LGBTQ Policy Snapshot: MAP's Equality Profile for Oklahoma

(Equality profiles and detailed LGBTQ policy information is available for each state. MAP tracks more than 50 laws and policies nationwide and updates this information in real time. For information about bills in the Oklahoma legislature, see Freedom Oklahoma's 2024 bill tracker.)

• Oklahoma currently ranks as the 5th most hostile state nationwide for its policies impacting LGBTQ people.
• Oklahoma is also the 4th most hostile state for its policies specifically about gender identity, or those most impacting transgender and nonbinary people.

LGBTQ Youth Policies in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's statewide laws regarding LGBTQ youth are hostile in nearly every related policy category that MAP tracks including the following:

• There are no statewide anti-bullying laws that cover LGBTQ students or laws that protect them from discrimination in schools.
• Transgender students are banned from participating in school sports that match their gender identity.
• The state requires an affidavit attesting to the student's sex assigned at birth. This law applies to K-12 and college.
• Oklahoma is one of 10 states that ban transgender students from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity. (A lawsuit challenging this law has been filed.)
• This law applies to grades pre-K-12 in public schools, including public charter schools.
• Penalties include allowing parents to sue a school district and a decrease in state funding.
• Best practice medical care for transgender youth is banned.
• Oklahoma is one of 5 states that makes it a felony crime to provide this care, even though it is backed by decades of research and supported as best-practice care by all major medical organizations.

Snapshot of Overall LGBTQ Policy Landscape in Oklahoma

• Oklahoma does not have any statewide laws that explicitly protect LGBTQ people from discrimination.
• The governor issued an executive order in 2023 that explicitly and narrowly defines sex throughout state law to allow discrimination against transgender and nonbinary people.
• Oklahoma allows child welfare service providers to discriminate against LGBTQ people (and others) by refusing to work with prospective parents or families if the provider says it would violate their religious beliefs to do so.

Additional information regarding LGBTQ people in the state can be found via Freedom Oklahoma, the state's LGBTQ advocacy organization.

About MAP: MAP's mission is to provide independent and rigorous research, insight and communications that help speed equality and opportunity for all. MAP works to ensure that all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life. www.mapresearch.org