LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights leaders are condemning the Topeka City Council’s 5–1 vote to repeal key diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. The move eliminates the Office of DEI, affirmative action mandates, and diversity training requirements — policies championed by former council member Tiffany Muller, who led the city’s 2004 antidiscrimination ordinance.
Muller, now president of End Citizens United, called the rollback “frustrating,” while Kansas Rep. Susan Ruiz said the decision makes LGBTQ+ residents feel “rejected by their city.”
City attorney Amanda Stanley warned Topeka could lose federal housing grants if it didn’t comply with President Donald Trump‘s executive orders barring federal support for programs linked to affirmative action or DEI.
Critics say the council failed to explore alternative solutions. “They needlessly put LGBTQIA protections at risk with no explanation,” said Melissa Stiehler of Loud Light.
Some council members say the issue may be revisited July 8. Muller said the city should have challenged the federal mandates in court rather than “comply without question.”
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