Freedom Oklahoma Responds to OKCPS Withdrawal from OKC pridefest parade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FREEDOM OKLAHOMA RESPONDS TO OKCPS WITHDRAWAL FROM OKC PRIDEFEST PARADE

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, June 25, 2024 - Following yesterday’s OKCPS Board Meeting, a statement was issued announcing that OKCPS would no longer participate in the OKC Pridefest Parade June 30, because the parade would include people supporting Palestinian liberation. 

In response to the decision and accompanying statement, Nicole McAfee, they/she, Executive Director of Freedom Oklahoma issued the following:

“At a time when 2SLGBTQ+ students are disproportionately targeted by those in power, it is a telling choice by the OKCPS Board to remove shows of support for those youth and their broader communities. We may call it a parade, but when folks gather together Sunday June 30 to march through the streets of Oklahoma City, the intention of that space has always been and will always be to honor the legacy of Pride as a riot, a radical demand for freedom, and a commitment to building that freedom together. To pretend that the spirit of Pride celebrations is not rooted in the fight for collective liberation is to willfully misunderstand the 2SLGBTQ+ movement and the ongoing work to secure a future where we all have the safety to thrive. That future is not possible without a Free Palestine.” 

About Freedom Oklahoma:

Freedom Oklahoma is the state's only dedicated 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy organization, and works each day to build a future where all 2SLGBTQ+ people have the safety to thrive. You can learn more about Freedom Oklahoma at https://www.freedomoklahoma.org/.

About mixed pronouns:

Nicole uses mixed pronouns, which can vary from person to person. When referring to Nicole, you can use they/them pronouns, or a mix of they/them/theirs and she/her(s) pronouns.