On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Eber Phelps about the Habitat for Humanity program.

<div><iframe title="Forward Ever: Eber Phelps discusses Habitat for Humanity" allowtransparency="true" height="150" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=54864-1419f46-pb&from=pb6admin&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=315"></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Eber Phelps about the Habitat for Humanity program.

🎤 Forward Ever: Eber Phelps discusses Habitat for Humanity

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Kilolo Kijakazi, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, announced that the agency has expanded its outreach to people in critical need of financial help who may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults – and children – with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.

“Helping eligible people access critical benefits, including SSI, is part of Social Security’s core mission,” said Acting Commissioner Kijakazi. 

“Underserved communities face additional challenges, like unreliable or no access to the internet and computers, that widen the divide. Social Security’s campaign strives to reach people in their communities to tell them about the eligibility criteria for SSI, and how to contact us online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ssa.gov/ssi">www.ssa.gov/ssi</a>&nbsp;or by phone for more information or an appointment to apply.”

The campaign supports President Biden’s Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.

Social Security used data to identify and reach underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country where it noted the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic, and where the majority of people living in those zip codes are people of color and/or people living at or below the 150 percent Federal poverty threshold.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634133091707.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>SSAWASHINGTON, D.C. - Kilolo Kijakazi, acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration, announced that the agency has expanded its outreach to people in critical need of financial help who may be eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).SSI provides monthly payments to adults age 65 and older or to other adults – and children – with a disability or blindness who have limited income and financial resources. SSI helps pay for basic needs like rent, food, clothing, and medicine.“Helping eligible people access critical benefits, including SSI, is part of Social Security’s core mission,” said Acting Commissioner Kijakazi. “Underserved communities face additional challenges, like unreliable or no access to the internet and computers, that widen the divide. Social Security’s campaign strives to reach people in their communities to tell them about the eligibility criteria for SSI, and how to contact us online at&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.ssa.gov/ssi">www.ssa.gov/ssi</a>&nbsp;or by phone for more information or an appointment to apply.” The campaign supports President Biden’s Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.Social Security used data to identify and reach underserved communities in rural and urban areas across the country where it noted the greatest decline in SSI applications since the pandemic, and where the majority of people living in those zip codes are people of color and/or people living at or below the 150 percent Federal poverty threshold.

Social Security Administration expands outreach and access for SSI

Due to the observance of the Memorial Day on May 29th, refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows: Monday, May 29th and Tuesday, May 30th will be picked up on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023. 

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes will be picked up at the regular time.

Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed during the week. 

It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Please make sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7:00 a.m., and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.

City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 628-7350.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605721681274.jpeg" alt="File photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post" />
 <figcaption>File photo by Becky Kiser/Hays Post</figcaption>
 </figure>City of HaysDue to the observance of the Memorial Day on May 29th, refuse/recycling route collection schedules will be altered as follows: Monday, May 29th and Tuesday, May 30th will be picked up on Tuesday, May 30th, 2023. Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday routes will be picked up at the regular time.Although collections may not occur on your normal day, collections will be completed during the week. It is anticipated that heavy volumes of refuse/recycling will be encountered around the holidays. Please make sure your refuse and recycling are out by 7:00 a.m., and keep in mind that the trucks have no set time schedule.City of Hays customers that may have any questions regarding this notice should contact the Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department at 628-7350.

Refuse/recycling collections change for holiday weekend

By BECKY KISER Hays Post

The Downtown Hays Market opens for the season Saturday.

This is the farmers market's 10th year of operation and will feature a birthday bash theme with giveaways every Saturday through October 21. Free birthday cupcakes will be handed out this week.

Vendor interest for opening day has been overwhelming, according to Julie Rider, Downtown Hays Development Corp. executive director.

There are 22 reserved vendor spots under the downtown pavilion in Union Pacific Railroad Park, 10th and Main. A few spots are also reserved for food trailers on 10th Street just outside the pavilion.&nbsp;

"More than 40 vendors are registered for our first farmers market," Rider said. "It's going to be a packed house. I'm really excited."

The overflow will be located in the blocked-off 10th Street parking lot west of the pavilion.

Vendors will be selling everything from home-grown fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers, to homemade pet treats, farm-fresh eggs, and ranch-raised meats.

Handmade artwork and crafts are also available for purchase.

The homemade bakery items go fast, Rider cautioned.&nbsp;"If you don't get there early, you may be disappointed." 

A new bakery has signed up to sell its goods for the first time this year, she added.&nbsp;

Complimentary coffee is provided by Breathe Coffee House, the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and Downtown Hays Development Corp.&nbsp;

Some vendors are registered and eligible to participate in the&nbsp;Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,&nbsp;Double Up Food Bucks, and&nbsp;Kansas Senior Farmers Market.&nbsp;

Buyers who participate in those assistance programs can purchase a variety of locally sourced fresh foods.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/74a3592f-4b78-452d-b8d6-db4d69fe981a">The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is increasing the value of coupons for low-income seniors from $35 to $50.</a> The coupons are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seniors can apply at the Cottonwood Extension District office, 601 Main,&nbsp;between Thursday, June 1 and Friday, September 15, or until benefits are gone.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Rider, who took over the DHDC position in February and has been a longtime board member, says the farmers market has a casual, family atmosphere.

"People are strolling along, visiting with each other. You see them with their kids and their dogs."

The market has special guests each week, including kids' entertainment, non-profit groups, and adoptable animals from the Western Plains Animal Refuge. Ellis County Master Gardeners will be on hand once a month.&nbsp;

"Ask a Philosopher," hosted by the Fort Hays State University philosophy department, will return again this year. Department philosophers will be available to chat about philosophy, discuss thought experiments, and answer any philosophical questions.

Also returning this year is the popular Jensen Farms booth with locally-produced honey and mushrooms. Mike and Amy Jensen, Hays, have participated in the market since its inception in 2013.

Many vendors are from the area. Others come from as far away as Garden City. 

Vendors can join the market any time. Cost is $25 for the entire season.

New enhancements planned for the pavilion include a permanent sound system, a project spearheaded by the Heartland Community Foundation Youth Action Council with students from Ellis, Trego and Rooks counties.

Rider also would like to see a watering station and a waste station for dogs added.

Benjamin Dome, a student at Victoria High School, will be in his second year as market manager. The position is paid through the Nex-Gen internship program with Nex-Tech.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"He ran the fall market last year. Does a great job, " Rider said.&nbsp;Dome also manages the SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks programs. 

Operating hours of the downtown market are from 7:30 to 11 a.m. 

Updated vendor information and how to participate is available on the market's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-market">website</a>. You can also follow the weekly happens of the market on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHaysMarket">Facebook</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684943096978.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostThe Downtown Hays Market opens for the season Saturday.This is the farmers market's 10th year of operation and will feature a birthday bash theme with giveaways every Saturday through October 21. Free birthday cupcakes will be handed out this week.Vendor interest for opening day has been overwhelming, according to Julie Rider, Downtown Hays Development Corp. executive director.There are 22 reserved vendor spots under the downtown pavilion in Union Pacific Railroad Park, 10th and Main. A few spots are also reserved for food trailers on 10th Street just outside the pavilion.&nbsp;"More than 40 vendors are registered for our first farmers market," Rider said. "It's going to be a packed house. I'm really excited."The overflow will be located in the blocked-off 10th Street parking lot west of the pavilion.Vendors will be selling everything from home-grown fruits, vegetables, plants and flowers, to homemade pet treats, farm-fresh eggs, and ranch-raised meats.Handmade artwork and crafts are also available for purchase.The homemade bakery items go fast, Rider cautioned.&nbsp;"If you don't get there early, you may be disappointed." A new bakery has signed up to sell its goods for the first time this year, she added.&nbsp;Complimentary coffee is provided by Breathe Coffee House, the Hays Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and Downtown Hays Development Corp.&nbsp;<div><div style="position:relative;overflow:hidden;padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/h5NSjeY5-P46diVCW.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Rider " style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>Some vendors are registered and eligible to participate in the&nbsp;Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program,&nbsp;Double Up Food Bucks, and&nbsp;Kansas Senior Farmers Market.&nbsp;Buyers who participate in those assistance programs can purchase a variety of locally sourced fresh foods.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/74a3592f-4b78-452d-b8d6-db4d69fe981a">The Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program is increasing the value of coupons for low-income seniors from $35 to $50.</a> The coupons are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seniors can apply at the Cottonwood Extension District office, 601 Main,&nbsp;between Thursday, June 1 and Friday, September 15, or until benefits are gone.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rider, who took over the DHDC position in February and has been a longtime board member, says the farmers market has a casual, family atmosphere."People are strolling along, visiting with each other. You see them with their kids and their dogs."The market has special guests each week, including kids' entertainment, non-profit groups, and adoptable animals from the Western Plains Animal Refuge. Ellis County Master Gardeners will be on hand once a month.&nbsp;"Ask a Philosopher," hosted by the Fort Hays State University philosophy department, will return again this year. Department philosophers will be available to chat about philosophy, discuss thought experiments, and answer any philosophical questions.Also returning this year is the popular Jensen Farms booth with locally-produced honey and mushrooms. Mike and Amy Jensen, Hays, have participated in the market since its inception in 2013.Many vendors are from the area. Others come from as far away as Garden City. Vendors can join the market any time. Cost is $25 for the entire season.New enhancements planned for the pavilion include a permanent sound system, a project spearheaded by the Heartland Community Foundation Youth Action Council with students from Ellis, Trego and Rooks counties.Rider also would like to see a watering station and a waste station for dogs added.Benjamin Dome, a student at Victoria High School, will be in his second year as market manager. The position is paid through the Nex-Gen internship program with Nex-Tech.&nbsp;&nbsp;"He ran the fall market last year. Does a great job, " Rider said.&nbsp;Dome also manages the SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks programs. Operating hours of the downtown market are from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Updated vendor information and how to participate is available on the market's&nbsp;<a href="https://www.downtownhays.com/downtown-hays-market">website</a>. You can also follow the weekly happens of the market on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHaysMarket">Facebook</a>.

