The Legislature has done a lot of dumb things this session, which is an evergreen sentence if we’ve ever written one. Recently, it wasted time hearing a bill that would put “In God We Trust” on state buildings, while letting bills on mental health, criminal justice reform and education die without getting a hearing. It […]
Jason Dunnington
Posted inNews
Conversion ban
For the first time ever, Freedom Oklahoma lobbied at the capitol in support of a bill with momentum that would protect LGBTQ+ individuals. Historically, the nonprofit organization has had to play defense and oppose a slew of bills that would discriminate against the community. The Youth Mental Health Protection Act (House Bill 3872) passed out […]
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Twofold Pride
Oklahoma City will be home to two Pride celebrations this year. Board members from Oklahoma City Pride Alliance and 39th Street District Association decided to host their own events after they could not agree on a unified vision for Pride 2020. “There is a little confusion, and hopefully as we move through the next couple […]
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Freedom fighters
Freedom Oklahoma aims to build off a successful year for Oklahoma’s LGBTQ+ community by focusing more on diverse sects of the community and advocating for more issues. With October being LGBT History Month, Allie Shinn, Freedom Oklahoma executive director, said the organization is reflecting on recent history to inform what is next to come. The […]
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Retroactive law
Nearly a thousand Oklahomans will be released from prison early — potentially in time for the holidays. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law that makes State Question 780, which reclassified simple drug possessions from felonies to misdemeanors, retroactive. Department of Corrections (DOC) must provide a list of eligible inmates to the Pardon and […]
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Capitol CAIR
The Oklahoma chapter of Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has seen its annual Muslim Day at the Capitol event grow exponentially since 2015. What started as a somewhat basic introduction to the Capitol has grown into a full-blown day of action and advocacy. Lani Habrock, CAIR government affairs director, said the group began the event […]
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Youth protection
Sara Cunningham is the founder of Free Mom Hugs, an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ rights. She went viral last year after volunteering to be a stand-in mom at same-sex weddings where couples’ parents refuse to attend. But before she became an advocate, Cunningham thought being gay was an ultimate offense to God. “Our youngest […]
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New Leaders Council Oklahoma will foster the state’s millennial talent through unique leadership training to create changemakers.
New Leaders Council Oklahoma will foster the state’s millennial talent through unique leadership training to create changemakers.
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CAIR-OK focuses on building bridges at the state Capitol
The third annual Muslim Day at the Capitol gave participants a chance to speak to their lawmakers about concerns in person.
Posted inFood & Drink
Food Briefs: Rick Bayless, Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes, Empire Slice House and more
Oklahoman celebrity chef Rick Bayless wins Julia Child Award, Barrios Fine Mexican Dishes opens and Empire Slice House wins the Mark Costello Entrepreneurial Excellence in Oklahoma Award.