Rally at the Kansas Capitol Saturday Feb 14 to protest legalized discrimination

Rally at the Kansas Capitol Saturday Feb 14 to protest legalized discrimination

Wichita, Kans -

Equality Kansas, formerly the Kansas Equality Coalition, announced today a rally to protest recent actions by Kansas governor Sam Brownback. The rally is scheduled for Saturday, Feb 14, at noon on the south steps of the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka. Joining Equality Kansas will be members of Planting Peace, which operates the Equality House in Topeka.

"Governor Brownback has broken the promise this state made to it's LGBT employees," said Thomas Witt, Equality Kansas executive director. "By rescinding the 2007 non-discrimination order issued by then-governor Kathleen Sebelius, Brownback has declared 'open season' on every LGBT state employee whose sexual orientation and gender identity have become known over the past eight years," Witt said.

On August 31, 2007, Sebelius signed an executive order banning discrimination in State of Kansas employment based on sexual orientation and gender identity, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, military or veteran and disability status.

The keynote speaker for Saturday's event will be State Representative John Carmichael (D-Wichita), who has introduced HB2323, a bill adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the "Kansas Act Against Discrimination," the state law that protects Kansans from discrimination.

"The members of Equality Kansas are grateful to Representative Carmichael for taking the lead in re-introducing this important legislation," said Witt. "It's time for Kansas to join the growing ranks of states, the 90% of Fortune 500 companies, and the thousands of smaller businesses and communities across our nation who believe discrimination is wrong."

Other speakers will include Sandra Meade, state chair of Equality Kansas, Davis Hammet, Director of Operations at Planting Peace, and Rev. Tobias Schlingensiepen of the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ.

The Gayly - February 12, 2015 @ 5:50pm