ASLUT POLICY RADAR: Tulsa's Fight for an Inclusive Oklahoma

Tulsa's City Council is considering a proposal that would amend an upcoming resolution by striking wording that emphasizes Tulsa as a safe and welcoming community "regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression."

The city's recognition of the negative health and financial effects of discrimination "based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression" is also slated for deletion under the new proposal. 

Councilor Laura Bellis and the other resolution proponents state that  it was designed to apply to all Tulsans, but specifically identifies the LGTBQ population in light of discriminatory laws and acts at the national and local levels.

Proponents of the amendment state that the planned resolutions was revised after receiving input from the general public, and claim that references to ‘sexual orientation’, ‘gender identity’, and ‘gender expression’, are still included.

The proposed nonbinding resolution is on the agenda for a committee meeting on Wednesday morning, and a vote may come as soon as Wednesday night.

In the last few years states have advanced a record number of bills that attack LGBTQ rights, especially transgender youth.

Oklahoma is one of many states in which lawmakers are targeting LGBTQ rights through bills and proposals that attempt to undermine and weaken nondiscrimination laws and allow employers, businesses, and even hospitals to turn away LGBTQ people or refuse them equal treatment. 

@tangymashpotatoes Fascism silences art ##lgbt##drag##dragqueen##oklahoma##oklahomacommitee##gay#trans ♬ original sound - Jayden Dibler

This slippery slope discrimination is not reflective of the inclusive Tulsa that Councilor Belis and the other three sponsors of this resolution want to foster. As Belis said, the proposed changes claim to address the perception of prioritizing one group of people over another, “despite everyone having a sexuality and gender expression.”

We have the opportunity to declare Tulsa as a safe and inclusive space for 2SLGBTQIA+ citizens and it starts with making our voices heard. 

Find your City Councilor and let them know your feelings on this proposal and attend the City Council Meeting this Wednesday March 1 at 5 p.m. in person and on Facebook Live.