Will Kansas Bring Back Its Anti-Gay Discrimination Bill?

Some of religious leaders in Kansas are urging lawmakers to resurrect a bill that would allow businesses owners to openly discriminate against and refuse service to LGBT people if the owners cite religious beliefs, KWCH 12 reports.

Religious leaders want to bring back house bill 2453, also known as the "religious freedom bill," this legislative session, and say the measure will "protect" businesses, clergy and some government workers from having to serve at same-sex weddings.

"This is an ongoing conversation. We're working on the best way to protect Kansan's first amendment rights," Rep. Steve Brunk of Wichita, Kan., told KWCH 12.

The controversial bill passed the house earlier this year, but died in the senate. Now those who are against the measure are condemning it in the wake of its renewed support.

"What it would do is enshrine discrimination and bigotry into Kansas law," Thomas Witt of the LGBT rights group Equality Kansas, told the news station, before adding that Kansas already offers little protection for its LGBT community. "One of the men who was married in the public ceremony at the court house lost his job two days later because his boss saw him on the news."

Nevertheless, Pastor Terry Fox of Summit Church in Wichita, one of the religious leaders asking lawmakers to revive HB 2453, says that the bill is needed because the government isn't protecting "our core Christina values." Fox said working at same-sex weddings would violate his moral code.

"The government is meant for all people. I'm just asking for businesses and clergy to be exempt."

The news comes just as Michigan's House of Representatives voted to move forward with house bill 5958, or the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which would also allow business owners to openly discriminate against LGBT people.