- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Illegal
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✖ Legal, but banned for minors
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✖ Not legally recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- Varies by Region
- Age of Consent
- Unknown
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Public Opinion
Public opinion in Kansas appears to be somewhat divided on LGBTQ+ issues, as evidenced by recent studies.
OPPOSE
SUPPORT
History
Same-sex marriage in Kansas is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2015
Legal
The US Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide.
Varies by Region
Same sex marriage is currently allowed in 2 counties. The state is expected to increase this as the ban is challenged county by county
Censorship of LGBT issues in Kansas is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
Kansas does not have laws censoring LGBT content.
However, on March 22, 2022, the Senate passed censorship bill that would have allowed parents to object to content that "impairs the parent's firmly held beliefs, values or principles." The bill was vetoed by the governor and never came into effect.
However, on March 22, 2022, the Senate passed censorship bill that would have allowed parents to object to content that "impairs the parent's firmly held beliefs, values or principles." The bill was vetoed by the governor and never came into effect.
Right to change legal gender in Kansas is illegal.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 2023
Illegal
Kansas passed a new law making it impossible to change one's gender marker on legal documents, be it driver's licenses or birth certificates.
Any documents previously changed would be reverted after renewal.
Governor Kelly has out-spoken about the bill several times and did veto it, it still got overturned with her veto and has been active since 2023. Citing that businesses would not work with her, because of the discrimination actions within the bill.
Any documents previously changed would be reverted after renewal.
Governor Kelly has out-spoken about the bill several times and did veto it, it still got overturned with her veto and has been active since 2023. Citing that businesses would not work with her, because of the discrimination actions within the bill.
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
After a court order, Kansas now legally allows its transgender residents to update their gender marker on their birth certificates if they were born in the state. No surgery is required but certification from a healthcare professional is.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Kansas is not legally recognized.
Current status
Not legally recognized
Not currently recognized.
LGBT discrimination in Kansas is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Illegal in some contexts
Kansas law prohibits discrimination on the bases of sexual orientation or gender identity in government employment. Lawrence is the only jurisdiction in Kansas where such discrimination is prohibited in government and private employment. Salina and Hutchinson had previously had these kinds of discrimination prohibited in government and private employment until the November 2012 election when voters of both cities repealed both anti-discrimination ordinances.
LGBT employment discrimination in Kansas is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Jun 15, 2020
Sexual orientation only
In 2018, the new Democratic Governor, Laura Kelly, reinstated the 2007 executive order prohibiting discrimination by the state government in areas of employment. No other statewide protections exist.
President Trump's Department of Justice and the EEOC revoked protections for gender identity in employment discrimination.
President Trump's Department of Justice and the EEOC revoked protections for gender identity in employment discrimination.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has ruled that “[A]llegations of discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation necessarily state a claim of discrimination on the basis of sex”, and are barred by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This ruling applies at both the state and federal levels. In 2015, Governor Brownback rescinded the 2007 executive order prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity for state employees. No statewide protections exist.
Gender identity only
In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). No statewide protections for private employees existed.
LGBT housing discrimination in Kansas is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Aug 21, 2020
Sexual orientation and gender identity
In August 2020, the Kansas Human Rights Commission announced that it will investigate and resolve cases alleging discrimination on basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in housing and public accommodations.
Until Aug 21, 2020
No protections
This state does not provide any legal protections from discrimination based upon sexual orientation or gender identification.
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
However, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Same-sex adoption in Kansas is legal.
Current status
Since Jul 1, 2018
Legal
Single adoption, joint adoption by married couples and second parent adoption by married couples are legal.
However, Kansas allows discrimination against LGBT people on the basis of religion, which means LGBT couples can be refused by some adoption agencies.
However, Kansas allows discrimination against LGBT people on the basis of religion, which means LGBT couples can be refused by some adoption agencies.
Until Jan 1, 2018
Single only
Kansas Statute §59-2113 permits adoption by any adult (statute doesn't exclude upon sexual orientation) or any male-female, married couple petitioning jointly.
In November 2012, the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled in the case In the Matter of the Adoption of I. M. that a single person who is not a biological parent of a child cannot petition to adopt that child without terminating the other parent's parental rights. Since the State of Kansas does not recognize same-sex marriages (Some individual counties do), this ruling effectively prevents same-sex couples from second-parent adoption in Kansas. Though, another court case has granted parental rights in the instances of second-parent adoption by a biological parent.
In November 2012, the Kansas Court of Appeals ruled in the case In the Matter of the Adoption of I. M. that a single person who is not a biological parent of a child cannot petition to adopt that child without terminating the other parent's parental rights. Since the State of Kansas does not recognize same-sex marriages (Some individual counties do), this ruling effectively prevents same-sex couples from second-parent adoption in Kansas. Though, another court case has granted parental rights in the instances of second-parent adoption by a biological parent.
Intersex infant surgery in Kansas is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Kansas's vetoed bill to restrict GAC allows for intersex infant surgery.
Serving openly in military in Kansas is legal.
Current status
Since Mar 18, 2025
Legal under federal United States law
On the evening of March 18th, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked the implementation of Trump's executive order banning transgender people from the military. The judge said that not only was the order unconstitutional but “a solution in search of a problem.”.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth filed in court a memo on February 10th, 2025 relating to President Trump’s executive order from the previous month.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
Legal under federal United States law
President Joe Biden removed former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, and transgender people are still allowed to serve as of 2025.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
The Trump administration enacted a new policy barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria." from serving in the military.
Legal under federal United States law
In 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed by the Obama Administration. Former President Obama allowed members who were dishonorably discharged under DADT, to receive an honorable discharge.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell under federal United States law
Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the historic compromise signed by President Bill Clinton authorizing people who are LGBT to serve in the military provided they didn't disclose sexuality. The law also removed the ability for others in the military from asking for a service member's orientation.
Blood donations by MSMs in Kansas is legal.
Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Legal under federal United States law
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Banned (less than 6-month deferral) under federal United States law
The FDA announced changes to the blood donor eligibility policy in April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months. The change came amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where blood was needed urgently.
Banned (1-year deferral) under federal United States law
After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.
Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal United States law
Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.
Conversion therapy in Kansas is varies by region.
Current status
Since Jun 1, 2020
Varies by Region
3 cities currently ban conversion therapy in Kansas.
Roeland Park which passed a ordinance in June of 2020 uanimously, Lawrence in April 2021 unanimously and Prairie Village in October 2021 by a vote of 11-1.
Lawrence's ban does not apply to clergy and Prairie Village's only applies to minors with fines of up to a 1000$ for licensed practitioners who recommend the practice.
State law supersedes local laws and the ban is at risk of being rendered defunct if state legislatures were to nullify the legitimacy of the scope of these laws.
No ban had been considered by state legislatures as of January 2025.
Roeland Park which passed a ordinance in June of 2020 uanimously, Lawrence in April 2021 unanimously and Prairie Village in October 2021 by a vote of 11-1.
Lawrence's ban does not apply to clergy and Prairie Village's only applies to minors with fines of up to a 1000$ for licensed practitioners who recommend the practice.
State law supersedes local laws and the ban is at risk of being rendered defunct if state legislatures were to nullify the legitimacy of the scope of these laws.
No ban had been considered by state legislatures as of January 2025.
United States Equality Rank
#178
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