Our governor, Sam Brownback, has decided to ban basic rights every Kansan should have.

A recent executive order made by Brownback took away protections state workers had from discrimination due to their gender identity or sexuality. It was a big step in the wrong direction.

This decision flies in the face of what students are taught: to respect others. Gov. Brownback needs to reverse his action, which will lead to distrust and controversy within the state.

The original executive order was issued by former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius in 2007. Her order prohibited discrimination against gay, bisexual and transgender state workers.

On Feb. 10, Brownback made an executive order of his own to cancel the forward-thinking action of Sebelius. He justified himself by saying “any such expansion of ‘protected classes’ should be done by the legislature and not through unilateral action.”

Brownback, at least politically, believes state employees were getting special privileges by being protected from harassment. But taking away the ability to fire people based on their gender and/or sexuality does not raise those employees above their coworkers. It makes them equal.

Brownback’s action could result in discrimination against people in the LGBTQ+ community. It means people can be fired not because of their work ethic, but because they are gay, bisexual or transgender. It means a person can be discriminated against because they want to be open about who they are in their workplace.

Brownback’s order contradicts the constitutional separation of church and state. Prejudice against homosexuality is perpetuated by religious beliefs, and Brownback is asserting his beliefs at the expense of non-hetero, non-cisgendered Kansans.

Brownback’s order destroys the trust and respect between the state and its employees.

“I wouldn’t feel safe applying for some jobs,” said sophomore Michael McFadden, who is openly gay. “I wouldn’t feel safe going to certain places.”

When people don’t feel protected in their own state, the government is doing something wrong.

Fortunately, students believe that the effect of Brownback’s action should not change too much here in Lawrence. City law offers protections for residents who are transgender from discrimination in housing and employment.

“I think in Lawrence we’re a very accepting community, and I think that’s one of the reasons us high schoolers are able to identify as gay or transgender or whatever we want to be,” sophomore Noah Kucza said. “We’ve been raised in such a great city that’s so accepting of everything.”

Threats against LGBTQ+ workers are real. Before Sebelius offered protections to LGBTQ+ workers in 2007, Kansans described the discrimination they had faced in the state. They hoped her order would lead to additional protections for all workers in Kansas, but Brownback is bringing us into the past rather than progressing with other states.

For now, Lawrence stands as an example for the rest of our state. Every Kansan deserves the same respect.