OkEq Weekly eNews July 6th, 2020
MISSION: OkEq seeks equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
Get your house in order and help us get our house in order, too! Go to  smile.amazon.com  for your shopping needs, and Amazon will donate a portion to Oklahomans for Equality!
Tulsa Lgbtq+ History Night
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Join the OKEQ History Project as we look back on different decades of Tulsa LGBTQ+ history from the OKEQ History Project Room inside the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center!
Contact us below for the link.
LGBTQ+ Netflix Together
Thursday, July 9, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Join us to watch the Standup comedy show, Wonda Sykes, with Netflix Party!
Wonda Sykes tackles politics, reality TV, racism, and secrets she'd take to the grave in this rolling, no-holds-barred stand-up special. Netflix Party is a chrome extension the synchronizes video playback and adds a group chat to your favorite Netflix account and installs the Netflix Party extension on your Chrome browser. You will receive an email with the link to join the party right before showtime.

(*You must have a Netflix account and Google Chrome browser to participate. To learn more and download the Netflix Party extension, visit  https://www.netflixparty.com/ )
Equality Gaming Night Online
Friday, July 10, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Looking for something fun to do on a Friday night? Wanna meet up with friends and make new ones? Let's play some ZOOM games and meet new people while enjoying drinks and snacks at home.

For questions or link please contact us below:
First Thursday Art Show July 2020 - ArtsAFlame

You can also visit the Allie Jensen Memorial Gallery virtually. The July exhibit at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is featuring the works of Ra Vashtar and their Arts of Flame Art.

Ra Vashtar is a mixed media artist who specializes in the use of monsters as symbols for his experience and emotions. Born in Ponca City, OK, Ra was home-schooled until high school, where difficulty fitting in lead him to explore an interest in expressing himself in art class as a way to cope. Ra received a diploma from CG Spectrum for Advanced Concept Art and currently works as a full-time artist, illustrating comics, designing art assets for indie video games, and making monster figurines for people to “adopt.” He is currently featured in Hot Topic's Creator Program, where his designs are available on t-shirts via the Hot Topic website. Ra sees monsters as symbols for marginalization of misunderstood people, and uses them in his advocacy for LGBTQIA+ and mental health issues. He writes articles and does illustrations for Neuro-Clastic, a Neuro-diversity blog, so he can empower others on the Autism Spectrum. As an autistic, queer, and transgender person who struggles with mental health, Ra hopes to humanize these issues, even when that means drawing things that aren't exactly human themselves.
Reading Rainbow Book Club

Rainbow Book club welcomes everyone who would like to participate. Currently we meet for one hour, twice a month virtually via Zoom. The only thing we we ask is that you are kind and respectful and keep the discussion related to the book. We will discuss and answer critical questions about the current book we reading.

  Join Rainbow Book Club us as we finish Emma this month. The dates and chapters that will be discussed are included below. 

Starting this month we will be moving to a new day of the week. We’ll still meet twice a month, but now on Sunday’s from 3-4pm. 

The zoom link will be provided once you have reached out. For any questions or concerns please contact us below.


July 12th
(chapters 31-43)
3-4pm

July 26th
(chapters 44-55)
3-4pm
EBA Mixer
Wednesday, July 15, 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Silhouette Sneakers & Art Footwear Store
10 N. Greenwood Ave. Suite C,
Tulsa, OK 74120
​918-732-9166


Established in 2019, Silhouette Sneakers & Art is a highly-curated retail experience that brings limited and authentic sneakers and streetwear to Tulsa. Our boutique features an art gallery showcasing a rotating selection of street-inspired art. We also deliver programming that links sneaker culture enthusiasts and cultivates a new generation of sneakerheads.

Due to Covid-19 we will be practicing safe social distancing. Masks are required. Only 35 people are allowed in to the gallery at a time, however there is room on the porch for social mixing.
People of Color Social - Trivia Night
Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

POC Social is a space for people of color across a variety of backgrounds to come together and create a community through friendship, connections, entertainment, and thoughtful conversations.
-
This month POC event is a People of Color theme trivia night, ranging from music, politics, local and general trivia.

Do you have what it takes to win?
Oklahomans for Equality Blood Drive
Friday, July 24, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. – 7 :00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

In partnership with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, Oklahomans for Equality is hosting a blood drive on July 24th. We know that the current FDA guidelines regarding men who have sex with men are imperfect and discriminatory, but it is still important to donate blood if you can. During the COVID-19, pandemic blood donations have gone down, so those of us who are healthy and able should donate.

