Despite the fact that state agencies now in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi are moving towards recognizing legal gay marriages within their states, despite the fact that there is an injunction that hasn't been stayed on the state's ban since November, despite the fact that the working precedent in the 10th Circuit (and now the country!) is that gay marriage bans are unconstitutional, and despite the fact that now every single judicial district in Kansas is issuing marriages to gay couples, the Brownback administration still hasn't recognized any of those marriages!
http://kcur.org/post/brownback-still-not-implementing-changes-after-same-sex-marriage-ruling
http://kcur.org/post/brownback-still-not-implementing-changes-after-same-sex-marriage-ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week on same-sex marriage has yet to spur Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback into action on the issue.
On Tuesday, Brownbacks office reiterated what he said after Fridays ruling that he is reviewing the decision but state agencies reported that officials arent making changes based on the decision.
Our office is fully reviewing and analyzing the ruling in order to understand the implications and policy changes in order to follow and comply with the law, said Melika Willoughby, Brownbacks deputy communications director.
Willoughby would not say when agencies would begin complying with the law, if ever.
Brownback did much the same thing last November when he wouldnt recognize the marriages already being performed in the state after a federal appellate court ruling.
Without movement from the governor's office, same-sex couples cant get on a spouses state worker health plan, be eligible for Medicaid benefits or get their names changed on a drivers license.
Tom Witt of Equality Kansas was furious about the delay, saying it was time for Brownback to recognize that marriage equality is the law of the land.
But Witt was hearted by news Tuesday that all Kansas counties were issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.
Every chief judge in this state recognizes this is the law of the land, he said. Now its the governors turn.