Washington County GOP condemns Bartlesville City Council in resolution

Andy Dossett, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
Updated ·4 min read
Precinct chairwoman Chelsie Wagoner took time to speak to the committee about her experiences with the GOP party during a meeting held on the sidewalk earlier this month.
Precinct chairwoman Chelsie Wagoner took time to speak to the committee about her experiences with the GOP party during a meeting held on the sidewalk earlier this month.

The Washington County Republican Party County Committee passed a resolution condemning the Bartlesville City Council for allegedly failing to protect children during last year's gay Pride event despite a lack of evidence.

The resolution references OK State Law Title 21, section 1021, and Bartlesville Municipal Code Sec. 12-64, which they say were broken by OKEQ-Bartlesville's drag show event in September 2022. Both laws deal with indecent exposure.

The members of the Bartlesville Police Department were in attendance during the performance last year and stated no arrests were made for indecent exposure. The Washington County District Attorney's Office also stated no charges were filed against anyone for breaking indecent exposure laws related to the performance.

Police told the EE they were unaware of any police reports filed by parents complaining that the performance harmed their children.

Despite this fact, the resolution says the performances "featured men dressed up as grossly sexualized and exaggerated caricatures of women, performing in a lascivious and sexualized manner in front of children" and that the GOP's portrayal of the event is a "known fact."

The resolution fails to provide evidence to support the allegation that performers violated those laws, which require one to have "exposed their person, genitals or private parts."

Justification for the condemnation came from the Oklahoma Republican Party Platform, which states, "We oppose the portrayal of homosexual or promiscuous behavior in a positive light..." and "We believe that there are only two genders and sexes, male and female, determined at conception."

The Washington County GOP resolution continued to cite the OKGOP platform throughout its resolution, which opposes "puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgeries on children with gender dysphoria."

It also appeals to Bartleville's city council to "stand in opposition to any appeasement, compromise, or surrender to the radical activists attempting to twist norms, legal standards and common-sense decency in Bartlesville, Oklahoma."

The resolution claims the agreement made with OKEQ "violates the rights of the people and children of this community" but doesn't clarify which "rights" were violated. It further asked the city council to take "swift and appropriate action" against OKEQ for violating the cited indecent exposure laws when it hosted "a lewd event in a public setting."

In addition, the resolution condemns Mayor Dale Copeland, Vice Mayor Jim Curd, Councilman Loren Roszel and City Attorney Jess Kane for not protecting children, not upholding the law and "failing to stay true to their personal commitment to the Republican values they espouse to hold."

More: Washington County GOP forced to meet on sidewalk amid party division

According to Bartlesville Municipal Code Article 3, Section 2, city council positions are nonpartisan and city councilors do not represent a political party.

A brief debate was held at the meeting where committee member Steve Martin questioned why Kane was being condemned because he acted on the council's orders, noting, "He doesn't get a vote."

In response, committee member Chelsie Wagoner was "utterly shocked" anyone would speak against the resolution.

"Either you're for drag shows being performed in front of children without adults being supervised, which is what the language was that Jess Kane provided and drafted and presented," Wagoner said. "He did not, correct, vote for it but he drafted it. If you are for this, I suggest you go to the opposite side because that is what their platform stands for."

County Chairman Larry Murray called a sidewalk meeting to order earlier this month after GOP members were denied entrance to Ambler Hall.
County Chairman Larry Murray called a sidewalk meeting to order earlier this month after GOP members were denied entrance to Ambler Hall.

District Attorney Will Drake, who is a member of the committee, abstained from the voting due to a potential conflict of interest with his public position and possible changes to Oklahoma law.

Committee member Sarah Burnett argued that since the County Committee is the supreme authority over Washington County GOP and Bartlesville is in Washington County, they have the right to condemn Bartlesville's elected officials who go against the OKGOP's platform.

"We should bring awareness and accountability to those who are elected who bear the name Republican," she said.

Committee member Earl Sears said a resolution was the wrong approach and argued that speaking during the citizens-to-be-heard portion of council meetings was the proper way to express people's opinions.

"I don't see what this gains us," Sears said.

Upon hearing of the being condemned by the Washington County GOP, Kane responded simply with, "Do I get a scarlet letter?"

Kane initially advised the city council that pursuing an ordinance that restricted drag performances would be challenged in court and potentially costly to the taxpayers and recommended the compromise with OKEQ as a stop-gap to buy more time for the Oklahoma State Legislature to pursue the issue.

His concerns appear to be justified as Tennessee's law to restrict drag shows was struck down in federal court and a similar Florida law was blocked in federal court this year.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: Washington County GOP condemns Bartlesville City Council in resolution