretty much jeopardize their lives if they want to come out…only to face all of the discrimination and hate. Hopefully people in the state rally against this bill.
Big Surprise. Fail.
Is US LGBT rights going back in Time ? Its appauling.
That’s correct… that does make me don’t want to go to Kansas (among many US states) because it look dangerous/unsafe place to go and I certainly will avoid it. Very bad move.
coming from the state the WBC is based out of… not surprising
As a resident of Kansas, I am more than disgusted. I’m a bit scared of what this means for me and my children!
So discrimination is allowed?! … That’s totally insane. :/
Not really surprised at this coming out of the black heart of america.
This kind of thing is a sign of desperation. All of the haters know that their time is running out so they are trying to pass crap like this. They are a dying breed and their views will be viewed upon as being archaic sooner than later. They are backed in a corner and this is all they have. I mean, it’s not like the economy or anything is important. Spreading hatred is way more important.
WoW
How can they get away with that!?
What happened to seperation of church and state????
Awful.
WTF? I’m sorry, what century am I in???
For those who may not know, religion is very important in the Bible Belt. This bill is focused on protecting religious freedom. Most people in this state see no need to protect a group that they see as threatening to their way of life. The way of thinking is concrete. I’m not sure how the organizations I belong to are going to rally more than they have. We need every voice!
wow that goes against what the constitution of the U.S stands for in so many ways
Land of the free?
WOW JUST WOW >(
who what why did any body do any thing
This is simply horrible and discriminatory! No wonder Dorothy was looking for a better place over the rainbow! :)
that kind of shit have in their brains?
I don’t understand this. People have rights.
Not proud to say that I’m a Kansan.
They have got to be joking. Please tell me they’re joking
I like how the location is ‘Topeka,KS’. Guess who lives there? The infamous Westboro Baptist Church! I can tell y’all one thing, WBC is probably having a party. This is just disgusting! What year are we in again? Don’t be surprised if they have anything to do with it.
the home of the Fred Phelps cult/family? Why am I not shocked?
…can I move now?
Fear and Hate are alive and well. Shame on you Kansas! Shame! Oh yeah…. And Fuck You!!!! :) That felt good…. Sorry for the profanity…..
I need to move the F out of this state
well there’s one more place I’d never move to
it sad to think that in this the 21century if so then we should be going forward not back ward and what is so wrong is that i`m a gay Christian but all i get is that i`m going to hell
Not surprised because it’s Kansas. We just have to continue fighting against the hate and bigotry. They are all evil.
This is clearly against the 1st amendment to the U.S. constitution.
There’s no place better than home.
kansas sucks
run Dorothy
????
wow!!!thats seems to be major step in the wrong direction!!!!…#straightbutsupportive
and they wander why they get slammed with tornado after tornado and they just keep up thier hatred, where r the as__ns when u need them?
can I discriminate against Kansas now?
One more reason I am glad I got out. Lawrence was one of the few relatively decent places in that state, glad they are fighting this.
I am forced to agree with Daniel Mitchell. I believe Kansas of all the unlucky states, is the MOST unlucky state of all time in America. And you know what really sickens me to my stomach is how people like those in Kansas use God and religion as an excuse or a pawn for hatred, greed, racism, violence, or bullying. That’s what makes me want to throw up.
theGOP is TRYING t omake this country a THEOCRACY…WAKE UP AMERICA..vote the kooks out and repeal their NASTY spirited laws i nthe name of religion..we are NOT a theocracy….
If Dorothy was around today she would leave Kansas for good