Discrimination rule
Maggie Childs of Lawrence, who is local chapter president of the Kansas Equality Coalition, talks about an executive order signed Friday, August 31, 2007, by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius that prohibits on-the-job discrimination against state employees because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Executive Order
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Friday signed an executive order aimed at protecting state employees from workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
"We need to make sure in Kansas that all of our employees are treated with dignity and respect and that the doors of state employment are open to all," Sebelius said.
The order affects about 25,000 state employees.
Members of the Kansas Equality Coalition applauded Sebelius during a signing ceremony.
As she hugged members of the coalition, Sebelius remarked, "I'm sorry it took so long."
She said the action wasn't prompted by lawsuits or discrimination complaints, but that the state employee anti-discrimination policy was simply out of date.
Maggie Childs, president of the Lawrence chapter of the coalition, watched Sebelius sign the order.
"Gay and lesbian and transgender people are now protected from losing their jobs because of hate or prejudice," Childs said.
Legislation to extend anti-discrimination protections in private employment and housing is before a state Senate committee. Sebelius said she supported that measure.
Comments
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dorothyhr (Dorothy Hoyt-Reed) says…
Thank you, governor. Equal rights for all!!!
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
I predict 200 or more posts by midnight... and an additional 200 or more by Tuesday morning.
;)
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
http://www.uscentrist.org
http://www.americanplan.org
jasonc_22 (anonymous) says…
thank you Kathleen! now, let's get the same protection for the LGBT workers statewide.
toefungus (anonymous) says…
Now we need to work on short, fat, and dumb people.
RedwoodCoast (anonymous) says…
Sexual orientation wasn't already on the list?
Poor people who have to work around the gays... I feel so sorry for them. Boo hoo.
srj (anonymous) says…
I think this is a great thing, and very fair. I think probally half of the people (like me) who disapprove of gay marrige support laws like this.
KUweatherman (Curtis Lange) says…
So this basically just made the state an equal oppurtunity employer like everyone else is?
jasonc_22 (anonymous) says…
nope KUweatherman...you can still be fired for because of sexual orientation or gender identity in the private sector...those classifications aren't protected by anti-discrimination laws in kansas.
this was a big step in the right direction
Ragingbear (anonymous) says…
Discrimination is discrimination. We aren't talking about somebody coming into the workplace and making passes at all the men "because they are gay". That would constitute sexual harrasment. We are talking about people that do what they do on their own time.
For example, you have somebody that likes to wear more metal piercings in their face than the chrome on a new car. They like to wear goth style makeup and multi-colored clown hair. As long as they don't come to work like that, and be a disruption and distraction to their job, then it's fine whatever they do on their own time. They can go straight home and dress up however they would like. They can even go out and do whatever other people do and should expect to not be kicked out of restaurants (fancy ones with specific dress codes aside) be arrested or hassled by police or lose their jobs.
Ultimately, this is more than just giving homosexuals equal protection. This is another stepping stone towards people accepting everyone for who they are, and what they do. Bigotry is alive and well. Smokers, fat people, diabetics and public breast feeders still endure bigotry almost as much as African-Americans endure today in the deep south, or everywhere in the 60's. Remember, in the 60's that you would see signs that said "No Hippies". Not "don't come in if you don't intend to buy." or "patrons must be be clean and have clean clothes" but just "No Hippies".
The human race has to get past it's fear of people and things that are different if we are to ever achieve world peace and evolve to something better than what we are as a whole.
I have to admit that I am bigoted against one group. Bigots of any sort.
jasonc_22 (anonymous) says…
does anyone know if this applies to public school teachers?
jasonc_22 (anonymous) says…
Angus- now THAT was a funny post.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Absolutely Fabulous!
Oracle_of_Rhode (anonymous) says…
Equality under the law...what a concept! Thanks, Gov.!
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
"We need to make sure in Kansas that all of our employees are treated with dignity and respect and that the doors of state employment are open to all," Sebelius said."
