Democrats respond to anti-trans legislation

OKLAHOMA CITY -- House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, and State Rep. Mauree Turner, D-OKC, released the following statements today in response to Senate Bill 2, which prohibits anyone of the male sex from playing on athletic teams designated for females, women, or girls. The bill is specifically aimed at Oklahoma’s transgender student population.

SB2 originally modified the duties of the School Finance Review Commission, but an amendment to change the legislation completely was filed just an hour before the committee.

State Rep. Mauree Turner:

“In the middle of a pandemic, Oklahomans are facing real issues,” Turner said. “We need infrastructure, but my colleagues continue to double down on legislation that denies the existence of trans youth. Trans girls are girls full stop.

“I understand if some of the folks across the aisle don’t know how to care for communities and address the root cause of the problems these communities are facing. I can even understand if they don’t have the vision or drive to do long-term work, but that means they are not fit to lead Oklahomans. We all deserve better leadership.

“The majority party knows this legislation is wrong and will do anything they can to continuously show Oklahomans, including myself, that we are not welcome - but this is the people’s building.

“We will continue to show up in the face of bigotry and anti-trans legislation. We have defeated other anti-LGBTQ2S+ and anti-trans legislation, and we will do it again- but we can’t do it without you and groups like ACLU of Oklahoma, Freedom Oklahoma and so many more. Please keep fighting.”

House Minority Leader Emily Virgin:

“At some point this session, I hope we can get to the problems Oklahomans are facing,” Virgin said. “Every day Oklahomans struggle to find meals for their children. We have communities whose infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating. Our schools are lacking resources, and our citizens feel that they are falling further and further behind the cost of living.

“Senate Bill 2 doesn’t address any of these issues. In fact, it ostracizes children and casts a dark cloud on our state’s reputation nationally. Our tax structure means nothing if businesses refuse to be associated with us due to the legislation we run. Instead of hurtful legislation, we need Oklahoma Focused solutions.”