Dear Oklahoma Citizens:

      These concerns were chosen by O.G.L.P.C. to reflect those most important to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) voters in Oklahoma.  Please take personal actions to further these ends:  We would appreciate your help in raising these issues for positive public discussion.  Stop any potential legislation or other government action that runs counter to these goals, and offer any help you can for the passage of favorable measures.  Challenge the false witness propaganda that there is a “militant homosexual agenda.”
      There are parents, other relatives, and friends of LGBT people in every town in Oklahoma.  And these concerns dovetail with many other minority human rights issues.  The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender communities of Oklahoma seek equal rights under the law, not “special privileges.”

                  “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” are for all Americans!

1.   SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY:  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender people are born into all cultures and all economic classes.  LGBT people grow up in all religious backgrounds, in every county in Oklahoma.
      Heterosexual identity fits the majority, but is not best for everyone.  Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender or Intersex are identities that fit best for a significant minority of people.
      The vast majority of LGBT people contribute to society.  We have the right to openly love whom we wish; to accept sexual identities without risking discrimination or violence; and to share the same rights, benefits, and obligations as our fellow citizens.

2.   LGBT YOUTH, TEENAGE SUICIDE:  Most LGBT people have a sense from an early age that they are “different” from other children.  American society should nurture all youth, including those who may become identified as LGBT.  Education, counseling, and health care professionals should be trained to understand the needs of these young people:
      They should be free from bullying in school.
      They should be protected from physical, mental, or religious abuse by families who don’t accept their identity.  If they are kicked out of home, they should have a safe place to go.
      They should have access to well-informed health and counseling professionals.  Some attempt suicide if they believe they are unworthy – about 30% of teen suicides are attributed to issues of sexual orientation.  The right professional support is critical to accepting themselves and maintaining their self-esteem.
      They should be free from coercion to engage in sexual activity.
      They should have accurate, age-appropriate sex education in all levels of school; including discussion on appropriate and inappropriate forms of touching, recognizing sexual abuse, sexual orientation and identity, pregnancy, HIV/AIDS prevention and other sexually transmitted diseases.  The intent is to minimize child abuse, violence, and anti-social behavior, and offer skills that save lives.

3.   JOB SECURITY:  LGBT people can be fired from their jobs in Oklahoma because of their sexual orientation or identity.  This limit on the basic ability of LGBT people to remain employed, taxpaying, citizens should be illegal.  Employment and promotions should be based on work history and ability.  Also, harassment, including unwanted sexual advances and unwarranted verbal comments, “jokes,” and epithets, should be prohibited.
      Recent studies have shown that work places and cities that welcome LGBT people benefit, with improved business recruitment and employment opportunities for all.

      All employees should be paid a living wage.

4.   HOUSING:  LGBT people can be denied rental housing or purchase of a home because of their sexual orientation or identity.  Discrimination in housing should be illegal regardless of the excuse for the restrictions.

5.   LEGAL RELATIONSHIPS:  Lesbian and Gay couples who want to declare long-term commitments to each other should have the legal rights and ability to do so.  Marriage grants over 1000 legal rights and obligations, including property, taxation, inheritance, medical decisions, and custody.  Same-gender couples have only limited enforceable property-sharing rights and agreements.
      Civil unions require every legal provision to be spelled out, and they are inherently separate and unequal.  Civil marriages of same-gender couples make all the privileges and responsibilities the same as for couples of opposite gender.  Governments should permit two responsible adults sharing a relationship to be married, while continuing to respect the rights of religious groups to choose how to define marriage among their members.  Licenses from other states must be recognized.

6.   PROPERTY AND INHERITANCE:  Surviving partners in Gay and Lesbian relationships may lose the accumulated possessions of both partners when one dies.  LGBT people frequently have their wills overturned by blood relatives and uninformed judges.  The laws should favor a same-gender survivor over blood relatives, even when the deceased individual dies intestate.

7.   CHILDREN AND ADOPTION:  Custody in divorce, adoptions, and the ability to provide foster care are often denied solely on the false assumption that all LGBT people are unfit parents, without regard to the individual’s parental capabilities.  Adoptions by same-gender couples must be recognized by all states.

8.   FAIRNESS IN REPORTING:  LGBT people are now everywhere in magazines, newspapers, TV and radio.  This is a significant and positive change.  However, some images portrayed are stereotypically negative.  We urge the media to fairly and accurately portray our communities.

9.   HATE CRIMES:  Gay men, Lesbians, and many people who are assumed to be LGBT, have been attacked verbally, physically – even killed.  These crimes are terrorist acts, not “boys will be boys”:  Their intent is to intimidate a group of people for who they are.  Too often legal protection is denied.  Instead, laws should require prosecution, with stiffer penalties.

10.  HIV CARE:  All persons with HIV/AIDS – whether LGBT or not – should have better access to up-to-date health care, medication, and support systems, at reasonable cost.  Access to anonymous (not “confidential”) testing must be assured, to increase early detection, counseling, and treatment services.

11.  PREGNANCY, STD PREVENTION:  Non-judgmental information about pregnancy, sexually transmitted disease prevention, and safe, legal abortions should be accessible and available upon request, without intimidation, threats, or restriction.  While some LGBT people are opposed to abortions in principle, we conclude that legal and medically safe procedures are better than the consequences of prohibition.

12.  MILITARY SERVICE:  LGBT people should have the right to serve our country without being threatened with discharge because of their sexual orientation or identity.  The ineffective “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy encourages people to be dishonest with their fellow soldiers.  Discharges from the military due to sexual orientation and identity must stop.

13.  FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND IDEAS:  State and local “decency” laws that suppress free speech and creative expression for LGBT people should be repealed where similar heterosexual expressions are allowed.
       Public libraries should be sources of a wide range of information, even of unpopular ideas.

14.  PROTECTION AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA IN LAW ENFORCEMENT:  We seek protection from police, court, penal and probation systems that are anti-LGBT in reality, whether or not officially sanctioned.  We encourage law enforcement to work with LGBT people to reduce crime and improve justice.