State of Kansas Archives: on Civil Rights
Barbara Bollier:
Validate transgender identity
Bollier switched party from Republican to Democrat. In February, the state party adopted a resolution opposing efforts to validate transgender identity. The resolution was controversial at the time, and in June the Republican party inserted language
into its platform that says: "We believe God created two genders, male and female.""That was my final, last straw. I support the people of Kansas. I do not condemn whoever they are," Bollier said.
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Dec 12, 2018
Barbara Bollier:
Pass Equality Act; end ban on trans service members
Barbara has long been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ Kansans in the Legislature because she believes all Kansans should have the same rights. Barbara will:- Advocate for the passage of the Equality Act, which would prohibit discrimination on the basis
of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity;
- Vote to overturn the ban on trans service members because anyone who wishes to serve our country should have the opportunity to do so;
- Support legislation to end bullying against LGBTQ youth.
Source: 2020 Kansas Senate campaign website BollierForKansas.com
May 28, 2020
Barbara Bollier:
Left GOP over anti-transgender language in party platform
Bollier told the Shawnee Mission Post that she's had "frustrations that have been ongoing for nine years" before she ultimately made the decision to leave the GOP over the inclusion of anti-transgender language in the party's platform. "Morally, the
party is not going where my compass resides," Bollier said. "I'm looking forward to being in a party that represents the ideals that I do, including Medicaid expansion and funding our K-12 schools."
Source: Heavy.com on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Dec 1, 2018
Carl Brewer:
Protect civil rights, not judge morality
I do not believe it is up to me to judge another's morality or to enact laws to limit or deny another's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Quite the contrary, it is my duty as your next Governor to work aggressively
for the repeal of laws already limiting our civil rights, and to pass new laws to safeguard those rights. This includes the rights of Kansas women, minorities, the LGBT community and other historically-oppressed communities.
Source: 2018 Kansas Gubernatorial website BrewerForKansas.com
Sep 15, 2017
Chad Taylor:
Successfully prosecuted 9-year-long rape case
A Third Judicial District jury this morning returned a guilty verdict against Justin Dan Elnicki, 32, Topeka, Kansas. The jury, after deliberating for a half day, found Mr. Elnicki guilty of one count of rape, a level one person felony.
"Today's verdict is a just result and should finally ensure that this violent predator will be removed from our community," said Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor. "I would like to thank the jury for their service and for
ensuring that justice was served today. I would also like to personally thank the victim who over the past decade has repeatedly demonstrated a courage and fortitude few people possess."
The District Attorney's Office originally filed
charges against Mr. Elnicki in 2001. Twice Mr. Elnicki's conviction was overturned and remanded to the trial court for a new trial. Elnicki will be sentenced on December 10, 2010 at 9:00 am by Judge Richard D. Anderson.
Source: D.A. office press release: 2014 Kansas Senate race
Oct 6, 2010
Chad Taylor:
Advocate for equality, including equal pay for equal work
I was raised by a strong, smart woman; I married a strong, smart woman; I work with strong, smart women every day. I trust the women of Kansas to make the best decisions for their health.
I recognize it's not my role as a male government official to make those choices for them.I have long been an advocate for equality in our society and workplace, which is why I support measures such as equal pay for equal work.
There is no excuse for a pay discrepancy based on gender. Period.
I will be an advocate for equality, supporting measures such as the Violence Against Women Act, which Senator Pat Roberts voted against.
I will fight to ensure fairness under the law.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Sep 1, 2014
Chad Taylor:
Make bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional
While the Senate does not typically vote on the legality of marriage, the stage has been set for federal legal challenges over the next two years. Based on legal precedent,
I would expect the Supreme Court to rule based on the Commerce Clause, wherein a contract in one state is valid in another, thus making bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional.
Source: 2014 Kansas Senate campaign website, TaylorForUSSenate.com
Sep 1, 2014
Charlie Hardy:
Equal pay for equal work
As a former priest, I believe that government should not interfere in the personal relations between adults. Just as the uniqueness of each flower in a garden is recognized as beautiful, so should the uniqueness of each individual be accepted and
treasured. Our campaign stands strong for full marriage equality for all, equal pay for equal work, and investments in social welfare, job creation, and education to ensure that all people have adequate opportunities in life.
