The Republican-dominated Legislature legally defined women by reproductive ability, using an extreme right-wing group’s explanations of gender and sex to classify Kansans as either women, men or, in a third category, disabled under a new anti-trans law.
The roster of 77 laws that became effective Saturday delve into abortion, concealed guns, elections, clergy abuse, public health, retirement investments, food stamps, transgender rights, water, smoking, utilities and sports.
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach on Thursday promised to see Gov. Laura Kelly in court after she said state agencies will continue to support residents who seek gender-affirming birth certificates and driver’s licenses.
Transgender Kansans who legally changed the gender on their drivers’ licenses or birth certificates will soon see them changed back by the state, Attorney General Kris Kobach said.
”Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s move to strip trans Kansans of the right to change their gender markers came late Friday, a notorious dumping ground for unpleasant news,” Clay Wirestone writes in this Kansas Reflector column.
No SB 180 in Lawrence, a group of local activists who have joined together to fight Kansas’ anti-transgender legislation, will host a celebration of trans performers and a call for action on Tuesday.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
After hearing from about 70 people Tuesday, Vice Mayor Bart Littlejohn encouraged people to reach out to the city to discuss possibilities for an ordinance to protect transgender and gender-nonconforming people from Kansas’ anti-trans legislation.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Lawrence activists are working on multifaceted approaches to stand against multiple Kansas laws targeting transgender and gender-nonconforming people — including drafting a “safe haven” city ordinance.
Mackenzie Clark/Lawrence Times
Though many LGBTQ+ people and others may leave the state of Kansas repulsed by legislation targeting gender diversity, Adam Kellogg said he’ll have to be dragged out by his ears. “I will not stop fighting for the kids that can’t leave,” he said.
Following the passage of new anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Kansas, a panel of local activists will gather in Lawrence Saturday to shed light on threats to LGBTQ+ rights.
