Trans Lives Matter Protesters Occupy Oklahoma State Capitol Building

More than 100 protesters chanting ‘Trans Lives Matter’ descended on the Oklahoma State Capitol building, occupying the inner rotunda, yesterday to protest against new bills that would ban gender-affirming surgery For the young.

Oklahomans For Equality and Freedom Oklahoma protesters began their protest outside the building, then moved inside. While it’s unclear whether their entry into the building was peaceful, videos show them inside, chanting aloud.

Their protest was against a series of new bills championed by Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Oklahomans For Equality and Freedom Oklahoma protesters began their protest outside the building, then moved inside

Some of the bills propose to prohibit the use of public funds for sex reassignment care or surgery for anyone under the age of 18.

The most restrictive, Senate Bill 129, seeks to prohibit such treatment for anyone under the age of 26.

Organizers of yesterday’s event call the legislation ‘genocide’, saying restricting young people’s access to care will drive them to suicide.

In his State of the State address last night, Governor Stitt doubled down on his plans to restrict gender-affirming surgery and therapy for minors.

“We need to protect our most vulnerable – our children. After all, minors can’t vote, can’t buy alcohol, can’t buy cigarettes…

“We should not allow a minor to have permanent sex reassignment surgery in Oklahoma.

“That’s why I’m asking the Legislature to send me a bill banning all gender transition surgeries and hormone therapies on minors in the state!”

“As governor, I will never hesitate to speak out right from wrong.

“I will not be bullied by partisan interest groups or make decisions based on groupthink. I will continue my responsibility to lead, not follow. I ran for this position five years ago because I was tired of seeing other states succeed while ours was left behind.

Protestors at yesterday’s rally included students from the local university

It’s unclear how many state lawmakers were on Capitol Hill yesterday when protesters walked inside.

Trans protesters chanted and held up signs for news crews

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt says minors who can’t vote or drink shouldn’t be able to have life-changing surgery

Protesters say young people should be able to access this medical care, regardless of age.

It’s unclear how many state lawmakers were on Capitol Hill yesterday when protesters walked inside.

Benjamin Patterson, a trans man who was one of the organizers, told student news outlet OU Nightly that he wanted to “bring the community together.”

He called the state’s laws “genocide,” saying it would lead to more trans youth committing suicide.

Zephyr Cove, another protester, said children should be able to access hormone replacement therapy “as soon as they have a sense of self”.

“You know it as soon as you have a sense of yourself.

“These kids shouldn’t have to deny this just because the people around them aren’t listening to them.”

Oklahoma City police did not immediately respond to inquiries about the protest.

Last year, Governor Stitt signed a bill that bars transgender women from competing in women’s sports.

The law also prohibits transgender women from using girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms.

Instead, students must use the toilet of the gender they were born into. Protesters at yesterday’s rally included students from the local university.