Kansas is cracking open the door to same-sex couples. As of this week, gays and lesbians employed by the state can obtain health insurance for their spouses and change their names on their driver’s licenses.
Still to come, the ability to file joint tax returns.
In fits and starts the Brownback administration is coming round to accepting the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of same-sex couples.
To swing the door open wide, Kansas would welcome men and women of all stripes. But that’s not going to happen without a fight.
Almost as soon as the Brownback administration approved the benefits, the governor issued a “religious freedom” executive order.
The order is designed to “protect” religious leaders and groups who view homosexuality as a threat to their beliefs. It allows clergy to refuse to perform same-sex marriages or provide services for such marriages.
Though Brownback’s edict holds little substance — separation of church and state is amply protected by the First Amendment — it sends a strong message.
Arkansas and Indiana passed similar homophobic legislation earlier this year but backtracked after big merchandisers, including the Final Four basketball tournament and NASCAR, threatened to withdraw their business.
AS A PEOPLE, we are becoming more accepting of others — kinda.
Some maintain the government shouldn’t “interfere” with their lives, but yet want laws that mess with the lives of others, especially when it comes to gay rights and abortion.
What’s pulling us old fuddy-duddies into the future are our children who for the most part are blind to one’s race, religion or lifestyle.
In what seems a blink of an eye, it just doesn’t matter that Bonnie is black, Julie is Jewish, or George is gay. What today’s youth see, instead, are the works these people do and how together they can make the world a better place.
How revealing.
— Susan Lynn
