Thousands Expected at Topeka Rally Against Gov. Brownback's Rescinding of LGBT Executive Order

TOPEKA, Kansas – Thousands are expected today at the Kansas state capital to rally in protest against Gov. Sam Brownback's decision to rescind an executive order that offered protections to LGBT state employees.

The rally, spearheaded by Equality Kansas , is scheduled 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. Our friends at Camp Magazine in Kansas City will be on hand for coverage with photography to follow.

“Governor Brownback has broken the promise this state made to it’s LGBT employees,” said Thomas Witt, Equality Kansas executive director, via press release. “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."

According to Associated Press reports , Sebelius says she was surprised and distressed by Gov. Sam Brownback’s decision to rescind her executive order that offered protections for LGBT state employees.

In a speech at the Dole Institute in Lawrence Thursday, Sebelius said she signed the executive order protecting LGBT state employees in 2007 to signal that Kansas wanted a diverse and talented workforce and was a tolerant state.

Brownback rescinded the order Tuesday, saying that such changes should be made by the state Legislature.

Sebelius also called Brownback’s efforts to eliminate the state’s income tax to increase business and job growth in Kansas “a colossal failure,” and said she’s concerned that the state is on a long-term downward economic spiral because of its multi-million dollar budget deficit.