Source: DemocracyForAmerica.com on 2014 Kansas Senate race
May 2, 2014
Chase LaPorte:
I believe in the Biblical standard for marriage
I believe in the Biblical standard for marriage, the traditional family unit,
as well as the Biblical model for parenting
Source: 2022 Kansas Governor campaign website LaPorte4KSgov.com
Jun 24, 2022
Derek Schmidt:
Would have signed vetoed transgender athlete ban
Conservative Republicans in Kansas failed to overturn the Democratic governor's veto of a proposed ban on transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports. The proposed ban is likely to be an issue in the 2022 governor's race, when Kelly seeks a
second term. The top two Republican candidates, Attorney General Derek Schmidt and former Gov. Jeff Colyer, have said they would have signed the measure.
Source: Associated Press on KAKE-ABC on 2022 Kansas Governor race
May 3, 2021
George W. Bush:
Education, housing, and hiring must be equal for all
While our schools are no longer segregated by law, they are still not equal in opportunity and excellence. Justice requires more than a place in a school. Justice requires that every school teach every child in America.
The habits of racism in America have not all been broken. Laws against racial discrimination must be vigorously enforced in education and housing and hiring and public accommodations.
Source: William Douglas/Tom Fitzgerald; Kansas City Star
May 17, 2004
Greg Orman:
Government should not prohibit same-sex marriage
Roberts supports a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Orman says the government should not prohibit same-sex marriage.
Source: The Kansas City Star on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Sep 19, 2014
Howard Phillips:
Censorship is dumbing down our children
[Those who] advocate. separating church from state are hypocrites unless they similarly insist upon the separation of education from state, because every government-subsidized and regulated school has become an establishment of the officially approved
state religion, censoring prayer, subsidizing sex, denying creation, rewriting history, undermining parental authority, denigrating Biblical values, and dumbing down the children so that they may be no wiser than those who run our government.
Source: (X-ref Education) Kansas Education Watch Network Conference
Aug 7, 1993
Jean Carnahan:
Advocated for Equal Rights Amendment
Jean Carnahan made speeches several days a week on her husband's Senate campaign trail and worked on state legislation for better health care and education. She advocated the Equal Rights Amendment, gun control, & workplace child-care centers. "Democrats
in Washington are struggling to save Social Security, to strengthen Medicare, to pay down the national debt, to provide a patient's bill of rights and to give targeted tax cuts that don't harm services to the neediest in our society," she said.
Source: [X-ref Health Care] Kevin Murphy, The Kansas City Star
Nov 4, 2000
Jeff Colyer:
No commitment to protecting LGBT workers from discrimination
The headline of a recent editorial in The Star asked a fair question: "Why won't Gov. Jeff Colyer commit to protecting LGBT workers from discrimination?" The answer seems very clear: If the governor made such a commitment today--to issue an executive
order to protect LGBT state workers from discrimination--he might as well withdraw from the Republican primary race for Kansas governor. That's because with a promise like that, he would virtually be handing over the nomination to Kansas Secretary of
State Kris Kobach, whose overall appeal to conservatives makes him the frontrunner. Kobach has stated unequivocally he will do nothing to protect the rights of LGBT workers and said it is up to the Legislature to pass laws if needed.Although the US
Supreme Court has ruled that federal law does prohibit discrimination against same-sex partners and does not allow for sexual harassment, federal civil rights law doesn't apply to sexual orientation or gender identity. That void becomes a state issue.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 16, 2018
Jeff Colyer:
No executive order banning LGBT worker discrimination
Gov. Jeff Colyer appeared to contend that Kansas law contained the same prohibitions against discrimination of LGBT state employees as an executive order that was repealed by his predecessor, Sam Brownback. He is mostly wrong.Asked if he is unwilling
to put his position into an executive order, Colyer said: "It is the policy, it is the law of Kansas. We will not be dealing with these things."
Kansas has no law prohibiting employer discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity. Asked to clarify Colyer's remarks, a spokesman reiterated the governor won't tolerate discrimination, but also said Kansas law mirrors federal law.
Federal law doesn't prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender
identity. But the Supreme Court ruled that federal law does prohibit same-sex sexual harassment. That means that employer discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity continues to be legal in Kansas [but harassment is illegal].
Source: Wichita Eagle on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 16, 2018
Joan Farr:
Oppose same-sex marriage
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
A: OPPOSE
Source: OnTheIssues.org interview on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Dec 10, 2021
Joan Farr:
Don'tegally require hiring more women/minorities
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Legally require hiring more women/minorities"?
A: OPPOSE. I don't think it's necessary and we have enough laws as it is.
