Kansas has begun issuing gender-neutral marriage forms, though there's still ongoing litigation over the state's ban on same-sex marriages.
Copies of the new forms were included in a motion that the Kansas Department of Health and Environment filed Wednesday and amended Thursday, seeking to have former Secretary Robert Moser dismissed from the litigation.
The motion noted that Moser resigned effective Nov. 30, and also said new marriage forms have been created that are suitable for same-sex couples. Applicants now fill in information under the heading "Party A" or "Party B. " They can select whether they want to be referred to as a bride, groom, or spouse.
KDHE spokeswoman Sara Belfry said the forms were changed last month after the U.S. Supreme Court denied Kansas' request to prevent gay and lesbian couples from marrying while the state fights a lawsuit.
Same-sex couples have married in some but not all of the state's counties. Belfry says as of Thursday morning, the state had issued 23 marriage certificates to same-sex couples.
The American Civil Liberties Union initially sued on behalf of two lesbian couples who were denied marriage licenses in Douglas County and Sedgwick County. The ACLU later amended the suit to include claims that Kansas is refusing to recognize same-sex marriages for spousal health insurance benefits, state tax filing, and driver's license name changes.
Since the lawsuit filing, Douglas and Sedgwick counties have started issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
