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Thursday, Apr. 11, 2024

Has Oklahoma introduced a bill to ban all pride flags?

Sue Bin Park, Oklahoma Watch
no

Oklahoma House Bill 3217, which passed committee, would specifically prohibit government agencies from displaying flags representing LGBTQ identities on state-owned property, including public schools. However, the proposed law does not prohibit display of pride flags by private individuals or businesses in public or private spaces.

Oklahoma HB 3217, known as the “Patriotism Not Pride Act”, would also ban government agencies from utilizing state or privately donated funds to promote Pride Month.

HB 3217 was not heard by the House before the deadline to hear bills in their chamber of origin, effectively denying passage in the 2024 session.

A Tennessee bill passed by the state's House in February would prohibit pride flags, along with any flags deemed to convey political viewpoints, from being displayed in public schools. Tennessee House Bill 1605 does not, however, prohibit the display of pride flags on other state-owned grounds, nor the activity of private citizens or businesses.

See a full discussion of this at Oklahoma Watch

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