Hello,
Please allow me to introduce myself, I am the new chairperson of the Flint Hills Human Rights Project (FHHRP). I've been around for a long, long time, though. I am the longest-serving member of the FHHRP Executive Board, and the only person from the original FHHRP Executive Board still serving.
The FHHRP was first organized in 2005-2006 with our original chair, Christopher Renner, in order to fight against the anti-gay marriage amendment then being proposed for the state constitution of Kansas. That amendment passed in April of 2006, although it and all other such laws and amendments would later be ruled unconstitutional.Just as all laws and amendments against interracial marriage were ruled unconstitutional before them. In Kansas, Douglas County had the highest NO vote against the amendment (where it was defeated). Riley County had the second-highest NO vote against the amendment, where it came within 300 votes of going down to defeat.
The FHHRP later campaigned for the addition of the LGBT community to the city human rights ordinance of Manhattan, Kansas. It took a total of three attempts under FHHRP chairs Christopher Renner, Jonathan Mertz and finally by FFHRP chairs Mike Herman, Ted Morgan and Katie Jordan, but that effort succeeded in 2016. The first attempt was approved by the city Human Rights and Services Board but did not pass the city commission. The second attempt was approved by the city commission, only to be voted down by the next city commission before it could take effect. It was the third attempt that was a success, and housing and services protections for the LGBT community in the city of Manhattan took effect in 2017.
Needless to say, the struggle for human rights including LGBT rights is not over in our community, in our country and in the world. I urge you all to participate in future activities sponsored by the FHHRP. Also, our Executive Board business meetings are open to all members and you are welcome to attend.
Kate Lambert
FHHRP Chair
