Oklahoma

Anti-LGBTQ actions, laws and policies in Oklahoma – Dallas Voice

Published

2 years ago

February 24, 2024

Anti-LGBTQ actions, laws and policies in Oklahoma – Dallas Voice

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, left, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters, right.

The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation today (Saturday, Feb. 24) released the following information regarding the anti-LGBTQ actions, laws and policies by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters:

“In the months and years leading to the bullying and assault on Nex Benedict, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed into law legislation that bans best-practice, life-saving medical care for transgender youth, bans trans youth from using the school bathroom aligned with their gender, and bans trans youth from playing sports at school with their friends.

“Gov. Stitt’s record of anti-LGBTQ legislation, policy and rhetoric is documented here.

“Gov. Stitt appointed, then removed, Ryan Walters as his education secretary. Walters remains state superintendent of public instruction, where he has repeatedly used his position to target LGBTQ youth, spread fear and disinformation about them, ban inclusive books, and use taxpayer funds to support his appearances on extremist media.

“Gov. Stitt’s actions include:

Signed law restricting access to public-school bathrooms aligned with gender identity
Signed law banning health care for transgender people under 18. Every major medical association and leading world health authority supports health care for transgender youth.
Signed a law that bans transgender girls and women from school sports. Oklahoma public schools also now require all students from kindergarten to college to complete “biological sex affidavits” to be eligible, an invasive, unnecessary, and costly barrier to every female student.
Signed a bill that would prohibit Oklahomans from obtaining nonbinary gender markers on official documents

“Oklahoma State Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ anti-LGBTQ record is documented here.

“Superintendent Walters’ record includes:

Released inaccurate and inflammatory video falsely describing transgender students as a threat in school bathrooms. Transgender students are three times more likely to miss school than other students, are more likely to report feeling unsafe at school and being bullied, and face a higher risk of sexual assault in locker rooms and bathrooms that don’t match gender identity
Led the Oklahoma State Board of Education in approving a permanent rule change that prohibits school districts and local schools from altering sex or gender designations in student records without the board’s authorization and regardless of the will of the student or the consent of the student’s guardians. A lawsuit is pending in federal court.
Advocates for book bans, including at this week’s board hearing, falsely describing LGBTQ-inclusive books as “pornographic” and that they “push transgenderism,” a term frequently weaponized to diminish or eliminate transgender identity and the existence of transgender people throughout history.
Appointed Chaya Raichik, the founder of anti-LGBTQ social media account Libs of TikTok, to a Library Media Advisory Committee at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. The account posts disinformation about LGBTQ people and allies, and some posts have reportedly preceded dozens of bomb threats to schools in Oklahoma as well as libraries and children’s hospitals nationwide. Raichick is not an educator, is not an Oklahoma resident, and does not have children in Oklahoma schools.
Had Oklahoma taxpayers fund travel expenses for speaking engagements and media appearances with anti-LGBTQ groups Moms for Liberty and Heritage Foundation, as well as a premiere for an anti-abortion horror movie, meetings with bookers from Fox News in Washington, DC, and for media appearances on talk shows affiliated with the conspiracy-fueled Epoch Times. State law prohibits expensing out of state travel.

“Additional background

ACLU is tracking 54 anti-LGBTQ bills in Oklahoma, leading the nation for proposals targeting LGBTQ people this legislative session
The FBI reported that from 2018 to 2022, the number of hate crimes in schools nearly doubled. Research from GLAAD and the Center on Extremism counted 700+ anti-LGBTQ incidents of extremism including violence, assaults, murders, or vandalism last year.”

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Oklahoma

Oklahoma Sooners offer speedy wide receiver in 2027 recruiting cycle

Published

3 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Oklahoma Sooners offer speedy wide receiver in 2027 recruiting cycle

The Oklahoma Sooners look to build upon the best recruiting class they’ve had in the Brent Venables era with another offer in the 2027 recruiting class. This time, the Sooners join the pursuit for three-star wide receiver Taurean Rawlins.

Rawlins, out of Sandy Springs, a suburb of Atlanta, has seen his recruitment take off this offseason, in particular in the last month. He received his first offer from Boise State in January and, in the last couple of weeks, has received offers from Florida State, Miami, Nebraska, Ohio State, Georgia, and now Oklahoma. He’s also received offers from South Carolina, Mississippi State, Kansas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Vanderbilt, and West Virginia.

Currently ranked No. 475 in the On3 Industry Rankings, Rawlins is likely to see a rise in the rankings over the next six months ahead of the early signing period.

Rawlins has elite speed and can create big plays every time he touches the ball. He’s a good route runner with excellent hands. He fights through tackles to gain yards after the catch. He’s a shifty player who is able to make players miss in the open field.

