State elects first Muslim, nonbinary lawmaker

An Oklahoma Democrat elected Tuesday will make history as the first Muslim in the Oklahoma Legislature and the first nonbinary legislator in America.

Progressive community organizer, Mauree Turner, won her race in House District 88 and will break barrie rs in Turner Oklahoma's

statehouse. Asked about winning, Turner, 27, said it was hard to describe what she was feeling.

"For me, this means a lot," she said. "I have lived my whole life in the margins."

Turner is non binary, meaning their gender identity is not strictly male or female. Turner is also Black and queer.

The LGBTQ Victory Fund said Turner is the first openly nonbinary person elected to a state Legislature. There are only five openly LGBTQ elected officials currently serving in Oklahoma, the group said in a news release.

Growing up, Turner said she struggled with being different f rom other kids her age. But she's hopeful that her new position will allow her to serve as a role

model to the next generation of Oklahomans.

"As a child, I honestly remember having conversations with my mom where I thought that things would just be better if I was white, or if I was just different in some way, shape or form," Turner said. "So it means a lot to be able to provide that visibility for other folks."

Turner was raised in a Muslim and Baptist household, and is a member of the Masjid Mu'Min mosque in Oklahoma City.

Turner's win will allow the Muslim community to see someone who is openly and visibly Muslim in elected office, said La ni Ha brock, government affairs director for the Oklahoma chapter of the Council on AmericanIslamic Relations.

Every year, students from Oklahoma' s two Muslim schools attend Muslim Day at t he Capitol, Habrock said.

"For them to be able to see a Muslim woman that's elected and serving at the Legislature is going to be huge because it' s just so important to see people who look like you doing great things," she said.

Ultimately, Ha brock hopes Turner's victory will inspire more Muslims to run for elected office.

Habrock said she's constantly trying to encourage members of CAIR, a Muslim civil rights group, to run for elected offices.

"I' ve said ,' it' s important for you to meet with your elected leaders, but it's even more important for you to be elected leaders, and that the diversity and demographics of our state is reflected up at the Capitol,'" Turner said.

House District 88 is in the heart of Oklahoma City and includes both the Paseo and Plaza districts.

Turner defeated Democratic Rep. Jason Dunning ton in the June primary.