Kansas urged to reject anti-gay ‘religious freedom’ bill
Human rights groups are urging the Governor of Kansas not to sign a bill passed in the state which would force educational bodies to fund groups which discriminate against LGBT people.
The Kansas SB 175, would force public universities to fund organisations by students which stop LGBT people from joining.
The bill would allow groups to discriminate based on “religious beliefs”.
Passed last year by the Senate, the bill is now headed to Governor Sam Brownback’s desk to be signed.
The Human Rights Campaign has said the new law would mean universities’ individual nondiscrimination policies would be undermine, as students would only have to use “religious freedom” as a justification to discriminate.
“Each and every lawmaker who voted for this reckless legislation have in doing so abandoned their duty to serve and protect all Kansans. SB 175 has nothing to do with American values or religious liberty and everything to do with blatant discrimination against tens of thousands of college students from all across the country,” said HRC President Chad Griffin.
“If signed into law, this disgraceful bill would undermine non-discrimination policies and protections at colleges and universities throughout Kansas. We urge Governor Brownback to stand on the right side of history and veto this draconian measure.”
The Human Rights Campaign is tracking nearly 200 anti-LGBT bills in 32 states, but this bill would be the first to be passed into law this year, if signed by Brownback.
