Today, this headline caught my eye:
The bill's author says tax dollars shouldn't be used to recognize activities that "are not in line with the values of most Oklahomans."
Yet another example of governments working to enact anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Multiple states in the US have introduced and enacted anti-LGBTQ+ bills in recent years. According to the American Civil Liberties Union, over 520 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced in state legislatures in 2023, a record number. Of those bills, 75 became law, according to an NBC News analysis. Some of the bills target transgender and non-binary people, especially in areas such as health care, sports, and education. Some of the states that have been the most aggressive in advancing anti-LGBTQ+ laws include Florida, North Dakota, Tennessee, and Texas.
Wow! There is clearly a lot of effort being expended on attacking the LGBTQ+ community. It’s almost as if these people are a threat to society.
In Oklahoma, state Rep. Kevin West (R) and state Sen. David Bullard (R) introduced HB 3217, or the “Patriotism Not Pride Act.” The bill bans state agencies from using state funds 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.” It would also ban all LGBTQ+ Pride flags from being displayed on state grounds or property.
It also declares a state of emergency “by reason whereof this act shall take effect and be in full force” immediately after its passage and approval.
An emergency????????
The apparent threat is so great that a state government feels the need to enact immediate legislation to target and quash a marginalized group that has been under threat for decades, if not centuries.
West told NBC News that he authored the bill “because Oklahoma taxpayer dollars should not be used to promote or recognize activities that are not in line with the values of most Oklahomans.”
What values might these be, pray tell? The promotion of hate? The encouragement of the populace not to accept marginalized groups?
The discouragement of any efforts to understand people not like you?
The support of homophobic and transphobic tendencies?
A desire to promote the willful – even acceptable - discrimination against certain groups?
West then ‘qualified’ his remarks by adding that the LGBTQ+ community “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.”
Nice try Mr. West. You already showed your hand with your comment about not recognizing activities that are not in line with the values of most Oklahomans.
In my mind, ALL GOVERNMENTS SHOULD BE WORKING TO ESTABLISH A SENSE OF BELONGING FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THEIR CITIZENRY.
The health of any community hinges on establishing a sense of belonging, a connectedness to place. It requires that people feel accepted in the place where they live.
Psychologists rank our need to belong on par with our need for love. Research suggests that individuals who feel a sense of security, belonging, and trust in their community have better health.
And isn’t this what community should be about? Isn’t this what our governments should be promoting?
Today, I’m embarrassed for all Oklahomans.
____________________________________
CLOSING REMARKS
We need to wary of any legislation that promotes social inequality.
For the record, people like Mr. West are the real threat to society.
Well said!