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NEJC reps vote against controversial bill drawing ire from gay-rights proponents

Topeka_Kansas

All four northeast Johnson County state representatives voted against the controversial bill that drew national outcry from gay rights proponents yesterday.

HB 2453, “The Protecting Religious Freedom Regarding Marriage” act, would exempt individuals or religious entities who choose not to provide services to gay couples from claims of discrimination. The bill is widely seen as a backstop against momentum toward the legalization of gay marriage across the country. The bill passed the Kansas House on a 72-49 vote Wednesday.

Northeast Johnson County Reps. Barbara Bollier (R), Stephanie Clayton (R), Emily Perry (D) and Melissa Rooker (R) all voted against the measure.

Bollier was one of three representatives who signed onto the following written explanation of their vote:

Mr. Speaker: I vote no on HB 2453. My closely held religious belief is that God is love. I cannot vote yes for this bill if I am to heed the words of Christ when he said, “Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these, you have done it unto me.”

About the author

Jay Senter
Jay Senter

Jay Senter is the founder and publisher of the Post.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, where he worked as a reporter and editor at The Badger Herald.

He went on to receive a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas, where he earned the Calder Pickett Award. While he was in graduate school, he also worked as a reporter for the Lawrence Journal-World.

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