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(Topeka, Kansas) An amendment to the Kansas
Constitution banning same-sex marriage and civil unions went into effect Friday.
The measure was approved by voters April 5, (story)
and today the State Board of Canvassers approved the results.
The amendment was accepted by 70 percent of the
electorate.
Kansas was the first state to vote on the issue
following last November's election when 11 states amended their constitutions to
prevent gays and lesbians from marrying.'
Kansas law already defined marriage as the union
of one man and one woman but supporters of the amendment argued it could be
overturned in court.
The amendment defines marriage as between one man
and one woman. It also declares that only such unions are entitled to the
"rights and incidents" of marriage. That clause in the amendment
effectively prevents the state from allowing civil unions or offering benefits
to same-se couples.
But, following today's meeting of the Board of
Canvassers, Attorney General Phill Kline said
the amendment would not prevent private businesses from providing benefits
to same-sex couples if they chose.
Kline also said he believed the amendment would
still allow allow governmental entities to
extend benefits, but conservative groups said that if that became the case they
would go to court.
Two of the state's biggest private employers,
Sprint and SBC Communications already have said they have no intention of
canceling benefits to same-sex couples. (story)
©365Gay.com 2005
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