TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas new Democratic governor on Tuesday reinstated a ban on anti-LGBT bias in state agencies employment decisions that a Republican predecessor had repealed, and she also expanded the policy to cover government contractors.
Gov. Laura Kellys executive order was her first official action since taking office Monday and fulfilled a promise she made repeatedly during her successful campaign last year. It bars state agencies from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity when hiring workers or deciding whether to promote, discipline or fire them.
The move came after a historic wave of victories by LGBT candidates across the nation. In Kansas, Sharice Davids won a congressional seat and state Reps. Susan Ruiz and Brandon Woodard were elected as the Legislatures first openly lesbian and gay members. All three are Kansas City-area Democrats.
