Nonbinary Oklahoma lawmaker censured for protecting trans rights activist during protest

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma republicans formally censured his fellow non-binary Democrat Tuesday after state police said the lawmaker stopped them from questioning a transgender rights activist accused of assaulting a police officer during a protest over anti-trans legislation.

The party-line vote means Rep. Mauree Turner, who uses the pronouns they/them, will be removed from all committee assignments unless the second-term lawmaker issues a formal apology, including to Highway Patrol, which provides security in the Capitol complex.

Turner, the first openly non-binary and a Muslim elected to the Oklahoma Legislature, said Tuesday that won’t happen as Republicans continue to work to strip transgender people of their rights.

“I think an apology for loving the people of Oklahoma is something I can’t do,” Turner said, flanked by several fellow Democrats. “It’s something I actively refuse to do.”

Turner’s complaint comes as Republicans Across America Push Proposals that LGBTQ rights advocates say they are trying to erase the legal existence of trans people and restrict the expression of people who are non-binary, gender fluid or who perform in drag.

In Oklahoma, recent efforts by the Republican Party-controlled Legislature to ban gender affirming healthcare for trans children and passing other anti-trans laws, including a ban on gender-affirming care insurance coverage for people of all ages, have led to demonstrations on Capitol Hill. A protest last week heated up when a protester was accused of throwing water on a state representative and fighting with a police officer before being arrested.

The officers wanted to question the activist, who was inside Turner’s legislative office.

“When we went up to the representative’s office, we were not allowed in, even when we opened the door,” said Highway Patrol Trooper Eric Foster.

Officers were eventually able to speak to the person in Turner’s office, who was later arrested on a complaint of assault and battery on a police officer, Foster said.

House Speaker Charles McCall said in a statement that the House supports enforcement of the law.

“I will not allow members of the House of Representatives to use their assigned offices and official positions to prevent law enforcement from conducting investigations or arrests at the State Capitol,” McCall (R) said.

But Turner, who is African-American and represents a diverse constituency that includes Oklahoma City’s Asian business district, said one of his goals is to make sure everyone is welcome on Capitol Hill.

“I simply offer my office as a space of grace and love for all the people from all communities who seek refuge from hate in this building,” Turner said. “Trans people don’t feel safe here.”

House Democratic Leader Rep. Cyndi Munson said the House vote of no confidence was “absolutely disgraceful.”

“It’s clear that what they’re trying to do is silence a member who doesn’t think like them, act like them, dress like them, who defies their positions, especially when they’re enacting laws to harm people in our community.” Munson said. .

Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of the national LGBTQ advocacy group GLAAD, also condemned the Oklahoma House of Representatives, saying a state house is where everyone, including lawmakers, should feel safe and heard.

“Transgender people are being targeted by extremists who are baselessly trying to limit their best practice and private health care,” Ellis said. “Every Oklahoman and every American should be outraged that lawmakers are working overtime to attack people, including their own colleague.”