A sad day for Kansas as they become the 18th state in the U.S. to pass a hateful and discriminatory anti-gay amendments to their state constitution. For some reason I thought the constitution was meant to protect human rights - not create unequal treatment. I must have misunderstood. Absolute bullshit.

Kansas voters Tuesday accepted a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The measure passed by a better than 2 - 1 margin.

The vote was the first since 11 states adopted similar amendments in last November's general election.

The amendment defines marriage as between one man and one woman. It also declares that only such unions are entitled to the "rights and incidents" of marriage. That clause in the amendment effectively prevents the state from allowing civil unions or offering benefits to same-se couples.

Kansas law already defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman but supporters of the amendment argued it could be overturned in court.

"Putting the rights of a minority up for a popular vote is immoral," matt foreman, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force told 365Gay.com.

Gays and lesbians and other critics say the amendment will go far beyond protecting the traditional definition of marriage. They argue it will affect powers of attorney, co-adoption legal agreements and prevent companies providing health benefits to employees' unmarried partners.

Voting was steady throughout the state. The turnout was lower than for a general election but considerably higher than expected for an election that mostly chooses city councils and local school boards.

In Topeka, voter Wesley Ryder emerging from a polling station said he never thought he'd see the day when the definition of marriage was up for debate. Ryder says he voted for the amendment because it was the right thing to do.

But Amy Eisele of Kansas City, Kansas, voted against it. Eisele says government should stay out of marriage.

In Lawrence, retiree Geneva Pohl also voted against the amendment.

"I just don't think it is wise to pass an amendment to discriminate," the 81-year-old said.

Meanwhile, Tiffany Muller, an openly gay Topeka City Council member, lost her bid to retain her seat. Muller, a 27-year-old freelance grants writer, was appointed to fill a vacancy last year. The seat was won by Richard Harmon, a 48-year-old attorney.

In the March primary Muller beat Jael Phelps, a granddaughter of anti-gay pastor Fred Phelps, to face Harmon in today's vote. (story)

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 at 7:41 PM. Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.