Letter from Hailey Briggs about SB 904

Letter from Hailey Briggs about SB 904

Oklahoma Senate Bill 904, which bans gender-affirming care from providers or facilities that receive any form of state money

An email from the Oklahomans for Equality executive director to constituents

Oklahomans for Equality

May 20, 2026

Hailey Briggs

Email

Dear Friends, Last week, Senate Bill 904 was signed into law in Oklahoma. The legislation restricts the use of state funds, facilities, and resources for gender-affirming healthcare, creating new barriers for transgender Oklahomans seeking medically necessary care and increasing uncertainty for healthcare providers across the state. While SB 904 does not appear to constitute a total statewide ban on gender-affirming care for adults, its impact will still be significant. By restricting how publicly funded healthcare systems and providers can offer care, the law is already disrupting access to services and creating confusion for patients and families. Last week, we shared Oklahomans for Equality’s formal statement opposing the bill and reaffirming our commitment to continuing care through our clinic. Today, I want to share more about what we are already seeing on the ground, and ask for your help. The impact of SB 904 is already being felt. Since the bill’s signing, publicly funded healthcare providers and institutions across Oklahoma have begun referring patients to our clinic as they navigate new restrictions on care. At the same time, we are hearing from transgender Oklahomans and their families who are frightened, uncertain, and trying to understand what access to healthcare will look like moving forward. We anticipate a significant increase in demand for appointments, care coordination, patient navigation, and financial assistance in the weeks and months ahead. As a small community clinic, we operate with a strong commitment to keeping care accessible and affordable, which means increased demand places immediate strain on both staff capacity and financial assistance resources. For many people, the barriers created by this legislation are not abstract. Delayed care, increased travel, higher out-of-pocket costs, and fear of losing access altogether place enormous strain on individuals and families who are simply trying to access medically necessary healthcare. Too often, those most impacted are people with the fewest financial resources and the fewest alternatives for care. Our commitment remains unchanged: our clinic is open, and we will continue doing everything we can to ensure transgender Oklahomans have access to affirming, compassionate care. But we cannot do this alone. Thanks to a generous matching challenge from Dennis Neill and John Southard, every dollar donated, up to $10,000, will be matched dollar-for-dollar, doubling the impact of your gift. Because demand for care is already increasing, early support will directly determine how many patients we are able to assist in the coming months. Your gift today will help ensure that cost is not the reason someone loses access to care. Donations will support appointments, labs, and other critical healthcare and clinic operational needs as demand continues to rise. Oklahoma already ranks 47th in the nation for health outcomes. At a time when our state faces healthcare workforce shortages and growing mental health needs, restricting access to evidence-based care only deepens the crisis for vulnerable Oklahomans. Healthcare decisions should be made by patients, families, and qualified medical providers, not politicians. Every person deserves dignity, safety, and access to medically appropriate healthcare. Your support sends a powerful message to transgender Oklahomans that they are not alone and that they are valued, supported, and will continue to be cared for by this community. With gratitude, Hailey Briggs Executive Director Oklahomans for Equality

Letter From the Executive Director: Update on SB 904 & Request for Immediate Support

Oklahomans for Equality

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