State of Oklahoma Archives: on Civil Rights
Chris Powell:
Strongly supports same-sex marriage
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Dan Boren:
Code Talker Recognition Act: recognize WWII Native Americans
The Cherokee Nation and Comanche Nation are among more than 30 tribes receiving a Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony Wednesday to honor Native American Code Talkers. Representatives from 33 tribes across the country will be on hand at the US
Capitol for the ceremony. Congress passed an act in 2008 recognizing the work of the Code Talkers who used their native language to pass messages to confuse the enemy during World Wars I and II. Each tribe will be presented with a gold medal.
"Native Americans who served as code talkers during World War I and II are true American heroes whose ingenuity helped propel the Allied forces to victory and saved countless lives in the process," said Sen. Jim Inhofe. "These awards recognize that
dedicated service. After nearly a decade of working to secure the gold medal award, in 2008, Congressman Dan Boren and I were finally able to see the Code Talkers Recognition Act enacted, and I am proud this long awaited ceremony has finally occurred."
Source: The Claremore Daily Progress on 2014 Oklahoma Governor race
Nov 20, 2013
James Inhofe:
Government shouldn't redefine marriage
Question topic: Marriage is a union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Inhofe: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Oklahoma Senate race
Sep 30, 2014
James Lankford:
Equality Act not about equality, prohibits disagreement
The Equality Act amends the 1964 Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Some religious organizations object, saying it would force them to violate their convictions. "The Equality Act is not about equality," Lankford said. "It's about imposing and prohibiting disagreement."
Source: Tulsa World on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race
Jun 20, 2021
Joan Farr:
Against gay marriage & others laws favoring a small minority
Marriage is between a man and a woman, so I can't condone this sin. LGBTQ people represent only
4.5% of the total population, and although I believe in 'live and let live,' we should not be passing " laws that favor a small minority.
Source: 2022 Oklahoma Senate campaign website JoanFarr.com
Jul 19, 2021
Joe Maldonado:
Strongly supports same-sex marriage
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Comfortable with same-sex marriage"?
A: Yes, I am a gay man married legally to another.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Joy Hofmeister:
Listen to perspective and priorities of tribal nations
[On Native American tribes]: "We need to respect and listen to the input, the perspective and the priorities of the tribal governments within Oklahoma. From the beginning, I have worked to understand that, to listen and to be a collaborator toward the
common good of all Oklahomans," she said. "I will not betray the trust that I have personally established with our tribal nations." Hofmeister has touted the State Education Department's cooperation with tribes in American Indian education.
Source: Tulsa World on 2022 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
Nov 22, 2021
Joy Hofmeister:
Transgender bathroom policy: let local schools decide
A spokesperson for Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister says transgender bathroom policies are subject to local control in public schools and not mandated by any court ruling, apparently contradicting a prior statement from Hofmeister's
office.Hofmeister has suggested in a formal letter that passage of a state law banning boys from competing in girls' athletic events shows lawmakers nonetheless signaled their intent to allow boys to use the girls' restrooms in public schools.
Source: Council of Public Affairs on 2022 Oklahoma Governor race
Apr 25, 2022
Kendra Horn:
An ally and proud supporter of the Equality Act
[Human Rights Campaign endorsement press release]: HRC and these champions for equality must work together to ensure we maintain a pro-equality majority in the U.S. House and establish one in the U.S. Senate. [The U.S. Senate's] refusal to allow
consideration of the Equality Act leaves LGBTQ people across America at risk of being fired from jobs, refused essential services like health care, and more vulnerable to violence. HRC will work to mobilize 57 million Equality Voters nationwide to turn
out this November and ensure these endorsed candidates win."With the support of the Human Rights Campaign, we turned Oklahoma's 5th District from being represented by one of the most anti-LGBTQ incumbents in the nation to now being represented by an
ally and proud supporter of the Equality Act," said Rep. Kendra Horn (OK-5). "Together, we pulled off what many pundits called the 'biggest upset in the nation,' and now thousands of Oklahoma families have a voice in DC where previously they had none."
Source: Human Rights Campaign: 2020 Oklahoma Senate endorsements
May 18, 2020
Kevin Stine:
Government should not interfere in marriage
Medford City Councilor Kevin Stine has jumped into the Democratic primary race against U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. "Some of Wyden's votes run against Democratic values," the 29-year-old said, referring to himself as a progressive Democrat.
Stine said he describes himself as to the left on social issues, believing people should have free choice without government interfering in marriage or a woman's right to choose. On fiscal issues, he said he is more conservative.
