Kansas Extends Protections Against Discrimination To LGBTQ People

The US Supreme Court's stance against LGBTQ worker discrimination is making waves nationwide, leading to advancements in LGBTQ protections in Kansas.

The Kansas Human Rights Commission, which enforces anti-discrimination laws, has expanded protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Unlike the Supreme Court, though, the Commission’s decision went much further.

First, it prohibits discrimination in companies with at least 4 employees, whereas the ruling of the US Supreme Court only concerned companies with over 15 employees.

Secondly, it also bans discrimination against LGBTQ people in housing and public housing, where the Supreme Court only ruled against discrimination in employment.

LGBTQ rights group Equality Kansas, which has been working on these issues for a decade now, welcomed the decision by the state’s Human Rights Commission.

“This is a great day for fairness in Kansas,” Executive Director Thomas Witt said in a news release.