On Monday, following the proposal of a set of new Oklahoma state laws that would bar minors from receiving life-altering gender reassignment medication and surgery, ‘Trans Lives Matter’ protesters descended onto the Oklahoma State Capitol building. The protest initially started outside of the building, but as the day went on, people in the crowd began to trickle into the rotunda. The legislation has been championed by Oklahoma Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, defending the bill by saying: “As governor, I will never shy away from calling out right from wrong… We must protect our most vulnerable — our children. After all, minors can’t vote, can’t purchase alcohol, can’t purchase cigarettes…we shouldn’t allow a minor to get a permanent gender-altering surgery in Oklahoma.”
DAILY MAIL: Trans Lives Matter protesters occupy Oklahoma Capitol building to fight GOP bills that bans gender-confirming surgery for under 21s
By Jen Smith; February 7, 2023
‘Trans Lives Matter’ protesters descended on Oklahoma‘s State Capitol building yesterday, occupying the interior rotunda, to protest against new bills that would ban gender-affirming surgery for young people.
The protesters from Oklahomans For Equality and Freedom Oklahoma started their demonstration outside the building, then moved indoors.
Organizers told DailyMail.com that all protesters entered the building peacefully, going through the necessary security checks before staging their demonstration inside.
Their protest was against a collection of proposed new legislation that is being championed by Republican Governor Kevin Stitt.
Some of the bills propose a ban on state funds being used for gender reassignment care or surgery for anyone under the age of 18.
The most restrictive, Senate Bill 129, seeks to ban such treatment for anyone under the age of 26 by punishing doctors who provide those services.
The physicians would face criminal prosecution and would lose their license.
The Oklahoma State Legislature is yet to vote on the laws.
The organizers of yesterday’s event call the legislation ‘genocide,’ claiming restricting youths’ access to care will drive them to suicide.
Some medical professionals say it will drive doctors out of the state.
In his State of the State address last night, Governor Stitt doubled down on his plans and called on the state legislature to pass the bills.
‘We must protect our most vulnerable – our children. After all, minors can’t vote, can’t purchase alcohol, can’t purchase cigarettes… we shouldn’t allow a minor to get permanent gender-altering surgery in Oklahoma.
‘That’s why I am calling on the Legislature to send me a bill that bans all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors in the state!
‘As governor, I will never shy away from calling out right from wrong.
‘I will not be intimidated by partisan interest groups or make decisions based on groupthink.
‘I will continue my responsibility to lead, not follow.
‘I ran for this office five years ago because I was tired of seeing other states succeed while ours got left behind.’
The protesters say youngsters should be able to access such medical care, regardless of their age.
Photo: KFOR