Advocacy

Post Election FAQs

The Oklahomans for Equality Allied Attorney Group has prepared a Post-Election Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) guide to address common concerns within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community following recent elections. This resource aims to provide clarity on potential impacts and offer guidance on navigating the current political landscape.

This is legal education and not legal advice. An attorney-client relationship is not created by this document. You should consult your lawyer before taking any action that has legal consequences.

Post-Election FAQS

OKEQ Statements

Oklahomans for Equality Statement on Trump's Executive Order Defining Gender:

Oklahomans for Equality unequivocally condemns any efforts to roll back protections for transgender, gender diverse, and two-spirit individuals in our community. Access to accurate government documentation that reflects a person’s gender identity is critical for safety and dignity. Attempts to narrowly define sex as exclusively male or female at the federal level will not erase the existence or resilience of transgender people. Biological diversity naturally includes a broad spectrum of variations in primary and secondary sex characteristics, hormones, and chromosomes. Every major medical organization recognizes that sex and gender exist on a spectrum, and gender-affirming care remains the gold standard for supporting gender-diverse individuals. Despite any actions taken by the Trump administration to undermine progress, two-spirit and transgender individuals in Oklahoma, tribal nations, and across the United States will persist. Oklahomans for Equality is unwavering in our commitment to fight for true equality under the law for all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

(January 20th, 2025)

Oklahomans for Equality President's Letters

October 11th, 2024

August 8th, 2024

April 20th, 2024

OKLAHOMA-BASED AND OTHER LGBTQ AND 2STGNC+ ORGANIZATIONS RELEASE STATEMENT ON MEDICAL EXAMINER REPORT ON THE DEATH OF NEX BENEDICT

Tulsa, Oklahoma, Friday, March 15 - Oklahoma-based LGBTQ and 2STGNC+ organizations are responding to the release of a report by the Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office regarding the death of Nex Benedict. Nex was a 16-year-old of Choctaw heritage who identified as trans masculine and non-binary, and used he/him or they/them pronouns according to loved ones.
Nex died the day after being attacked three-on-one in a restroom at Owasso High School in Owasso, Oklahoma last month following the policy in Oklahoma that students use the bathrooms that align with their sex assigned at birth.
Nex had reported to police in the hospital following the attack that they had endured a year of bullying in the school, and that they did not believe the school would do anything to address the bullying. The officer discouraged Nex and their family from reporting the incident.

Joint OK Release Statement

Nex Benedict

A joint statement from Oklahomans for Equality and T.A.C.O. (Trans Advocacy Coalition of Oklahoma)

Our hearts are broken for the Oklahoma 2SLGBTQIA+ community and for the family, friends, and loved ones of Nex Benedict.

While we are still learning all of the facts surrounding the death of the 16-year-old Owasso student, we are certain that every student has the right to a safe learning environment, free from deadnaming, misgendering, outing, and violence, as well as appropriate medical care.

The persistent, vitriolic legislation and rhetoric being championed by our state leaders are breeding animosity, inciting violence, and harming the queer community, especially our youth.

As we grieve and acknowledge this loss, we are reminded of the work yet to be done because our lives depend on it. Nex Benedict and the countless 2SLGBTQIA+ teens like them deserve better from our state and medical facilities. They deserve the chance to fully be themselves. They deserve to grow up.

Rest in power, Nex.

OkEq Press Release

Oklahomans for Equality, February 12 Press Release

FAQ