Gay rights supporters are planning a weekend rally at the Kansas Statehouse to protest the end of anti-discrimination protections for gay, lesbian and transgendered workers in much of state government.

The event at noon Saturday is a response to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s decision this week to narrow a policy that covers hiring and employment decisions in state agencies controlled directly by the governor.

Brownback rescinded an executive order issued in August 2007 by then-Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to bar discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

A state law barring discrimination in housing and private employment doesn’t cover such bias, and Brownback said Sebelius acted unilaterally in her order. Brownback said the Legislature should decide whether to extend such protections to gays and lesbians in state government.