article: The state of Oklahoma has removed protection for gay people who use ride-sharing services Uber and Lyft. Initially, the Oklahoma Transportation Network Company Services Act included language that prohibited the companies from discriminating against customers based on sexual orientation or gender identity. However, Sen. Jason Smalley has revealed he rewrote the bill to eliminate that language and allow private businesses to establish their own policies regarding discrimination. Controversy: Uber drivers in Oklahoma now have a right to refuse gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender customers who use the ride-sharing app . 'I believe if a private business owner wants to serve or not serve an individual, they have that purview right now,' said Smalley, a Republican. The new version of the bill faced fierce criticism from Sen. John Sparks, a Norman Democrat who tried unsuccessfully to amend the measure. He attempted to add requirements that any driver who wishes to discriminate against a customer based on sexual orientation or gender identity must advertise their intent on their vehicle and on the company's website. 'Why should you be able to discriminate?' Sparks said. 'We're talking about a level of civil conduct in the marketplace. Society has figured out that when you enter the marketplace, you should have an expectation of being treated fairly.' Uber and Lyft, among the most popular ridesharing programs, already have policies in place that prohibit discrimination against customers based on sexual orientation or gender identity. 'Uber's policy is to serve every neighborhood, every driver and every person who needs a ride,' company spokeswoman Jennifer Mullin said. Rewritten: Republican Sen. Jason Smalley (pictured) rewrote the bill to give drivers the option to discriminate . The company will continue to enforce its current terms of service, 'which make clear that discrimination in any form is not tolerated and will result in removal from the platform,' she said. Troy Stevenson, executive director of Freedom of Oklahoma, said in a statement that the group does not 'understand why a member of the Oklahoma Legislature wants to remove protections for [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] Oklahomans from a bill that is specific to an industry that already protects them, in their corporate policies. Oklahomans do not believe in discrimination, and it is time for ideological law makers to quit trying to distract from the real problems of our state by attacking the LGBT community.'
highlights: Initially, the Transport bill included language that protected LGBT users .
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