Tinker responds no official funds used

The Oklahoma Freedom Caucus (OKFC) challenged the decision to host and promote “National Coming Out Day” at Tinker Air Force Base held on October 11.

Sen. Shane Jett (RShawnee), chair of the OKFC and a U.S. Navy veteran, expressed the criticism shared by thousands of military families.

“Military bases have significant budgets to cultivate positive relationships in their communities,” Jett said. “It’s incomprehensible that Tinker Air Force Base would openly promote a prurient lifestyle that would obviously affront the tenets of faith of over 75 percent of Oklahoma’s professing Christian population, as well those practicing Jewish and Muslim faiths. It is vulgar, prurient, inappropriate and unbecoming of our military facilities.”

Rep. Jim Olsen (RSallisaw), House vice chair of the OKFC, echoed these concerns, adding, “The military exists to protect our freedoms, not to serve as a platform for sexual social experimentation. Events like these distract from their mission and undermine the moral fabric that holds our armed forces together. We will continue to demand that Tinker focuses on what matters most: national defense and the protection of American values.”

Tinker officials told KOSU that the event was organized by the Tinker Pride Council, which is a private, nonfederal volunteer organization. They also told KOSU that no official funds were expended for the activity.

The members said the public can get involved by requesting their state and federal legislators require military facilities to focus on military readiness, provide a wholesome environment for the base community, and discontinue the promotion of sexual and politically- charged events that affront and disrespect Oklahoma values. The members encouraged the public to contact their state and federal legislators or to directly contact Tinker Air Force Base to express their opposition at 405-739-2025.