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More than 100 protesters chanting ‘Trans Lives Matter’ occupy the Oklahoma Capitol building to fight new bill banning gender confirmation surgery for those under 26
- The 150 protesters belonged to groups including Oklahomans for Equality and Freedom Oklahoma
- They are fighting a new bill promoted by Gov. Kevin Stitt that restricts trans surgery and care.
- It’s unclear how many lawmakers were inside or how the group got into the Capitol yesterday.
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More than 100 protesters chanting ‘Trans Lives Matter’ descended on the Oklahoma State Capitol building yesterday, occupying the inner rotunda, to protest new bills that would ban gender-affirming surgery for youth.
The Oklahomans For Equality and Freedom Oklahoma protesters began their demonstration outside the building and later moved inside. While it’s unclear if their entry into the building was peaceful, videos show them inside, singing loudly.
Their protest was against a collection of proposed new legislation being championed by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt.
150 protesters chanting Trans Lives Matter inside the Oklahoma State Capitol building yesterday
The Oklahomans For Equality and Freedom Oklahoma protesters began their rally outside the building, then moved inside.
Some of the bills propose to prohibit the use of state funds for gender reassignment care or surgery for anyone under the age of 18.
The most restrictive, Senate Bill 129, seeks to prohibit such treatment for anyone under 26 years of age.
Organizers of yesterday’s event called the legislation “genocide”, claiming that restricting young people’s access to care will lead to suicide.
In his State of the State address last night, Governor Stitt doubled down on his plans to restrict gender-affirming surgery and therapy for minors.
‘We must protect our most vulnerable: our children. After all, minors can’t vote, they can’t buy alcohol, they can’t buy cigarettes…
“We should not allow a minor to undergo permanent gender reassignment surgery in Oklahoma.
‘That’s why I’m asking the Legislature to send me a bill banning all minor gender transition surgeries and hormone therapy in the state!
‘As Governor, I will never be ashamed to know right from wrong.
‘I will not be intimidated by partisan interest groups or make decisions based on groupthink. I will continue my responsibility to lead, not follow. I ran for this office five years ago because I was tired of seeing other states succeed while ours fell behind.’
Protesters at yesterday’s rally included students from the local university.
It’s unclear how many state legislators were at the Capitol yesterday when the protesters entered.
Trans protesters chanted and held up signs for news crews.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt said minors who can’t vote or drink shouldn’t be able to get life-changing surgery.
The protesters say that young people should be able to access such health care, regardless of their age.
It’s unclear how many state legislators were at the Capitol yesterday when the protesters entered.
Benjamin Patterson, a trans man who was one of the organizers, told the new student outlet OU Nightly that he wanted to “bring the community together.”
He called the state laws “genocide,” claiming it would lead more trans youth to take their own lives.
Zephyr Cove, another protester, said children should be able to access hormone replacement therapy “as soon as they have a sense of themselves.”
‘You know it as soon as you have a sense of yourself.
“These kids shouldn’t be forced to have to deny that just because the people around them aren’t listening.”
Oklahoma City police did not immediately respond to inquiries about the protest.
Last year, Governor Stitt signed a bill banning transgender women from competing in women’s sports.
The law also prohibits transgender women from using girls’ locker rooms and restrooms.
Instead, school students are required to use the bathroom of the gender they were born into. Protesters at yesterday’s rally included students from the local university.