Republican Governor Mary Fallin has just signed an anti-gay billthat will enshrine into Oklahoma law discrimination against same-sex couples and LGBT people. The legislation, known as SB 1140, will allow taxpayer funded adoption agencies to cite their “religious or moral convictions” to refuse to allow LGBT people to adopt.

“SB 1140 allows faith-based agencies that contract with Oklahoma to continue to operate in accordance with their beliefs,” Governor Fallin said in a statement. “In a day and time when diversity is becoming a core value to society because it will lead to more options, we should recognize its value for serving Oklahoma also because it leads to more options for loving homes to serve Oklahoma children.”

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That’s false. The bill will actually restrict the number of new homes available to children, some of whom no doubt are LGBTQ themselves.

The legislation is believed to be the first anti-LGBT bill signed into law this year. It has been described as “state-sponsored discrimination.”

One week ago Thursday Republican lawmakers ended the legislative session by forcing through SB 1140, to the outcry of LGBT activists and allies. It passed both houses by strong majorities.

“If this bill becomes law it will cost Oklahomans millions of dollars in litigation fees, in a time when Oklahoma can not properly fund education and other core services,” Freedom Oklahoma executive director Troy Stevenson warned late last month.

He believes the new law is “a clear violation of the establishment and equal protection clauses of the U. S. Constitution.”