Four Tulsa City Councilors have proposed a new resolution to make Tulsa an “inclusive welcoming city.”

Laura Bellis (Dist 4) along with Vanessa Hall-Harper (Dist 1), Crista Patrick (Dist 3) and Lori Decter-Wright (Dist 7) are behind the resolution. However, the question is whether it is needed especially as the city’s nondiscrimination policy was amended by Mayor Bynum in 2019 to include gender identity and gender expression.

According to Bellis, “This is really about reaffirming language that has often already been put forth. There is some new language in this but a lot of this is already existing city language from programs or past resolutions.”

Councilor Christian Bengel (Dist6) asked the obvious question as to the purpose if everything in the new resolution is in previous resolutions and/or ordinances. It “seems redundant and unnecessary,” Bengel asserted.

According to the wording of the resolution, it is about “…reaffirming the city of Tulsa’s commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and welcoming city for all Tulsans, visitors, and businesses regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.”

Bellis sat with some of us before the meeting started to both listen and express her views on the resolution which she said included everyone.

“Every human being is capable of acting compassionately toward every living person regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability…” she said insisting the resolution wasn’t about any one group.

However, the wording of the resolution suggests otherwise. It doesn’t stress an inclusive community based on gender, but by gender identity and gender expression. Here’s the difference by definition:

• Gender: “Either of the two divisions, designated female and male, by which most organisms are classified on the basis of their reproductive organs and functions; sex.” (American Heritage Dictionary)
• Gender identity: “A person’s internal sense of being male, female, some combination of male and female, or neither male or female.” (Merriam Webster dictionary)
• Gender expression: “External appearance of one’s gender identity, usually expressed through behavior, clothing, body characteristics or voice, and which may or may not conform to socially defined behaviors and characteristics typically associated with being either masculine or feminine.” (Human Rights Campaign.org)

I doubt anyone objects to an inclusive/welcoming city. Perhaps the concern is that those pushing the resolution have not been truthful in their assertions or agenda that this is specifically for one group.

“There have definitely been national headlines and I know I have received contact from a number of other folks, and I know other councilors have as well, that there are an array of people who do identify as LGBTQ in our community who have been feeling less safe recently in our community, who they have other identities as well, and businesses who have been attacked,” stated Bellis.

Both Bellis and Lori Decter-Wright claimed that Oklahoma and specifically Tulsa, have been rejected as not being inclusive by companies considering locating new businesses here. Decter-Wright specifically cited the loss of Panasonic’s battery manufacturing plant last year.

However, according to news reports by the “Tulsa World,” and KSWO, their decision to snub Oklahoma was purely an economic decision as Kansas offered them half a billion dollars more including a refundable 15% tax credit.

Decter-Wright then made a curious statement that “thousands of people are dying every day because they do not feel safe.” She cited no reports or information on how thousands are dying daily in Tulsa because of how they feel.

An article on the website “Queer in the World” seems to disagree with the councilors giving high praises for Tulsa stating, “LGBT Tulsa is a fantastic place to call home because it comes with affordable housing, a low cost of living, and a career economy that attracts many workers and families.”

According to the article, “The Tulsa LGBTQ community is lucky to have plenty of resources and organizations that support a vibrant community such as: Equality Sports Alliance, The Equality Center, Diversity Center of Oklahoma.”

Additionally, Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum has created initiatives specifically to welcome and include minority groups, immigrants and refugees including Resilient Tulsa and New Tulsan.

Tulsa ranks as the city in Oklahoma with the most violent crimes, not due to hate crimes, but according to some reports due to the increasing homelessness, unemployment and low wages..

The City Council will vote on this resolution March 1 at 5:00 p.m.