The supervisor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives’ page program told pages to use private staff and member restrooms, and then in a follow-up email said that “there are cross-dressers” in the building, while an LGBT student group lobbied representatives.
The Tulsa World reported on the emails, from program supervisor
Karen Kipgen, on Monday.
“As per the Speaker’s office, Pages are being allowed access the ladies restroom across from 401, for today,” Kipgen wrote. “Again, there are cross-dressers in the building.”
The Tulsa World reported that the email was apparently prompted by a visit of roughly 70 LGBTQ students to the Capitol Building, sponsored by the group Oklahomans for Equality to lobby on behalf of what the paper described as HIV awareness and education funding and support.
Speaker Charles McCall (R) said in a statement obtained by the publication that “[t]he email was not authorized by me, my staff or my office.”
“It was sent unilaterally by a House staff member without any input or permission,” he continued. “I was unaware that such an email was being sent, and the remarks contained in the email are not condoned by me or the Office of the Speaker. As Speaker, all Oklahomans should feel welcome in the Oklahoma Capitol building. We are looking into this matter, and it will be taken seriously.”
Read the Tulsa World’s story here.