Republican Gov. Sam Brownback signed an executive order last week striking down the 2007 Gay Agenda action of the previous Kansas governor, Democrat Kathleen Sebelius (the ObamaCare queen). Brownback's order removed the protected status for state workers who labeled themselves based on deviant sexual behavior (i.e.: sexual orientation or gender identity). A second order affirmed protection of state employees against discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age or national origin.
For background, click headlines below to read previous articles:
New Law Against 'Gay Rights' Ordinances in Arkansas
Mississippi Religious Liberty Law Infuriates Liberals
Democrat Missouri Governor Signs Religious Liberty Law
Tennessee GOP & Democrats (both) Pass Religious Liberty for Schools
Pastors Lead Local Battles Against 'Gay Rights'
-- From "KS Governor Brownback rescinds order protecting gay state workers" by The Associated Press 2/10/15
Kansas’ anti-discrimination law covers private employers and housing, but it doesn’t extend to gay, lesbian or transgendered residents.
Brownback says legislators should approve any expansion of anti-discrimination laws, and that Sebelius — who later became President Barack Obama’s health secretary — acted unilaterally
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From "Gov. Sam Brownback rescinds protected-class status for LGBT state workers in Kansas" by Bryan Lowry, The Kansas City Star 2/11/15
“This Executive Order ensures that state employees enjoy the same civil rights as all Kansans without creating additional ‘protected classes’ as the previous order did,” Brownback said in a short statement that did not specifically refer to sexual orientation or gender identity. “Any such expansion of ‘protected classes’ should be done by the legislature and not through unilateral action.”
He said the order also reaffirmed commitment to “hiring, mentoring and recognizing veterans and individuals with disabilities.”
Rep. John Rubin, a Shawnee Republican, a former federal judge, defended the governor’s decision from a legal standpoint, saying that if sexual orientation isn’t a protected class at the federal level, then the issue should be up to the Legislature to decide.
“Until sexual orientation is either added in Kansas as a protected class under our law or added federally, which it isn’t now … I think that’s the Legislature’s prerogative,” Rubin said. “Whether they should be a protected class is a separate question. … But it isn’t a protected class until we say it is.”
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From "Kansas governor removes protections for LGBT employees" by Matt Pearce, Los Angeles Times 2/10/15
Brownback's removal of sexual orientation and gender identity protections was greeted with instant outcry by LGBT advocacy groups and comes at a time gays and lesbians around the country have been fighting for nondiscrimination laws and the right to marry. A federal judge struck down Kansas' ban on same-sex marriage in November, and the state has appealed the ruling.
The legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas called Brownback's move "a sad day for Kansas" and said it was unusual to see a state take away legal protections from gay and lesbian residents rather than add them.
Fewer than half the nation's states have statewide nondiscrimination laws protecting sexual orientation or gender identity, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, though many large companies have created their own policies and some cities have protections that go beyond state laws.
Sebelius' 2007 executive order did not change discrimination policies for private employers. It applied only to state workers.
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Gov. Brownback Promotes Marriage to Reduce Poverty as well as Atheists Condemn Kansas Governor for Acting Christian
And read Federal Appeals Court OKs Kansas Defunding Planned Parenthood
