Equality Kansas: "Pauls allows discrimination of LGBT victims of human trafficking"

Wichita, Kans. - Equality Kansas (formerly the Kansas Equality Coalition) and the Kansas Democratic Party`s LGBT Caucus today condemned remarks by State Representative Jan Pauls (D-Hutchinson), who sought to remove "sexual orientation" from new state regulations regarding victims of human trafficking. 

In a hearing yesterday reviewing new regulations written to implement last year`s sweeping new human trafficking laws, Pauls voiced her opposition to protecting human trafficking victims based on their sexual orientation.  Citing religion, Pauls claimed that operators of state-regulated safe houses "might refuse" to provide assistance to victims if their faiths "oppose homosexual activity."

"We unequivocally condemn Representative Pauls' position on this matter as cruel and inhumane," said Thomas Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas.  "Children, teens, and young adults who are forced into prostitution are victims of horrific crimes, but Mrs. Pauls thinks that if they happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, refusing them treatment is just fine."

"Once again, Rep. Pauls has targeted LGBT Kansans for unfair and discriminatory treatment," said Ryon Carey, chairman of the Kansas Democratic Party`s LGBT Caucus.  "For over 20 years, Pauls has not missed an opportunity to wage war against fair treatment for all Kansans, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity," he said.

Representative Pauls` legislative record includes authoring the state`s statutory ban on recognition of same-sex marriages, passed in 1996, and the co-sponsoring of the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage passed in 2005.  In 2011, Pauls successfully blocked the repeal of the unconstitutional Kansas law banning all same-sex relationships.

"It is time for Pauls` legislative career to come to an end," Carey said.  "She barely survived - by eight votes - a primary challenge in 2012.  It`s time for the Democratic voters in Hutchinson to replace her with a state representative who truly represents Democratic values, instead of one using their position to promote discrimination and bigotry."

"We encourage the voters of Hutchinson to help bring Pauls' tenure in the legislature to a close," Witt said.  "With Democratic and Republican candidates lining up to challenge her in the 2014 elections, we look forward to this being her final year in the state legislature."

Formerly the Kansas Equality Coalition, Equality Kansas works to end discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and to ensure the dignity, safety, and legal equality of all Kansans.

The Kansas Democratic Party`s LGBT caucus` mission is to educate and advocate for Democratic lawmakers who support their Party`s platform, and who support and defend equality for LGBT Kansans.

Published by The Gayly 1/8/2014 @ 3pm CST.