OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma Republicans officially censured their nonbinary Democratic colleagues Tuesday after state troopers said lawmakers blocked them from questioning a transgender rights activist accused of assaulting a police officer during a protest over anti-trans laws.
Party-line voting means that Rep. Mauree Turner, who uses the same / the same pronouns, will be removed from all committee duties unless the legislator twice apologizes officially, including the Highway Patrol, which provides security at the Capitol Complex.
Turner, the first non-binary and Muslim person elected to the Legislature in Oklahoma, said Tuesday that won’t happen, as Republicans continue to work to dismantle the rights of trans people.
“I’m sorry because my love for the people of Oklahoma is something I can’t do,” Turner said, flanked by several fellow Democrats. “That’s something I’m not willing to do.”
Sue Ogrocki via Associated Press
Turner’s denunciation comes as Republicans throughout the US push proposals that advocates for LGBTQ rights say are trying to erase the legal existence of trans people and to limit the expression of nonbinary, gender-fluid people or those who perform in drag.
In Oklahoma, recent efforts by the GOP-controlled Legislature to ban gender-affirming medical treatment for trans children and pass other anti-trans legislation, including a ban on insurance coverage for gender-affirming treatment for people of all ages, have sparked demonstrations. in the Capitol. One protest last week turned heated when protesters were accused of throwing water at state representatives and scuffling with troops before being arrested.
Officers wanted to question the activist, who was in Turner’s legislative office.
“When we went up to the representative’s office, we were not allowed in, even from opening the door,” said Trooper Eric Foster, with the Highway Patrol.
Officers were eventually able to speak with the man at Turner’s office, who was later arrested on a complaint of assault and battery on a police officer, Foster said.
Sue Ogrocki via Associated Press
Speaker of the House Charles McCall said in a statement that the House stands by the law enforcement.
“I will not allow members of the House of Representatives to use their assigned offices and official positions to impede law enforcement from conducting investigations or making arrests in the state Capitol,” said McCall (R).
But Turner, who is black and represents a diverse constituency that includes Oklahoma City’s Asian business district, said one of his goals was to make sure everyone felt welcome at the Capitol.
“I’m just providing my office as a place of grace and love for all people in all communities who are taking refuge from hate in this building,” Turner said. “Trans people don’t feel safe here.”
House Democratic leader Rep. Cyndi Munson said the House censure vote was “absolutely embarrassing.”
“Obviously what they’re doing is silencing members who don’t think like them, act like them, dress like them, who challenge their position, especially when they’re passing legislation to harm people in our community,” Munson said. .
Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of the national LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, also condemned the Oklahoma House, saying the statehouse is where everyone, including lawmakers, should feel safe and heard.
“Transgender people are under attack from extremists who are baselessly trying to limit their best personal health care,” Ellis said. “Every Oklahoman and every American should be outraged that lawmakers are working overtime to target people, including their own colleagues.”