Freedom Oklahoma’s Top Five of 2019
This decade has shifted the landscape for LGBTQ+ Americans in unbelievable ways. We are living today in a world that was unimaginable to us just 10 short years ago. We have so much to celebrate, and so much world changing left to do. If we stick together, our best days are still ahead of us.
In just the last year in Oklahoma alone, LGBTQ communities have banded together to strengthen our movement and build the world we need.
This movement is fueled by community and made possible by each of you. Look at what we’ve accomplished this year, together:
No anti-LGBTQ bills in 2019
For the first time in recent memory, there were no bills designed to roll back the rights of LGBTQ Oklahomans this Legislative session. We can only hope that will hold true for the 2020 Legislative Session, but rest assured, Freedom Oklahoma, our allies, and our members like you stand ready to defend our rights and liberties whenever and however they may be threatened. Together, we will build an Oklahoma that seeks to protect, rather than harm LGBTQ people. Thanks to you, we’re well on our way.
Oklahoma City’s First Officially Recognized Pride Week
The Mayor of Oklahoma City officially recognized Pride week for the first time in Oklahoma City’s history this year! In addition to working with the Mayor’s office to make this a reality, Freedom Oklahoma celebrated Pride month by participating in celebrations across the state, including Payne County’s Inaugural Pride. In Oklahoma City, over a dozen elected officials from both parties marched with Freedom Oklahoma in support of our communities. Pride is activism. Pride is resilience. We are so grateful to be in this community of change-makers with each of you.
City of Norman adopts comprehensive nondiscrimination protections
This summer, the City of Norman became the first city in Oklahoma to adopt comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for its LGBTQ residents. What an incredible victory! Because of you and the tireless work of Norman activists, residents of the city are now protected in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Look at what is possible, even in a conservative state like Oklahoma, when all of us band together!
Conversion Therapy Interim Study
This fall, Freedom Oklahoma joined forces with the Trevor Project, Rep. Dunnington and Rep. Randleman in a bi-partisan study on the impact of so-called conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth. Experts presented testimony on the harmful practice, and advocated to advance measures that would protect our youth from this discredited and dangerous practice. With your help, we can protect LGBTQ youth from this harm. Let’s make 2020 the year that we do!
City of Oklahoma City updates nondiscrimination protections for city employees
Closing out the year strong, Freedom Oklahoma worked with Councilperson James Cooper to update the City of Oklahoma City’s personnel policy to include nondiscrimination protections for transgender employees. This measure, adopted by a 7-2 vote, is a crucial step forward for Oklahoma City, and offers a framework for cities across Oklahoma to adopt protections for their LGBTQ employees. With this move, Oklahoma City became the third municipality to expand nondiscrimination protections in 2019.
You make this work possible. Thank you for standing with us. Help us capitalize on this momentum and make 2020 another banner year for LGBTQ Oklahomans!
Let’s keep fighting. Onward!