🎥 Downtown Hays Market opens its 10th year Saturday morning  

Kansas Reflector: Weeklong series to examine influence of religious beliefs on policy decisions at Statehouse

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Shouting into a bullhorn from the south steps of the Capitol, Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen told&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/31/defiant-transgender-children-filled-with-love-and-rage-march-on-kansas-statehouse/">a throng of transgender kids</a>: “You belong here.”

The Topeka pastor assured them they have allies in the Statehouse who were working to change the minds of transphobic politicians.

“But you gotta help us out,” Schlingensiepen said. “Wherever you’re from, you need to get politically engaged. You have to find ways to vote people out who don’t care about you, and who keep bringing these hateful bills to the floor in the House, and who are using you to divide and conquer voters.”

It was a rare moment in Kansas politics: A lawmaker whose faith inspired him to speak passionately in support of the LGBTQ community. Two hundred kids and their allies had gathered to protest an assortment of legislation inspired by a different brand of Christianity — one that is more judgmental than compassionate.

Kansas Reflector is examining the influence of religious beliefs on state government through a series of stories.

The role of religion in attacks on the LGBTQ community is evident in the hate group that writes legislation, debate among lawmakers, and a secret audio recording from a March 2 meeting of Republicans in Hutchinson.

Adam Peters, Ellis County GOP chairman, told Republicans at the meeting that gender dysphoria is a psychological problem comparable to anorexia.

As Christians, he said, “we need to go very hard against the people that are preying on children.”

“I honestly believe that if many of these transgendered people had parents in their lives, had friends in their lives, good Christian people who could treat them the way that Christ calls us to treat one another, you know, to say to the girl who doesn’t fit in, ‘It’s OK that you don’t like Barbies,’ then we wouldn’t have as much of the problems that we do,” Peters said.

The GOP-dominated Legislature this year reversed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/between-laughter-and-cursing-kansas-house-overrides-veto-of-transgender-sports-ban/">ban transgender athletes from school sports</a>&nbsp;and establish a “women’s bill of rights” that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/26/senate-attempts-to-override-slew-of-vetoed-transgender-bills-but-care-ban-fails/">blocks transgender women and girls from public restrooms and domestic violence shelters</a>. Lawmakers also passed a ban on gender-affirming care but failed to override Kelly’s veto of that bill.

This was the third straight year in which GOP lawmakers tried to pass legislation banning transgender girls from playing with cisgender girls on public school sports teams, starting in kindergarten. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kshsaa-policy-memo.jpg" target="_blank">a policy</a>&nbsp;adopted by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, disputes will be settled by a birth certificate or, if one isn’t available, a licensed physician will verify a child’s sex by “using current standard assessment protocols.”

The Alliance Defending Freedom, which promotes “religious liberty” laws and is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom">classified as a hate group</a>&nbsp;by the Southern Poverty Law Center, crafted the model legislation.

When Kansas lawmakers first debated the transgender athlete ban in 2021, Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/15/in-kansas-fight-over-anti-trans-sports-bill-senate-adds-civility-to-casualty-list/">quoted from the Book of Genesis</a>.

“ ‘Male and female He created them,’ ” she said. “May not agree with it — those are God’s words.”

This year, Rep. Barb Wasinger, a Hays Republican, joyfully told the House Republican caucus they would be&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/23/kansas-house-debate-on-latest-installment-of-trans-athlete-ban-produces-laughter-and-name-calling/">voting on the bill on Ash Wednesday</a>. She said the idea that legislation was unnecessary is a “fairytale.” Her colleagues laughed at the slur.

On the other side of the political aisle, Schlingensiepen thought about the transgender members of First Congregational Church, where he has served as senior minister since 2005.

“They’re people I went to school with,” he said in an interview for this series. “They’re people I know. They’re friends that I have. I don’t see really any difference in the way they live their lives compared to anybody else. And so I really don’t understand what the obsession is with them — on a rational level.”

Schlingensiepen’s views are shaped by faith and ancestry.

He grew up in Topeka but spent summers with his grandparents in Germany, where he heard stories about what happened during the years of Nazi rule. Both of his defiant grandfathers were persecuted by the Nazis, and one was sent to the front lines to face almost certain annihilation. Miraculously, both survived. But they felt guilty, Schlingensiepen said, about not speaking up sooner.

“There’s a certain kind of experience that comes from understanding what it means when you put a target on people’s backs that gets politically exploited and where that can lead under the right conditions,” Schlingensiepen said. “We don’t live in 1933 Germany here in the United States, but nonetheless, human behavior is what it is. And that means when people feel like they’re suffering, and savior types come along and suggest that they have the answers to all the questions, it’s not as difficult as people would think to get people to follow them, and to engage in devaluing others in the process.”

Schlingensiepen attended seminary in Germany, where he was admitted at the University of Bonn. He was a research and teaching assistant in systematic theology and ethics, and helped run an institute for social ethics, before returning in 1999 to the church he grew up in.

First Congregational Church was founded in 1855 as part of a movement to fight slavery in the Kansas territory. The congregation founded Washburn University, which was open to women and Black students from the beginning. The denomination, the United Church of Christ, was one of the first to fight for gender inclusivity, back in the 1970s.

Schlingensiepen said “you don’t have to go very far” to realize the ways religion has been used to create hate.

“We see it right now,” he said. “Let’s blame everything on LGBTQ folks. It’s eminently exploitable to do that. And there’s something in the way our brains are wired that is easily led to be suspicious of any group of people that somehow exonerates us from any kind of culpability. So I don’t have to change if I can point to so-and-so being evil.”

Peters, the Ellis County GOP chairman, emphasized what it means to be a Christian as he addressed a crowd of Republicans in March at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson. An unauthorized audio recording of the meeting was shared with Kansas Reflector.

Christians, according to Peters, understand that God created men and women for distinct and important roles.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is going to get to the heart of this thing,” Peters said. “And that’s actually why we need to guard our churches. There have been a growing number of churches that have been promoting drag shows. You just look at this and you think, ‘This is satanic.’ You know, we were seeing about a contract with the devil before, and I have to seriously question what documents some of these pastors are signing.”

An unidentified man in the crowd of 50-75 Republicans asked if Peters knew where to find the highest concentration of toxic masculinity in the world. The answer, according to the man: Arlington National Cemetery.

The conversation devolved into serious consideration of whether “furries” were demanding litter boxes in schools. The urban legend has gained traction with Republicans nationwide who equate transgender people with someone pretending to be a cat.

“At the high school, they’re allowing kids to identify as cats and provided them litter boxes,” said a woman who identified herself as a nurse at Wiley Elementary School.

Tess Anderson, state GOP secretary, asked if she had seen the litter boxes. The nurse had not.

“The reason why I asked is because there are people who say it’s not happening, and there are people who are needing actual proof of that,” Anderson said.

Cheryl Thompson, a member of the Hutchinson Public Schools board, said she went to every bathroom in the seventh and eighth grade and couldn’t find evidence of litter boxes.

Back in Topeka, at the March 31 rally where Schlingensiepen spoke, a 13-year-old transgender boy from Lawrence grabbed the bullhorn.

Ian Benalcázar, dressed in a Pinkie Pie cardigan, told the crowd: “I am what they are scared of.”

“I can’t believe that I, a child, has to explain why I deserve to live, to breathe and to be happy,” Benalcázar said. “I should be worrying about my grades, not whether or not I’ll be a victim of a hate crime on my way to the bus stop.”

Correction from original Reflector publication: This story has been updated with more details of Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen’s family and work history.