The Oklahoma Sooners have three wide receivers committed in the 2027 class: Demare Dezeurn, Greydon Howell, and Tra’von Hall. But Rawlins has a chance to finish the recruiting cycle among the best wide receivers in the class if his trajectory continues.

Taurean Rawlins Recruiting Profile

Vitals

Projected Position	Wide Receiver
Height	6-0
Weight	175 pounds
Hometown	Sandy Springs, Ga.

Ratings

Site	Stars	Overall	Position	State
ESPN	3	—	49	41
247Sports	3	—	53	47
247Sports Composite	3	475	58	53
Rivals	3	—	66	69
Rivals Industry	3	445	63	46

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X (formerly known as Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.

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Oklahoma

Federal marijuana changes could impact how Oklahoma dispensaries operate

Published

12 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Press Room

Federal marijuana changes could impact how Oklahoma dispensaries operate

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — New federal marijuana changes are beginning to reshape parts of the cannabis industry — including how some Oklahoma dispensaries may choose to operate.

The federal government recently moved marijuana into a less restrictive category under federal law. The Drug Enforcement Administration is now opening the door for dispensaries to register under federal rules.

Experts say that could eventually bring benefits like expanded banking access and potential tax relief for some businesses.

“Currently there’s over 425,000 people working in the cannabis industry nationwide,” said Max Simon. “As we get federal reform, you will start to see more opportunity for these businesses to expand in a more meaningful national way.”

For now, dispensaries can still remain state-only, and legal experts say many businesses are still weighing what makes the most sense.

“There were far fewer fortunes made than there were fortunes lost in this industry in Oklahoma,” said Eric Fisher. “I think this will maintain jobs in the industry right now.”

The changes also come as schools like Tulsa Community College have started training students for cannabis-related careers — highlighting how quickly the industry continues to evolve.

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Oklahoma

How to watch LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, live stream info for tonight’s NBA playoff game

Published

1 day ago

May 5, 2026

Press Room

How to watch LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder: TV, live stream info for tonight’s NBA playoff game

Coverage of the 2026 NBA playoffs continues tonight on NBC and Peacock with a star-studded doubleheader. The action tips off at 7:00 PM ET, when Donovan Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers take on Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons. Then, at 8:30 PM ET, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers go head-to-head with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Peacock. Live coverage begins at 6:00 PM with NBA Showtime. See below for additional information on how to watch the 2026 NBA Playoffs on NBC and Peacock.

Click here to sign up for Peacock!

LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder Game Preview:

The No. 4 Lakers defeated the No. 5 Rockets in six games to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals. Los Angeles opened the series with a 3-0 lead, dropped Games 4 and 5, then bounced back with a 98-78 road win in Game 6. The win marked JJ Redick’s first playoff series victory since he took over as head coach ahead of last season.

Meanwhile, the top-seeded Thunder defeated the No. 8 Phoenix Suns 4-0, completing a First Round sweep for the third straight season. The Thunder look to become the first team to win consecutive NBA titles since the Golden State Warriors (2016-2017, 2017-18).

The Lakers and Thunder will both be without key players tonight. Luka Doncic has missed the last 11 games due to a grade 2 hamstring strain sustained on April 2 against Oklahoma City, while Jalen Williams missed the last two games for the Thunder with a grade 1 hamstring strain. Both players are considered week-to-week.

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2026 NBA Playoffs: Bracket, schedule, scores, matchups for conference semifinals, including 76ers vs. Knicks

All the games — times, dates, where to watch — in one easy-to-check-out location.

How to watch LA Lakers vs Oklahoma City Thunder:

When: Tonight, Tuesday, May 5
Where: Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series preview, predictions – Do LeBron, Lakers have a chance?

What other NBA games are on NBC and Peacock tonight?

Pistons vs Cavaliers Game 1 NBA Playoffs – predictions: Odds, recent stats, trends and best bets for May 5

How to watch the NBA on NBC and Peacock:

NBC Sports will present up to 23 games in the First Round and 11 games in the Conference Semifinals across either NBC and Peacock, or Peacock and NBCSN. Playoff programming concludes with exclusive coverage of the Western Conference Finals on NBC and Peacock

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Which playoff rounds will be available on Peacock?

Peacock’s NBA Playoffs coverage spans multiple rounds, including Round 1, the Conference Semifinals, and the Western Conference Finals, with coverage evolving as the postseason progresses.

Will Peacock show both Eastern and Western Conference playoff games?

Yes. During earlier rounds such as Round 1 and the Conference Semifinals, Peacock will carry a mix of Eastern and Western Conference playoff games.

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