Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 01:05 PM Feb 2014

Kansas’ Anti-Gay Segregation Bill Is an Abomination

By Mark Joseph Stern

On Tuesday, the Kansas House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a measure designed to bring anti-gay segregation—under the guise of “religious liberty”—to the already deep-red state. The bill, written out of fear that the state may soon face an Oklahoma-style gay marriage ruling, will now easily pass the Republican Senate and be signed into law by the Republican governor. The result will mark Kansas as the first state, though certainly not the last, to legalize segregation of gay and straight people in virtually every arena of life.

If that sounds overblown, consider the bill itself. When passed, the new law will allow any individual, group, or private business to refuse to serve gay couples if “it would be contrary to their sincerely held religious beliefs.” Private employers can continue to fire gay employees on account of their sexuality. Stores may deny gay couples goods and services because they are gay. Hotels can eject gay couples or deny them entry in the first place. Businesses that provide public accommodations—movie theaters, restaurants—can turn away gay couples at the door. And if a gay couple sues for discrimination, they won’t just lose; they’ll be forced to pay their opponent’s attorney’s fees. As I’ve noted before, anti-gay businesses might as well put out signs alerting gay people that their business isn’t welcome.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In addition to barring all anti-discrimination lawsuits against private employers, the new law permits government employees to deny service to gays in the name of “religious liberty.” This is nothing new, but the sweep of Kansas’ statute is breathtaking. Any government employee is given explicit permission to discriminate against gay couples—not just county clerks and DMV employees, but literally anyone who works for the state of Kansas. If a gay couple calls the police, an officer may refuse to help them if interacting with a gay couple violates his religious principles. State hospitals can turn away gay couples at the door and deny them treatment with impunity. Gay couples can be banned from public parks, public pools, anything that operates under the aegis of the Kansas state government.

It gets worse. The law’s advocates claim that it applies only to gay couples—but there’s no clear limiting principle in the text of the bill that would keep it from applying to gay individuals as well. A catch-all clause allows businesses and bureaucrats to discriminate against gay people so long as this discrimination is somehow “related to, or related to the celebration of, any marriage, domestic partnership, civil union or similar arrangement.” (Emphases mine.) This subtle loophole is really just a blank check to discriminate: As long as an individual believes that his service is somehow linked to a gay union of any form, he can legally refuse his services. And since anyone who denies gays service is completely shielded from any charges, no one will ever have to prove that their particular form of discrimination fell within the four corners of the law.

more
http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/02/13/kansas_anti_gay_segregation_bill_is_an_abomination.html?
22 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Kansas’ Anti-Gay Segregation Bill Is an Abomination (Original Post) DonViejo Feb 2014 OP
The governor signing a hate bill, sad day in Kansas. sarcasmo Feb 2014 #1
Damn, sounds like something out of Russia.... quinnox Feb 2014 #2
... WorseBeforeBetter Feb 2014 #4
How can this be constitutional? (nt) gaspee Feb 2014 #3
It's not, but since when have bigots cared about the constitution? nt geek tragedy Feb 2014 #7
One more hoop to jump through. Behind the Aegis Feb 2014 #5
I wish we could refuse service to the entire state of Kansas geek tragedy Feb 2014 #6
Seriously, LGBTS need to consider avoiding Kansas at all costs theHandpuppet Feb 2014 #8
Oh noez, regional bigotry! geek tragedy Feb 2014 #10
Nope, not regional bigotry. Just practical advice. theHandpuppet Feb 2014 #13
i was being facetious--i agree with you 100% nt geek tragedy Feb 2014 #15
"There are other states proposing similar legislation...."... DonViejo Feb 2014 #16
Code phrase = "religious liberty" theHandpuppet Feb 2014 #17
I think we should all boycott Kansas. I wonder what products are made there? I'll look it up. nt okaawhatever Feb 2014 #11
Even better, support those states which support equality. theHandpuppet Feb 2014 #14
Well okay, but the Koch Brothers are based in Kansas so it is really a two for one. I didn't include okaawhatever Feb 2014 #20
Kansas is the throbbing heart of ignorance. Bluenorthwest Feb 2014 #9
I was reading the comments in the local paper about this and it was very refreshing. The people of okaawhatever Feb 2014 #21
sickening. nt Demo_Chris Feb 2014 #12
BOYCOTT Kansas made products. Don't buy into the hate! Here's a list: okaawhatever Feb 2014 #18
Well, the only thing positive I can say about this justiceischeap Feb 2014 #19
Sick Bastards All They Know is How to Hate. rbrnmw Feb 2014 #22

Behind the Aegis

(53,833 posts)
5. One more hoop to jump through.
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:08 PM
Feb 2014

They can't stand we are getting so close to being treated as equals. They have their own supporters who bash gays for standing up against this type of shit, no matter where it is!