<h2>Kansas Reflector: Weeklong series to examine influence of religious beliefs on policy decisions at Statehouse</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684962883237.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen appears at the March 31, 2023, rally of 200 transgender children and their allies at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen appears at the March 31, 2023, rally of 200 transgender children and their allies at the Statehouse in Topeka. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Shouting into a bullhorn from the south steps of the Capitol, Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen told&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/03/31/defiant-transgender-children-filled-with-love-and-rage-march-on-kansas-statehouse/">a throng of transgender kids</a>: “You belong here.”The Topeka pastor assured them they have allies in the Statehouse who were working to change the minds of transphobic politicians.“But you gotta help us out,” Schlingensiepen said. “Wherever you’re from, you need to get politically engaged. You have to find ways to vote people out who don’t care about you, and who keep bringing these hateful bills to the floor in the House, and who are using you to divide and conquer voters.”It was a rare moment in Kansas politics: A lawmaker whose faith inspired him to speak passionately in support of the LGBTQ community. Two hundred kids and their allies had gathered to protest an assortment of legislation inspired by a different brand of Christianity — one that is more judgmental than compassionate.Kansas Reflector is examining the influence of religious beliefs on state government through a series of stories.The role of religion in attacks on the LGBTQ community is evident in the hate group that writes legislation, debate among lawmakers, and a secret audio recording from a March 2 meeting of Republicans in Hutchinson.Adam Peters, Ellis County GOP chairman, told Republicans at the meeting that gender dysphoria is a psychological problem comparable to anorexia.As Christians, he said, “we need to go very hard against the people that are preying on children.”“I honestly believe that if many of these transgendered people had parents in their lives, had friends in their lives, good Christian people who could treat them the way that Christ calls us to treat one another, you know, to say to the girl who doesn’t fit in, ‘It’s OK that you don’t like Barbies,’ then we wouldn’t have as much of the problems that we do,” Peters said.The GOP-dominated Legislature this year reversed Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s vetoes to&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/05/between-laughter-and-cursing-kansas-house-overrides-veto-of-transgender-sports-ban/">ban transgender athletes from school sports</a>&nbsp;and establish a “women’s bill of rights” that&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/26/senate-attempts-to-override-slew-of-vetoed-transgender-bills-but-care-ban-fails/">blocks transgender women and girls from public restrooms and domestic violence shelters</a>. Lawmakers also passed a ban on gender-affirming care but failed to override Kelly’s veto of that bill.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684963045272.jpeg" alt="Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, rejoiced in the timing of the House vote to ban transgender athletes on Ash Wednesday. After three years of debate, the Legislature was able to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of the bill, which was written by a faith-based group,&nbsp; which is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom">classified as a hate group</a>&nbsp;by the Southern Poverty Law Center&nbsp;. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) " />
 <figcaption>Rep. Barb Wasinger, R-Hays, rejoiced in the timing of the House vote to ban transgender athletes on Ash Wednesday. After three years of debate, the Legislature was able to override Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto of the bill, which was written by a faith-based group,&nbsp; which is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom">classified as a hate group</a>&nbsp;by the Southern Poverty Law Center&nbsp;. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) </figcaption>
 </figure>This was the third straight year in which GOP lawmakers tried to pass legislation banning transgender girls from playing with cisgender girls on public school sports teams, starting in kindergarten. Under&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/kshsaa-policy-memo.jpg" target="_blank">a policy</a>&nbsp;adopted by the Kansas State High School Activities Association, disputes will be settled by a birth certificate or, if one isn’t available, a licensed physician will verify a child’s sex by “using current standard assessment protocols.”The Alliance Defending Freedom, which promotes “religious liberty” laws and is&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom">classified as a hate group</a>&nbsp;by the Southern Poverty Law Center, crafted the model legislation.When Kansas lawmakers first debated the transgender athlete ban in 2021, Sen. Renee Erickson, a Wichita Republican,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2021/04/15/in-kansas-fight-over-anti-trans-sports-bill-senate-adds-civility-to-casualty-list/">quoted from the Book of Genesis</a>.“ ‘Male and female He created them,’ ” she said. “May not agree with it — those are God’s words.”This year, Rep. Barb Wasinger, a Hays Republican, joyfully told the House Republican caucus they would be&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/02/23/kansas-house-debate-on-latest-installment-of-trans-athlete-ban-produces-laughter-and-name-calling/">voting on the bill on Ash Wednesday</a>. She said the idea that legislation was unnecessary is a “fairytale.” Her colleagues laughed at the slur.On the other side of the political aisle, Schlingensiepen thought about the transgender members of First Congregational Church, where he has served as senior minister since 2005.“They’re people I went to school with,” he said in an interview for this series. “They’re people I know. They’re friends that I have. I don’t see really any difference in the way they live their lives compared to anybody else. And so I really don’t understand what the obsession is with them — on a rational level.”Schlingensiepen’s views are shaped by faith and ancestry.He grew up in Topeka but spent summers with his grandparents in Germany, where he heard stories about what happened during the years of Nazi rule. Both of his defiant grandfathers were persecuted by the Nazis, and one was sent to the front lines to face almost certain annihilation. Miraculously, both survived. But they felt guilty, Schlingensiepen said, about not speaking up sooner.“There’s a certain kind of experience that comes from understanding what it means when you put a target on people’s backs that gets politically exploited and where that can lead under the right conditions,” Schlingensiepen said. “We don’t live in 1933 Germany here in the United States, but nonetheless, human behavior is what it is. And that means when people feel like they’re suffering, and savior types come along and suggest that they have the answers to all the questions, it’s not as difficult as people would think to get people to follow them, and to engage in devaluing others in the process.”Schlingensiepen attended seminary in Germany, where he was admitted at the University of Bonn. He was a research and teaching assistant in systematic theology and ethics, and helped run an institute for social ethics, before returning in 1999 to the church he grew up in.First Congregational Church was founded in 1855 as part of a movement to fight slavery in the Kansas territory. The congregation founded Washburn University, which was open to women and Black students from the beginning. The denomination, the United Church of Christ, was one of the first to fight for gender inclusivity, back in the 1970s.Schlingensiepen said “you don’t have to go very far” to realize the ways religion has been used to create hate.“We see it right now,” he said. “Let’s blame everything on LGBTQ folks. It’s eminently exploitable to do that. And there’s something in the way our brains are wired that is easily led to be suspicious of any group of people that somehow exonerates us from any kind of culpability. So I don’t have to change if I can point to so-and-so being evil.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684963086270.jpeg" alt="Kansans rally in support of transgender rights May 5, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka. The Legislature this year passed a series of laws targeting transgender people. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Kansans rally in support of transgender rights May 5, 2023, at the Statehouse in Topeka. The Legislature this year passed a series of laws targeting transgender people. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Peters, the Ellis County GOP chairman, emphasized what it means to be a Christian as he addressed a crowd of Republicans in March at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson. An unauthorized audio recording of the meeting was shared with Kansas Reflector.Christians, according to Peters, understand that God created men and women for distinct and important roles.“The gospel of Jesus Christ is going to get to the heart of this thing,” Peters said. “And that’s actually why we need to guard our churches. There have been a growing number of churches that have been promoting drag shows. You just look at this and you think, ‘This is satanic.’ You know, we were seeing about a contract with the devil before, and I have to seriously question what documents some of these pastors are signing.”An unidentified man in the crowd of 50-75 Republicans asked if Peters knew where to find the highest concentration of toxic masculinity in the world. The answer, according to the man: Arlington National Cemetery.The conversation devolved into serious consideration of whether “furries” were demanding litter boxes in schools. The urban legend has gained traction with Republicans nationwide who equate transgender people with someone pretending to be a cat.“At the high school, they’re allowing kids to identify as cats and provided them litter boxes,” said a woman who identified herself as a nurse at Wiley Elementary School.Tess Anderson, state GOP secretary, asked if she had seen the litter boxes. The nurse had not.“The reason why I asked is because there are people who say it’s not happening, and there are people who are needing actual proof of that,” Anderson said.Cheryl Thompson, a member of the Hutchinson Public Schools board, said she went to every bathroom in the seventh and eighth grade and couldn’t find evidence of litter boxes.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684963153504.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Back in Topeka, at the March 31 rally where Schlingensiepen spoke, a 13-year-old transgender boy from Lawrence grabbed the bullhorn.Ian Benalcázar, dressed in a Pinkie Pie cardigan, told the crowd: “I am what they are scared of.”“I can’t believe that I, a child, has to explain why I deserve to live, to breathe and to be happy,” Benalcázar said. “I should be worrying about my grades, not whether or not I’ll be a victim of a hate crime on my way to the bus stop.”Correction from original Reflector publication: This story has been updated with more details of Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen’s family and work history.<h2>Church and State</h2>On Hays Post:<ul>
 <li>Thursday:&nbsp;Conservative sanctuary</li><li>Friday:&nbsp;LGBTQ targets</li><li>Saturday:&nbsp;Private education</li><li>Sunday:&nbsp;Abortion rights</li><li>Monday:&nbsp;Systemic racism</li><li>Tuesday:&nbsp;Statehouse spiritual</li>
 </ul>

Church and state: Kansas Republicans target ’eminently exploitable’ LGBTQ community

TOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has announced that the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is increasing the value of coupons for low-income seniors from $35 to $50. The coupons are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Seniors can apply&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292L0ltYWdlUmVwb3NpdG9yeS9Eb2N1bWVudD9kb2N1bWVudElkPTkyNjcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDUyMy43NzE2MDE1MSJ9.16cb9kD7q2nkwY9Doy5WAfkodrVxJdTUkWx0IZ61lmM/s/1305913623/br/203575333806-l" target="_blank">at local distribution agencies</a>, including the Cottonwood Extension District office, 601 Main, Hays, between Thursday, June 1 and Friday, September 15, 2023, or until benefits are gone.

The coupons will be sent at once and available in $5 increments. These coupons can be redeemed from authorized vendors at participating farmers' markets, which will be identified with signage showing they are authorized to accept the coupons.

Seniors are eligible if they complete an application and are 60 years or older or at least 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization. Eligible seniors must also have an annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.

Eligible foods to purchase with the KSFMNP coupons from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and cut herbs produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions.

“The KSFMNP helps support Kansas seniors and our local Kansas farmers at farmers markets,” said&nbsp;Courtney Koenig, KSFMNP coordinator. “The program is great because it brings new people to the markets, increases sales for farmers and provides nutritious foods to people who need it.” &nbsp;

Seniors can find more information on the KSFMNP coupons by visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua2RoZS5rcy5nb3YvMTA1Mz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNTIzLjc3MTYwMTUxIn0.BKLw6s8Z4b0pZG53zCHlciDXd-9ryjt_L05NtcCwlhw/s/1305913623/br/203575333806-l" target="_blank">KSFMNP website</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684879434212.jpeg" alt="Photo by Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Photo by Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>KDHETOPEKA –&nbsp;The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has announced that the Kansas Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (KSFMNP) is increasing the value of coupons for low-income seniors from $35 to $50. The coupons are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis. Seniors can apply&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmtkaGUua3MuZ292L0ltYWdlUmVwb3NpdG9yeS9Eb2N1bWVudD9kb2N1bWVudElkPTkyNjcmdXRtX21lZGl1bT1lbWFpbCZ1dG1fc291cmNlPWdvdmRlbGl2ZXJ5IiwiYnVsbGV0aW5faWQiOiIyMDIzMDUyMy43NzE2MDE1MSJ9.16cb9kD7q2nkwY9Doy5WAfkodrVxJdTUkWx0IZ61lmM/s/1305913623/br/203575333806-l" target="_blank">at local distribution agencies</a>, including the Cottonwood Extension District office, 601 Main, Hays, between Thursday, June 1 and Friday, September 15, 2023, or until benefits are gone.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684879282791.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The coupons will be sent at once and available in $5 increments. These coupons can be redeemed from authorized vendors at participating farmers' markets, which will be identified with signage showing they are authorized to accept the coupons.Seniors are eligible if they complete an application and are 60 years or older or at least 55 years old and a member of an Indian Tribal Organization. Eligible seniors must also have an annual gross household income (before taxes are withheld) at or below 185% of the federal poverty level.Eligible foods to purchase with the KSFMNP coupons from authorized farmers at participating farmers markets are defined as fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables, locally produced honey and cut herbs produced in Kansas under normal growing conditions.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684879764286.jpeg" alt="KDHE" />
 <figcaption>KDHE</figcaption>
 </figure>“The KSFMNP helps support Kansas seniors and our local Kansas farmers at farmers markets,” said&nbsp;Courtney Koenig, KSFMNP coordinator. “The program is great because it brings new people to the markets, increases sales for farmers and provides nutritious foods to people who need it.” &nbsp;Seniors can find more information on the KSFMNP coupons by visiting the&nbsp;<a href="https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDEsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsInVybCI6Imh0dHA6Ly93d3cua2RoZS5rcy5nb3YvMTA1Mz91dG1fbWVkaXVtPWVtYWlsJnV0bV9zb3VyY2U9Z292ZGVsaXZlcnkiLCJidWxsZXRpbl9pZCI6IjIwMjMwNTIzLjc3MTYwMTUxIn0.BKLw6s8Z4b0pZG53zCHlciDXd-9ryjt_L05NtcCwlhw/s/1305913623/br/203575333806-l" target="_blank">KSFMNP website</a>.

