CAMP KC MUST SEE!!! HISTORIC JACKSON COUNTY LAWSUIT STRUGGLE FOR LOCAL SAME SEX MARRIAGE RIGHTS!!! KCMO LGBT EQUAL BENEFIT SUPPORT AFFIRMED!!!

Today an important battle for equality took place at the Jackson County Courthouse.

Camp KC is the resource of record for the local LGBT community and here's how they viewed the case on behalf of 10 Missouri same-sex couples who were legally married elsewhere.

Check this informative passage that should interest readers of our blog . . .

"Kansas City was represented by its own assistant city attorney, Tara Kelly, who stated that the city feels the law prohibiting same-sex marriage is unconstitutional, but that it doesn’t have the authority to change state law. She also said, “The city believes there is no reason to treat same sex couples as second class citizens.”



"Chris Hernandez, director of city communications for Kansas City, issued this statement: “While the City of Kansas City, Missouri, is a defendant in this case, it’s important to recognize that we offer same sex couples as many benefits as we can under existing state law.”

“As a City we value all employees and have created a welcoming workplace that respects all forms of diversity. This inclusiveness is a matter of both policy and law, given that sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as marital status, are protected under the City’s anti-discrimination laws. In addition, members of the LGBT community are at all levels of the city, including high-ranking positions in the Mayor’s Office and the City Manager’s Office.”

"Hernandez added that the city has offered domestic partner benefits and a domestic partner registry for the public since 2004. Kansas City scored a perfect 100 points on the recent Municipal Equality Index, which the Human Rights Campaign uses to recognize LGBT inclusiveness. And, Hernandez said, Mayor Sly James has appointed LGBT members to at least 14 different boards and commissions."

The decision is still pending and the courtroom decision could prove historic no matter which way it swings.

Developing . . .