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
6. I wish we could refuse service to the entire state of Kansas
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:13 PM
Feb 2014

and invite it to leave the union in the name of our religious liberty to not be amongst backwards bigots.

Maybe Putin would take them.

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
8. Seriously, LGBTS need to consider avoiding Kansas at all costs
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:19 PM
Feb 2014

Even if it's a drive-through. Not only could you be refused any services, but what if you got sick or had an accident? If you're planning to travel, best to plot a route around the state. Be safe.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
10. Oh noez, regional bigotry!
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:23 PM
Feb 2014

But, yes that's solid advice. I would expand it to say that the entire state should be boycotted in addition to the safety measures you proposed.

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
13. Nope, not regional bigotry. Just practical advice.
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:30 PM
Feb 2014

If you're gay, traveling through Kansas could literally be dangerous. Something more LGBTs should consider when making travel plans. There are other states proposing similar legislation so it's hard to keep current, but the scope of Kansas' law is jaw-dropping.

DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
16. "There are other states proposing similar legislation...."...
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:38 PM
Feb 2014

Yep, there sure are:

Anti-Gay Segregation May Soon Be Coming to Oregon

In November, Oregonians will vote on (and probably pass) a constitutional amendment allowing gay marriage in the state. Just down the ballot, another initiative will likely appear, giving business owners a “right of conscience” to refuse gay people service. As worded, the referendum will present itself as a modest caveat to the gay marriage law, extending a few basic safeguards for religious freedom. In reality, this ugly, mean-spirited initiative will herald nothing less than a new era of anti-gay segregation in Oregon—and, potentially, all across America.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2014/02/04/oregon_anti_gay_referendum_the_initiative_is_homophobic_segregation.html

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
17. Code phrase = "religious liberty"
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:44 PM
Feb 2014

I don't think many folks realize just how insidious and far-reaching these exemptions for "religious liberty" can be.

theHandpuppet

(19,964 posts)
14. Even better, support those states which support equality.
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 03:31 PM
Feb 2014

Next time you travel or make vacation plans, show those states that support equality that an inclusive society is good for business!

okaawhatever

(9,453 posts)
20. Well okay, but the Koch Brothers are based in Kansas so it is really a two for one. I didn't include
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 06:35 PM
Feb 2014

any small business owners or good corporations on the list. FWIW

okaawhatever

(9,453 posts)
21. I was reading the comments in the local paper about this and it was very refreshing. The people of
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 06:37 PM
Feb 2014

Kansas were appropriately pissed, and embarassed. Maybe it was more of a liberal paper, but it was very eye-opening and pleasant.

okaawhatever

(9,453 posts)
18. BOYCOTT Kansas made products. Don't buy into the hate! Here's a list:
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 04:18 PM
Feb 2014
Russell Stover Candy: HQ in Missouri, but they have a factory and store in Abilene, Kansas

Koch Brothers Products:

Angel Soft, Quilted Northern, and Soft n' Gentle are toilet paper and facial tissue brands.

Brawny, Dixie, Insulair, Mardi Gras, PerfecTouch, Sparkle, Ultra, and Vanity Fair are tableware, paper towel and napkin brands.

Advantage, Image Plus, and Spectrum are office paper brands.


Tony's Pizza: Salina, Kansas Frozen pizza plus pizza for cafeterias and restaurants

Daisy Co. Hummingbird Feeders, sold by Wal-Mart. Made at Ferguson Production in KS. Made 10 million feeders last year.

Pioneer Balloon Co., Wichita, is the nation's largest manufacturer of latex and Microfoil balloons

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/2011/07/17/1936745/things-kansas-makes.html#storylink=cpy

Seaboard Foods: HQ in Shawnee Mission, KS
Pork Products: Prairie Fresh Premium Pork
High Plains Farm Seasoned Pork, Sold at Sam's Club
Daily's Meat Products
67th St. BBQ

Sprint Nextel: Hq in Overland Park, KS

justiceischeap

(14,040 posts)
19. Well, the only thing positive I can say about this
Thu Feb 13, 2014, 04:25 PM
Feb 2014

is that the hospitals, if they want to continue collecting any kind of federal funding, won't refuse to treat gay people.

rbrnmw

(7,160 posts)
22. Sick Bastards All They Know is How to Hate.
Fri Feb 14, 2014, 03:24 PM
Feb 2014

And vote against their own self interest The State has turned into a Tea Party rightwing nutjob kkk land.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Kansas’ Anti-Gay Segregat...