In her first full day in office, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly reinstated protections for LGBTQ employees at state agencies and expanded the original executive order to apply to state government contractors. In response, DNC LGBTQ Media Director Lucas Acosta issued the following statement:

“Laura Kelly has reaffirmed that discrimination has no place in Kansas. After years of prejudicial leadership from Republican Governor Sam Brownback, Kelly’s tenure is a welcome reprieve for all state employees who can now live freely without fear of retribution from their employer. Last November, Kansans voted for progress when they flipped the governor’s mansion from red to blue. Today, Governor Kelly is following through on her promise to make Kansas more just and equal for all, no matter who you love or how you identify.”