February Editorial Winner

Woods' "filth" label for LGBTQ Okies is source of shame

By Kim Poindexter, Tahlequah Daily Press

State Sen. Tom Woods’ characterization of LGBTQ+ Oklahomans as “filth,” and his follow-up statement that his constituents “don’t want them,” could be described in many ways, but most aren’t fit for a family newspaper.

Woods, during a legislative update Friday morning, was responding to a question from a local woman who wanted to know why LGBTQ+ people are being targeted by the Legislature. Her concern was prompted by the recent death of a 16-year-old nonbinary Owasso student. Nex Benedict had been bullied at school, and although preliminary reports suggest an alleged beating in a girls’ bathroom wasn’t the cause of death, many people – including Nex’s parents – have questions.

Whatever the ultimate reason for the teen’s demise, the prior bullying constituted a bomb ready to explode. And Woods lit the fuse.

A couple of decades ago, it would be shocking if someone in Woods’ position made such a revolting statement – one that could potentially incite like-minded individuals to carry out violence against anyone they “don’t want.” In modern times, it evokes images from the past of guys wearing hoods and white sheets, with brown dress shoes peeking from beneath.

Since that time, with the advent of social media and the recent tendency of certain politicians to overtly coax their followers into subversive action, perhaps no one should be surprised that Woods revealed his brutal innermost thoughts. But it’s difficult to believe the assessment of his constituents is correct, and that they’d like all LGBTQ+ people run out of his entire district on a rail – even innocent teens, who desperately need the support of their families and communities.

Would every single person in Adair County grab pitchforks and torches and go after LGBTQ+ folks who have done nothing whatsoever to hurt anyone else? How about some of those whom Woods represents in Sequoyah and Delaware counties? Without a sweeping door-to-door canvass, it would be difficult to determine, but it can almost certainly be said that while an alarming number of Cherokee County residents might feel that way, most are compassionate human beings. Even those who view LGBTQ+ people as “sinners” would not foment hate against them.

And since Woods brought Christianity into the fray, nowhere in the Gospels does Jesus Christ call a child “filth,” or suggest that child or anyone else be banished from a realm. The humble man of God never even made such statements about the Romans, whose presence was as vile to the Jewish people as Woods’ statements are to the LGBTQ+ community – and indeed, all people of goodwill.

It’s easy enough to lambaste Woods for his insensitive remarks and his disturbing attitude toward an entire group of people who have done him no harm. And after all, they are his constituents, too. Perhaps it would be best to urge his like-minded voters to look inward and find a way to soften their hard hearts. And Woods himself might do well to look in a mirror before he ban-dies about such harsh labels as “filth.”