LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) – Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Lawton are sharing their frustration about recent legislation on both state and federal levels.
They shared they’re feeling under attack, after bills calling for the banning of pride flags at official buildings.
”I pray for the day that we don’t have to use safe spaces, that we’re just safe in our communities, we’re loved in our communities. We stop using hateful speech and rhetoric to control our communities,” said Bryan Paddack, co-founder of Rural Oklahoma Pride.
Several pieces of legislation are leaving Paddack, and other members of the LGBTQ+ community, feeling targeted.
A new government spending bill passed over the weekend avoiding a partial government shutdown, while also banning the flying of any pride flags over U.S. embassies.
”If we’re going to be neutral as the United States and say that all of our organizations for the United States need to be neutral, then take everything else down,” Paddack suggested.
The new funding package will keep the government afloat through the fall. Though that may be a sigh of relief for U.S Congress officials, LGBTQ+ citizens say they feel attacked, and underrepresented.
”It’s terrifying, it feels like I leave the house and I have a target drawn on my back,” Calliope Crowheart said.
While organizations like Rural Oklahoma Pride and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lawton provide a local sense of community, some citizens say it’s still not enough.
”I’m angry.. that we’re still fighting this,” Rowan Crowheart said. “This is still issues that we have to push that it’s the same circular fights that we’ve always been doing.”
Legislation similar to the spending bill was introduced in Oklahoma during this year’s legislative session.
House Bill 3127 or the “Patriotism Not Pride Act” also called for the banning of Pride Flags on state property.
Though the bill was never heard in the house, Rowan hopes state legislators will focus on other issues in the state.
“They are using community resources, time and talent and treasure to oppress a minority group instead of using those same resources to actually repair issues that are deeply embedded in Oklahoma,” Rowan said.
Paddack said the pride flag stands as a symbol of equality for all, something he hope legislators will someday come to see.
”I think that these spaces need to be equal for everyone to be in and quit trying to isolate who can and can’t be in a space,” he said.
Since it was passed, the White House has released a statement on behalf of President Joe Biden on the spending bill.
Officials are reportedly working with Congress to repeal the pride flag ban.
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