SB 1140 would allow adoption and foster care agencies to turn away LGBTQ couples and deny kids good homes

NEW YORK – GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, released the following statement after lawmakers in the Oklahoma legislature passed Senate Bill 1140, an anti-LGBTQ bill would allow adoption and foster care agencies to cite religion as a reason to discriminate and turn away qualified LGBTQ couples as well as single individuals and interfaith couples.

“The people of Oklahoma can see right through this unnecessary and politically motivated measure to discriminate against children and families,” said Zeke Stokes, Vice President of Programs at GLAAD. “The state’s business and community leaders must stand up to ensure a climate of fairness, equality and acceptance, and demand that Governor Fallin veto this attempt to write discrimination into Oklahoma law.”

Senate Bill 1140 is part of a disturbing trend of discriminatory legislation attacking LGBTQ families across the county. If SB 1140 is signed into law, Oklahoma would become the eighth state to pass legislation targeting LGBTQ adoptive and foster families alongside Alabama, North Dakota, South Dakota, Virginia, Mississippi, Michigan, and Texas.

For more information on accurately covering religious exemption legislation, such as SB 1140, please refer to GLAAD’s tip sheet: How to cover “religious exemptions” court cases, federal guidance, and legislation.