Kansas Equality Coalition
End Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Kansas Equality Coalition  
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Welcome, Visitors!

The Kansas Equality Coalition is a unified statewide group of fair-minded people who are determined to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We seek to ensure the dignity, safety and legal equality of all Kansans.

About Our Members

The Equality Coalition currently has chapters in Johnson County, Lawrence/Douglas County, Riley/Geary Counties, North Central Kansas, Southeast Kansas, Southwest Kansas, Topeka, Central Plains, and Wichita/Sedgwick County.

Our current membership stands at nearly 1000 Kansans from all walks of life.

Wichita Southwest Kansas Riley and Geary Counties Topeka Lawrence Johnson County North Central Southeast Kansas Central Plains Kansas Equality Coalition Chapters

It's because of our members that we have been so incredibly successful in the past year. Some of our groundbreaking accomplishments include:

  • Worked with Governor Sebelius to secure an Executive Order banning discrimination, in state employment, on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
  • Worked with the Lawrence City Commission to pass the historic, first-in-Kansas domestic partner registry. Gay and lesbian couples throughout Lawrence have taken advantage of our work, publicly declaring their relationships and making themselves eligible for insurance and other benefits from employers who offer them.
  • Worked with Attorney General Paul Morrison to secure an advisory opinion establishing the legality and constitutionality of the Lawrence registry, and fought the far-right to a standstill in their attempt in the Kansas Legislature to repeal the registry.
  • Successfully worked to pass a school anti-bullying bill, protecting children from the kind of anti-gay bullying so many of us grew up with.
  • Introduced and held hearings on a bill in the Kansas Senate that would add protections for sexual orientation to our state's current non-discrimination laws.
  • Held Kansas' first ever "Equality Day" at the Kansas State Capitol in which every Equality Coalition chapter, and many of our allies, participated. With twelve information tables in the Capitol Rotunda, we were able to deliver a positive message of fairness and equality to the State Legislature.
  • Through our Political Action Committee, KEC was instrumental in electing two new State Representatives who value fairness and equality to the State Legislature. Additionally, our volunteers were critical to the successful defense of two important allies in the Legislature, helping them hold their seats against far-right opponents who would further roll back our rights.
  • Grew the Equality Coalition from the original three organizations that formed KEC to eight chapters across the state.
Our work is not done.
We need you to get involved! Our goals for the upcoming year include:
  • Defend the Governor's Executive Order. The far right wants to undo the Order, once again making it legal to discriminate against gay, lesbian, bi and trans state employees
  • Defend the Lawrence Domestic Partner Registry. The same forces of intolerance that want to undo the Governor's Order also want to repeal the Lawrence Domestic Partner Registry. They must be stopped!
  • Bring non-discrimination to all Kansans. The Equality Coalition has a bill pending that would add "sexual orientation" to the Kansas anti-discrimination laws. We intend to introduce a new bill that would include "gender identity" and work for its passage in the upcoming session. Additionally, Equality Coalition chapters across Kansas are currently working to add sexual orientation and gender identity to local anti-discrimination ordinances. This is a difficult task, made harder by the fact that many localities have no anti-discrimination laws at all!
  • Influence the 2008 elections. Our Political Action Committee has been actively recruiting candidates who believe in fairness and equality to run for several Kansas Senate and House of Representative offices. The 2008 election cycle could very well see the election of at least one openly-gay Kansan to the State Legislature!
  • Continue to grow the Equality Coalition. We are currently working with community leaders to create at least two new Equality Coalition Chapters by next spring. Every corner of our great state will be active in our struggle for fairness and equality!
News & Events

Join us for the Kansas Equality Coalition, Lawrence/Douglas County Chapter’s FREE
Never-ending Film Festival at Liberty Hall on Thursday, July 30 @ 7 pm. Our first feature will be "Ma Vie en Rose" ("My Life In Pink").

The Lawrence/Douglas County Chapter will be hosting films every few months as part of our Never-ending festival. We hope you will all join us for some popcorn, soda, beer and community as we enjoy the Winner of the 1998 Golden Globe, Best Foreign Film award, "Ma Vie en Rose" ("My Life In Pink")

[ Posted: Monday Jun 29 2009, 4:18 pm | More Details...]

So...has any one out there seen anything about this new group in KC? A friend forwarded a flyer about an event next month...I looked at the sponsors for this group and was SHOCKED to see that the Kansas Bar Association is a "bronze" sponsor for this group.

Check it out:
http://www.kclegal.net/About.aspx?id=2
[ Posted: Sunday Jun 28 2009, 8:31 am | More Details...]

Come down and play for the day at Coldwater Lake. Bring a friend! Bring your canoe, kayak, boat, raft or other water toy. Bring some food - perhaps something to grill, snacks, and something to share.

We will be on the west side - location to be determined.

Be prepared for any kind of weather. We froze last year! Hopefully it will be warmer this time.
When: July 11th, 2009, 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: Coldwater Lake (Coldwater Kansas)

[ Posted: Tuesday Jun 16 2009, 6:55 am | More Details...]


When: July 15th, 2009, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where: Oak Park Library (95th and Bluejacket)

[ Posted: Sunday Jun 14 2009, 11:11 am | More Details...]

July Chapter Meeting, Will discuss fundraising ideas, membership drive, state conference meeting on the 26 here in emporia, and any other topics that members feel necessary.
When: July 21st, 2009, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Where: Java Cat (610 Merchant St. Emporia, Ks )

[ Posted: Tuesday Jun 30 2009, 6:32 pm | More Details...]

TOPEKA CHAPTER
End Discrimination Based on
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

KEC Meeting Agenda
05-18-2009
Call to Order – 7:12pm
Members present… Resa,Laura, Norm, Craig,
and Trey
Minutes from 04-20-09
Never were posted? Chair has no info… (Will need verbal report to approve.)
Secretary Shirley McClendon not present, Laura appointed acting
Secretary for the session.
Financial Report – Craig Schulz

[ Posted: Thursday Jun 11 2009, 12:44 pm | More Details...]


When: July 26th, 2009, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Emporia ()

[ Posted: Sunday Apr 19 2009, 9:43 pm | More Details...]

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