Laura Kelly is running against U.S. Representative Lynn Jenkins of Kansas. Jenkins does not support LGBT equality in any way. The following is a letter that I sent to her today asking about her positions on GLBT issues:
Dear Mrs. Kelly
First off, congratulations on your campaign for congress.
I have had the pleasure of discussing your candidacy with Colin Curtis with the Young Democrats. I am very excited to see the change that you can bring for Kansas and the federal level. I recently returned from Washington DC for the National Equality March on Washington for LGBT equality, while at that event, I reaffirmed my commitment to insuring that I support and encourage those around me to support candidates and officials that support and defend the equal rights of my people.
With that said, I would like to hear your position on several issues pertaining to LGBT equality.
DOMA – As you are aware, the Defense of Marriage Act is an act that writes discrimination into the laws of this country, and prevents millions of gay and lesbian couples from enjoying the rights, benefits, privileges, and obligations of civil marriage. President Obama has pledged to work to repeal this hateful act, but to date, no Kansas office holders have supported the measure. The Respect for Marriage Act repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, also known as DOMA. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on September 15, 2009. What is your position on marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans?
ENDA – The Employment Non Discrimination Act (ENDA) protects against employment discrimination because of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 24, 2009 as H.R. 3017.
In the majority of states, it is currently legally permissible for employers to fire workers based on their sexual orientation. The employment non-discrimination act or a version thereof has been introduced in every congress except one (109th Congress) since 1994 without success. Most of those have excluded protections for transgender people. The current version allows for protections for all LGBT people, with safeguards to protect religious organizations from being forced to go against their beliefs, as well as provisions exempting small businesses (although I do not personally understand that exemption). What is your position on the trans-inclusive version of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act?
DADT - The Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009 to amend title 10, United States Code, to enhance the readiness of the Armed Forces by replacing the current policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, referred to as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, with a policy of nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on March 3, 2009 as H.R. 1283.
President Obama has pledged to work with Congress to repeal the so called Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy which prohibits LGBT service members from serving openly in the US military. Not only is the DADT policy one that prevents thousands of essential, quality men and women from serving their country, but it also sends the national message that the United States believes that LGBT Americans are second class citizens. Do you support the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy?
LGBT Hate Crimes Protection – Every year, LGBT people are violently attacked for simply living as they are born, and still other people are attacked simply because they are perceived of being LGBT. As a man who is a victim of a violent hate based assault, this is a policy that is very personal to me. Congress has passed its version of the hate crimes bill and it is currently before the senate. Do you believe that being LGBT or being perceived as LGBT should be protected under hate crimes protections?
DPBO – The Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009 is to provide certain benefits to domestic partners of Federal employees such as health insurance, enhanced dental and vision benefits, family, medical, and emergency leave, Federal group life insurance, long-term care insurance, compensation for work injuries, benefits for disability, death, or captivity, and travel, transportation, and related payments and benefits. It was introduced in the House of Representatives on May 20, 2009 as H.R. 2517. What is your position on DPBO?
I look forward to hearing from you about your positions on these matters. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people all over Kansas are looking for a candidate that supports their full equality, they are tired of waking up everyday feeling like second class citizens or that are in many ways held back in their basic rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I sincerely hope that you are the candidate that our community can stand behind and support.
Sincerely,
Dusty Garner
Manhattan, KS
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