Equality Federation stands with our member organization Freedom Oklahoma in our disgust at the passage of SB 1140.

All youth deserve loving homes, and discrimination has no place in Oklahoma. This legislation will cost Oklahomans a great deal of money in lost business and ongoing lawsuits at a time when the state is having trouble affording the basics like school supplies and infrastructure.

Josh Stickney, Administrative Associate at Equality Federation, is an adoptee and has lived in Oklahoma his entire life:

“I’m extremely disappointed that our state has decided to fund discrimination in our foster care and adoption agencies. I am confident that Oklahoma will now be subject to expensive and unnecessary litigation and heartache for LGBTQ families. I call on the people of Oklahoma to elect leaders who have the true Oklahoma Standard at heart rather than this kind of bigotry and hatred toward their fellow Oklahomans.”

Troy Stevenson, Executive Director of Freedom Oklahoma:

“While we are deeply disappointed that Governor Fallin chose to sign discrimination into law, we are more concerned about the children – desperately looking for homes – that will be harmed by this disgraceful legislation. And the countless young people who will be stigmatized by state-sanctioned hate. Make no mistake, we will fight for the most vulnerable Oklahomans targeted by this law. Our message to Governor Fallin, and the lawmakers who championed this travesty is simple: we’ll see you in court!”

###