Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka

Chapters Central Plains Lawrence North Central Northeast Riley/Geary Southeast Southwest Topeka Wichita

Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka, Inc., formerly Equal Justice Coalition, formed in September 2002 after the Topeka City Council voted against expanding the Human Relations Ordinance to include protection from discrimination to all citizens based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Chapter Resources

Membership Form
Calendar
Bylaws & Governance
Online Contact Form

Address

Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka, Inc.
P.O. Box 4214
Topeka, KS 66604

Phone

785-271-0174 or 785-554-9537

Executive Committee Members

Chair	Trey Streetman
Vice Chair	Resa Boydston
Secretary	Shirley McClendon
Treasurer	Craig Schulz
	Laura Burton
	Pedro Irigonegaray
	Lynne Leifer

About Our Chapter

Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka, Inc. works to secure fair treatment for all citizens, especially with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity. We recognize the interconnectedness of all forms of oppression and we seek alliances with other organization to combat racism, sexism, homophobia, and all other forms of oppression.

In working toward the goals of redefining Topeka as a fair-minded city and creating social and political change, Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka works toward securing fair treatment and equal rights for all citizens, especially with regard to sexual orientation and gender identity through:

EDUCATION
Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka facilitates education in schools, clubs, civic organizations, faith-based institutions, and through workshops. The importance of educating the general community, allies, and others is recognized as one of the key elements to creating change. This education will also be facilitated through public awareness materials, media releases, and public speaking events. Please contact Erin Norris, chair of the Equal Justice Coalition, if you are interested in helping, hosting, or receiving an educational event.

POLITICAL ACTION
Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka is involved with lobbying, talking with voters, going door-to-door to identify supportive voters, and working toward both passing and retaining anti-discrimination legislation that includes sexual orientation and gender identity in the city of Topeka, KS. Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka supports educating lawmakers about the need for progressive legislation.

COALITION BUILDING
Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka is comprised of supportive allies and individuals who recognize the importance of justice and fair treatment for all citizens in Topeka, KS. We are committed to building a cross-cultural and diverse coalition that is reflective of our community. We are collaborating with clergy, professors, the business community, social service organization, and many other individuals and groups. Additionally, we continue to meet and build partnerships with all types of community leaders and interested individuals. Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka is also committed to forming a united front with a clear, strong voice about the need for equality and fair treatment for all people.

VOLUNTEERS
Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka is currently made up of volunteers and it is because of people?s commitment and support for these issues that we are able to continue growing and be successful in our mission. Please contact our secretary, Don Miller, to see how you can become a volunteer.

SUPPORTING STATE-WIDE EFFORTS
Kansas Equality Coalition of Topeka is committed to helping achieve equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals across the state of Kansas. It is because of this commitment that Equal Justice Coalition transitioned to become the Topeka chapter of the Kansas Equality Coalition.

Topeka News & Events

KEC Topeka Rules of Goverance

Please review the attached PDF File to See Topeka Chapter's Rules of Governance.
[ Posted: Monday Mar 15 2010, 11:59 pm | More Details...]

02-15-2010 - KEC of Topeka, Inc. - Meeting Minutes

KEC Meeting Minutes
02-15-2010
• The meeting was called to order by Trey at 7:00 pm
• Resa/Lynne motion to approve minutes from 1/18/10 passed unanimously
• Financial Report: Craig reported a current balance of $526.22. Michael/Lynne motion to approve financial report passed unanimously.
• Chapter Conference Report: Jason and Lynn attended Chapter Conference. A representative from GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) trained attendees. Tim Witt was elected as Chair of KEC, Courtney Smith was elected Secretary. Tom reported that he plans to continue a strategic planning process for KEC, partly to engage committee officers. Tom reminded KEC that chapters may have any number of members on state committees, but only one voting member, and encouraged KEC Topeka members to respond to committee discussion posts on the website. The next Chapter Conference meeting will be the last Saturday in February.

