On Wednesday, Jan. 18, members of the Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) at BV came together to write letters to Kansas representatives. They were writing because they wanted to enforce the idea of legalizing gay marriage, gay adoption (adoption by gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender partners) and civil unions (a partnership similar to marriage).
Currently in the state of Kansas, gay marriage, gay adoption and civil unions are all prohibited by a law passed in 2005.
Since then, lawmakers have tried to repeal laws prohibiting gay marriage, gay adoption and civil unions. After representative of Hutchinson Jan Pauls and representative of Olathe Lance Kinzer rejected these ideas, the repeal was stopped.
Now the GSA is taking charge.
“It’s going to be a formal letter that we share our views,” GSA president senior Clinton Webb said. “We are going to be very respectful in going about it.”
The GSA based their letters off facts to try to persuade representatives.
“One member looked up facts about how gay marriage can be positive,” Webb said. “Hopefully by showing the facts we can get our opinions heard. By showing that states that allow gay marriage are prospering and not in turmoil or something, it will help back up our reasons.”
GSA vice president Archana Vasa said she hopes to make the representatives think hard about this topic.
“Everyone should have the ability to say what they feel,” she said. “So we are expressing to the representatives that gay marriage should be legalized. We want to influence them to change policies and have them recognize this issue.”
Vasa said she is glad she is a part of the GSA.
“I didn’t want to join at first because I thought it would be strange, but I realized that if I actually support equality and gay rights I needed to join,” she said. “Being in GSA shows all homosexuals we approve and support them.”
GSA sponsor Jill Gouger said the club will mail the letters to representatives a few at a time.
“We are going to stagger out the mailing so it is always on the forefront,” she said. “We want them to think about it more than just one day.”
Gouger said the representatives need to truly represent the people.
“I always think it’s important that you let your voice be heard,” she said. “Everyone is supposed to be heard. The representatives are supposed to represent the people, so we are bringing it to attention that there are people who think gay marriage should be allowed.”
Currently in the state of Kansas, gay marriage, gay adoption and civil unions are all prohibited by a law passed in 2005.
Since then, lawmakers have tried to repeal laws prohibiting gay marriage, gay adoption and civil unions. After representative of Hutchinson Jan Pauls and representative of Olathe Lance Kinzer rejected these ideas, the repeal was stopped.
Now the GSA is taking charge.
“It’s going to be a formal letter that we share our views,” GSA president senior Clinton Webb said. “We are going to be very respectful in going about it.”
The GSA based their letters off facts to try to persuade representatives.
“One member looked up facts about how gay marriage can be positive,” Webb said. “Hopefully by showing the facts we can get our opinions heard. By showing that states that allow gay marriage are prospering and not in turmoil or something, it will help back up our reasons.”
GSA vice president Archana Vasa said she hopes to make the representatives think hard about this topic.
“Everyone should have the ability to say what they feel,” she said. “So we are expressing to the representatives that gay marriage should be legalized. We want to influence them to change policies and have them recognize this issue.”
Vasa said she is glad she is a part of the GSA.
“I didn’t want to join at first because I thought it would be strange, but I realized that if I actually support equality and gay rights I needed to join,” she said. “Being in GSA shows all homosexuals we approve and support them.”
GSA sponsor Jill Gouger said the club will mail the letters to representatives a few at a time.
“We are going to stagger out the mailing so it is always on the forefront,” she said. “We want them to think about it more than just one day.”
Gouger said the representatives need to truly represent the people.
“I always think it’s important that you let your voice be heard,” she said. “Everyone is supposed to be heard. The representatives are supposed to represent the people, so we are bringing it to attention that there are people who think gay marriage should be allowed.”
