Sam Brownback took today to issue his 4th of July statement to the eagerly waiting residents of his state.
On July 4, we celebrate the birthday of America. We remember the founding generation — their courage, their resolve, and their love of country. It was the conviction that all men are created equal and endowed with certain unalienable rights that compelled the Founders to face the mighty British Army on the battlefield. The Declaration of Independence was their creed.
This love of liberty is the Founders’ legacy. It is not passed down in the bloodstream, but in the hearts and minds of Americans. We must cultivate a similar love of freedom in ourselves and our children, as we seek to preserve our rights and liberties.
God Bless America.
While Governor Brownback discusses love, liberty and all things American, he has embarked on a shut out of LGBT Kansans.
The Kansas City Star's writer Barbara Shelly effectively takes apart Governor Brownback's argument.
http://www.kansascity.com/...
But in the heart and mind of the governor of Kansas, this love of freedom and liberty does not extend to gay and lesbian citizens.
Kansas is now one of the few states where same-sex couples who marry cannot yet change their last names on their driver’s licenses. There is no word on whether newly married gay and lesbian couples can file joint tax returns. And Brownback has instructed state agencies not to change policies to accommodate same-sex couples, which means state employees who are gay cannot add their spouses to their state health plans.
Thomas Witt, Director of Equality Kansas had warned of this intentional foot dragging.
http://www.kansas.com/...
Gay rights activists say the governor is moving at a deliberately slow pace and point out that the marriages have been ruled constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“This is just more excuses from a governor who is so blinded by ideology that he has forgotten he took an oath to uphold and support the Constitution of the United States,” said Thomas Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas, an LGBT rights group.
“Government employees have to serve everyone equally. Same-sex couples now also deserve the same equal service and equal treatment as any other couple in the state of Kansas,” he said.
Governor Brownback earlier in the year had removed protections from LGBT state employees, meaning that LGBT state employees can be terminated or removed from their positions based on their LGBT status.
This is significant as Governor Brownback prepares a new round of Religious Freedom legislation for next year. The Governor has issued orders that say that they will still fail to accept joint filed tax returns, process name changes and other practices normally assumed with marriage.
In other words, that love & liberty Governor Brownback so fervently loves in his 4th of July Speech? He'd like to take a few minutes of your time to explain how that doesn't apply to LGBT Kansans.