"I would be very much in favor of stronger policies prohibiting gays and lesbians from adopting and child care. We will encourage the Legislature to review those policies," he said in today's Lawrence Journal-World.

The Kansas Equality Coalition plans to appeal to its neighbors' sense of fairness and consistency to defeat attempts to separate children from their same-sex parents, or prevent same-sex couples from providing a loving home to children in need.

Diane Silver of Lawrence, vice chairwoman the coalition, said, "We just want to see all people in the state treated fairly, and we do not want to limit anyone's rights, including the religious right and people who have been taking away our rights."

"The more they talk, the more people join our side," retored Rev. Fox. "They are out of the mainstream with what the average Kansan feels."

Silver disagreed, saying most Kansans want fairness. "It's the Golden Rule and there is nothing radical about that," she said.

Silver showed tact, respect for religious beliefs, and canny organizing skills by citing the Golden Rule. Jesus, Confucious, and other religious leaders throughout history have cited the principle as an appeal to fairness and moral consistency.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets," said Jesus in the Gospel According to Matthew 7:12.