Navy vet suffering from PTSD says hes supporting gay pride in rural america


A US Navy veteran who wanted to support the LGBTQ+ people in his life -and alienate rural Americans who think differently than he does- is making waves in Oklahoma.

Cody Barlow, a Navy veteran who suffers from PTSD, decorated the back of his truck for pride month, showing support for those in the LGBTQ+ lifestyle.

“NOT ALL COUNTRY BOYS ARE BIGOTS,” the tailgate of the truck read, “HAPPY PRIDE MONTH.”

“I live in a rural area in Oklahoma, surrounded by small towns in every direction, and I’m sure this is not a very welcome message around here” Barlow wrote on Facebook. “But this is going to be displayed on my truck for the entire month of June in support of pride month.”

While the picture of Barlow’s truck has been shared 74,000 times, the statement paints rural Americans with a rather broad and accusatory brush, effectively labelling all who have differing opinions on LGBTQ+ culture as “bigots.”

Despite this, any attention seems to be good attention for Barlow, who left his service as a Navy gunner when his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder became too much to bear.

Prescribed 24 pills a day by the VA, Barlow was frustrated by his treatment and went to Colorado, where a friend introduced him to medical marijuana.

After coming down from the Rocky Mountain high, Barlow then joined in the fight to have Oklahoma legalize medical marijuana by way of referendum. Despite a majority vote in favor of the substance, Governor Mary Fallin intervened- at least for now.

“I respect the will of the voters in any question placed before them to determine the direction of our state,” the Governor said in a statement. “It is our responsibility as state leaders to look out for the health and safety of Oklahoma citizens. As I mentioned in previous public comments, I believe, as well as many Oklahomans, this new law is written so loosely that it opens the door for basically recreational marijuana. I will be discussing with legislative leaders and state agencies our options going forward on how best to proceed with adding a medical and proper regulatory framework to make sure marijuana use is truly for valid medical illnesses.”

Unsatisfied, Barlow took to the airwaves with the Oklahoma Cannabis League in response, noting that he would continue to suffer until the use of medical marijuana was fully legalized in Oklahoma.

“I’m not the only one,” he said. “There’s…countless people that are waiting on this. Hopefully, they get it while they still can.”

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