Tulsa Activists Hold Discussion About Recent Law Banning Gender Affirming Care For Minors

Activists in Tulsa held a roundtable discussion Tuesday to talk about the impact of the recent ban of gender affirming care for children under 18.

The law also says doctors who provide these services could face felony charges.

The activists said Oklahoma doesn't allow public comment when bills are going through the state legislature, so this was a chance for their voices to be heard.

"I'm trying to make sure they know there are older, elder queers out here, doing the work, and trying to make sure they are safe, and loved and cared for, and I just care about that passionately," said Beckham Jordan.

The group held a roundtable to discuss and talk about the new law that bans gender transitioning procedures for children under 18.

"For trans kids who are already facing a lot of bullying, it just provides more of that; folks who are now being bullied by the government. That's what it feels like," said Molly Whitehorn.

Molly Whitehorn said people in the LGBTQ+ community feel like they are being forced out of where they grew up.

"This has been their home their whole life, and now they are in a position where they are forced to leave. They feel unsafe. They can't get care. They can't get hormone treatment. It's like Oklahoma is telling them, you don't want them here," she said.

Beckham Jordan said he wants the LGBTQ+ community to know they are loved.

"I've beat myself against every brick wall to try and learn self-love, and I'm not going to let any kid that I can absolutely control that with, do it on their own," he said.

Whitehorn said she wants to encourage people to speak with their legislators.