Freedom Oklahoma Statement on Governor Stitt’s Decision to Sign SB 2 Targeting Transgender Girls
March 30, 2022
OKLAHOMA CITY -In response to the spectacle organized by Governor Kevin Stitt to sign into law SB 2, discriminatory legislation that cruelly and maliciously targets transgender girls, and impacts transgender, Two Spirit, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming kids at the expense of their mental health and physical well-being, Freedom Oklahoma issued the following statement:
The following is attributable to Nicole McAfee, Executive Director of Freedom Oklahoma:
“Transgender girls are girls. Transgender women are women. SB 2 has always been and remains a policy in violation of the Constitution and Title IX. Not only are women in sports not saved by its signing, all of us are worse off for the people masquerading as leaders using their political power to further marginalize and discriminate against some of the most vulnerable children in Oklahoma. Women and girls' sports are stronger when all women and girls–including trans women and girls–are protected from discrimination. Trans women and girls belong in sports. Trans people belong in Oklahoma. This is a dark day for a state that claims to operate on any standard of decency.
“To the transgender, nonbinary, Two Spirit, and gender nonconforming kids, and inner kids of adults trying to heal the pain of growing up in this state–we see you. We love you. We celebrate you. You belong here. You deserve so much better than this.
“We continue to work with partners at the state and national level to consider all of the options for next steps, because whether in the courts or the streets, there will be next steps. Transgender and Two Spirit kids have always been here. They belong here. They deserve to play. To be safe. They deserve the safety and security to live to see adulthood. We’ll keep fighting alongside them, for that to be the reality across this state. Today we are tired. We are ashamed of our government. We’re disappointed. And mad. But we are not done fighting. And we certainly will not be quiet about it.”
We know that stories amplifying attacks on 2SLGBTQ+ people have a measurable negative impact on mental health. We ask that stories covering this topic include information to access 2SLGBTQ+ affirming mental health support, such as Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) and the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564). Especially because SB 2 targets kids, providing information about youth specific 2SLGBTQ+ affirming resources, like the Trevor Project (call 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678), is a necessary act of suicide disruption.