Hundreds of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender activists gathered outside the Kansas State Capitol Saturday to protest Gov. Sam Brownback's executive order rescinding sexual orientation and gender expression protections for state employees.
The rally was organized by LGBT activist group Equality Kansas. Executive Director Tom Witt says that, despite being frustrated with Brownback's order, he remains optimistic.
"I know we're going to make positive change in Kansas this year," Witt says. "I think the governor stepped in something that he would've been better advised to stay out of."
Witt says that his group's biggest goal is to push support for HB 2323, which was drafted by Rep. John Carmichael (D) of Wichita. The bill would protect all Kansans, not just state employees, from discrimination based on sexual identity or gender expression.
Carmichael says that he was skeptical that his bill could get traction at first, but was careful not to count it out already.
"Given the governor's remarks that he thinks it is something the legislature should act on, given [Speaker Merrick's] remarks that he believes no one should be fired for being gay or lesbian, there is a chance [that HB 2323 will pass]," Carmichael says. "But it won't happen without activism on the part of all Kansans gay or straight."