What a step in the right direction...
Too bad she couldn't apply that reasoning to allowing gay marriage or civil unions
justfornow (anonymous) says…
"We need to make sure in Kansas that all of our employees are treated with dignity and respect and that the doors of state employment are open to all," Sebelius said.
OK I get it, I have nothing against gays, lesbians,native american,african american ,mexican American, whites, green, reds..... Why not just treat state workers the same, with dignity and respect to begin with? Why all the groups when we are all Americans. The only people that are dividing our country are Politicians. Enough!!
tmkatt (Tom Miller) says…
...well said, Colonel, well said.
ndmoderate (anonymous) says…
Col. Angus,
You're trying just a little too hard at being a troll today.
mick (anonymous) says…
She may be politically correct but she's not very politically astute.
ndmoderate (anonymous) says…
"It's about 2 % males and 2% females getting a whole lot of special treatment for aberrant sexual behavior."
That's possibly the dumbest thing to ever come out of your keyboard, R_T. And you wonder why some people call you a bigot.
sourpuss (anonymous) says…
I think we should discriminate against SUV owners. Their personal choices tear up the roads with their heavy cars, make us more dependent on oil, pollute the air, and the cars themselves are really ugly.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Colonel_Angus , isn't trying at all unless you count simple cut-n-paste as "trying."
http://blamebush.typepad.com/blamebus...
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
The funny thing is someone on here will actually believe (possibly even Col_Agnus) that "Herman Goerring said that the first step towards Fascism is gender absolutism." Which is so absolutely bitchin fabulous!
topekahawk (anonymous) says…
How will someone prove that they are homosexual? Will they have to have sex in front of a judge to prove it? And even with that act, how will the the judge determine that they are faking homosexuality and are really heterosexual?
jasonc_22 (anonymous) says…
their is enough stigma to being publically gay that I'm quite sure no one will decide to "pretend" just to keep their job. they'll be dragged through the papers and made a very public face for the gay community. Dangerous if they're liars.
Or have you bee watching "I now Pronounce you Chuck and Larry?"
Leprechaunking13 (anonymous) says…
FYI Colonel AngA** Noogie is something that is done by rubbing your knuckles forcefully over someones scalp, what you meant was NOOKIE
gr (anonymous) says…
"Now we need to work on short, fat, and dumb people."
"I think we should discriminate against SUV owners. "
Yeah, aren't they being discriminated against as much as the homos?
Anyone have some instances where homos have been discriminated in the workplace and could not use legal action against it? Sebelius didn't say that was the case. Now is there MORE ability to fight it than being discriminated against because you drive a SUV?
How does one make it on "the list". Lobby congress, pay bribe money....?
lawyerlee (anonymous) says…
Way to go, Kathleen!
situveux1 (anonymous) says…
Wonder why Sebelius waited until after her re-election to do this?
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Let's be honest here shall we. Kansas is an At-Will-State which means outside of government jobs you can be fired for any reason whatsoever except; race, gender, national origin, and in some cases age and sexual orientation. You can be fired because your boss doesn't like your shoes, or where you live, or the last four digits of your phone number.
Let's get real. Who ever heard of a State of Kansas Employee being fired, ever? The last one I remember is the HIV infected guy who exposed a bunch of 'open minded' agnostics and who is now serving a jail term. And even he was placed on unpaid leave of absence! So the State of Kansas now can't use sexual orientation as a reason fire someone? If incompetence has never been a reason to fire someone, I doubt this will offer anyone any protection whatsoever.
Pure Gov. Kathy, completely and utterly useless!
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
toefungus (Anonymous) says:
"Now we need to work on short, fat, and dumb people."
Don't worry. They'll get you covered really soon.
jasonc_22 (anonymous) says…
not useless, amazingly powerful, and should set the stage for more actions taken by the legislature to make sure people like me don't get fired because my bosses don't like the fact I have a boyfriend.
should set the stage...won't set the stage...the legislature is too bigoted for that.
situveux1 (anonymous) says…
Amen Sigmund!