Source: OnTheIssues.org interview on 2022 Kansas Senate race
Dec 10, 2021
John McCain:
We don't need laws against Spanish language & culture
Spanish was spoken in my state when it was carved from the wilderness. Spanish culture influenced the making of Arizona society. And Arizona society cannot sustain its character, absent that influence today. Yes, we all need to speak English well if we
are to succeed in this country. But no one should have to abandon the language of their birth to learn the language of their future. We don't need laws that cause any American to believe we scorn their contributions to our culture.
Source: Landon Lecture at Kansas State University
Mar 15, 1999
Kathleen Sebelius:
2007: Prohibit discrimination on basis of gender identity
Although the US Supreme Court has ruled that federal law does prohibit discrimination against same-sex partners and does not allow for sexual harassment, the current administration's Justice Department says that federal civil rights law doesn't apply
to sexual orientation or gender identity. That void becomes a state issue.Kansas has no such protections now but did for a while with the 2007 executive order issued by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that prohibited discrimination and harassment of
state workers on the basis of sexual origin and gender identity.
This became a hot-button issue when former Gov. Sam Brownback issued his executive order in 2015 repealing Sebelius'. It is now OK to discriminate against
LGBT state workers in Kansas.
The Kansas Republican Party, at its recent state convention, adopted a resolution to "oppose all efforts to validate transgender identification."
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 16, 2018
Kris Kobach:
Do nothing to protect the rights of LGBT workers
The headline of a recent editorial in The Star asked a fair question: "Why won't Gov. Jeff Colyer commit to protecting LGBT workers from discrimination?" The answer seems very clear: If the governor made such a commitment today--to issue an executive
order to protect LGBT state workers from discrimination--he might as well withdraw from the Republican primary race for Kansas governor. That's because with a promise like that, he would virtually be handing over the nomination to Kansas Secretary of
State Kris Kobach, whose overall appeal to conservatives makes him the frontrunner. Kobach has stated unequivocally he will do nothing to protect the rights of LGBT workers and said it is up to the Legislature to pass laws if needed.Although the US
Supreme Court has ruled that federal law does prohibit discrimination against same-sex partners and does not allow for sexual harassment, federal civil rights law doesn't apply to sexual orientation or gender identity. That void becomes a state issue.
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 16, 2018
Mark Holland:
Stop criminalizing gender identity & other social issues
Passing punitive laws is a shallow and unsuccessful way to address America's social issues. We must stop criminalizing mental health, abortion, addiction, and gender identity. These laws only succeed in furthering cultural division and
filling up our prisons. We must work together to craft meaningful policy that unites our country and helps those most in need.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate campaign website HollandForKansas.com
Jun 26, 2022
Mark Parkinson:
Embrace diversity rather than rejecting new citizens
We will be more diverse. Our Hispanic and Asian populations will grow, and rather than reject our new citizens, as some states have done, we will embrace them as Kansans.
More than ever, they will be an important part of the Kansas story.
Source: 2010 Kansas State of the State Address
Jan 11, 2010
Michael Soetaert:
I am a GAY, PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT
I am a GAY, PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT, who does value them both! I'm also a forward thinking, independent minded, progressive, People's Candidate.
Likewise, I'm a good Kansan, Patriotic American & responsible global citizen. I'm playing on team KANSAS for the UNITED STATES of AMERICA.
Source: 2022 Kansas Senate website MichaelSoetaertForCongress.com
Jun 28, 2022
Milton Wolf:
Government shouldn't redefine marriage
Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Wolf: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Kansas Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Patrick Wiesner:
Marriage for two same-sex persons making a life commitment
On Same Sex Marriage: If two same-sex persons make a life commitment to care for each other, then
I support the law that gives them the right to publicly honor each other with marriage.
Source: 2016 Kansas Senate campaign website WiesnerForSenate.com
Aug 31, 2016
Randall Batson:
Opposes affirmative action
Q: Do you support or oppose requiring hiring more women & minorities?
A: Strongly Oppose.
Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 19, 2014
Randall Batson:
Indifferent to same-sex marriage
Q: Do you support or oppose same-sex marriage?
A: Indifferent.
Source: Email interview on Kansas 2014 Senate race with OnTheIssues
Sep 19, 2014
Roger Marshall:
Supported ban on transgender people serving in the military
Q: Support same-sex marriage and other LGBT rights issues?Roger Marshall: No. Supported ban on transgender people serving in the military because Trump said that his generals supported the ban.
Barbara Bollier: Yes. "I support the people of Kansas. I do not condemn whoever they are."
Source: CampusElect on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Oct 10, 2020
Ron Estes:
Kansas ABLE: tax-free savings for people with disabilities
As State Treasurer in 2015, Ron worked with state and federal officials to implement the Kansas ABLE savings program,
creating tax-free savings accounts for people with disabilities.
