FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 11, 2015
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ACLU-Kansas calls Gov. Brownback's rescinding of anti-discrimination executive order a step backward
KANSAS CITY, KANSAS - Yesterday, Kansas Governor Sam Brownback rescinded an executive order that prohibited discrimination against most state employees on the basis of sexual orientation – a move that the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas (ACLU-Kansas) deemed as a step backwards for civil rights in Kansas.
The executive order had been in place since 2007 when it was issued by then-governor Kathleen Sebelius. In addition to ensuring that state employees were not discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, the executive order overturned by Gov. Brownback worked to prevent harassment of the state government's gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered employees.
ACLU-Kansas is deeply concerned by the governor's action, and has issued the following statement in response:
"Gov. Brownback has taken Kansas a step backwards. Nobody should be afraid that they will lose their job because of who they are or who they love," said Micah Kubic, Executive Director of ACLU-Kansas. "Gay and transgender state employees go to work every day, do their jobs and deserve to be judged based on their merits. They are our friends, co-workers, neighbors, and public servants. With his executive order, Gov. Brownback has made their lives unnecessarily harder and made them vulnerable to harassment and discrimination in the workplace."
Please visit www.aclukansas.org to learn more about ACLU-Kansas.
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News Coverage
"Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback rescinds Sebelius order protecting LGBT workers", Breitbart.com, February 11, 2015