To schedule an appointment, call 877-340-8777 or Click the button below:
CREATE, CONSTRUCT, CRAFT, WITH PRIDE YOUTH COMPETITION

Congratulations to our youth who entered the first ever Create, Construct, Craft with Pride competition!

Winners by Age Category:
8-9: Kyle, Age 9
10-11: Tessa, Age 10
12-13: Grace
14-15: Grace and Emily, Ages 19 and 15
16-17: Darbie, Age 16
18-19: Gretta, Age 18
Dominique LaRue (Darrell Napier)
Bar owner at LaRue's 4302 E Pine St, Tulsa, OK 74115

Empress IV 2011 Imperial Court of all Oklahoma 

December 11, 1970 - June 19, 2020



Tulsa Community College Department of Theatre presents "The Color of Slumber" by Mark Frank. All three performances will include a design concept presentation at 7:30 p.m. and will be streamed LIVE on Zoom with three different casts at 8:00 p.m.

To attend, please register here:
Gender Support Group
Wednesday, July 8 at 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

Our Gender support Group is coming back Live and in person Wednesday June 24th! We will continue to offer a virtual version for anyone who needs access.

The program exists to provide support, encouragement, education and social opportunities for all transgender and intersex individuals. A first time interview is required before attending your first meeting.

Please call 918-743-4297 or email Krissy Dudley with the link below for more information or to schedule an interview and for an invite to the online group .
SAGE Tulsa In-Person Meetings Have Resumed

SAGE Tulsa has resumed their weekly in-person meeting on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.. If you are 50 or older and would like to be a part of our SAGE Tulsa program or would like to help, please contact us today.

SAGE Group Call Tuesday

If you are not ready to join the in-person meeting, you can call in
Tuesday at 10:30 a.m..

To join, call (918) 398-8780 and enter the access code, 60#
Queer the Census 2020

Every individual not counted costs our local communities $1,700 annually through federal programs. Please tell everyone you know to respond to the census questionnaire. To learn more about the census, what will be asked, and why it is important to be counted, click the link below. 
Suicide Hotlines

918-744-4800

866-488-7386

877-360-LGBT (5428)

800-273-8255 (online chat available)
Crisis Text START to 741-741

877-565-2260

888-843-4564

(youth serving youth through age 25):
800-246-7743
Brought To You Bi the Letter B Virtual Programming
2nd and 4th Mondays 7:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.

Our Bi Support Outreach group is now Virtual! The program exists to provide support, encouragement, education, and social opportunities for all Bisexual and Pansexual, Curious, & Questioning individuals. The group will meet virtually via Zoom. You will be able to access via Video, Chat, and/or telephone.

Please call 918-798-1054 or email Daniel Buck with the link below for more information.

Even though the Equality Center is closed, our clinic is still open to provide the healthcare services our community needs. Right now, our clinic is taking patients for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and PrEP.

If you are interested in starting or continuing care, please contact the OKEQ Health Clinic. You can call 918-938-6537 or email [email protected] for more information. If you want to make an appointment, follow the link below.
The Equality Health Alliance strives to connect the LGBTQ+ community with friendly healthcare providers. With our searchable database, patients can find doctors based on their specialty and accepted insurance.

We provide healthcare professionals with training on working with the LGBTQ+ community as well as follow-up support and education on evolving best practices. All participating healthcare providers must show a commitment to being an affirming and welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community.

As we are still getting started, our database is small but it is growing. If you would like to look at our database click here.
McAlester police and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are continuing to investigate the shooting. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information related to the investigation can contact the OSBI Tip Line at 1-800-522-8017 or can call McAlester police at 918-423-1212. You can remain anonymous.

