Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed an executive order that will prohibit discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender state employees late last week, according to a release from the Human Rights Campaign.The order, effective immediately, requires state agencies under Sebelius’ direct control to put in place programs to prevent on-the-job harassment against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered workers.
"I'm sorry it took us so long," Sebelius told the press after signing the order. She also endorsed a bill in the Republican-dominated Legislature that would prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians in housing and private employment.
"We need to make sure in Kansas that all of our employees are treated with dignity and respect and that the doors to state employment are open to all," Sebelius added. "It was just clear we were behind the times."
This is an important and meaningful statement in favor of equal rights," Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said in a press release. "We hope that the Kansas Legislature will follow the governor’s lead by ultimately ensuring that private sector employees in Kansas don’t have to face discrimination simply because of who they are,” he continued. “The momentum keeps building in favor of equality, as more and more states are doing the right thing and rejecting discrimination. However, the fact that Kansas remains one of 31 states without a law protecting private-sector employees from discrimination based on sexual orientation and one of 39 states without a law protecting private-sector employees from discrimination based on gender identity highlights the critical need for federal anti-discrimination legislation in these areas."
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