OKLAHOMA CITY – Today the Oklahoma House of Representatives passed SB 2, which targets transgender youth participating in sports. The ACLU of Oklahoma and Freedom Oklahoma issued the following statements:
The following is attributable to Nicole McAfee, ACLU of Oklahoma Director of Policy and Advocacy:
“Transgender athletes have the right to participate in athletics consistent with their gender identity. Transgender girls are girls. They have a right to find a sense of belonging and to be part of a team. Contrary to Representative Hasenbeck’s claims, SB 2 discriminates against individuals on the basis of sex and because they are transgender, in violation of the United States Constitution and Title IX of the Civil Rights Act.”
“Today’s vote on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives to embed discrimination against transgender youth into state law compromises their health, social and emotional development, and safety. If passed into law, this bill would alienate trans students, embolden discriminatory behaviors from staff and other students and make for hostile school environments. It perpetuates harmful myths about transgender people and reduces trans students to political pawns. It runs counter to the public need of creating safe and nurturing environments for all students.”
"We must not allow Oklahoma to play a part in this coordinated and national attack led by out of state actors on transgender kids. We urge the legislature to stand up for trans students statewide by voting no on this discriminatory bill. Along with our partners and thousands of activists, we make the simple demand to our leaders in Oklahoma City to create policies that will treat all people with equity, dignity, and respect.”
The following is attributable to Allie Shinn, Freedom Oklahoma Executive Director:
“The vast majority of members of the House of Representatives have demonstrated yet again that they are more interested in political posturing, no matter how serious the consequences, than they are in doing the hard work of improving the lives of their constituents. If allowed to become law, SB 2 will harm transgender children. Those Representatives acting as mouthpieces for a nationwide, coordinated attack against transgender youth are doing so against the advice of their constituents, medical experts, the NCAA, and business leaders throughout the state who know that this language is discriminatory, fiscally unsound, and dangerous for all women and girls who call Oklahoma home. It is alarming and frankly heartbreaking that at such a critical juncture in Oklahoma’s history Rep. Hasenbeck and her allies are spending their time pushing copycat legislation as part of a coordinated, nationwide effort to harm children. Freedom Oklahoma, along with organizational partners, the NCAA, the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Chambers of Commerce, many brave Legislators, and thousands of activists across the state, strongly supports transgender athletes and opposes any attempt by legislators to score political points at the expense of the young people, who want nothing more than to be left alone to grow up safely, knowing that they are loved and that they belong.”