[ Posted: Monday Mar 15 2010, 5:08 pm | More Details...]

Topeka Individuals Living in Gay/Lesbian Relationships Needed for Focus Group

Dr. Cynthia Robins of Westat, a research company based in Rockville, MD, is looking for members of gay and lesbian couples who are residents of the greater Topeka area to participate in a focus group for a project sponsored by the U.S. Census Bureau. Two focus groups will take place in Topeka the week of March 22nd. Each individual who is selected to participate will receive $75 in cash for a group discussion lasting about two hours.
If you are interested in participating or have additional questions about the study, please contact Dr. Cynthia Robins at Westat, 1-888-330-4538 or cynthiarobins@westat.com. Leave a first name, contact information, and the best time to get in touch.

When: March 17th, 2010-March 22nd, 2010
Where: Confidentially In Your Living Room with your Phone (Call Cynthia Robins at 1-888-330-4538)

[ Posted: Wednesday Mar 17 2010, 2:52 pm | More Details...]

Northwest Kansas Chapter Organizing Meeting - ALL WELCOME!

Kansas Equality Coalition, the statewide organization working for LGBT rights in our state legislature, our school boards, city councils and county commissions, is organizing our 10th chapter.

Formed in late 2005, we currently have nine chapters across the state. This includes our Southwest chapter, which presently covers 23 Kansas counties.

Our goal is to organize and represent LGBT Kansans living in the northwest part of our state, from Great Bend to Goodland, from Hays to the Nebraska state line.
When: March 20th, 2010, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: Semolino Coffee Shop (110 W. 11th Street, Hays, KS 67601)

[ Posted: Friday Mar 12 2010, 5:00 pm | More Details...]

An amazing young man in Arkansas!

Many have heard of this amazing 11 year old already, but here are some new clips of this young man willing to take a stand for what is right!
(cut and paste if this link doesn't take you directly)
http://perezhilton.com/2010-03-15-this-kid-is-amazing
[ Posted: Monday Mar 15 2010, 8:48 pm | More Details...]

Chapter Conference Meeting in LAWRENCE

There will be coffee and water provided. The Eldridge has a Sunday brunch buffet until 2 p.m. for $17 or something like that.
When: March 28th, 2010, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Where: The Big Six Room, Eldridge Hotel (701 Massachusetts Street, Lawrence)

[ Posted: Sunday Feb 28 2010, 8:57 pm | More Details...]

KEC Introduces Bill Regulating KS Court Retention Campaign Finance

Dear Kansas Equality Coalition members, supporters, and allies:

Last Wednesday, Kansas Equality Coalition requested introduction of a bill in the Kansas Legislature that will, if passed, bring judges who run for retention into the campaign finance regulations (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2010/563.pdf). This is a somewhat complicated story, so I'll break it down as clearly as I can.

Some important facts:

[ Posted: Sunday Mar 7 2010, 10:00 am | More Details...]

Eats at Salina meeting Sunday, 2/28

This is VERY late notice, but we will have a Subway platter and various other eats at the meeting/church at 12:30 for all that would like to arrive early for a bite to eat.

See you all tomorrow.
Gary!
[ Posted: Saturday Feb 27 2010, 3:37 pm | More Details...]

A Loss to Our Community

Dear friends,

It is with great sadness and grief that I must share the news that Steve Brown has passed away. Steve died yesterday, February 19, at the age of 60.

Steve will long be remembered for his tireless work to bring equality and fairness to LGBT Kansans. He was the founding president of the Kansas Democratic Party's LGBT Caucus, was a founding member of the Kansas Equality Coalition, and until his death served as the Chairman of KEC’s Northeast Kansas chapter. In addition to his work in Kansas, Steve has worked with a number of Missouri LGBT organizations over the years.

[ Posted: Saturday Feb 20 2010, 12:24 pm | More Details...]

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