Oklahoma Republicans have introduced a bill that would ban state funding of the promotion of radical LGBTQ+ ideology, including so-called ‘pride’ celebrations, and prohibit the display of flags associated with the radical LGBTQ+ movement from being displayed on state property.
The “Patriotism Not Pride Act,” HB 3217, introduced by Oklahoma state Rep. Kevin West (R) and state Sen. David Bullard (R), prohibits state funds being “used by any agency 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.”
The act further states that “No flag that represents sexual orientation or gender identity may be displayed by an agency on state property or grounds.”
“Oklahoma taxpayer dollars should not be used to promote or recognize activities that are not in line with the values of most Oklahomans,” said West. “These groups 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,” he explained.
The bill marks Oklahoma as the third state — after Florida and Tennessee — to introduce legislation to curtail state sponsorship of radical LGTBQ+ ideology, as Americans are increasingly pushing back against a movement many believe is trying to groom children for sexual exploitation.
