photo by: Associated Press

Tom Witt, right, executive director of the LGBT-rights group Equality Kansas, discusses proposals introduced in the Kansas House and Senate to ban anti-LGBT discrimination in private employment and housing during a news conference, Monday, Feb. 4, 2019, at the Statehouse in Topeka, Kan. Standing to his left is state Rep. Susan Ruiz, D-Shawnee, one of the first two openly LGBT legislators elected in Kansas last year. (AP Photo/John Hanna)

TOPEKA — Fifty-five Kansas lawmakers are co-sponsoring a bill that would ban discrimination in the private sector based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

The bill introduced Monday would protect LGBTQ residents in employment, housing and services.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports 38 representatives and 17 senators are co-sponsoring the bill.

Rep. Susan Ruiz, a Democrat from Shawnee who is one of the state’s two openly gay legislators, said the legislation would help attract outside businesses to Kansas.

The bill would amend the Kansas Act Against Discrimination to add sexual orientation and gender identity to a list that includes race, religion, color, sex, disability, national origin and ancestry.

Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas, said the law already exempts religious institutions, and concerns by people who support those institutions are unfounded.