The state of Kansas is behind the times when it comes to granting marriage equality to homosexual couples. However, Kansas gay marriage advocates continue to work on changing the law.
In 2005, Kansas voters, led by staunch conservations, voted overwhelming in favor of Amendment 1, which was a constitutional amendment prohibiting the recognition of same-sex unions. This legislation has been a major road block for advocates of gay marriage to overcome. Its passage was not particularly surprising given Kansas has historically been a “red” state and has taken a conservative approach on other issues like abortion and liquor laws.
In January of 2014, State Representative Charles Macheers introduced Kansas House Bill 2453, also called the Religious Freedom Act. This legislation would allow individuals to refuse to provide services to gay and lesbian couples on the grounds it violates their religious beliefs. The bill would protect them from being sued or punished in any way for doing so. While the legality of same sex weddings is not the core issue of the legislation, it could strengthen the position of opponents of Kansas gay marriage if it succeeds. The bill was passed in the Kansas House, but has not been voted on in the Kansas Senate.
While Kansas is not considered as progressive as some other states on same sex unions, Americans overall are becoming more receptive to gay marriage. These views seem to be endorsed by the U.S. Supreme Court, who in June of 2013 struck down the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which had suppressed federal acknowledgment of same-sex unions. This decision helped clear the way for lawyers in Topeka to file a state lawsuit in December of 2013 for two gay couples who were wed in another state, but want to file their taxes as a married couple in Kansas. The decision on the case is still pending, but a favorable outcome could significantly impact the future of Kansas gay marriage
