Oklahoma ranks low in equal rights for LGBTQ+ community

Oklahoma is among 28 states to be ranked in the lowest category for LGBTQ+ equality, according to a Human Rights Campaign study.

The study is based upon the extent to which states are protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. According to the report, there are no comprehensive civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ people, and so it varies state-to-state. In 30 states, LGBTQ+ people are at risk of being fired, evicted, or denied services because of their gender or sexual orientation.

Oklahoma ranked with the category of “high priority to achieve basic equality” because of recent state laws and proposed laws restricting equality or civil rights of LGBTQ+ Oklahomans, according to the Enid News and Eagle.

The report noted that, within four years, the Oklahoma legislature introduced 77 bills, which would endanger LGBTQ+ people in terms of parenting laws, religious refusal and relationships laws, non-discrimination policies, hate crime laws, and health and safety policies.

An example of this would be the state law authored by Sen. Greg Treat and signed into law by former Gov. Mary Fallin, which provides legal protections to faith-based organizations that won’t place children in LGBTQ+ homes.

E. Laurette Taylor, interim executive director of the Freedom Oklahoma Education Campaign, told Enid News that the study, "paints a grim picture of Oklahoma in terms of equality protections for LGBTQ adult and youth citizens of our state."

Although Oklahoma is ranking low in the fight for equality, Taylor said this year may be more promising.

"This year provides us with the opportunity to fight for several measures that will extend rights for the LGBTQ community," Taylor said. "Freedom Oklahoma and other state organizations will be at the forefront of bringing LGBTQ equality and non-discrimination protections to Oklahoma in 2019."

Copyright The Gayly 2/5/2019 12:38 p.m. CST