LGBT Rights: Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern Pushes for 3 Laws Discriminating LGBT Community
Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern began a new crusade against the LGBT community in her state after proposing three bills that target all types of LGBT people. However, LGBT activists have criticized her move and called for others to call on their representatives.
Kern, one of the state's most staunch Republicans, announced on Thursday she presented House Bill 1599, 1598 and 1597 to the state's legislature, according to Tulsa World. These laws are a counter to the federal court decision overturning the state's ban on same-sex marriage, as well as other moves across the country against conversation therapy for children.
"No employee of this state and no employee of any local governmental entity shall officially recognize, grant or enforce a same-sex marriage license and continue to receive a salary, pension or other employee benefit at the expense of taxpayers of this state," reads measure 1599, called "Preservation and Sovereignty of Marriage Act."
"No taxes or public funds of this state shall be spent enforcing any court order requiring the issuance or recognition of a same-sex marriage license."
The law prevents public funds being used for being used for same-sex weddings and threatens any judge who overturns this rule with removal from the bench.
Measure 1598, "Freedom to Obtain Conversion Therapy Act," allows parents to send their children to gay conversion therapy, even though this practice is considered ineffective by medical authorities.
The last bill allows private business owners to discriminate against LGBT people without any legal repercussion.
"Oklahomans for Equality condemns this all-out assault on the LGBT citizens of Oklahoma," said Toby Jenkins, executive director of Oklahomans for Equality. "The courts have already ruled on the legality of same-sex marriages. To take our state backward a decade is obviously what our legislators are trying to accomplish."
The LGBT group has taken to its Facebook page to ask LGBT people and their supporters to call on their local representatives and block this bill.
Since same-sex marriage became possible in Oklahoma, many LGBT Texans have been flocking to Oklahoma to get married, according to KTEN. More than 3,000 have already gotten married, and the number continues to rise. But if Rep. Kern's bills pass, life will be much harder for LGBT people in Oklahoma.
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