Source: 2017 Kansas House campaign website EstesForCongress.com
Apr 11, 2017
Sam Brownback:
2015: Repeal ban on gender identity discrimination
Although the US Supreme Court has ruled that federal law does prohibit discrimination against same-sex partners and does not allow for sexual harassment, the current administration's Justice Department says that federal civil rights law doesn't apply
to sexual orientation or gender identity. That void becomes a state issue.Kansas has no such protections now but did for a while with the 2007 executive order issued by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that prohibited discrimination and harassment of
state workers on the basis of sexual origin and gender identity.
This became a hot-button issue when former Gov. Sam Brownback issued his executive order in 2015 repealing Sebelius'. It is now OK to discriminate against
LGBT state workers in Kansas.
The Kansas Republican Party, at its recent state convention, adopted a resolution to "oppose all efforts to validate transgender identification."
Source: Kansas City Star on 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race
Mar 16, 2018
Susan Wagle:
Coronavirus church restrictions violate rights
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, who is Catholic, responded to the news of the church-related virus hotspots by removing the religious exemption in her earlier stay-at-home order.
Wagle, a Catholic, criticized Kelly's order as "a violation of their constitutional rights to have the government tell them that they cannot participate in a church service."
Source: Baptist Church Word and Way on 2020 Kansas Senate race
Apr 28, 2020
Derek Schmidt:
No biological males competing in women's sports
The two campaigns went toe-to-toe over Kelly's position on transgender athletes in women's sports, with Schmidt previously arguing an ad from the governor amounted to her misrepresenting her position on the issue. He continued to zero in on the
governor's position, saying the two "fundamentally disagreed" on the issue. "I've been very clear on my position on this issue," Schmidt said. "I think it is a matter of fundamental fairness and I do not think that it is a matter of law or policy that
people who are biologically male should be competing in women's sports."Kelly has maintained it was consistent with her twice vetoing bills on the issue, saying the matter should be left up to local school boards, the High School Activities
Association and the NCAA. She again called Schmidt's contention that her actions allowed men to compete in women's sports to be "absurd." Kelly said there was also a risk to the state's economy from boycotting businesses if such a measure were passed.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Oct 5, 2022
Laura Kelly:
Let local school boards decide on transgender women's sports
Attorney General Derek Schmidt argued an ad from the governor amounted to her misrepresenting her position on the issue of transgender athletes in women's sports. He continued to zero in on the governor's position, saying the two "fundamentally
disagreed" on the issue. "I've been very clear on my position on this issue," Schmidt said. "I think it is a matter of fundamental fairness and I do not think that it is a matter of law or policy that people who are biologically male should be competing
in women's sports."Kelly has maintained it was consistent with her twice vetoing bills on the issue, saying the matter should be left up to local school boards, the Kansas State High School Activities Association and the NCAA.
She again called Schmidt's contention that her actions allowed men to compete in women's sports to be "absurd." Kelly said there was also a risk to the state's economy from boycotting businesses if such a measure were passed.
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2022 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Oct 5, 2022
Barbara Bollier:
College groups "religious freedom" means LGBT discrimination
Legislative Summary: SB 175 enacts law prohibiting a postsecondary educational institution from taking any action that would deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other association due to the association's
requirement that leaders or members of the association adhere to or comply with the association's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by Washington Blade: Consistent with his record in opposition to LGBT rights, Gov. Sam Brownback
signed into law a "religious freedom" bill seen to enable discrimination against LGBT students in his state's public universities. Brownback didn't sign the bill quietly: The governor signed the measure during a ceremony surrounded by lawmakers and
lobbyists for the Kansas Catholic Conference and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-8-2 on Mar/19/15; Passed House 81-41-3 on Mar/16/16; State Rep. Barbara Bollier voted NO; Signed on Mar/22/16
Source: Wash. Blade analysis of Kansas voting records SB175
Mar 16, 2016
Jake LaTurner:
Allow college groups to discriminate for religious reasons
Legislative Summary: SB 175 enacts law prohibiting a postsecondary educational institution from taking any action that would deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other association due to the association's
requirement that leaders or members of the association adhere to or comply with the association's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by Washington Blade: Consistent with his record in opposition to LGBT rights, Gov. Sam Brownback
signed into law a "religious freedom" bill seen to enable discrimination against LGBT students in his state's public universities. Brownback didn't sign the bill quietly: The governor signed the measure during a ceremony surrounded by lawmakers and
