Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes and Trust Women Hold “Rock the Block” for Reproductive and LGBTQ+ Rights; Event Came Hours Before Governor Signed Ban on Transgender Care for Minors
For Immediate Release: May 3, 2023
Yesterday, advocacy organizations and supporters took to the capitol to join Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, and Trust Women for a Rock the Block Community Event. Participants showed up in support of freedoms at stake this legislative session, and to voice their concerns with legislators regarding a wave of cruel attacks on health care, and the rights of individuals in the state.
The event took place just hours before the Governor signed SB 613 into law, which bans gender affirming care to individuals under the age of 18. The bill had an emergency clause attached, meaning it takes effect immediately.
SB 613 deprives young trans people access to care that is known to improve, and even save lives. The law also attacks doctors for offering a medically accepted standard of care, making it a felony to provide gender-affirming care to someone under the age of 18.
Statement from Emily Wales, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes:
“This session, extreme anti-reproductive rights lawmakers have taken their government overreach even further. Passing dangerous and hurtful bills like SB 613 puts politicians’ agendas above guidance from every major professional medical organization. Along the way, these politicians have silenced or ignored fellow lawmakers speaking on behalf of effected communities such as LGBTQ+ youth and parents of trans children. The fact that the Governor signed SB 613 into effect mere hours after we brought our concerns to the capitol proves once again how swiftly and thoughtlessly anti-reproductive rights lawmakers will attempt to seize even more control of the private health care decisions of Oklahomans. Days like today remind us that the community we have across the state is strong and we won’t stop fighting to protect rights so that everyone can live healthy and happy lives as their authentic selves.”
Statement from Zachary Gingrich-Gaylord, communications director, Trust Women:
“Trust Women is proud to partner in solidarity with our allies and fellow Oklahomans against the cruel and oppressive legislation rolling through the legislature this year. The enthusiastic cruelty of these bills does not go unnoticed. Reproductive rights, trans rights, and whole community health are deeply interconnected. We all deserve to live in places that value our health, dignity, and inherent worth as human beings. Together, we can make Oklahoma a home where everyone can feel safe to be who they are.”
In addition to people from across Oklahoma, several statewide organizations – including ACLU of Oklahoma, University of Oklahoma Medical Students for Choice, Foundation for Liberating Minds, and OK Progress Now – showed their support and added their valuable perspective.
Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes and Trust Women are also monitoring the following anti-trans and anti-reproductive rights bills this session:
SB 408: Deceptively named the “Women's Bill of Rights,” this bill does not enumerate nor create any rights for women and could have far reaching negative consequences, including threatening funding for Title IX organizations, and reducing or eliminating vital workplace protections.
SB 538: An effort to modify the grant making authority of the State Department of Health. Lawmakers have prioritized expanding critical taxpayer funds for deceptive anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs), which operate with little-to-no oversight or regulation by any professional or state entity.