Today in Kansas, State Representatives passed House Bill 2453, and it will now move on to the state Senate for a vote.
This archaic bill, rooted in bigotry and hate, would make it legal for businesses and individuals (including government employees) to deny service to same-sex couples for religious reasons. This law is supposedly intended to protect the rights of religious people, though anyone who can muster a shred of logic can see the glaring hypocrisy; by doing so, they are simultaneously stomping all over the rights of homosexuals.
Treating the gay community like second-class citizens can't and shouldn't be tolerated. While it's yet to be seen whether the bill will get fully enacted (unfortunately, all signs indicate that it very well may), it made sense to take a proactive approach to ensuring that the ideals of equality and respect are upheld across the state.
So what is the goal of The 2453 List? Well, assuming House Bill 2453 does get passed by the state Senate (and I hope with every ounce of my being that it does not), I felt that there should be an aggregated, continuously updated list of the businesses and organizations across the state that are actively utilizing and practicing legalized discrimination. As the saying goes, money talks. So why not create a directory of places where it shouldn't be spent, and let our money send the message that Kansas residents won't accept regression, reverse progress, and intolerance?
Like the title of the post says, I hope this blog never has to develop beyond this post. I hope a majority of the state Senate comes to their senses and puts this bill to rest. But if they do decide to jump in a veritable legal time machine, this site will be here, ready to point out the businesses that dole out hatred under the guise of 'religious rights'.