lobbyists for the Kansas Catholic Conference and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-8-2 on Mar/19/15; State Sen. Jake LaTurner voted YES; Passed House 81-41-3 on Mar/16/16; Signed on Mar/22/16
Source: Wash. Blade analysis of Kansas voting records SB175
May 19, 2015
Laura Kelly:
College groups "religious freedom" means LGBT discrimination
Legislative Summary: SB 175 enacts law prohibiting a postsecondary educational institution from taking any action that would deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other association due to the association's
requirement that leaders or members of the association adhere to or comply with the association's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by Washington Blade: Consistent with his record in opposition to LGBT rights, Gov. Sam Brownback
signed into law a "religious freedom" bill seen to enable discrimination against LGBT students in his state's public universities. Brownback didn't sign the bill quietly: The governor signed the measure during a ceremony surrounded by lawmakers and
lobbyists for the Kansas Catholic Conference and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-8-2 on Mar/19/15; State Sen. Laura Kelly voted NO; Passed House 81-41-3 on Mar/16/16; Signed on Mar/22/16
Source: Wash. Blade analysis of Kansas voting records SB175
May 19, 2015
Sam Brownback:
Allow college groups to discriminate for religious reasons
Legislative Summary: SB 175 enacts law prohibiting a postsecondary educational institution from taking any action that would deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other association due to the association's
requirement that leaders or members of the association adhere to or comply with the association's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by Washington Blade: Consistent with his record in opposition to LGBT rights, Gov. Sam Brownback
signed into law a "religious freedom" bill seen to enable discrimination against LGBT students in his state's public universities. Brownback didn't sign the bill quietly: The governor signed the measure during a ceremony surrounded by lawmakers and
lobbyists for the Kansas Catholic Conference and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-8-2 on Mar/19/15; Passed House 81-41-3 on Mar/16/16; Signed on Mar/22/16
Source: Wash. Blade analysis of Kansas voting records SB175
May 22, 2016
Susan Wagle:
Allow college groups to discriminate for religious reasons
Legislative Summary: SB 175 enacts law prohibiting a postsecondary educational institution from taking any action that would deny a religious student association any benefit available to any other association due to the association's
requirement that leaders or members of the association adhere to or comply with the association's sincerely held religious beliefs.Analysis by Washington Blade: Consistent with his record in opposition to LGBT rights, Gov. Sam Brownback
signed into law a "religious freedom" bill seen to enable discrimination against LGBT students in his state's public universities. Brownback didn't sign the bill quietly: The governor signed the measure during a ceremony surrounded by lawmakers and
lobbyists for the Kansas Catholic Conference and the Family Policy Alliance of Kansas.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 30-8-2 on Mar/19/15; State Sen. Susan Wagle voted YES; Passed House 81-41-3 on Mar/16/16; Signed on Mar/22/16
Source: Wash. Blade analysis of Kansas voting records SB175
May 19, 2015
Laura Kelly:
Action has meant building an inclusive government
[On Black History Month]: "There's so much that has happened in Kansas related to Black history. I think it's important that particularly Kansas celebrates it--celebrates it loud and clear and often.""We must honor that legacy not just with
celebration, but with action," she said. "For my administration, action has meant building an inclusive government--one that represents all Kansans and delivers real results."
Source: Topeka Capital-Journal on 2026 Kansas Gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2025
Roger Marshall:
Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports
22 U.S. Senators sent a letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker urging him to update its student-athlete policy to ban transgender athletes from participating in women's sports. The senators wrote: "Amid the Biden-Harris administration's unprecedented
assault on Title IX, we write to urge the National Collegiate Athletic Association to update your student-athlete participation policy to require that only biologically female students participate in women's sports."The NCAA updated its policy in
2022 on transgender athletes, aligning itself with Olympic standard. The NCAA requires transgender athletes to give documentation that meets sports standards for testosterone levels at three points in time:
- Prior to any competition during the
regular season;
- Prior to the first competition in an NCAA championship event; and
- Prior to any competition in the non-championship segment.
A CNN report estimates there are fewer than 40 transgender athletes among more than 500,000 athletes.
Source: CBS-2-Iowa's Tyler Downey on 2026 Kansas Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Ty Masterson:
We've stopped DEI policies in our higher education system
DEFEND OUR KANSAS VALUES: I have led the charge to stop wokeness in Kansas. We've banned men from competing in women's sports, ended transgender surgeries for minors, and stopped DEI policies in our higher education system--
all while overriding vetoes from Laura Kelly. As the disease of wokeness spreads, as governor, Kansans know they can count on me to fight back and defend our Kansas values.
Source: 2026 Kansas Governor campaign site MastersonForGovernor.com
Dec 15, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026