Freedom Oklahoma Statement on Resignation of Mayor Adam Graham of The Village

July 20, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Nicole McAfee (they/she), Executive Director, 830-334-1660, nicole@freedomoklahoma.org

OKLAHOMA CITY – We're always sad to see 2SLGBTQ+ elected officials feel forced to leave office. We know that for many queer folks with political aspirations, The Village Mayor, Adam Graham's resignation may give them pause if there is space for them to serve their communities in elected office in Oklahoma. And we need more queer and trans folks to champion our communities from city council all the way to federal office. The harassment that queer and trans folks face as electeds cannot be normalized just because it is a common occurrence in Oklahoma.

We also want to acknowledge that Adam Graham's experience of being harassed by police after attempting to hold them accountable is not unique. Further, if Mayor Graham, with his platform and power, felt this level of harassment driven by trying to hold cops in the broader OKC metro accountable, that pressure is amplified for the Black and Brown queer and trans folks, especially those engaged in survival economies, who are disproportionately targeted and harassed by law enforcement, and who don't have any pathways for relief. 

We hope as people in and beyond our broader Oklahoma City metro community are engaging in conversation about this resignation, we will do so while acknowledging this is one example in a very public forum of how police will target and encourage harassment of anyone who attempts to hold them accountable. It is imperative-now, more than ever- for us to acknowledge that our ability to live as ourselves and be in community is deeply rooted in collective safety and accountability.