State Agencies Not Recognizing Gay Marriage

Gay couples in Kansas can get married, but the state isn’t yet allowing them to change their last names on their driver’s licenses.

The state”s government agencies under Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s direction aren’t yet changing their policies on recognizing marriages. They include the Department of Revenue, which issues driver’s licenses.

Brownback spokeswoman Eileen Hawley said Wednesday that changes will not be made while the state defends its ban on gay marriage as the federal courts consider a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union.

The U.S. Supreme Court has said the state can’t enforce its ban while the lawsuit proceeds, but marriage licenses aren’t being issued to same-sex couples in some counties.

Equality Kansas Executive Director Tom Witt called the administration’s stance outrageous.