Oklahoma Rep. James Lankford Under Fire For Comments On Sexual Orientation

Oklahoma Representative James Lankford is coming under fire Tuesday morning. In a recent interview with the liberal blog "Think Progress," Lankford said he believes someone should be able to be fired for his or her sexual orientation.

Lankford explained that being gay is a choice and should not be protected from workplace discrimination. He said he believes the distinction lies in a person's choice to act on their sexual orientation.

See interview with "Think Progress"

He denied in an interview Tuesday morning that he thinks someone should be fired because they are gay.

"That's absurd," he told News 9 anchor Stan Miller.

The representative said he also believes marriage is a union between a man and woman.

Many legislators in Oklahoma seem to agree with that last statement. The Oklahoma Senate passed a resolution supporting traditional marriage.

Senators approved the resolution 40 to four in reaction to President Obama's recent announcement supporting same sex marriage.

The author of the legislation says he does not believe the president's views reflect the values of Oklahoma.