Sign up at Cottonwood Extension for KS Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program

By TISA MASON FHSU President

At Fort Hays State University, we foster an ethic of care for others beyond friendly and nice. This focus on cultivating intentional relationships that engage in people's stories, build self-confidence, and attend generously to each other's needs, is precisely why I love to write and talk about "Heart of a Tiger" stories.

This column's inspiring example of care started with an annual email from our Director of International Student Services, Carol Solko-Olliff, to the campus community. Each year, as Ramadan approaches, Carol sends a campus email to remind faculty and staff about the upcoming Ramadan observance. Ramadan is an Islam practice of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.

In response to the email, our student affairs staff provided a private prayer room and transportation to a local mosque. Graduate Assistant Diane Hernandez-Ramirez, worked closely with the students to plan the event—pretty much standard protocol for FHSU.

But then, out of the kindness of her heart, Farheen Khan, Assistant Professor of Art and Design, read the email and immediately reached out to see how she could support the students.

Carol shared that the Muslim Student Organization was planning an educational event for the campus community about Ramadan, where the students would break their fast after the presentation and share a meal with those in attendance. Professor Khan immediately wanted to get involved and provide some food. Carol thought that was great.

What Carol did not know was "some food" turned out to be a feast! An entire table was filled with food, and she paid careful attention to how it was set out and presented. Carol said, "It was amazing!" The students were so excited and grateful for this act of kindness.

Professor Khan's support and commitment did not stop there; she continued to cook and support the students. She shared that her cultural values have always inspired her to care for others. "Sharing the Iftar feast with our community members and FHSU International Muslim students, who are away from their homes and observing fast, was an excellent way to foster a sense of connection and community."

Professor Khan also shared that organizing the meal took "good intention, patience, goal setting, time management, of course, cooking skills, and helping kids who were involved in planning and organizing. Everything was prepared on the same day; therefore, it was a complete process of planning, shopping, cooking, packing, transferring, presenting, and sharing." Ultimately, she planned and provided for four gatherings for our students over two consecutive weekends.

Carol was so taken by Professor Khan's kindness that she sent photos to several other administrators and me to share the joy and generosity of Farheen's kindness. It did not take long for many to comment and share.

The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation asks us to "imagine a world where you can succeed by being nice, where we all pay it forward. Where people look out for each other." They then declare, "It all starts with an act."

Thank you, Farheen Khan, for your generous act of kindness. It is a gesture that will live in the hearts of many. Like many acts of kindness, I continue to observe that the sharing of this story throughout campus has taken on a "life of its own."

In the meantime, our ethic of care culture ripples throughout our campus, in both big and small ways, to communicate "you matter." Our strength of connectedness provides an abundance of opportunities to amplify learning, and by doing so, develops generations primed for success who look out for each other – the essence of an engaged citizen leader.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2019/12/1575302014229.png" alt="Dr. Tisa Mason" />
 <figcaption>Dr. Tisa Mason</figcaption>
 </figure>By TISA MASON FHSU PresidentAt Fort Hays State University, we foster an ethic of care for others beyond friendly and nice. This focus on cultivating intentional relationships that engage in people's stories, build self-confidence, and attend generously to each other's needs, is precisely why I love to write and talk about "Heart of a Tiger" stories.This column's inspiring example of care started with an annual email from our Director of International Student Services, Carol Solko-Olliff, to the campus community. Each year, as Ramadan approaches, Carol sends a campus email to remind faculty and staff about the upcoming Ramadan observance. Ramadan is an Islam practice of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community.In response to the email, our student affairs staff provided a private prayer room and transportation to a local mosque. Graduate Assistant Diane Hernandez-Ramirez, worked closely with the students to plan the event—pretty much standard protocol for FHSU.But then, out of the kindness of her heart, Farheen Khan, Assistant Professor of Art and Design, read the email and immediately reached out to see how she could support the students.Carol shared that the Muslim Student Organization was planning an educational event for the campus community about Ramadan, where the students would break their fast after the presentation and share a meal with those in attendance. Professor Khan immediately wanted to get involved and provide some food. Carol thought that was great.What Carol did not know was "some food" turned out to be a feast! An entire table was filled with food, and she paid careful attention to how it was set out and presented. Carol said, "It was amazing!" The students were so excited and grateful for this act of kindness.Professor Khan's support and commitment did not stop there; she continued to cook and support the students. She shared that her cultural values have always inspired her to care for others. "Sharing the Iftar feast with our community members and FHSU International Muslim students, who are away from their homes and observing fast, was an excellent way to foster a sense of connection and community."Professor Khan also shared that organizing the meal took "good intention, patience, goal setting, time management, of course, cooking skills, and helping kids who were involved in planning and organizing. Everything was prepared on the same day; therefore, it was a complete process of planning, shopping, cooking, packing, transferring, presenting, and sharing." Ultimately, she planned and provided for four gatherings for our students over two consecutive weekends.Carol was so taken by Professor Khan's kindness that she sent photos to several other administrators and me to share the joy and generosity of Farheen's kindness. It did not take long for many to comment and share.The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation asks us to "imagine a world where you can succeed by being nice, where we all pay it forward. Where people look out for each other." They then declare, "It all starts with an act."Thank you, Farheen Khan, for your generous act of kindness. It is a gesture that will live in the hearts of many. Like many acts of kindness, I continue to observe that the sharing of this story throughout campus has taken on a "life of its own."In the meantime, our ethic of care culture ripples throughout our campus, in both big and small ways, to communicate "you matter." Our strength of connectedness provides an abundance of opportunities to amplify learning, and by doing so, develops generations primed for success who look out for each other – the essence of an engaged citizen leader.

Heart of a Tiger: Farheen Khan and her spirit of generosity

<a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685023396440.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><a href="https://hayspost.com/pages/state-farm-weather-window">For a full look at the weather forecast, click here.</a>

Three-day weather outlook

CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH OF HAYS, PROVIDING CHILDREN'S PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT IS LOOKING FOR COMPASSIONATE AND QUALIFIED TEAM MEMBERS. CAMBER IS HIRING NURSES, THERAPISTS AND DIRECT CARE STAFF.

CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE CULTURE WITH COMPETITIVE BENEFITS INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, FREE DENTAL, A 2.5 PERCENT RETIREMENT SAVINGS MATCH, AND GENEROUS PAID TIME OFF.

MOST OF ALL, CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS AN INSPIRING MISSION –FIND YOUR PURPOSE WITH A MEANINGFUL CAREER.

APPLY TODAY ONLINE AT&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cambermentalhealth.org/careers/">CAMBERMENTALHEALTH.ORG/CAREER</a>&nbsp;AND JOIN THE CAMBER TEAM. CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER CAMBER BENEFITS:

* Inspiring mission –make your career meaningful! * Competitive pay for the industry * KVC pays 76% of medical insurance costs for employees * Free dental insurance * Generous policies for parental leave, paid time off and holidays * 403(b) retirement savings plan with 2.5% company match * A positive, supportive culture where employee opinions count * A strong focus on promoting internally * Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion * Fun employee celebrations including meals, parties and casual get-togethers * Ongoing training and learning opportunities

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1681925190638.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH OF HAYS, PROVIDING CHILDREN'S PSYCHIATRIC TREATMENT IS LOOKING FOR COMPASSIONATE AND QUALIFIED TEAM MEMBERS. CAMBER IS HIRING NURSES, THERAPISTS AND DIRECT CARE STAFF.CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS A SUPPORTIVE AND INCLUSIVE CULTURE WITH COMPETITIVE BENEFITS INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE, FREE DENTAL, A 2.5 PERCENT RETIREMENT SAVINGS MATCH, AND GENEROUS PAID TIME OFF.MOST OF ALL, CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH HAS AN INSPIRING MISSION –FIND YOUR PURPOSE WITH A MEANINGFUL CAREER.APPLY TODAY ONLINE AT&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cambermentalhealth.org/careers/">CAMBERMENTALHEALTH.ORG/CAREER</a>&nbsp;AND JOIN THE CAMBER TEAM. CAMBER CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER CAMBER BENEFITS:* Inspiring mission –make your career meaningful! * Competitive pay for the industry * KVC pays 76% of medical insurance costs for employees * Free dental insurance * Generous policies for parental leave, paid time off and holidays * 403(b) retirement savings plan with 2.5% company match * A positive, supportive culture where employee opinions count * A strong focus on promoting internally * Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion * Fun employee celebrations including meals, parties and casual get-togethers * Ongoing training and learning opportunitiesAND MUCH MORE!

City of Hays offices closed on Memorial Day

By Clay Wirestone <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

Kansas Reflector’s comprehensive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/tag/series-church-and-state/">series on religion in public life</a>&nbsp;keeps making waves.

Throughout the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://themercury.com/news/republicans-revel-in-divine-plan-to-turn-kansas-into-conservative-sanctuary/article_4a9bbd54-a6fd-5d05-b06f-41785cf4eff6.html">multiple news outlets</a>&nbsp;pick up our reporting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hiawathaworldonline.com/news/state/">for their audiences</a>. Politicians have taken note. Those at the center of the story have pushed back. In all cases, readers can see why compelling, fact-based journalism makes all the difference in a state where extremists covet greater and greater power.

When&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://conservativeinstitute.org/author/adam-peters">Adam Peters</a>&nbsp;— the Ellis County GOP chairman who called for the transformation of Kansas into a “conservative sanctuary” — was asked to comment on his statements by Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith, he didn’t respond. He had every right to do so.

