Oklahoma Senate panel passes bill protecting discrimination based on behavior, lifestyle or marriage [View all]

[Behind the Aegis]

OKLAHOMA CITY — A Senate panel passed a bill that would protect those who discriminate based on marriage, lifestyle or behavior.

Dubbed the “Oklahoma Right of Conscience Act,” Senate Bill 197 now heads to the Senate floor for consideration. Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, is the author.

Toby Jenkins, executive director of Oklahomans for Equality, said the measure “will give business owners and government employees a free pass to refuse to do business or provide vital services for LGBTQ individuals and groups.”

“If this bill becomes law,” he said, “day-to-day life will become treacherous and dangerous. LGBTQ Oklahomans won’t know where to buy food, where to live or where to seek medical services because a simple trip to the grocery store might have the door slammed in your face.”

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Anti-LGBT bill advances from committee


OKLAHOMA CITY — Advocates for the LGBT community on Monday expressed frustration with the passage of a measure they say would allow for discrimination and the rolling back of protections that some cities have already established.

The Senate Committee on General Government passed Senate Bill 694 by Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, on Monday.

The measure would prohibit local cities and counties from passing ordinances that are stricter than state law in the areas of employment and public accommodation.

Critics of the measure say it would ban cities and counties from passing or enforcing ordinances that protect people from anti-LGBT discrimination.

The measure would strip away nondiscrimination ordinances already in existence in Tulsa, Oklahoma City and Norman, said Troy Stevenson, Freedom Oklahoma executive director.

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Our state is in a financial crisis, and this is what these fuckers do with their time. The attack on the GLBT is just ramping up! Guess us gays didn't get out of this mess like some thought.