July 9th, 2015
The last state in the Union to hold out offering state services to gay citizens has capitulated. Kansas held off for nearly two weeks while they “studied” the Obergefell Supreme Court ruling to see whether and how it applied to the state’s various departments.
Governor Sam Brownback, a fierce opponent of treating gay citizens with equality or decency, refused to direct the state’s various divisions to apply the law. He chose instead to issue an executive order that the state ignore any anti-gay discrimination by religious entities that contract with the state to provide taxpayer provided services such as adoption. Lacking direction from the executive branch, compliance with Obergefell has been spotty.
Earlier in the week, most state services had been revised. On Tuesday, state employees were informed that they can add same-sex spouses to their retirement and health plans and that married couples can change their names on their state identity cards.
But the Department of Revenue had still not agreed that a Kansas breadwinner could add her wife and children as dependents on her income taxes. But finally that barrier has fallen and it now appears that every state now recognizes same-sex marriages as valid and equal (bnd.com)
The disclosure of the policy change was made in a filing Thursday asking U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree to dismiss a lawsuit filed last year by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of gay and lesbian couples.
…
The state’s lawyers submitted an affidavit from Department of Revenue policy director Richard Cram. He said the agency’s policy against joint tax returns for same-sex couples is no longer valid.
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Nathaniel
July 9th, 2015
Now, if we can only get stubborn state employees to obey the law or resign, we’d be in good shape!
Raymond
July 9th, 2015
Second that! And should we call it uncivil disobedience?
Paul Douglas
July 9th, 2015
If only Sam Ãœber-catholic convert Brownback would have a heart attack a die to go be with Jeebus.
If I believed in the efficacy of prayer I would begin immediately.
enough already
July 10th, 2015
Kansans got what they deserve. It was the firm refusal of young women and gay men to turn out which put this nasty piece of work back in charge.
The best way to finally get gay men and young women to vote their own self-interest (which I define as human and civil rights, I know this site defines self-interest in economic terms, first) is to let them suffer and suffer badly for not voting.
Let’s hope Governor Brownback continues to give the non-voters exactly what they deserve. In spades.
MattNYC
July 10th, 2015
Well, there’s always American Samoa–perhaps the last redoubt remaining:
https://news.yahoo.com/american-samoa-questions-gay-marriage-validity-territory-061905320.html
Afraid that by the time all of the lunatics flee there (I only wish), ME will have arrive there, too.
Timothy Kincaid
July 10th, 2015
Matt,
As best I can tell, American Samoa isn’t being obstinate so much as being genuinely uncertain. They don’t have a federal court system and several different professors who specialize in territorial law have given different answers.
They only have a population of about 55,000 and so far no one has requested a same-sex marriage license.
But perhaps those who just can’t bring themselves to live in a country in which I have the same rights they have – but still want to be American – could go live in American Samoa.
Wait. No. I like Samoans.
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