3 things you can do now to fight back at the Capitol

By Troy Stevenson
Executive Director, Freedom Oklahoma

By now you have all seen the news that HB 1598 - Rep. Sally Kern's bill to prohibit state oversight over so-called "conversion therapy" - passed out of committee by a 5-3 vote yesterday. If this bill were to become law, Oklahoma would be the only state in the nation to protect the abuser - rather than the child - in child abuse cases. And unfortunately, this is not the only hate bill we are facing. This is deadline week at the Capitol - meaning that by Friday, we will know which of the 17 anti-LGBT bills will continue in this session, and which ones our community has already defeated. 

The good news is, we are making massive progress. Working behind the scenes, Freedom Oklahoma - and our allies from across the state – have made a stand at the Capitol, and legislators are listening. We can't stop now. We will continue to build the pressure. We need you to be a part of this movement!

There are 3 ways you can help defeat this legislation right now --- 

First, look up your legislators and contact them now!

We need you to contact your legislators and let them know that Oklahoma needs to be a state that does not hate. Ask them to vote "no" to HB 1598 and the plethora of discriminatory bills targeting our community.

Second, mark your calendar and register for our lobby day on March 17th.

We need you to join us for a lobby day on Tuesday, March 17. This past Monday, citizen lobbyists from around the state joined us at the Capitol for our 6th annual LGBT Equality Day. Dozens of you spoke to legislators and they have heard the message loud and clear: “we will be present, and if you are going to try and legislate against our rights, you must do it while looking us in the eye!” . 

Finally, you can make a financial contribution to Freedom Oklahoma’s efforts to organize opposition to these bills. A gift of $17 to fight 17 bills, will help us hire a new organizer and double our capacity over night. To donate visit our website at http://www.freedomoklahoma.org/ and click “Donate.”

Remember: Together, we are stronger. Together, we are bigger. Together, we will WIN!

The Gayly - February 26, 2015 @ 10:25am.