OKLAHOMA CITY – House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City, released the following statement urging the Governor to veto SB 658 after it passed off the House floor.

SB 658 prohibits the Department of Human Services from requiring any current or prospective adoptive or foster parent to affirm, accept, or support any government policy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity that conflicts with the parent's sincerely held beliefs as a condition to adopt or foster. 

“I am calling on the Governor to do right by Oklahoma children in foster care and veto SB 658,” Leader Munson said. “If adults cannot open their hearts to love and accept each and every child, they should not be trusted to take care of our most vulnerable children. At bare minimum, we expect those who want to foster children to provide shelter, food, and clothing. We should equally expect unconditional acceptance and love for every child. This legislation is sending the message to Oklahoma children that the essence of who they are is not enough, and the Legislature is willing to put in statute that we are perfectly fine with that. This message doesn't align with being pro-life or in favor of family values—it is the exact opposite, and it is unacceptable. 

"My no vote is my message to all of Oklahoma's children: you are seen, valued, deeply loved, and enough. I ask the Governor to join me in affirming children in our state, especially our most vulnerable in our state's foster care system. I am urging the Governor to consider ways to make it easier for Oklahomans to help foster more children by increasing foster care maintenance payments, providing more benefits to families who choose to foster, and taking care of biological parents to be reunited with their children, if it is safe to do so.

“The Governor—the state's most powerful leader—has the opportunity to stand up for all Oklahoma children, reminding them they are all God's children. I pray he does the right thing and protects Oklahoma children in foster care from additional harm and another adverse experience.”

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