Oklahoma Mom Of Transgender Youth Starts Church To Create Safe Space

A bill that regulates which bathrooms Oklahoma kids can use at school is now law. The controversial bill prompted hours of debate before it went to the Governor.

One Oklahoma parent said these types of laws pushed her to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ youth.

One of the pillars the founding fathers created this nation on is the separation of church and state. 

Oklahoma's Tiffany Holloway said she's counting on it and created the Church of Prismatic light. It began when her son, who is transgender, began to feel more hopeless with each law passed

"He said, ‘Mom, if the law that passed in Alabama that prevents me from getting my testosterone medication was to be passed in Oklahoma, I feel like I would end my life,’" said church founder Tiffany Holloway.

Tiffany Holloway's son came out as transgender a few years ago. Now at 16, he can't use the men's bathroom at school after Governor Stitt signed SB 615 into law Wednesday.  

It requires students to use the bathroom of their biological sex assigned at birth, or a single use bathroom. 

Schools that don't comply with the new law will be docked five percent in funding.

"My son isn't the only child here that's feeling that way," said Holloway. She continued, "what if we had a religion that celebrated transitioning, that celebrated reproductive rights, that said that it was ok to marry the person that you love regardless of sex or gender."

So, she made one. Right now, it's all virtual and began with a TikTok.

“You go to church on Sunday and that's your church family. Well Tiffany starting this via social media means communities are no longer limited to that physical space," said one of the church's High Priests. 

"Our religion does not have a deity, and they say 'how can you be a real religion if you don't worship a higher power?' but faith comes in many forms and what we have faith in is our true selves, our community and hope for the future," added Holloway.

The church is in the process to gain tax exemption status from the IRS, which could take up to a year. It's already a registered non-profit in Oklahoma.  

Holloway said they hope to eventually have brick and mortar locations and to graduate to after school programs as well.

"For example, the Christians have the Boy Scouts, and they have special days at school like meet me at the pole. Well, we could have those too if they can and the state wouldn't be allowed to discriminate because they cannot discriminate against different religions," said Holloway.