The legislative attack on the LGBTQ community continues as an Oklahoma lawmaker has introduced HB 3217, which would ban using state funds to organize or endorse LGBTQ Pride Month. The measure, titled the “Patriotism Not Pride Act,” also prohibits Pride flags from being displayed on state property. https://twitter.com/NBCNews/status/1754663790455431420 The language of HB 3217 reads:
No state funds may be used by any agency to develop, organize, administer, engage in, promote, or endorse any activity, including any event, initiative, official communication, social media post, educational program, or public campaign, that aims to promote or recognize Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex Pride Month or any event with a similar theme.
No flag that represents sexual orientation or gender identity may be displayed by an agency on state property or grounds.
The legislation, sponsored by Republican state Rep. Kevin West and Republican state Sen. David Bullard, is the first that I’ve come across that targets the use of state funds for Pride celebrations. West told NBC News in an email he authored the legislation “because Oklahoma taxpayer dollars should not be used to promote or recognize activities that are not in line with the values of most Oklahomans.” “These groups would still have the freedom to express their views or opinions or tell the world about their lifestyle choices, they would simply not be able to use state resources to do so,” he added. In related news, legislation has been filed in two other states – Florida and Tennessee – that would prohibit Pride flags in schools. Florida’s bill would also ban lawmakers and other government employees from displaying Pride flags.
“You can’t ban us or disappear us, and it’s a shame that Rep. Kevin West is continuing his obsessive focus on targeting and isolating 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans with [this] latest attack,” Nicole McAfee of @FreedomOkla said.https://t.co/3Q7ixmoIoa
— Jo Yurcaba (@JoYurcaba) February 5, 2024
Discover more from The Randy Report
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.