OkEq Weekly eNews August 3rd, 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!
We Are So Proud of Anna Puhl
Congratulations Anna

The 2020 Tulsa Awards for Theatre Excellence recognized Anna Puhl for Outstanding Lighting Design and Outstanding Sound Design during a virtual ceremony on Sunday, August 2nd. The George Kaiser Family Foundation established the Tulsa Awards for Theatre Excellence (TATE Awards) in 2008 to highlight the accomplishments of local theatre groups and outstanding contributions to the performing arts community. Anna is the newest member of Oklahomans for Equality staff and the new Technical Coordinator for the Lynn Riggs Auditorium. 
Warrior Sisters Self Defense is Back
Monday, August 3, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

We invite all those currently engaging in street protests for black lives, community safety, and racial justice to train with Warrior Sisters in de-escalation and community intervention!

--We will cover--
Protest Awareness & Safety Tactics
De-escalation
Boundary Setting
By-stander / up-stander intervention
---
Protect yourselves and stand up for your comrades while out in the streets and organizing for justice! Learn practical de-escalation techniques and options for interrupting injustices and supporting community members targeted by racist violence.
---
No experience needed
Free for all
Space is Limited
Social distancing and masks are required.
MORE SKY: THE STORY OF LYNN RIGGS
Thursday, August 20 and 21, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

Echo Theatre Company, in conjunction with the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center’s Lynn Riggs Theatre, is set to premiere MORE SKY: THE STORY OF LYNN RIGGS, a play about the life of gay Cherokee playwright, Lynn Riggs. The show will take place in August 20 and 21 at the Lynn Riggs Theatre in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

MORE SKY: THE STORY OF LYNN RIGGS will play to a limited social-distanced seated crowd of 25 in the Lynn Riggs Theatre on Thursday August 20, 2020 and Friday, August 21, 2020 at 7:00pm. Admission is FREE and will be limited to the first 25 tickets each night.

Riggs is portrayed by Russ Tallchief, an Osage actor who is descended from famous Osage ballerinas Maria and Marjorie Tallchief. Tallchief is an Osage playwright, director, actor, and is currently the Director of Student Diversity and Inclusion at Oklahoma City University.

Gregory Hinton, the playwright, is also an author and lecturer, and produced OUT WEST, a national museum education series dedicated to shining a light on LGBTQ history and culture in the American West. The story of Lynn Riggs, a rural-born gay man who evacuates home and community for a higher creative calling, resonates deeply with Hinton.
ACTION ALERT:

This past week, the Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) announced a new proposed rule called “Community Planning and Development Housing Programs: Making Admission or Placement Determinations Based on Sex in Facilities”. It guts protections for transgender people by removing critical equal access protections to regulations meant to ensure the safety of anyone in need of HUD-funded programs.

By removing these protections, shelters and programs that receive or operate using HUD grants are now able to ignore nondiscrimination protections for transgender people, leaving them vulnerable to being denied shelter and forced out onto the streets.

One in three transgender Americans has been homeless at some point in their lives. Shelters are often their best access-point to programs that provide safe individual housing – which is a critical need during a global pandemic and an economic downturn.

Every person should have access to safe shelter free of discrimination. Preserving the Equal Access Rule is critical to ensure the safety of transgender people in need of shelter.

We have 60 days to tell this Administration that their plans to cut protections for transgender people will not be tolerated.

The Equal Access Rule’s protections against discrimination are critical to ensure safe access to shelter for transgender people experiencing homelessness, survivors of violence, and those fleeing disasters. Tell the Administration not to gut these protections by clicking below:
Now you can join SAGE Tulsa virtually. The virtual SAGE Tulsa group meets Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Click below to contact us for the link to the virtual meeting.
SAGE Tulsa In-Person Meetings Have Resumed

SAGE Tulsa has 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.

You can also join via call at (918) 398-8780 and enter the access code, 60#.
SAGE Tulsa Chat Call Thursday

SAGE Tulsa is also now available on Thursdays at 2:00 p.m.

To join, call (918) 398-8780 and enter the access code, 60#.
H.O.P.E. Testing at OKEQ
Starting August 8th
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 4:00p.m. - 6:00p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

H.O.P.E. offers free HCV and HIV testing at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center and has been a long time partner with OKEQ in helping the LGBTQ+ community. Most tests have rapid results to quickly give you peace of mind. H.O.P.E.’s outreach specialists are certified in HIV Counseling, HIV Testing and Referral (CTR), and work to help you feel comfortable throughout the process, no matter the outcome.

HIV and /or HCV Test:
  • Confidential
  • Results in 20-30 minutes
  • Free
Tulsa LGBTQ+ History Night: Community Centers
Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 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!

You will be able to view History Night on OKEQ's Facebook page!

Karen Levitt Davis
Aug. 16, 1945 - July 15, 2020
Karen was a supportive ally to the LGBTQ+ community. In 2010 she was an Oklahomans for Equality Community Hero award recipient.
See Karen's Obituary













David Smith
Nov. 3, 1964 - July 17, 2020
Services to be announced.











Sammy Joe Remington
June 24, 1990 - July 8, 2020
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 14th 2020 at 9:05 AM at the Sperry First Baptist Church (301 W Main St, Sperry, OK 74073).










Jaumia Shan Johnson
April 4, 1986 - July 5, 2020
There was a family service on July 13, 2020.
Spanish Speaking Mixer
Friday, August 21, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

The group will be for Spanish-speaking queer people, exploring and allies. It is a social and support group where people can ask questions. Where we can find out together how we feel and how we can move forward with a better understanding of both our identities and our attractions, what the recommendations are to approach other people with questions about us and how we could potentially come out to our families and friends.Join us at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center if you are fluent at Spanish. We are hosting a mixer to meet and greet one another. We are still practicing Safe social distancing here at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. We will be observing the W.H.O. safety guidelines. For questions please contact Liz at the button below.

El grupo será para personas queer de habla hispana, exploradores y aliados. Es un grupo social y de apoyo donde las personas pueden hacer preguntas. Donde podemos descubrir juntos cómo nos sentimos y cómo podemos avanzar con una mejor comprensión de nuestras identidades y nuestras atracciones, cuáles son las recomendaciones para acercarnos a otras personas con preguntas sobre nosotros y cómo podríamos llegar a nuestras familias y amigos. Únase a nosotros en el Centro de Igualdad Dennis R. Neill si habla español con fluidez. Estamos organizando una mesa de mezclas para conocernos y saludarnos. Todavía estamos practicando el distanciamiento social seguro aquí en el Centro de Igualdad Dennis R. Neill. Estaremos observando la W.H.O. reglas de seguridad. Para preguntas, comuníquese con Liz en el botón a continuación.
First Thursday Art Show July 2020 - ArtsAFlame

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 led 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 are reading.

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

August 16th 3:00p.m.
August 30th 3:00p.m.
Gender Support Group
Wednesday, August 5, 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.
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.

Our clinic is 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
Darci Hazelwood and Sharon Kimberlin
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. 

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.
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
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  
.
OkEq Board Meeting
Monthly Meeting 
Thursday, August 13th, 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!
SOS Group
Sunday's at 1:30 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.SOS-Tulsa.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 
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
Technical Coordinator
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