Appearing Monday on CNN, Oklahoma
Governor Mary Fallin defended the Republican platform's opposition to
LGBT rights.
The document, which is expected to be
approved at this week's convention in Cleveland, condemns the 2015
Supreme Court ruling that led to nationwide marriage equality and
backs a proposed Republican bill that would protect individuals
opposed to marriage rights for gay couples. It also backs states
challenging a directive by the Obama administration advising schools
to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice and
the rights of parents to enroll their kids in programs that attempt
to alter their sexual orientation or gender identity. Several
states, including New Jersey and California, have outlawed such
therapies.
Fallin, a co-chair of the platform
committee, argued that the platform's purpose was to “make America
great” and to “stand for the human rights of all people.”
“Gay people don't feel included in
the platform. What do you say?” she was asked.
Falling answered that “there were gay
people who were on the platform committee.” There was a single
openly gay person, Rachel Hoff, on the committee. Hoff's proposals
to soften the GOP's anti-gay rhetoric were met with stiff resistance.
“The main thing is: We think all
human beings, no matter who you are, deserve respect, deserve equal
treatment, and should be respected in all that we do, and be
respected,” Fallin said.