Yet the day the series made its debut, the Ellis County Republican Party&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/elliscountyksgop/posts/pfbid02Fidd5k4hb5iouiCozc9kCcsAheNHNXUeWuyH4ent8zNipgUsHESTae8JxusABhXml">posted a lengthy response</a>&nbsp;on its Facebook page. Here’s how the post began; I’m quoting it at length to show that we are more than willing to give Peters his say. Unfortunately, as will soon become clear, the party left out a bit.

On Monday, Kansas Reflector editor in chief Sherman Smith published allegations concerning a speech that Ellis County GOP Chairman Adam Peters delivered in March. Links to his speech as well as the accompanying Q&amp;A session are provided here, and they refute Smith’s claims:

Far from offering “hints of violence,” Peters explicitly disavowed any form of violence or harassment during his speech at the 27:33 mark, saying, “I’m not calling for, just to be clear in case anyone else is recording this, I’m not calling to ruin anyone’s life. I’m not supporting Antifa tactics.” That’s consistent with a speech he gave this month denouncing the concept of “Christian nationalism” and the use of violence to achieve political goals:

<a target="_blank" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Frumble.com%2Fv2n1fdk-christian-nationalism-is-anti-christian-and-un-american.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1iwtFKxFoMvC8NIfUpoIkVGgxLQWy6oEZCQKg-yEKIkF4WnlyvKOkoJ64&amp;h=AT11VEpFM3U3N-QWhW4sAeVLvz10sI1NV1tYWTFEnoRJlmnK0yltISoCFZlE1ArCC9qJCwfSEvTiqAHWyNxcBUVTwkiDQEUiCaKRGZXXgsACu4ncVWxK-4lZQEhC40cNAQ&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT04nRdMrND-J7sOonF7cPHIAALbj_vIbMenTQWJPUmUbT_nk5juB8Nd_x5lRJ8R6uZ1dQc2xuP4Wl8_-sjnUc7hDEnGcL0IbPyP3EqN-65lHtsH2xRYsWlxzsdiWrwSAjW4LPVHIR8aR4-BDSwProG84uflWErPo57Zy_WJZNzA0bSA58unyn3kdrUrLv2ah3O_sxMnRS4Lk9dmJM29ZPj3">https://rumble.com/v2n1fdk-christian-nationalism-is-anti…</a>

What’s more, Peters implored his listeners at 17:57 of the Q&amp;A to treat others with dignity, including men and women who do not fit traditional gender norms. He stated that we “need to keep in mind there are people who are struggling, and we need to approach them with love and kindness.”

First off, Smith wasn’t claiming anything. He was reporting. That includes listening to recording of Peters’ appearance and drawing conclusions. That’s what journalists do.

While Peters may have said at one point that he didn’t support “Antifa tactics,” he did say that “We need to use the tools that are at our disposal. You know, if we look in scripture, there was a time when the nation of Israel had to take up arms in defense of themselves.”

You can draw your own conclusions after listening to the man himself. The Reflector stands by its reporting.

Of the videos from Reno County Republicans’ meeting,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2bn6qc-critical-theory-presentation-2.html?fbclid=IwAR1iwtFKxFoMvC8NIfUpoIkVGgxLQWy6oEZCQKg-yEKIkF4WnlyvKOkoJ64">the first</a>&nbsp;lasts 36 minutes and 15 seconds,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2nybzw-reno-county-presentation-q-and-a.html?fbclid=IwAR2V6Fc50wCsrKBUwqOAZW5YThxt_wiqim3X6hXR6ogy7-dnD1HNnxR9mrE">the second</a>&nbsp;lasts 25 minutes and seven seconds, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2nykzu-reno-co.-q-and-a-part-3.html?fbclid=IwAR0OGACSFyggjk73On8EccTu-Sgs4lLmkreWCJkvNNWe3smKmmgc3jgf2_c">the third</a>&nbsp;lasts one minute and 24 seconds. That adds up to one hour, two minutes and 46 seconds — although the first and second clips appear to overlap.

The recording that Kansas Reflector reporters reviewed totals one hour, 43 minutes and 17 seconds. In other words, it’s substantially longer and includes more discussion than the excerpts above.

Later in its statement (please read the rest if you feel ambitious), the party makes the following claim:

“Smith also contends that Peters accused ‘LGBTQ-friendly church pastors of having signed a contract with Satan.’ Anyone who watches the footage of the speech and Q&amp;A session will see that no such comment was made.”

Sure enough, you won’t see that statement in footage provided by the party. You won’t see it because it comes after the footage ends. In the recording Kansas Reflector reviewed, Peters’ makes those comments one hour and 13 minutes into the presentation. I’ll quote him directly.

“And that’s actually why we need to guard our churches,” Peters said. “There have been a growing number of churches that have been promoting drag shows. That they’re promoting just, you just look at this, and you think this is, this is satanic. You know, we were seeing about a contract with the devil before, and I’d have to seriously question what documents some of these pastors are signing.”

From my&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/18/a-year-ago-i-started-a-journey-as-kansas-reflector-opinion-editor-heres-what-i-learned/">perch as opinion editor</a>, I don’t think it’s a great look for a county party to make such easily disprovable statements. But then, I’m probably one of the people that Peters would want to create a “hostile environment” for and drive out of the state.

Let’s look at some more favorable reactions to the series.

Democratic Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, the senior minister at First Congregational Church in Topeka, was a major source for the series. He contributed again with a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/05/19/kansas-legislators-dont-have-christ-like-aims-its-about-power/70232845007/">column published last week</a>&nbsp;in the Topeka Capital-Journal.

He writes:&nbsp;“If these views were merely the day-dreaming of extreme activists, it could be brushed off as a fringe fever-dream. But, the sad fact is the majority of legislators have subscribed to this form of pseudo-religious manipulation.

“Crusading against those who are different from them has become standard practice for our Republican-dominated House and Senate. I have grave concerns not only for the future of our state but also the safety of those marginalized by the Legislature.”

Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article275567036.html">contributed a piece</a>&nbsp;to the Kansas City Star over the weekend. I included an excerpt in my previous column.

But that wasn’t all! The Star published an earlier editorial about our work, titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article275480391.html">GOP chief wants to make Kansas ‘hostile’ to push out ‘bad people’ he disagrees with</a>.

“We also hope — but don’t fully expect — that many of Peters’ fellow Kansas Republicans reject his expressed desire to inflict misery on some of their constituents,” it concludes. “Kansas belongs to all Kansans, no matter their race, gender, orientation, faith or ideology. The state should be welcoming to all. Hateful policymaking and hints of brute force have no place here.”

Most geographically removed, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran its own editorial: “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-hot-mic-moment-for-kansas-gop-official-reveals-the-depth-of-partys-hostility/article_beffbcee-f4f7-11ed-9a55-cf93de8a81e7.html">Hot mic moment for Kansas GOP official reveals the depth of party’s hostility</a>.”

“Those who go out of their way to be ‘hostile’ to a ‘small sliver of society,’ when those targets aren’t hurting anyone, aren’t the ‘good people’ that the Kansas Republican chairman talked of wanting to keep in his state,” the paper’s editorial board thundered. “To use his own phrase,&nbsp;they’re&nbsp;the ‘bad people.’ And as long as the voters keep reelecting them, statehouses in Missouri and elsewhere will continue being playgrounds for these cynical bullies while the actual duties of government go unfulfilled.”

Finally, you can catch Reflector reporter Rachel Mipro — the other author of the series, along with Smith — on KCUR,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/podcast/kansas-city-today/2023-05-22/kansas-where-church-and-state-are-anything-but-separate">offering her perspective</a>.

Whew. That was a lot, but so is summarizing Kansas religious extremism. In the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/quotes/god-bless-us-every-one/">words of Tiny Tim</a>, as I wrap up today, “God bless us, every one.”

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/submit-opinion/">here</a>.

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/369ec344-c881-4d61-b32f-2d8128c04c5b">Counterpoint: Letter to the Editor: Ellis County GOP responds to church, state series</a>

