Date: Fri, 10 Mar 1995 10:18:03 -0600 (CST) From: Kevyn Jacobs To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" Cc: "Equality Kansas Email List [EKS]" Subject: NEWS TELEGRAPH: "PRO-FAMILY" BILLS IN THE KANSAS HOUSE by Jon D. Barnett TOPEKA KS-While Newt Gingrich waves his "Contract With America" in Washington, Kansans are getting their first taste of what some conservatives, who were swept into power here last November, have on their mind. According to a legislative alert from Equality Kansas (EKS), at least three measures have already been introduced that would restrict discussion, or even the mention of Lesbians and Gays, in public schools. This despite pledges from conservatives during their campaigns that "social issues" would not dominate the House this year. Hopes that conservatives would hold off on introducing anti-Gay and Lesbian proposals in order to smooth ruffled feathers among more moderate Republicans were dashed when theocratic conservatives elected one of their own as House Speaker. It now appears as if the body is ripe for any and all right-wing proposals. House Resolution 2301 would require that all sex education programs in Kansas public schools be strictly "abstinence-based." Frank discussion of safe sex would be prohibited and school teachers would be required to limit their discussion of sex to "heterosexual marriage." The resolution is currently being sponsored by 47 legislators and has been endorsed by the Kansas Family Research Institute, a Focus on the Family affiliate, according to Doug Glaze, an EKS organizer. Another resolution, HCR 5009 would amend the state Constitution with language that would give parents the 'exclusive right' to determine how their children will be taught in public schools. Glaze said the amendment, if passed, creates a legal basis to allow creationism to be taught along side science in the classroom, and allow parents to censor school libraries and curriculum, especially when dealing with issues such as sex education and diversity. "It would effectively remove any discussion of Lesbian and Gay issues from all public schools," said Glaze. The third bill, HB 2092, would rescind the Quality Performance Accreditation program, which prepares public school students in Kansas to live, learn and work in a global society. "Conservatives are using this bill to kill the QPA program, in part, because it demands that all people, including Lesbians and Gays, be treated frankly and objectively during the presentation of relevant course material," Glaze said. EKS won't expend a huge effort to mount much opposition to these measures in the House, Glaze said. Given the dominance of theocratic conservatives, they are all likely to pass easily. Instead, the group is asking members and supporters to ask their state Senators to derail the efforts there. "Our efforts in the House will continue, though they will be primarily restricted to observing. We are concentrating our lobbying efforts in the capitol in the Senate this year, and are encouraging our members to contact their Senators and urge them to reject conservative social proposals," Glaze said. Unlike the House, the Kansas Senate is considered more "moderate," though still controlled by Republicans who will be up for re-election in 1996. "They will be under enormous pressure from the conservatives to give their consent to their proposals," Glaze said. FROM THE NEWS-TELEGRAPH FEBRUARY 24 - MARCH 9, 1995 REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION ========================================================== Permission granted by the News-Telegraph for distribution to the KQN email list (KQN@vector.casti.com), and archiving in the Queer Resources Directory (QRD) on the Internet (http://www.qrd.org/QRD). For News-Telegraph subscription information (published twice a month), please call 1.816.561.6266, or email: newstele@aol.com ==========================================================