TAHLEQUEH, Okla. — Oklahoma State Senator Tom Woods' comments are being questioned after he called the LGBTQ+ community "filth" while on a panel at a Tahlequah Public Forum.
The comment was prompted after a woman asked the panel about the state legislation against the LGBTQ+ community.
She also mentioned the recent death of the 16-year-old Owasso student,Nex Benedict, according to The Tahlequah Daily Press.
The newspaper was at the forum and recorded Woods' comments.
“We are a Republican state, a supermajority, in the House and Senate. I represent a constituency that doesn’t want that filth in Oklahoma. We are a religious state, and we are going to fight it to keep that filth out of the state of Oklahoma because we are a Christian state. We are a moral state,” Woods said
In the audio recording, mixed reactions are heard as some in attendance cheered while others were heard questioning the statement.
Other state officials were on the panel alongside Woods. State Rep. David Hardin (R-District 86), State Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens (R-District 3) and State Sen. Dewayne Pemberton (R-District 9), also spoke on the woman's questions.
Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat said he spoke with Woods after the comments.
“Senator Woods and I have spoken, and I made it clear that his remarks were reprehensible and inappropriate,” Pro Tem Treat said. “I am of the belief that all people are image-bearers of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. His remarks were not in any way reflective of myself, the Senate Republican caucus, Senate leadership or the Senate overall. In my opinion, he had a serious lapse of judgment and it has distracted from the mission and good work we are attempting to advance on behalf of all Oklahomans.”
Sen. Tom Woods, R-Westville, released the following statement Monday afternoon about comments he made at a town hall meeting on Friday.
"Firstly, I want to say that a child losing their life is horrible. They were a victim of bullying and that is never okay. It is always a tragedy when someone loses their life. I said that Friday and I mean that still today. I hope anyone struggling in a similar position gets the help they need as soon as possible.
"I also want to say that I stand behind what I believe in. The groups and individuals who push gender reassignment on children in our schools, and anyone else who is trying to normalize behavior that shouldn’t be tolerated, is unacceptable in my mind.
"This is an agenda that is being forced on Oklahoma kids. My voting record speaks for itself. I supported legislation to keep men out of women’s sports and to protect children from being mutilated by transition surgery before they can make an informed decision.
"I will continue to push for a day when kids can be kids again and be free from the pressure of conforming to radical ideologies."
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