Oklahoma House Democrats Walk Out on 84-0 Vote Affirming 'One Man One Woman' Marriage, DOMA: VIDEO

The Oklahoma House yesterday voted 84-0 in favor of a resolution backing one man-one woman marriage but not before half of the chamber's 29 Democrats walked out instead of voting.

The resolution's sponsor State Rep. Bob Cleveland told KOCO: "There's been a few emails saying that I'm spewing hate. I didn't say anything about hate. There's no hate in there at all."

He can't understand why anybody might have walked out.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

The AP adds:

Oklahoma state Rep. Kay Floyd of Oklahoma City, who is openly gay, walked out of the chamber when the vote was called, as did more than a dozen other Democrats. State Rep. Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, and 13 other Democrats voted for the resolution.

In a brief interview after the vote, Floyd said she walked out rather than vote on the resolution because when you vote "you give it credence, you give it some sort of credibility. So my statement was going to be that no, I'm not going to be a co-author. I'm not going to have anything to do with it."

Oklahoma Educators Deny Valedictorian a Diploma for Saying the World 'Hell': VIDEO

Also, high schooler learns that Oklahoma 'Christianists' have no sense of humor.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Gay Oklahoma City Man Escapes with Life After Vandals Target His Car with Firebomb, Slurs: VIDEO

A gay Oklahoma City man is recovering from first and second degree burns after discovering two people vandalizing his car over the weekend who proceeded to throw a firebomb, News9 reports:

As Ferguson approached them, one of the suspects threw something in his Camaro that caused an explosion and fire. Ferguson rushed inside his home and called 911. He also jumped in the shower and attempted to peel parts of his melted shirt off body. One of his roommates took a photo of the burning car while waiting for fire and police crews to arrive.

Ferguson was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance with first and second degree burns to his face, arms and torso. He was treated and released. On Sunday, the 25 year old returned home for the first time since the fire. He's frustrated because he has no idea who did this; but to make matters worse, the vandals spray painted a three-letter homophobic slur on his car.

Police are treating the incident as an act of arson: "Chief Jones said if it is a hate crime, the Oklahoma City Fire and Police Departments would continue to conduct the investigation."

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

(via jmg)

GOP Rep. Lankford Tries To Explain Comments About Firing Gay People: VIDEO

Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford appeared on his local news last night to hit back at Think Progress for reprinting his comments that gay people do not deserve workplace protections.

According to Lankford, he said nothing of the sort. Rather, he simply believes homosexuality is a choice is that "private behavior" does not warrant "special protections." The entire encounter with TP, he says, was an example of "ambush journalism" and an extension of President Obama's pro-gay marriage agenda.

Watch Lankford's followup, AFTER THE JUMP….

Oklahoma GOP Congressman James Lankford Explains Why it's Okay to Fire Someone for Being Gay: VIDEO

Think Progress caught up with GOP Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford on Capitol Hill last week and asked him if he would support legislation that prohibits firing someone from their job because of their sexual orientation.

Said Lankford:

Well, you’re now dealing with behavior and I’m trying to figure out exactly what you’re trying to mean by that. Because you’re dealing with — race and sexual preferences are two different things. One is a behavior-related and preference-related and one is something inherently — skin color, something obvious, that kind of stuff. You don’t walk up to someone on the street and look at them and say, “Gay or straight?”

Lankford, you see, doesn't believe someone is born gay:

No. I don’t. I think it’s a choice issue. Are tendencies and such? Yes. But I think it’s a choice issue.

Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...

Epic Hailstorm in Norfolk, Nebraska Over the Weekend: VIDEO

This is some crazy hail Watch, AFTER THE JUMP....

Says the videographer: "Just crazy. I was mowin' my...yard this morning and now I need to...my driv...and now I need to scoop my driveway now." (via reddit)

Also, William, a Towleroad reader in Enid, Oklahoma who is a trained storm spotter and also a meteorologist for the Air Force, went storm chasing yesterday and sent us another video of a double tornado.

Check out both clips (and stay safe midwesterners), AFTER THE JUMP...