National LGBTQ+ Leaders Condemn Oklahoma Legislature’s Censuring of Black, Non-Binary, and Muslim State Rep. Mauree Turner
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
OKLAHOMA – Oklahoma State Rep. Mauree Turner has been unfairly censured and stripped of their committee assignments for protecting a constituent from police violence despite two colleagues facing federal charges who continue to have full rights, privileges, and responsibilities given to all other lawmakers. It shows a clear decision to target and discriminate against Rep. Turner and is a failure of democratic governance.
In response to the censoring of Rep. Mauree Turner, Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC), a leading Black LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“Oklahoma State Representative Mauree Turner, a member of NBJC’s Good Trouble Network and GLSEN board member, is being attacked and isolated locally. I believe with my whole heart that the right wing is road-testing tactics to traumatize and immobilize Rep. Turner, who is Black, trans, non-binary (the first non-binary state lawmaker elected in our nation’s history), and visibly Muslim. With more trans, non-binary and non-comforting people being elected to public office, at every level, it appears the hope is to test strategies that may work to prevent queer people from pursuing, advancing within, and succeeding in public office—positions we are required to occupy to change the policies and practices designed to prevent us from fully participating in democracy when and how we choose.
“Rep. Turner is a courageous, proud, trailblazing lawmaker who should be celebrated for their advocacy on behalf of all Oklahomans in spite of their colleagues targeting them and the constituents who elected them to office.
“It should be lost on no one that Rep. Turner was censured and pulled from their committee assignments at a time when their voice, expertise, and lived experience are most needed to shine a light on the impact of anti-transgender, anti-Black, and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation moving across the country. This action demonstrates that bigots and those who enable them are intent on remaining ignorant about people and experiences that have always been a part of the human experience. No one should be surprised by the right wing’s unapologetic commitment to silencing opposition, destroying democracy, and preserving power obtained through unearned privilege. We should not be surprised by we should remain committed to defending democracy and preserving practices like freedom of debate, which have pushed us closer toward the perfect union our founding leaders espoused.
“NBJC stands in support of Representative Turner during this unjust attack and encourages their constituents to do the same. The Oklahmost legislature must undo their censure and restore all committee assignments to Rep. Turner expeditiously. ”