Source: Medford Mail Tribune on 2016 Oklahoma Senate race
Sep 21, 2015
Madison Horn:
Expand hate crime laws to include gender, personal identity
- Work with respected leaders and voices to better represent the LGBTQIA+ community
- Promote inclusive workforce development policies that do not discriminate against individuals
- Support legislation protecting civil rights and equality
under the law for all individuals
- Secure access to health services and equal healthcare coverage
- Expand hate crime laws to include gender and personal identity
Source: 2022 Oklahoma Senate campaign website MadisonHorn.com
Aug 24, 2022
Matt Silverstein:
Equal pay concept: level the field for women
Real Equality for Women: Equal pay concept.Women are paid less than men for the same work and that must change. Matt is a husband, father of a two-year old daughter, and grew up in a household as the older brother to two younger sisters.
He is an adamant fighter for women. Matt has pledged to support forward thinking policies that help level the field for women.
He is also a strong advocate for the Violence Against Women's Act, equality for women in the military, and overall women's health issues.
Congress should never turn a blind eye to inequality towards women and we should all support common sense efforts to help local officials address these inequalities. The first step is admitting they exist.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, MattForOklahoma.com, "Issues"
Nov 11, 2013
Matt Silverstein:
Firm support of marriage equality for gays and lesbians
Matt Silverstein this week was in Oklahoma City where he met with the Cimarron Alliance, an LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) advocacy organization.Silverstein expressed his firm support of marriage equality for gays and
lesbians. "I will not be on the wrong side of the civil-rights issue of the day and that is marriage equality," he said.
Source: RedDirtReport.com coverage of 2014 Oklahoma Senate race
Aug 13, 2013
Matt Silverstein:
Grandmother beaten for speaking her native Choctaw language
Noting his Choctaw grandmother, Silverstein said her stories of being thrown into a government boarding school and beaten if she spoke her native language, taught him that government can't be allowed to get too
big or too powerful, while also helping him recognize the importance of supporting the 2nd amendment's right-to-bear arms.
Source: RedDirtReport.com coverage of 2014 Oklahoma Senate race
Aug 13, 2013
Mick Cornett:
Wants local government to have diversity; represent everyone
Mayor Cornett, now in his fourth term, said his definition of diversity might differ from others. He wants people of all races, creeds and genders involved in local government.
But it's more than that. There's a need for the city staff to geographically represent the city, as well.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Jul 2, 2014
Mike Workman:
Equal treatment regardless of sexual orientation
EQUALITY: Equal treatment under the law for all regardless of their race, color, creed, sexual orientation, or national origin. Protect and expand middle class by reducing income inequality. Protect a woman's right to choose their own health care,
including unhindered access to abortion counseling and services. Establish a fair path to citizenship for undocumented workers and their families. Support automatic voter registration with opt-out provisions.
Source: 2016 OK Senate campaign website facebook/Workman-4-Oklahoma
Aug 8, 2016
Kevin Stitt:
Oppose bathrooms that match their gender identity
As the leader of one of the reddest states in the country, Stitt fully embraces the GOP education agenda, from restricting how teachers discuss race and gender to ending a policy that allowed students to use bathrooms that match their gender identity.
In his State of the State address this year, he said, "God gave kids to parents--not the government!" He blames Hofmeister, who is finishing her 2nd term, for a lack of improvement in Okla. schools, while she points to financial scandals under his watch.
Source: The74million.org on 2022 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
Oct 14, 2022
Charles McCall:
Opposed allowing state to issue nonbinary birth certificates
Gov. Kevin Stitt and GOP members of the Oklahoma Legislature want to prevent the State Health Department from issuing gender neutral birth certificates after the agency issued this month the state's first nonbinary birth marker.
House Speaker Charles McCall called on Stitt to issue an executive order to "correct" the health department's actions, which he said exceeded the agency's scope and authority.
Source: The Oklahoman, "Gender," on 2026 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
Oct 21, 2021
Cyndi Munson:
"Don't Say Gay" bill harms LGBTQ Oklahomans
[On 'Don't Say Gay' education bill]: "There is harm that will be done to our teachers and what happens in our classrooms. But most importantly, it harms LGBTQ Oklahomans," Munson said. "I think you, Mr. Speaker, deep in your heart and your soul,
you know that has a negative impact on friends that we know, people we love, people in our lives. I have friends who are teachers who are in same-sex marriages. I have friends who have adopted children. They should be able to talk about their families."
Source: KGOU, "Don't Say Gay," on 2026 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
Mar 22, 2023
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026