Gay Kansas

Kansas

The Kansas Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings on SB 509 yesterday. Sponsored by conservative state senator Mary Pilcher Cook (R-Shawnee), it would mandate reporting of fertility clinic data to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Sections 3(b)(3) and (b)(10)(H) of the bill would require reporting on patients’ marital status, whether the clinic offered service to same-sex couples, and if so, what services. We wonder if that information would lead to boycotts of same sex-friendly clinics or if clinics would avoid same-sex services to avoid the risk of a boycott.

Kansas Equality Coalition chair Tom Witt opposes the legislation, fearing it could lead to state tracking of LGBT people.

• Lawrence Journal-World: Legislature considers bill to impose new reporting requirements on fertility clinics

The Kansas City Star republished a Washington Post story comparing tactics used by the pro-life and gay rights movements.

• Kansas City Star: Gay rights, pro-life use some similar strategies

The Hays Daily News editorializes against “don’t ask, don’t tell.”

• Hays Daily News: Don’t ask, don’t tell

Ottawa Herald columnist Tommy Felts takes on the Supreme Court’s decision to hear the Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church funeral picketing case.

• Ottawa Herald: Is Rev. Phelps’ hate protected speech?

A Gonzales, La., high school vows to continue with its production of The Laramie Project despite a scheduled protest by Fred Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church.

• The Advocate/WBRZ 2 Louisiana: Dutchtown High drama to go on

Near Kansas

Oklahoma state senator Steve Russell (R-Oklahoma City) succeeded in shepherding a bill through the Oklahoma Senate that effectively exempts Oklahoma from new, LGBT-inclusive federal hate crimes legislation. The bill would prevent local law enforcement agencies from sharing investigation files with federal officials if a hate crime under Oklahoma law wasn’t found. Oklahoma law doesn’t recognize hate crimes against LGBT people.

• Oklahoman: Amendment would keep local hate crime files in Oklahoma
• Tulsa World: Senate passes three abortion bills
• The Advocate: Okla. Senate Opts Out of Hate-Crime Act
• Oklahoma Daily: Controversial bill passes State Senate

The University of Missouri’s student newspaper discusses efforts by the school to offer domestic partner benefits to LGBT employees.

• Maneater: Curators to see same-sex partner benefits resolution
• Maneater: Faculty Council resolution fails to be inclusive

St. Louis Globe-Democrat columnist Alvin Reid writes on anti-gay-yet-outed California legislator Roy Ashburn.

• St. Louis Globe-Democrat: Roy Ashburn’s admission a new twist on gay issues

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch blog notes a St. Louis resident was among those approving of the Washington Post’s controversial publication of a gay kiss on the cover of the paper to commemorate recognition of same-sex marriage in D.C.

• St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Support surfaces for same-sex-kiss photo, Washington Post reports

Student Zeke Tarrant joins the board of governors of Missouri Southern State University. He declined to state his position on student efforts to add sexual orientation to the school’s nondiscrimination policy.

• Joplin Globe: Student representative named to MSSU Board of Governors

A survey of LGBT Coloradoans by One Colorado Education Fund shows safe schools is the number one priority, followed by recognition of LGBT families.

• Denver Post: Survey targeting gay Coloradans stresses need for safe schools

Colorado LGBT advocates were surprised to see interest by anti-gay opponents at a recent event.

• Denver Post: Gay-rights luncheon draws Republicans to table