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
I smell lawsuits.
OrangeCat5 (anonymous) says…
Great news! Now if only insurance could be a shared benefit. Still it's a step in the right direction.
mick (anonymous) says…
"It's only a first step." That's what they always say. Wonder what they really want.
kneejerkreaction (anonymous) says…
You can't ban personal feelings. If a boss wants to get rid of an employee, or not hire someone, because they're gay, they'll just have to find another excuse that has nothing to do with being gay. I don't see this legislation amounting to anything more than Clinton's "don't ask don't tell".
gayokay (anonymous) says…
Just a little human sexuality lesson...
Sexual orientation can mean heterosexual, bi-sexual, homosexual or any gradiant in between. Queen Kathy's executive order protects straight state employee's from discrimination as well as protecting "them thar filithy sod-o-mites".
This is a great day for Kansas. My concern is that Adam and Steve state worker come out at work and then for what ever reason we get some Red Neck Bible Wacking Republican into office next term. Out goes the executive order and Adam and Steve will be out pounding the pavement.
Kansas needs to join the many other states and municipalities that have outlawed discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in the work place and in housing and public accomidations. It works for business as 90% of fortune 500 companies already have such policies.
Tychoman (anonymous) says…
Marion this has nothing to do with the *un*constitutional amendment. It's about job discrimination, not marriage.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
Political appointees (gay, straight, or undecided) submit their resignations at the beginning of a new administration, they won't be "protected" their resignations will be accepted. Other than that a new Governor can't fire those employees in the Government Employees Union, it isn't the Governor's call. Since almost no one ever gets fired from State Government for any reason, this is pure political BS.
Honestly, lets all just take a deep breath, and laugh out loud!
deec (anonymous) says…
Great job, Governor!
mick (anonymous) says…
Sexuality, either homosexual or heterosexual, has no place in a work setting. The problem with most homosexuals I've known, male or female, is that they seem to be unable to shut up about their sexuality, even for a little while. It's as if it's their very reason for being.
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
Sigmund wondered "Who ever heard of a State of Kansas Employee being fired, ever?"
Surprisingly (to me, anyway), it does happen. Go to http://www.da.ks.gov/ps/subject/arc/m... and click on any "Quarterly Civil Service Board Report".
gayokay (anonymous) says…
Mick says, "...they (homosexuals) seem to be unable to shut about their sexuality..."
Nobody is advocating doing the nasty at work.
I have yet to be in a work environment where the heterosexuals keep their personal lives personal. There are always water cooler conversations about the spouse and the kids. Pictures on the desks. The newly engaged women flashing their engagement rings. Don't forget the company parties and picnics where family or spouses are expected. Then there is the mucho macho hetero who when alone with the guys has to say what he'd like to do to that cute pretty young thing. Then there are the grrls twittering about the UPS man and his adorable shorts clad legs.
The point is no one should be forced to be afraid of losing their job or not get hired because of who they love. Please Mick, don't paint gay people as over sexed. Hetero's have that market cornered.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
W_N, way to funny, and I stand corrected! Seven (7) workers were dismissed last quarter! That is a whole 28 per year in all of the State of Kansas. Makes you wonder if any of them were dismissed because of sexual preferences.
If only Kathy had signed an order forbidding firing State employee's for "taping the pony tail of an inmate to a desk" at least ONE job would have been saved. If the State "worker" had claimed she was into the BDSM lifestyle and was a protected class, this horror of small minded discrimination and could have been avoided! How embarrassing.
This is just a way too funny start the Labor Day weekend. But what is even more hysterical is how serious this is taken by the posters on the LJW online, both hailing and damning Gov. Kathy for what is a utterly meaningless and worthless political PR stunt. And remember, "Herman Goerring said that the first step towards Fascism is gender absolutism." What a huge joke this whole thing is.
purplesage (anonymous) says…
Another addition to the long list of reasons I didn't vote for the lousy liberal. But since the state did, we have gotten what we asked for, I guess. Along with the Iowa judge's decision, it is another sign of America going down the moral tubes. Thanks for additional degradation, governor.
