CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Supporters and opponents of amending the Kansas constitution to ban same-sex marriage expect hundreds of people to converge on the statehouse for rival rallies Monday, as legislators open their annual session. Some clergy, disappointed by the legislature's refusal last year to adopt a proposed amendment, want lawmakers to move quickly enough this year to put a proposal on the April ballot for municipal and school board elections. Pastors supporting the effort are planning a rally for 1:30 p.m. in the second-floor rotunda. About 250 ministers already have committed, the Reverend Terry Fox, senior pastor of Wichita's Immanuel Baptist Church, said Thursday. Also set for 1:30 p.m. is a rally outside on the statehouse's south side, organized by opponents of the proposed ban. Some also support abortion rights or are concerned about preserving the separation of church and state, said Tiffany Muller, a Topeka city council member involved in the event. Muller said she expects about 400 people to participate. Each camp took the other's planned event in stride. "It'll just bring more visibility to the marriage amendment," Fox said. "We're glad they're coming." Muller said: "For the most part, people maintain their civility." Kansas already has a law against same-sex marriage, but advocates see an amendment as a way to ward off a court challenge. Both legislative chambers must adopt a proposed amendment by two-thirds majorities to place it on the ballot, with approval by a simple majority of voters needed to add it to the constitution. Fox and other clergy support a proposal to not only ban same-sex marriage but also prevent civil unions or other forms of legal recognition for gay relationships. Last year the senate approved such a proposal. While a majority of house members supported the measure, it fell short of the two-thirds margin. Also last year, voters in 13 states approved constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage, including Missouri. "We win hands down when you take it to the public," Fox said. Muller said she and other opponents believe they have a good chance of preventing legislative adoption of an amendment. As for her side's rally, she said, "The timing of it is designed to show there is broad support for not putting one religious view over another and not using religious views to hurt one group of people."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Pride
Yahoo FeedIndulge in luxury and sensuality with The Pride Store’s Taurus gift guide
April 22 2024 11:46 AM
The gay man leading the Earth Day Initiative offers hope for the future
April 22 2024 9:00 AM
Pattie Gonia takes drag and fierceness to Capitol Hill to voice environmental concerns
April 22 2024 8:23 AM
Jodie Foster leaves her mark in cement at L.A.'s Chinese Theatre
April 22 2024 7:55 AM
Climate change has a bigger impact on LGBTQ+ couples than straight couples. Here's how
April 22 2024 7:42 AM
Iraq postpones vote on bill punishing gay sex with death
April 20 2024 1:31 PM
Russian poetry contest bans entries from transgender poets
April 20 2024 1:25 PM
Here's who won 'RuPaul's Drag Race' season 16
April 20 2024 1:01 PM
The Tip Off: A beginners guide to the WNBA
April 20 2024 11:06 AM
John Fetterman challenges Pa. school board’s cancellation of talk by gay actor
April 19 2024 2:39 PM
New study finds inadequate response to mpox outbreak
April 19 2024 2:06 PM
Fighting back against MAGA’s attacks on equality
April 19 2024 1:00 PM
Just one Christian Nationalist group is behind Idaho's bans on trans care and abortion
April 19 2024 11:57 AM
Linda Perry opens up in new documentary, premiering in June at Tribeca Festival
April 19 2024 11:43 AM