55 Kansas lawmakers sponsor LGBTQ anti-discrimination bill

(AP) 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.