OKLAHOMA CITY — In response to Governor Stitt signing into law Senate Bill 2, a law that will immediately impact Oklahoma’s transgender youth by enacting a sweeping ban on participation of transgender women and girls in athletics consistent with their gender identity, the ACLU of Oklahoma issued the following response:
The following is attributable to Tamya Cox-Touré, ACLU of Oklahoma Executive Director:
“Transgender people belong everywhere, but with the swipe of a pen and a public display, Governor Stitt has sent a clear message to Oklahoma’s vulnerable transgender youth that they are not welcome or accepted in our State. SB2 is just one of many bills we have seen attacking our Two Spirit, transgender, and nonbinary communities this session, while overlooking the real issues with gender equality in sports when it comes to funding, resources, pay equity, and more. Promoting baseless fears about trans athletes does nothing to address those real problems. Ultimately, SB2 violates the United States Constitution and federal civil rights law, puts Oklahoma at risk of losing federal funding, and harms transgender youth, all to solve a problem that does not exist. Transgender students already live and go to school in our State, they play sports and enjoy time with their friends, and they deserve the chance to succeed and thrive like any other student.”