Norman City Council unanimously passes HISTORIC LGBT Protections

Freedom Oklahoma

Norman, Oklahoma – After a year of preparation, the Norman City Council has unanimously passed fully inclusive protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender residents of Norman. The resolution interprets the existing Human Rights Ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity under the enumerated class of “sex.” Providing the same protections to LGBT citizens as are provided to other minority groups in Norman. Norman is the first city in Oklahoma to fully protect the LGBT community with equal protections provided to other minority communities. 

Norman advocates have been fighting for these protections for decades. Freedom Oklahoma, PFLAG Norman, Norman United, Mothers of Many, and QuIC (Queer Inclusion on Campus: OU) joined forces a year ago to push for this current effort.

Troy Stephenson, Executive Director of Freedom Oklahoma, “This is a historic day, not only for Norman, but for the entire state of Oklahoma. As the first city in our great state to fully protect all of its residents, Norman has set a precedent for every municipality in Oklahoma, and a challenge to our state legislature to follow suit.”

Lena Tenney – spokesperson for QuIC (Queer Inclusion on Campus: OU) said, “QuIC applauds the City of Norman's decision tonight to make our wonderful city more inclusive for all community members. Many LGBTQ+ students are very proud to call Norman their home and we hope to see the city continue to strive to build a more inclusive community for many years to come."

“I thank the Norman City Council for ensuring the rights of all Norman citizens.  Their leadership in making this public action sends the clear message to our LGBT friends that Norman is truly an inclusive community,” stated Kay Holladay - PFLAG Regional Director (and a co-founder of PFLAG Norman).

Kami Day – spokesperson for Norman United: “Norman United is a group of Norman citizens who came together out of concern that LGBTQ people in Norman were not protected against discrimination. Like Mothers of Many, we were particularly concerned that young LGBTQ people in Norman do not feel safe and welcome here. We decided to focus on advocating for a more inclusive Civil Rights Ordinance so that Norman can be the inclusive city it claims to be.”

Jim Eller, president of PFLAG Norman: “We knew we could count on our Norman City Council to have the best interest of all citizens in mind, when they passed equal protections. PFLAG of Norman applauds our City Council’s leadership on this key human rights initiative.”