AttaGirl45 (anonymous) says…
I applaud Kathleen! It's a start atleast. Now if we can get other employers to follow suit and go public and really stand up for LGBT's!! It amazes me how the Christian Right groups and members want society to respect their beliefs, but yet they do not respect LGBT members. You do not have to accept our lifestyle, but I would ask that you would respect it. I can respect all different types of religous beliefs, but that does not mean I accept a particular one and I never go around verbally trashing it. I simply do not agree with it. But, you know what? I don't have to agree with everyone in this world. But, I do believe that my sisters and brothers, all men and women, deserve respect. Regardless of their sexual preferences, religion, race, etc..
It's a shame that bigotry is so deeply rooted and called so many things, hides behind so many organizations, and is passed on from generation to generation. Isn't it time we end it?
gayokay (anonymous) says…
Just another lesson in human sexuality...
The correct terminology is "Sexual Orientation" not preference. Preference implies that the subject has exercised choice which is not the case. Being gay is not a choice any more than being straight is. No amount of choice could make me attracted to or sexually interested in the opposite gender.
jasonc_22 (anonymous) says…
they aren't special rights..being gay is just as inate as being left handed or blue-eyed. the government should protect people the majority "hates"- blacks, gays, Jews, whatever. And all people should be protected, so someday I can't fire someone because they AREN'T gay.
50YearResident (anonymous) says…
Just in case two gay senators are caught making love in the Capitol building rest room they can't be prosecuted for their sexual behavior.
erod0723 (anonymous) says…
Instead of protecting certain groups (even though the protection was long overdue), why doesn't Sebelius ban discrimination of any kind? Then, anyone that objected to the ban on discrimination would be shown for what they are, bigots.
warthog (anonymous) says…
I still yearn for the good old days when your sex life was private and nobody else's damned buisiness. I can't for the life of me understand why someone wants to be identified by who they choose to sleep with. Isn't it enough to be identified as male, female, black, white...? How long til we have parades down mass street because they're all blondes? Oh goodness... Do we need another law to protect blondes in the workplace?
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
Still a bit short of the 400 posts Agnostick predicted....
Uhlrick_Hetfield_III (anonymous) says…
Sebelius is more like Brownback everyday. While she's selling out the environment to corporate coal interests, shafting the people out west on their water rights and selling KU's branding to Missouri ( jeopardizing health care for the poor in Wyandotte County in the process), she throws her alleged base a symbolic bone that will have little if any impact.
How much actual discrimination is alleged to have occurred in state government circles anyhow?
Give Kathleen a little more time in government and Tom Frank can come back and re-write his book to show how she and her Republicrat pals are doing the same things he previously denounced the right for doing.
Thanks for the crumbs, Kathleen.
gr (anonymous) says…
"You can be fired because your boss doesn't like your shoes, or where you live, or the last four digits of your phone number."
Evidence, please.
Wilbur_Nether (anonymous) says…
gr, because Kansas is an "at-will employment" state, an employer may terminate an employee at any time for any reason, or for no reason at all, as long as the termination is not for a protected reason (protected being those classes such as age, gender, nation of origin, etc.). Here's one source http://employment-law.freeadvice.com/...
gr (anonymous) says…
"Kansas is an "at-will employment" state,"
I think many would fall under implied contract:
"courts are finding there is a "contract" between the employer and the employee, even in the absence of a formal written employment agreement."
But, if what you say is true, why all the pain in getting rid of dead beat employees? Why do employers worry so much in getting rid of employees? Do they not know?
packrat (anonymous) says…
I guess that the people I work with and have working for me are more adult than the rest of you. This isn't an issue. We judge people by the quality of their work and the jerk factor.
Tychoman (anonymous) says…
Finding_U is a perfect example of an obscene username that clearly violates the LJWorld's policy.