Dustin was a founding member of the Oklahomans for Equality McAlester chapter SeEq. Dustin was senselessly killed on New Years Day, and at this time, the murderer is still at large. We honor his memory to the LGBTQIA+ movement in Oklahoma. #justicefordustin
Oklahomans for Equality Sponsors


The Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Sanford and Irene Burnstein Foundation
Cresap Family Foundation
Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation
Hardesty Family Foundation
American Airlines
Boomtown Tees
Williams
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Direct Energy
Temple Israel
Bank of Oklahoma
Phillips 66
Hilti
Creoks Mental Health Services
Phillips Theological Seminary
Habitat for Humanity
PFLAG Tulsa
Dennis R. Neill and John Southard
Kelly Kirby CPA
Dwight Kealiher
Timothy T. Cole and Chance Phillips
Larry Ward
Richard and Debra Gordon
Sasha and Ethan Warlick
Jason McVicker and Justin Clary
Joe and Nancy McDonald
The Estate of John Raveill
Al and Renee Carlozzi
Marylyn Tippeconnic
Barbara Abercrombie and Tery DeShong
Cynthia Phillips and Chere Gibbs
William Murphy and Todd Holland
Joe Hukills
Hollis Holcomb
David Nelson
Christopher and Michael Brecht-Smith
Mark Fitch
Daniel S. Burnstein and Martin Martinez
Kristopher Wilmes and Dusty Gross
Carol Tandy
Greg Gray 
Tom and Kathy Williams 
Danny Thomason 
GOOGLE
Doug Campbell
College Hill Presbyterian Church

Counseling Services: Please contact the counselor directly to schedule a virtual appointment.
OSU - Tulsa Counseling Services
The Oklahoma State Tulsa Counseling Center is an LGBTQ+ affirming center located in Main Hall of OSU Tulsa. You do not have to be affiliated with OSU to benefit from these services! Our center offers clients from OKEQ sessions for only 5 dollars . Each member of our counseling team receives additional training and supervision in LGBTQ+ issues and is excited to work with clients from OKEQ. Please contact us at 918-594-8568 for more information or to schedule an appointment. 
Sara Griffey
S ara Griffey is an LPC candidate under supervision. Sara specializes in LGBT+ and non-traditional relationships (i.e. kink, polyamory, etc.). She has experience working with homeless youth and individuals struggling with anxiety & trauma.
She previously worked with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking.
She is passionate about advocacy and public policy in order to ensure that proper treatment is available for any individual seeking services.

COVID-19 Canceled:
Regularly Scheduled Programming
Lawyer in the Library
2nd Wednesday of each month
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Lawyer in the Library is an opportunity to meet with a lawyer about topics such as family law (divorce, paternity, custody and child support), landlord/tenant disputes, estate planning, and bankruptcy. No appointment is necessary.
Free Yoga Class at OkEq
Mondays  
5:45 - 6:45 p.m.   

Enjoy a free class! These 60-minute, free Community Yoga classes are open to everyone of all levels. Each class is mindfully crafted to prepare the body for a peak pose in the arm balance, inversion, backbend or twist family. This class will connect the mind, body, and spirit through movement and breath.
Fitness Class at OkEq
Tuesdays
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Christopher Gomez's Workout program is designed with science to help individuals meet their fitness goals in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment.
Sisters in Song
Tuesdays 
6:45 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
 
  Sisters in Song would like to invite new women to join our fun loving group of singers! We are just now choosing music for our holiday performances, so it's a great time to start!
Gender Support Program Req
Wednesdays
7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 
 
(First time interview required before attending)
Email  
The program is providing support, education and social opportunities for transgender and intersex individuals.
Partners of Trans*/Non-Binary Individuals Support Group
The program is providing support, education and social opportunities for partners of transgender and non-binary individuals. Ages 18+. A first time interview is required before attending your first meeting. Email  
.
Every 2nd Monday
Join us for our monthly Heart Circle at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. We meet on the second Sunday of every month. All queer men are welcome to the circle (gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual and queer).
OkEq Board Meeting
Monthly Meeting 
Thursday, July 9th, 6:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
All Oklahomans for Equality board meetings are open to all OkEq members.
Alphabet Soup Youth Group

Every Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Join us for Alphabet SOUP, where all letters are welcome! Alphabet SOUP is dedicated to supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) youth by providing fun group activities, community, and volunteer opportunities. Alphabet SOUP’s primary goals are providing Services, Outreach, Unity, and Preparation for adulthood -- or SOUP -- to LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-17. It will be Every Saturday Upstairs area of the Dennis R Neill Equality Center!
It's Complicated
1st & 3rd Monday
of each month
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

"It's Complicated" is an ongoing group for individuals in nontraditional relationships (kink, polyamory, swinging, etc.) This group meets every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 6:30-8pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Each session will have a new topic. For topic information, please like Unity Tulsa’s Facebook page at facebook/UnityTulsa or check the OkEq event calendar at okeq/events . 
SOS Group
Friday July 3rd at 7:00 p.m 

This open Secular Organizations for Sobriety (SOS) Recovery and Sobriety Group meets every Monday at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. For more information, visit  www.SOSTulsa.org
Survivors of Incest Anonymous
Every Saturday
12:00 - 2:30 p.m.

