Governor Sam Brownback rescinded an executive order issued by former Governor Kathleen Sebelius "barring discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The order applied to hiring and employment decisions by agencies under the governor's direct control and required them to create anti-harassment policies as well." The original order was issued back in 2007, when Sebelius was governor of Kansas.

Brownback said Sebelius — a Democrat who went on to serve as President Barack Obama's health secretary — acted "unilaterally" with her order and that any such changes should be made by the state Legislature. But Brownback, who became governor a little more than four years ago, didn't say why he waited until now to rescind her directive.

The Human Right's Campaign, a national gay-rights group called Brownback's move "foul, reckless, and shameful."

Said Brownback,"This executive order ensures that state employees enjoy the same civil rights as all Kansans without creating additional 'protected classes' as the previous order did," Brownback said in a brief statement. "Any such expansion of 'protected classes' should be done by the Legislature and not through unilateral action."

Another gay-rights group questioned Brownback.

Tom Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas, the state's leading gay-rights group, said the jobs of hundreds of gay, lesbian and transgendered workers are now at risk, after they've spent nearly a decade believing they were safe on the job after disclosing their orientation or gender identity.

"It's an outrage — an absolute outrage," Witt said. "I can conceive of no justifiable reason for doing this."

But others didn't think it would have any effect at all.

Rep. Jan Pauls, a Hutchinson Republican, questioned whether the change would actually affect state employees.

"I would be surprised if anyone would get fired," she said.