More than 100 chanting ‘Trans Lives Matter’ demonstrators occupied the inner rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol building yesterday in opposition to a new measure that would prohibit gender affirming surgery for anybody under 21.
Oklahomans For Equality and Freedom Oklahoma began their demonstration outside the building before moving it inside.
It is unclear whether they entered the facility peacefully, but cameras show them chanting loudly inside.
Their demonstration was in opposition to a new bill championed by Republican Governor Kevin Stitt that prohibits minors from getting gender reassignment surgery.
Restricting minors’ access to medical treatment, according to the organizers, would lead them to commit suicide.
Governor Stitt doubled down on his proposals to prohibit gender-affirming surgery and therapy for minors in his State of the State address last night.
‘We must defend our most vulnerable – our children.
“After all, children cannot vote, cannot purchase alcohol or smokes…
We shouldn’t allow Oklahoma minors to get irreversible gender reassignment surgery.
“Therefore, I am requesting that the legislature send me a bill prohibiting all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies for minors in the state!”
As governor, I will never hesitate to distinguish between right and wrong.
I will not allow partisan interest groups to intimidate me or influence my decision-making.
“I will maintain my obligation to lead, not to follow.”
I ran for this office five years ago because I was fed up with seeing other states prosper while ours lagged behind.
The demonstrators argue that children of any age should have access to such medical care.
It is unknown how many state legislators were present at the Capitol yesterday when the demonstrators entered.
Benjamin Patterson, a transgender guy and one of the event’s organizers, told student news source OU that he was one of the participants. Every evening, he desired to “bring the community together.”
He referred to the state legislation as “genocide” and claimed they will increase the number of transgender youths who commit suicide.
Another protester, Zephyr Cove, stated that children should have access to hormone replacement therapy “as soon as they have a sense of self.”
As soon as you have a feeling of self, you realize this.
These children shouldn’t be compelled to deny that simply because their peers won’t listen to them.
The Oklahoma City Police Department did not immediately respond to questions regarding the protest.
Governor Stitt enacted a law prohibiting transgender females from participating in girls’ sports last year.
The ordinance also prohibits transsexual females from utilizing locker rooms and facilities designated for girls.
Instead, pupils must use the restroom corresponding to their birth gender.
Yesterday’s demonstration featured students from the local university.
»Trans Lives Matter demonstrators occupy Oklahoma State Capitol«