OKLAHOMA CITY — An Oklahoma City Republican lawmaker has introduced a measure that would reinstate the controversial “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to ban openly gay service members in the Oklahoma National Guard.
Mike Reynolds
State Rep. Mike Reynolds authored a measure that would prohibit anyone who was ineligible to serve in the U.S. armed forces under federal regulations that were in effect on Jan. 1, 2009, from serving in the state’s Guard.
Reynolds said the state is allowed to set its own standards for service in the National Guard and is not required to duplicate standards for the rest of the U.S. military.
House Bill 2195 would amend existing state law that allows any able-bodied U.S. citizen and who is at least 18 years old and not yet 70 to serve in the Oklahoma National Guard.
When contacted by LGBTQ Nation on Tuesday, the spokesman for the Guard, Lt. Colonel Max Moss said that the Guard would not comment on the pending legislation.
A spokesperson for Reynolds said Tuesday that the measure was being introduced in response to requests from members of the Oklahoma National Guard.
Toby Jenkins, executive director of Tulsa-based Oklahomans for Equality, told LGBTQ Nation that Reynolds’ measure is mean-spirited and damaging to the morale of gay Oklahoma Guard troops that are currently serving in combat operations in Afghanistan.
He said his group is opposed to the the bill, urging the state’s other legislators to kill the measure.
Jenkins also pointed out that it was the Tulsa based group’s center that had U.S. Military recruiters on the premises the day that DADT was formally repealed last September 20th ready to sign up new recruits.
“Oklahoma has serious pressing issues — meth crimes, prisons that are filling up too fast, schools that aren’t working and this is the issue he picks as the most serious in need of attention?” Jenkins said.
“The other disturbing aspect to his bill,” Jenkins added, “is that there is a section which would allow for a potential recruit to be interrogated about their sexual orientation — this is simply intrusive.”
Jenkins said that his group will work with LGBTQ allies in the state legislative committee where it currently is pending to try to stop the bill before it comes to a floor vote.
“It is this sort of thing, Reynolds and, well, even Sally Kern, which gives other people the idea that every Oklahoman is homophobic,” Jenkins said.
“But that is not the reality. The truth is that there are more inclusive and accepting persons in this state than outright bigots,” he said.
Filed under: Oklahoma
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So obnoxious
Rot in hell stupid old fucker.
Yet another blockhead in Oklahoma. I can say that, I live here. But before comments begin to bash the whole state, remember all the people in Oklahoma are not homophobes and the gay community here puts up a good fight. Look what we’re dealing with – we have Sally Kern too.
Just another GOP HATER….geeze!
Haven’t heard any news reports on the negative affects of its repeal…. why reinstate something that doesn’t need to be there.
I mean come on are these people serious?
no way!!!
are those ass holes all in the same closet over there? we pretty much reserve this kind of hate over here in the Ozarks for LSU, Les Miles,and fire ants.
If they do, we’d have to start a new law suit since the mooted the last one.
THere are so many in the closet GOP folk that dont want gay people out the closet because they afraid of THEIR business getting exposed its ridiculous
Woooow!! What an idiot. o_o;
IS there a way to stop them from going forward with reinstating this policy? This is terrible! We need to try and not allow this I don’t want Louisiana to do the same.
this just disgusts me!
Pathetic.
Gawd! I wonder if Scrotorum and he had the same priest as choir boys. Cock holsters!
LOL He’s from Oklahoma girls! Nobody pays attention to that state xP
I think someone needs to take some rights away from them. Are they scared that a gay person can serve like straight people can or they wont take a bullet for their team. Gays have served in the military ever since they formed. I dont care who anyone sleeps with, well as long as they are 2 consulting adults. Other than that whatever floats their boat. Why are they so afraid of gays? Are they in the closet? They need to wake up and treat all people the same no matter if they are gay, straight, bi, trans, black, white hispanic and so on. Get a grip!
WTF ><
In WWII.
DID WE ASK?
WHO DID WHAT?
A-hole!!!
FUCK Y’ALL OK!
And I’ll Say It Again, That Mike Reynolds Should Just STFU! :-(( #DADT #Discrimination #OklahomaEquality
Ass-hat.
Nazi.
Go F yourself!!! Where is #OccupyOK?? What is with rich white dudes and their fear of the gays?? Oh, I see… we will find out this guy sucks more c**k than Perez Hilton, right?
Douche bag hypocrite bigot.
Well, Lousyana sucks so far. I can’t find one good friend here. It’s all cause of this retarded hate. This fear people have for being my friend cause I am out. They are not and if they aren’t gay…they are afraid they’d get mistaken as a lover. (When I am one of the few MEN out there that will respect a guys body.) Hate sucks.
makes me think he is getting tired of being asked if he likes dick
I’m so tired of this shit!
Wow… So dumb and absolutely pathetic
What an assbag.
Where are the FUCKING JOBS. I thought that was the reason these excuse for humans were elected into office
nothing bad happened after the repeal, and yet they still want to reinstate DADT. sounds stupid and nonsensical. They need to shut up and get used to the idea that LGBT are people too.
Im embarrassed to live in this state. Such ignorant bigots!
3 steps forward, 2 steps back, when will they give up and just let us be, its inevitable that we will win the day and its just a matter of time. We will never give up, we will not go away!
And while they’rre overseas serving as part of a unified command, they will have to follow different rules because of their home state’s laws. Like that will work.
bigoted jerk.
East rabbit shit, mr Lawmaker!
We’re Here We’re Queer, Get Used To It!!!
DADT violates Freedom of Speech.
Probably got caught with a big dick in his mouth, paid off the blackmailer and comes up with this scheme so people won’t think he’s gay. “Me thinks you protest too much reynolds.” Its really an old, old, saying but in his case its true.