SIA strives to empower those who have survived childhood sexual abuse (who are not abusing any child), who want to become survivors and thrivers. For more information, visit  siawso.org
SAGE Tulsa 
Every Tuesday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

"drop in for coffee" 
Facilitated by
John Madigan
Arts and Crafts Night
1st and 3rd Friday
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

On the First and Third Friday of the month, the Equality Center will have an arts and craft night. Bring your knitting needles, crochet hooks, paint, and pencils! Whatever you like to do, you can do it with friends in a fun and supportive atmosphere.
Brought to You Bi 
the Letter B 
2nd & 4th Monday
of each month 
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
 
Bisexual support group at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Tell all your friends. The group is open to all bi/pan/queer/fluid+ folks and their allies. Please call 918-798-1054 or email Daniel Buck with the link below for more information.
Tulsa Area
Prime Timers
2nd Tuesday of every month
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

A social organization for mature minded Gay and Bisexual men age 21 and over. The purpose is to establish friendship and support through social interaction. Visit
more information.
918.592.0088 
  Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Assault Survivor Support Group
2nd & 4th Thursday of each month
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

This support and educational group is for individuals who have survived domestic violence and are ready to explore their personal healing process and find hope and to discuss their experiences, share ideas, and provide emotional support for one another. 

Children/Siblings of Trans*/Non-Binary Individuals Support Group
This program is for youth ages 8-18 that have trans* parents or siblings. This group will provide support, education and social opportunities for those living with trans* family members. Attendees must have approval from the facilitator to participate. Please contact Krissy at [email protected] .
Survivors of Conversion Therapy T.E.A (Therapy Experienced Anew)
Every Monday at 7:00 p.m.
Over 113,000 LGBTQIA+ individuals have been subjected to Conversion Therapy. T.E.A is a new group that will utilize several different activities to help you take your narrative back and find peer support along the way. Come, sit, and spill the tea with us on this journey to the most authentic you.

Call, text, or email Jess Branston at 918-924-5624 [email protected]
Equality Game Night
2nd Friday of the Month
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Looking for something fun to do on a Friday night? Wanna meet up with friends and make new ones? Do you have board games or video games you've been eager to play? Then Equality Gaming Night is for you!
Community Partners
The Equality
Business Alliance fosters a sharing of information, ideas, contacts, products and services, and also strengthens and expands our businesses, careers and community.
H.O.P.E. 
HIV Testing Schedule

Tuesday  4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday   4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
 
Testing provided by H.O.P.E. Testing
 
Check  www.okeq.org  for testing dates.
OkEq Staff
Jose Vega
Deputy Director
Morgan Allen
Center Coordinator
Tracy Allen
SAGE
Alex Wade
Medical Services Coordinator
Kao Morris 
Facilities Manager
Krissy Dudley
Administrative Manager
‌
Lily Piña
Nurse Practitioner
Donovid Sekulits
Outreach and Library Services
Anna Them Puhl
Audio and Lighting Engineer
Lynn Riggs Theater
Toby Jenkins
CEO/Executive Director
OkEq Board and Trustees
Executive Committee
Chris Brecht-Smith - President
Stacy Turner - Vice President
Will Vaughn - Secretary
Paul Allen - Treasurer
Darci Hazelwood, D.O. - Member at Large

Board of Directors
Laura Arrowsmith, D.O.
Angelyn L. Dale
Allison Ikley-Freeman
Joe Guetlein
Bob Hanson
Marcia Keesee
Corey Thompson
Al Triggs
Robin VanMeter

Trustees
Shawna Baker, Esq.
Dan Burnstein
Kirk Holt
Cynthia Phillips
Kris Wilmes 

Board of Advisors
Catherine Betances
Dani Byrd
Jade Duckworth
Shannon Fair
Joann Frizell
Andrew Gordon
Dale Hogan
Kelly Kushnerick
Aderyn Lonigan
Tyler Morgan
William Murphy
Denise Reid
Kirsten Robertson
Justin Ross
Justin Rosser
Stephen Rundell
Jane Wiseman


Oklahomans for Equality
Reduced Hours:  Please Call before you visit 
621 E. 4th St. 
Tulsa, OK 74120