Kris Kobach had a long history of opposing the rights of LGBTQ+ Kansans and using extreme anti-LGBTQ+ language.
In 2018, Kobach supported an anti-LGBTQ bill that allowed adoption agencies to refuse adoption or fostering services to same-sex couples and insulated groups “that want to discriminate against the LGBT community.” He also previously said same-sex parents were “not good for kids.”
In 2012, Kobach opposed a platform amendment allowing for the civil unions of same-sex couples and compared same-sex civil unions to polygamy or drug use. In 2004, he accused the Human Rights Campaign of promoting “homosexual pedophilia.”
2018: Kobach Supported An Anti-LGBTQ Bill That Allowed Adoption Agencies To Refuse Same-Sex Couples And Insulated Religious Groups “That Want To Discriminate Against The LGBT Community.” According to Salon, “Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer signed a bill into law on Friday that will allow adoption agencies to refuse same-sex couples. The bill, known as the Adoption Protection Act, was designed to insulate religious organizations that want to discriminate against the LGBT community. Approved in the Kansas Legislature earlier this month, the bill permits agencies to refuse homes ‘for foster care or adoption when the proposed placement of such child would violate such agency’s sincerely held religious beliefs.’ […] Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state who helped lead the investigation into voter fraud for President Donald Trump, and a current candidate for governor in the state, also supported the legislation. ‘Faith-based adoption agencies can continue the great work they do knowing they will always be able to operate in accordance with their faith in Kansas,’ he said in a statement.” [Salon, 5/19/18]
Kobach Said Same-Sex Parents Were “Not Good For Kids.” According to Out, “Kobach also has a record of expressing anti-LGBTQ+ views. He has said that polygamy and drug use are comparable to marriage equality and that same-sex parents are ‘not good for kids,’ and he accused the Human Rights Campaign of promoting pedophilia, according to GLAAD.” [Out, 8/4/20]
2012: Kobach Opposed A Platform Amendment That Would Have Allowed Same-Sex Civil Unions, Likening The Amendment To Polygamy Or Drug Use. According to Mediaite, “During a Tuesday morning meeting of the Republican National National [sic] Convention Platform, Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach expressed his opposition to a platform amendment that would have allowed for ‘civil unions’ by likening homosexuality to drug use and polygamy. […] Kobach, an advisor to Mitt Romney on immigration policy, took to the mic to rebuke the woman’s claims: ‘I oppose this amendment, I think the wording is too broad. Especially the last sentence: ‘As long as there are no infringements on the rights of others, It is not the role of government to judge.’ Well, our government routinely judges situations where you might regard people completely affecting themselves like, for example, the use of controlled substances, like, for example, polygamy that is voluntarily entered into. We condemn those activities even though they’re not hurting other people, at least directly.’” [Mediaite, 8/21/12]
2004: Kobach Accused The Human Rights Campaign Of Promoting “Homosexual Pedophilia.” According to Vice, “Kobach also accused the Human Rights Campaign of promoting ‘homosexual pedophilia’ during an unsuccessful run for Congress in 2004.” [Vice, 11/17/16]