By Clay Wirestone <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>Kansas Reflector’s comprehensive&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/tag/series-church-and-state/">series on religion in public life</a>&nbsp;keeps making waves.Throughout the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://themercury.com/news/republicans-revel-in-divine-plan-to-turn-kansas-into-conservative-sanctuary/article_4a9bbd54-a6fd-5d05-b06f-41785cf4eff6.html">multiple news outlets</a>&nbsp;pick up our reporting&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.hiawathaworldonline.com/news/state/">for their audiences</a>. Politicians have taken note. Those at the center of the story have pushed back. In all cases, readers can see why compelling, fact-based journalism makes all the difference in a state where extremists covet greater and greater power.Let’s start with the offense-takers.When&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://conservativeinstitute.org/author/adam-peters">Adam Peters</a>&nbsp;— the Ellis County GOP chairman who called for the transformation of Kansas into a “conservative sanctuary” — was asked to comment on his statements by Kansas Reflector editor Sherman Smith, he didn’t respond. He had every right to do so.Yet the day the series made its debut, the Ellis County Republican Party&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/elliscountyksgop/posts/pfbid02Fidd5k4hb5iouiCozc9kCcsAheNHNXUeWuyH4ent8zNipgUsHESTae8JxusABhXml">posted a lengthy response</a>&nbsp;on its Facebook page. Here’s how the post began; I’m quoting it at length to show that we are more than willing to give Peters his say. Unfortunately, as will soon become clear, the party left out a bit.On Monday, Kansas Reflector editor in chief Sherman Smith published allegations concerning a speech that Ellis County GOP Chairman Adam Peters delivered in March. Links to his speech as well as the accompanying Q&amp;A session are provided here, and they refute Smith’s claims:<ul>
 <li><a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2bn6qc-critical-theory-presentation-2.html?fbclid=IwAR1iwtFKxFoMvC8NIfUpoIkVGgxLQWy6oEZCQKg-yEKIkF4WnlyvKOkoJ64">https://rumble.com/v2bn6qc-critical-theory-presentation-2…</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2nybzw-reno-county-presentation-q-and-a.html?fbclid=IwAR2V6Fc50wCsrKBUwqOAZW5YThxt_wiqim3X6hXR6ogy7-dnD1HNnxR9mrE">https://rumble.com/v2nybzw-reno-county-presentation-q-and…</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2nykzu-reno-co.-q-and-a-part-3.html?fbclid=IwAR0OGACSFyggjk73On8EccTu-Sgs4lLmkreWCJkvNNWe3smKmmgc3jgf2_c">https://rumble.com/v2nykzu-reno-co.-q-and-a-part-3.html</a></li>
 </ul>Far from offering “hints of violence,” Peters explicitly disavowed any form of violence or harassment during his speech at the 27:33 mark, saying, “I’m not calling for, just to be clear in case anyone else is recording this, I’m not calling to ruin anyone’s life. I’m not supporting Antifa tactics.” That’s consistent with a speech he gave this month denouncing the concept of “Christian nationalism” and the use of violence to achieve political goals:<a target="_blank" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Frumble.com%2Fv2n1fdk-christian-nationalism-is-anti-christian-and-un-american.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1iwtFKxFoMvC8NIfUpoIkVGgxLQWy6oEZCQKg-yEKIkF4WnlyvKOkoJ64&amp;h=AT11VEpFM3U3N-QWhW4sAeVLvz10sI1NV1tYWTFEnoRJlmnK0yltISoCFZlE1ArCC9qJCwfSEvTiqAHWyNxcBUVTwkiDQEUiCaKRGZXXgsACu4ncVWxK-4lZQEhC40cNAQ&amp;__tn__=-UK-R&amp;c[0]=AT04nRdMrND-J7sOonF7cPHIAALbj_vIbMenTQWJPUmUbT_nk5juB8Nd_x5lRJ8R6uZ1dQc2xuP4Wl8_-sjnUc7hDEnGcL0IbPyP3EqN-65lHtsH2xRYsWlxzsdiWrwSAjW4LPVHIR8aR4-BDSwProG84uflWErPo57Zy_WJZNzA0bSA58unyn3kdrUrLv2ah3O_sxMnRS4Lk9dmJM29ZPj3">https://rumble.com/v2n1fdk-christian-nationalism-is-anti…</a>What’s more, Peters implored his listeners at 17:57 of the Q&amp;A to treat others with dignity, including men and women who do not fit traditional gender norms. He stated that we “need to keep in mind there are people who are struggling, and we need to approach them with love and kindness.”First off, Smith wasn’t claiming anything. He was reporting. That includes listening to recording of Peters’ appearance and drawing conclusions. That’s what journalists do.While Peters may have said at one point that he didn’t support “Antifa tactics,” he did say that “We need to use the tools that are at our disposal. You know, if we look in scripture, there was a time when the nation of Israel had to take up arms in defense of themselves.”You can draw your own conclusions after listening to the man himself. The Reflector stands by its reporting.Of the videos from Reno County Republicans’ meeting,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2bn6qc-critical-theory-presentation-2.html?fbclid=IwAR1iwtFKxFoMvC8NIfUpoIkVGgxLQWy6oEZCQKg-yEKIkF4WnlyvKOkoJ64">the first</a>&nbsp;lasts 36 minutes and 15 seconds,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2nybzw-reno-county-presentation-q-and-a.html?fbclid=IwAR2V6Fc50wCsrKBUwqOAZW5YThxt_wiqim3X6hXR6ogy7-dnD1HNnxR9mrE">the second</a>&nbsp;lasts 25 minutes and seven seconds, and&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rumble.com/v2nykzu-reno-co.-q-and-a-part-3.html?fbclid=IwAR0OGACSFyggjk73On8EccTu-Sgs4lLmkreWCJkvNNWe3smKmmgc3jgf2_c">the third</a>&nbsp;lasts one minute and 24 seconds. That adds up to one hour, two minutes and 46 seconds — although the first and second clips appear to overlap.The recording that Kansas Reflector reporters reviewed totals one hour, 43 minutes and 17 seconds. In other words, it’s substantially longer and includes more discussion than the excerpts above.Later in its statement (please read the rest if you feel ambitious), the party makes the following claim:“Smith also contends that Peters accused ‘LGBTQ-friendly church pastors of having signed a contract with Satan.’ Anyone who watches the footage of the speech and Q&amp;A session will see that no such comment was made.”Sure enough, you won’t see that statement in footage provided by the party. You won’t see it because it comes after the footage ends. In the recording Kansas Reflector reviewed, Peters’ makes those comments one hour and 13 minutes into the presentation. I’ll quote him directly.“And that’s actually why we need to guard our churches,” Peters said. “There have been a growing number of churches that have been promoting drag shows. That they’re promoting just, you just look at this, and you think this is, this is satanic. You know, we were seeing about a contract with the devil before, and I’d have to seriously question what documents some of these pastors are signing.”From my&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2022/08/18/a-year-ago-i-started-a-journey-as-kansas-reflector-opinion-editor-heres-what-i-learned/">perch as opinion editor</a>, I don’t think it’s a great look for a county party to make such easily disprovable statements. But then, I’m probably one of the people that Peters would want to create a “hostile environment” for and drive out of the state.<h2>Commentary galore</h2>Let’s look at some more favorable reactions to the series.Democratic Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, the senior minister at First Congregational Church in Topeka, was a major source for the series. He contributed again with a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.cjonline.com/story/opinion/columns/2023/05/19/kansas-legislators-dont-have-christ-like-aims-its-about-power/70232845007/">column published last week</a>&nbsp;in the Topeka Capital-Journal.He writes:&nbsp;“If these views were merely the day-dreaming of extreme activists, it could be brushed off as a fringe fever-dream. But, the sad fact is the majority of legislators have subscribed to this form of pseudo-religious manipulation.“Crusading against those who are different from them has become standard practice for our Republican-dominated House and Senate. I have grave concerns not only for the future of our state but also the safety of those marginalized by the Legislature.”Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/readers-opinion/guest-commentary/article275567036.html">contributed a piece</a>&nbsp;to the Kansas City Star over the weekend. I included an excerpt in my previous column.But that wasn’t all! The Star published an earlier editorial about our work, titled “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article275480391.html">GOP chief wants to make Kansas ‘hostile’ to push out ‘bad people’ he disagrees with</a>.“We also hope — but don’t fully expect — that many of Peters’ fellow Kansas Republicans reject his expressed desire to inflict misery on some of their constituents,” it concludes. “Kansas belongs to all Kansans, no matter their race, gender, orientation, faith or ideology. The state should be welcoming to all. Hateful policymaking and hints of brute force have no place here.”Most geographically removed, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran its own editorial: “<a target="_blank" href="https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-hot-mic-moment-for-kansas-gop-official-reveals-the-depth-of-partys-hostility/article_beffbcee-f4f7-11ed-9a55-cf93de8a81e7.html">Hot mic moment for Kansas GOP official reveals the depth of party’s hostility</a>.”“Those who go out of their way to be ‘hostile’ to a ‘small sliver of society,’ when those targets aren’t hurting anyone, aren’t the ‘good people’ that the Kansas Republican chairman talked of wanting to keep in his state,” the paper’s editorial board thundered. “To use his own phrase,&nbsp;they’re&nbsp;the ‘bad people.’ And as long as the voters keep reelecting them, statehouses in Missouri and elsewhere will continue being playgrounds for these cynical bullies while the actual duties of government go unfulfilled.”Finally, you can catch Reflector reporter Rachel Mipro — the other author of the series, along with Smith — on KCUR,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.kcur.org/podcast/kansas-city-today/2023-05-22/kansas-where-church-and-state-are-anything-but-separate">offering her perspective</a>.Whew. That was a lot, but so is summarizing Kansas religious extremism. In the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://www.charlesdickensinfo.com/quotes/god-bless-us-every-one/">words of Tiny Tim</a>, as I wrap up today, “God bless us, every one.”Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary,&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/submit-opinion/">here</a>.<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/369ec344-c881-4d61-b32f-2d8128c04c5b">Counterpoint: Letter to the Editor: Ellis County GOP responds to church, state series</a>

Opinion: Revelations of religious zealotry infiltrating Kansas politics raise alarms near, far

I am disappointed that Hays Post has chosen to republish a series of hit pieces from the Kansas Reflector, beginning on May 25 with an article titled, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/91d59ad2-4746-4767-b13f-7db8ec415e45">“Church and state: Republicans revel in the divine plan to turn Kansas into ‘conservative sanctuary.’”&nbsp;</a>

Written by Kansas Reflector editor-in-chief Sherman Smith, it relied on a deceptively edited audio recording to mischaracterize a speech I gave earlier this year.

The Ellis County Republican party has responded with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elliscountyksgop/posts/pfbid0jAGBrMPabe6L3fnSu6NHf9J6635pFhwxcUiu4SS6GGdcx9dmFrmZVgUWT6SrRHaGl" target="_blank">a statement</a> on its Facebook page which contains links to a video of <a href="https://rumble.com/v2bn6qc-critical-theory-presentation-2.html" target="_blank">my speech</a> along with the subsequent <a href="https://rumble.com/v2nybzw-reno-county-presentation-q-and-a.html" target="_blank">Q&amp;A session</a>.

Whereas Smith accused me of taking an “extremist position” on race, I unequivocally denounced any form of racial bigotry 12:26 minutes into my Q&amp;A, saying, “No one should ever be vilified, or blamed, or hurt, or discriminated against because of the way they happen to look.” I also asked listeners at 17:57 minutes to treat those who do not fit traditional gender norms with dignity, stressing how “we need to keep in mind there are people who are struggling, and we need to approach them with love and kindness.”&nbsp;

What’s more, I explicitly disavowed political violence at the 27:33 minute mark of my speech, saying, “I’m not calling to ruin anyone’s life. I’m not supporting Antifa tactics.” However, I did express a desire to turn Kansas into a sanctuary for those fleeing dysfunctional blue states, part of which involves improving our self-defense laws while ensuring our attorney general can target the criminal element and the violent political agitators who enable them.

