In the wake of teen’s death, why LGBTQ+ Oklahomans say they stay
Oklahoma is home, but Nico Fedelle often finds himself daydreaming about other possibilities.
What if he lived somewhere like Portland, Oregon, where he saw an LGBTQ+ couple publicly holding hands? What if he didn’t lose business because of his gender identity? What if he felt safe enough to attend vigils and rallies supporting the LGBTQ+ community?
“Anytime I travel outside of home, I realize how different life could be if I didn’t live here,” says Mr. Fedelle, who lives in Tulsa with his wife, Caroline.
But Mr. Fedelle, who is transgender, feels a tug of responsibility, too. As business owners, he and his wife operate a tattoo shop that prides itself on being welcoming to all. Consent forms ask clients for the pronouns they use – a small way of creating what they describe as a “safe haven.”
They say it’s especially needed in Oklahoma, where cultural and political forces have created a hostile environment. Dozens of bills aimed at restricting gay or transgender rights have emerged in the statehouse. Some left as laws. And the