Further, I decried the use of hateful material to indoctrinate children. As an example, I pointed to “Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness,” which is available at the Hays Public Library. Aimed at children ages 8 and up, it states on page 59 that white people made a deal with the devil to gain wealth and privilege at the expense of minorities (a screenshot of the page in question is included in our statement). In addition to vilifying white children, this message disempowers children of color by teaching that life is hopelessly stacked against them.&nbsp;

Decent Kansans are horrified to see children subjected to vile hate and they wish to be free from criminal violence. I and the Ellis County GOP will continue to fight for their values.

Adam Peters, Ellis County Republican Party Chairman

<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c5771903-f517-4775-acd7-4f33951228ff">Counterpoint:&nbsp;Opinion: Revelations of religious zealotry infiltrating Kansas politics raise alarms near, far</a>

I am disappointed that Hays Post has chosen to republish a series of hit pieces from the Kansas Reflector, beginning on May 25 with an article titled, <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/91d59ad2-4746-4767-b13f-7db8ec415e45">“Church and state: Republicans revel in the divine plan to turn Kansas into ‘conservative sanctuary.’”&nbsp;</a>Written by Kansas Reflector editor-in-chief Sherman Smith, it relied on a deceptively edited audio recording to mischaracterize a speech I gave earlier this year.The Ellis County Republican party has responded with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/elliscountyksgop/posts/pfbid0jAGBrMPabe6L3fnSu6NHf9J6635pFhwxcUiu4SS6GGdcx9dmFrmZVgUWT6SrRHaGl" target="_blank">a statement</a> on its Facebook page which contains links to a video of <a href="https://rumble.com/v2bn6qc-critical-theory-presentation-2.html" target="_blank">my speech</a> along with the subsequent <a href="https://rumble.com/v2nybzw-reno-county-presentation-q-and-a.html" target="_blank">Q&amp;A session</a>.Whereas Smith accused me of taking an “extremist position” on race, I unequivocally denounced any form of racial bigotry 12:26 minutes into my Q&amp;A, saying, “No one should ever be vilified, or blamed, or hurt, or discriminated against because of the way they happen to look.” I also asked listeners at 17:57 minutes to treat those who do not fit traditional gender norms with dignity, stressing how “we need to keep in mind there are people who are struggling, and we need to approach them with love and kindness.”&nbsp;What’s more, I explicitly disavowed political violence at the 27:33 minute mark of my speech, saying, “I’m not calling to ruin anyone’s life. I’m not supporting Antifa tactics.” However, I did express a desire to turn Kansas into a sanctuary for those fleeing dysfunctional blue states, part of which involves improving our self-defense laws while ensuring our attorney general can target the criminal element and the violent political agitators who enable them.Further, I decried the use of hateful material to indoctrinate children. As an example, I pointed to “Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness,” which is available at the Hays Public Library. Aimed at children ages 8 and up, it states on page 59 that white people made a deal with the devil to gain wealth and privilege at the expense of minorities (a screenshot of the page in question is included in our statement). In addition to vilifying white children, this message disempowers children of color by teaching that life is hopelessly stacked against them.&nbsp;Decent Kansans are horrified to see children subjected to vile hate and they wish to be free from criminal violence. I and the Ellis County GOP will continue to fight for their values.Adam Peters, Ellis County Republican Party Chairman <a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/c5771903-f517-4775-acd7-4f33951228ff">Counterpoint:&nbsp;Opinion: Revelations of religious zealotry infiltrating Kansas politics raise alarms near, far</a>

Letter to the Editor: Ellis County GOP chairman responds to church, state series

WASHINGTON —The ESOP Association represents the interests of millions of Employee Owners and their companies across the nation.&nbsp;

On May 18, the organization honored Eagle Communications Chairman Gary Shorman for a career spent helping to grow employee ownership in America, with the Michael Keeling Founder’s Award.&nbsp;

The award honors an individual for their contributions to the founding of Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOP) and for working to elevate awareness of the benefit and value of ESOPs.&nbsp;Eagle Communications has been an employee-owned company since 1998 with employees now owning 100 percent of the company.

The award was presented at the organization's Annual Awards Ceremony during The ESOP Association’s National Conference in Washington, DC.&nbsp;

The Founder's award was created upon Michael Keeling's retirement from The ESOP Association after 28 years as President. The organization only presented this award one other time, and that was to the founder himself.

"Shorman has set a lifelong example we can all be inspired by," the ESOP Association stated. “Shorman has been a passionate advocate while serving on the organization's Board of Directors, and worked to create the organization's Silver Tsunami video series to encourage ESOP formation."&nbsp;

"It has been an honor to serve the ESOP association and be recognized with this award," said Shorman. "Helping build the Eagle ESOP and being a champion for employee owned companies has been rewarding. Employee ownership creates a unique business environment where everyone shares in the success and shares in the growth of their company."

"Shorman also chaired the organization's search committee for the first leadership transition at TEA in nearly three decades. He chaired the Association during COVID, led the way as we modernized our Board governance procedures, and has helped direct more than one hundred thousand dollars to the Employee Ownership Foundation."

"Any one of these things would be worthy of recognition, but together they exemplify a special dedication to ESOPs and future ESOP formation."

The annual awards honor excellence and achievement in the ESOP community and the people and companies that make significant contributions to The ESOP Association’s cause and membership.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684942928292.png" alt="The award was presented at the organization's Annual Awards Ceremony during The ESOP Association’s National Conference in Washington, DC. -Photo courtesy ESOP Association&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>The award was presented at the organization's Annual Awards Ceremony during The ESOP Association’s National Conference in Washington, DC. -Photo courtesy ESOP Association&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON —The ESOP Association represents the interests of millions of Employee Owners and their companies across the nation.&nbsp;On May 18, the organization honored Eagle Communications Chairman Gary Shorman for a career spent helping to grow employee ownership in America, with the Michael Keeling Founder’s Award.&nbsp;The award honors an individual for their contributions to the founding of Employee Stock Ownership Programs (ESOP) and for working to elevate awareness of the benefit and value of ESOPs.&nbsp;Eagle Communications has been an employee-owned company since 1998 with employees now owning 100 percent of the company.The award was presented at the organization's Annual Awards Ceremony during The ESOP Association’s National Conference in Washington, DC.&nbsp;The Founder's award was created upon Michael Keeling's retirement from The ESOP Association after 28 years as President. The organization only presented this award one other time, and that was to the founder himself."Shorman has set a lifelong example we can all be inspired by," the ESOP Association stated. “Shorman has been a passionate advocate while serving on the organization's Board of Directors, and worked to create the organization's Silver Tsunami video series to encourage ESOP formation."&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684942961408.png" alt="Photo courtesy ESOP Association&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy ESOP Association&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>"It has been an honor to serve the ESOP association and be recognized with this award," said Shorman. "Helping build the Eagle ESOP and being a champion for employee owned companies has been rewarding. Employee ownership creates a unique business environment where everyone shares in the success and shares in the growth of their company."<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684768242932.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>"Shorman also chaired the organization's search committee for the first leadership transition at TEA in nearly three decades. He chaired the Association during COVID, led the way as we modernized our Board governance procedures, and has helped direct more than one hundred thousand dollars to the Employee Ownership Foundation.""Any one of these things would be worthy of recognition, but together they exemplify a special dedication to ESOPs and future ESOP formation."The annual awards honor excellence and achievement in the ESOP community and the people and companies that make significant contributions to The ESOP Association’s cause and membership.

Association honors Eagle Chairman Gary Shorman with Founder's award 

On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/232/Fire-Department" target="_blank">Hays Fire Department</a> Chief Ryan Hagans shares summer safety tips.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe title="Stay safe this summer with these tips from the Hays Fire Department" allowtransparency="true" height="450" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=h9paf-1419d03-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=60a0c8&size=450" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the&nbsp;<a href="https://postpodcast.podbean.com/">Post Podcast</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haysusa.com/232/Fire-Department" target="_blank">Hays Fire Department</a> Chief Ryan Hagans shares summer safety tips.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎙 Post Podcast: Stay safe this summer with these tips from the Hays Fire Department

Fort Hays State University has announced a new one-year food service and catering contract with the Hays-based Union Catering Company.

 Created by local restaurant and beverage entrepreneurs Wes Rathbun and Philip Kuhn, the company was formed to take over from the outgoing Chartwells Higher Education Dining.&nbsp;Chartwells informed the university in early May that they&nbsp;planned to terminate their contract, effective July 1, 2023.

“We are elated that Wes and Philip, two pillars of the local business community, were willing to step in with a solution that meets our needs and reinforces our shared commitment to advancing economic prosperity in our community,” said FHSU Vice President of Student Affairs Joey Linn.&nbsp;

The Union Catering Company will introduce new food concepts in the Memorial Union, McMindes Hall cafeteria and Victor E. Village. There will be no changes to the meal plan options currently available to students. The Union Catering Company will assume all catering responsibilities for the university and operate out of the Memorial Union. 

Negotiations are underway to retain the Starbucks and Pizza Hut partnerships under the previous food service and catering contract.&nbsp;

The university’s contract with the Union Catering Company will expire on June 30, 2024. This fall, FHSU will announce a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a multi-year contract. The anticipated effective date of the new contract will be July 1, 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1685026446715.jpeg" alt="Photo courtesy of Pixabay." />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy of Pixabay.</figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU University RelationsFort Hays State University has announced a new one-year food service and catering contract with the Hays-based Union Catering Company. Created by local restaurant and beverage entrepreneurs Wes Rathbun and Philip Kuhn, the company was formed to take over from the outgoing Chartwells Higher Education Dining.&nbsp;Chartwells informed the university in early May that they&nbsp;planned to terminate their contract, effective July 1, 2023.“We are elated that Wes and Philip, two pillars of the local business community, were willing to step in with a solution that meets our needs and reinforces our shared commitment to advancing economic prosperity in our community,” said FHSU Vice President of Student Affairs Joey Linn.&nbsp;The Union Catering Company will introduce new food concepts in the Memorial Union, McMindes Hall cafeteria and Victor E. Village. There will be no changes to the meal plan options currently available to students. The Union Catering Company will assume all catering responsibilities for the university and operate out of the Memorial Union. Negotiations are underway to retain the Starbucks and Pizza Hut partnerships under the previous food service and catering contract.&nbsp;The university’s contract with the Union Catering Company will expire on June 30, 2024. This fall, FHSU will announce a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a multi-year contract. The anticipated effective date of the new contract will be July 1, 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Hays company to take over FHSU food service, catering contract

The Hays city commission meets today at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.

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 </figure>City of HaysThe Hays city commission meets today at 4 p.m. in Hays City Hall, 1507 Main.The May 25 agenda is below.<figure>
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Moderate income housing grant support to considered by Hays city commission 

BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>

TOPEKA — Adam Peters laced his sermon for Reno County Republicans with conspiracy theories about a liberal plot to turn their children against them, LGBTQ-friendly church pastors who signed a contract with Satan, the ubiquitous travesty of critical race theory, and make-believe enemies working to “foment violent conflict.”

Peters, the GOP chairman in Ellis County and an author for far-right publications, talked for two hours at the March 2 meeting at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson, where he was joined by two state legislators and local GOP officials. He outlined his plans — tinted by hints of violence and the assurance that God is on their side — to turn Kansas into a conservative sanctuary.

The conversation, secretly recorded and shared with Kansas Reflector, celebrated religious beliefs that correspond directly with policies embraced by the Legislature during this year’s session. From the meeting’s opening prayer to the ending prayer, a divine calling was made clear: Republicans must purge the state of anyone who disagrees with their extremist positions on the LGBTQ community, reproductive health care, education and race.

<h2>Kansas Reflector: Weeklong series to examine influence of religious beliefs on policy decisions at Statehouse</h2><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684960267186.jpeg" alt="Members of the Senate, seen here in May 2021, and House begin daily sessions with invocation from a chaplain. Their religious beliefs routinely influence policy decisions. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Members of the Senate, seen here in May 2021, and House begin daily sessions with invocation from a chaplain. Their religious beliefs routinely influence policy decisions. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>BY:&nbsp;<a href="https://kansasreflector.com/author/sherman-smith/">SHERMAN SMITH</a> <a href="https://kansasreflector.com/">Kansas Reflector</a>TOPEKA — Adam Peters laced his sermon for Reno County Republicans with conspiracy theories about a liberal plot to turn their children against them, LGBTQ-friendly church pastors who signed a contract with Satan, the ubiquitous travesty of critical race theory, and make-believe enemies working to “foment violent conflict.”Peters, the GOP chairman in Ellis County and an author for far-right publications, talked for two hours at the March 2 meeting at Riverside Baptist Church in Hutchinson, where he was joined by two state legislators and local GOP officials. He outlined his plans — tinted by hints of violence and the assurance that God is on their side — to turn Kansas into a conservative sanctuary.The conversation, secretly recorded and shared with Kansas Reflector, celebrated religious beliefs that correspond directly with policies embraced by the Legislature during this year’s session. From the meeting’s opening prayer to the ending prayer, a divine calling was made clear: Republicans must purge the state of anyone who disagrees with their extremist positions on the LGBTQ community, reproductive health care, education and race.“If you can make it hostile to that group of people, that small sliver of society, and have them move elsewhere, that does a huge amount to shut this down,” Peters said. “It’s both sides of it: You need to attract the good people here, and you also need to make it clear to the bad people, this isn’t gonna go well for you.”Kansas Reflector is examining the influence of religious beliefs on state government through a series of stories.With supermajority control of both the Senate and House, Republican lawmakers routinely entertain policy ideas shaped by fringe religious views — restrictions placed on transgender residents, anti-abortion propaganda, tax dollars for private schools, a refusal to acknowledge systemic racism.A religious pulse shakes every pillar of the Statehouse, from invocations that begin daily sessions to competing morning prayer groups to a spiritual adviser who roams the halls to the Bible clutched in John Brown’s hand in the&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://smarthistory.org/seeing-america-2/john-brown-american-art-in-context/">famous mural</a>&nbsp;on the second floor.The application of religion takes various shapes in legislative debate — as justification for attacks on marginalized people, or a rebuke to the prevailing vote.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684961821782.jpeg" alt="&nbsp;Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat, appears at an election night watch party for Gov. Laura Kelly. The senior minister at First Congregational Church, Schlingensiepen takes issue with those who “misunderstand themselves as the moral gatekeepers of society.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>&nbsp;Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Topeka Democrat, appears at an election night watch party for Gov. Laura Kelly. The senior minister at First Congregational Church, Schlingensiepen takes issue with those who “misunderstand themselves as the moral gatekeepers of society.” (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>For Rep. Tobias Schlingensiepen, a Democrat who serves as senior minister at First Congregational Church in Topeka, there is a right way and wrong way to combine religion and politics. He said a Christian politician should be looking out for people who don’t have a voice and criticizing those who have all the money and power.In an interview for this series, Schlingensiepen responded to Peters’ comments from the meeting in Hutchinson. Schlingensiepen condemned those who “misunderstand themselves as the moral gatekeepers of society,” the ones who want to decide “who’s good with God and who isn’t.”“We’re not talking about religion as people’s personal way of navigating life and dealing with life’s difficulties,” Schlingensiepen said. “We’re talking its exploitation, where it’s being used in order to suggest to someone that something’s being taken away from you, or that somehow you’re being harmed.”Peters, who founded&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://rightedgemagazine.com/">Right Edge Magazine</a>&nbsp;and writes for&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://conservativeinstitute.org/author/adam-peters">Conservative Institute</a>, depicted political conservatives as victims as he addressed the gathering of Reno County Republicans. They were being threatened, he said, by people who wield critical race theory, as well as critical gender theory and queer theory, with the goal of deconstructing societal norms.“We need to use the tools that are at our disposal,” Peters said. “You know, if we look in scripture, there was a time when the nation of Israel had to take up arms in defense of themselves.”Peters did not respond to an email seeking comment for this series.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684960682115.jpeg" alt="Adam Peters, GOP chairman in Ellis County, testifies via video on Feb. 1, 2023, before a legislative committee. Peters outlined his five-point plan to turn Kansas into a conservative sanctuary during a meeting of Republicans in March in Hutchinson. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature video)" />
 <figcaption>Adam Peters, GOP chairman in Ellis County, testifies via video on Feb. 1, 2023, before a legislative committee. Peters outlined his five-point plan to turn Kansas into a conservative sanctuary during a meeting of Republicans in March in Hutchinson. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from Kansas Legislature video)</figcaption>
 </figure>His five-point plan to turn Kansas into a conservative sanctuary starts with “some ideas in it to make things less than ideal for the folks involved,” Peters said.“So for example,” he said, “I believe we need to absolve drivers from both civil and criminal liability if they strike rioters who are blocking a public right of way.”Peters falsely claimed “many people were dragged to other vehicles and savagely beaten” during riots in 2020, which were inspired by the police murder of George Floyd. Those tactics, Peters warned, “could easily come back.” In fact, he said, “things are probably gonna get worse before they get better.”Amber Dickinson, an associate professor of political science at Washburn University, said Peters’ “troubling” comments about taking up arms and legalizing vehicular manslaughter could be considered hate speech.“They’re asking people to martyr up … and that is really scary to me,” Dickinson said.She said the religious views expressed by Peters go “way beyond” beliefs held by most Kansans who identify as Christian and are “just trying to live their life in a way that they think is good and right.”“It is normal to have a belief in a higher power, if you choose to have that belief,” Dickinson said. “It is not normal to create an army for this higher power and then do vigilante justice, in your opinion, on Earth. That is well beyond the tenants of what most people believe. I mean, goodness. That’s really scary.”Other points in Peters’ plan include making it a felony for a mob to invade a business, allowing the attorney general to initiate criminal charges when local prosecutors decline, changing the way Kansas Supreme Court justices are appointed because the Kansas Bar Association currently plays an outsized role, and adopting rules that ban critical theory from being used in workplace training.“It’s hard to argue that critical theory is not a main driver behind much of the degradation that we’re seeing in society today — whether it’s rising crime, whether it’s rising suicide rates, whether it’s racial strife, whether it’s just about anything else,” Peters said.The problems won’t be fixed overnight, Peters said. It would take work, courage and, most importantly, prayer.“The only thing that will ever save America or save any nation is our lord and savior,” Peters said.Peters praised legislation introduced this year by Sen. Mark Steffen, who was in attendance, to ban gender-affirming care.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/5/1684960787645.jpeg" alt="Sen. Mark Steffen, left, rests at his desk during an April 6, 2023, session of the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Mark Steffen, left, rests at his desk during an April 6, 2023, session of the Senate. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)</figcaption>
 </figure>Steffen campaigned in 2020 on the idea that “following God’s ideals Biblically guarantees a nation’s success.” This year, he&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/04/27/kansas-senators-message-to-non-christian-constituents-i-would-be-happy-to-try-and-convert-you/">offered to convert a Muslim woman</a>&nbsp;who asked him how he planned to represent non-Christian constituents. Steffen denied making the offer, despite audio of the conversation that proved he did.&nbsp;<a target="_blank" href="https://kansasreflector.com/2023/05/11/after-lying-about-offer-to-convert-muslim-woman-kansas-senator-opines-on-lost-souls/">He later said</a>&nbsp;he felt overwhelmed by news coverage of his lie, then realized the experience was “a gift the good Lord gave me.”Speaking alongside Peters at the March meeting, Steffen said Kansas has an opportunity “to be the bastion of our traditional values.”Reno County GOP chairman Ryan Patton opened and closed the meeting with a prayer. The county has lost its way, Patton said in his closing prayer, and only God can help.“We just anxiously await your return so we can just get past all of this in your name,” Patton said.John Whitesel, a Reno County commissioner, urged the 50-75 Republicans who attended the meeting to help spread the gospel.“There are a lot of people in this county that are willing to put their life and their honor on the line to fight against some of the stuff,” Whitesel said. “So now what you need to ask yourself is what can I do?”<h2>Church and State</h2>On Hays Post:<ul>
 <li>Thursday:&nbsp;Conservative sanctuary</li><li>Friday:&nbsp;LGBTQ targets</li><li>Saturday:&nbsp;Private education</li><li>Sunday:&nbsp;Abortion rights</li><li>Monday:&nbsp;Systemic racism</li><li>Tuesday:&nbsp;Statehouse spiritual</li>
 </ul>

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