OkEq Weekly eNews March 18th, 2019
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!
Andrew and Betty Wilmes are sponsoring the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center on March 19 in honor of Kris Wilmes and Dusty Gross' 15th Anniversary.
Happy Anniversary, Kris and Dusty!
Equality Business Alliance Mixer
Wednesday, March 20, 6:00 p.m.
Physiques by Monique
1314 E. 3rd St.
Tulsa, OK 74120

The Tulsa Threat and Physiques by Monique are teaming up to sponsor this months Equality Business Alliance Mixer. The mixer will be held at Physiques by Monique's new location with members of the Tulsa Threat.


The Equality Business Alliance networking mixers are terrific venues for you to meet prospective clients. Mixers are open to non-members as well as EBA members. Be sure to bring business cards, business information, brochures, etc. Hosting a networking mixer is a great way to showcase your business. You may host at your establishment or use the Equality Center. If you would like to host a mixer, send an email to  jose.vega@okeq.org  for more information.
March Pride Bingo
Saturday, March 23, 6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

Tulsa Pride Bingo is the best bingo ever, and it always sells out, so reserve your spot now!
 
The beautiful and glamorous Nicole Carrington will fly in from Las Vegas, and she has invited Rainbow Granny and Trailer Trash Teresa to join her for our Bingo bash!  



Third Thursdays in the Rainbow Room
Thursday, March 28, 8:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Tulsa Ballet Debuts "Tchaikovsky – The Man Behind the Music"
March 29 - 31
Tulsa PAC
110 E 2nd St.
Tulsa, OK 74103

"As one of the most prolific composers for ballet (The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty) he struggled in 19th century Russia with his homosexuality. Most history books say that he died of Cholera. But there is also a theory that he was forced to commit suicide by a ''court of honor'' made up of his former classmates, out of fear that his homosexuality would be exposed." 

Oklahomans for Equality applauds the Tulsa Ballet's commitment to telling the true stories of LGBTQ+ figures.
LGBT Women's Network April Happy Hour
Monday, April 1, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Local Bison
522 S. Boston Ave. Suite 103
Tulsa, OK 74103

Join us at the the Local Bison for our April Meetup! Come & Go happy hour for Tulsa women who identify as LGBTQ+. Allies are welcome! 

If you would like to recommend a happy hour location, just send us a message! We’re interested in visiting all LGBT-friendly locations!
OkEq Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, April 2, 6:30 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

Author and Diversity and Inclusion expert Risha Grant will facilitate a workshop for the membership of Oklahomans for Equality regarding intersectional issues such as sexuality, gender identity, race, religion, culture, and disability. We will also be discussing internal bias, microaggressions, and systemic racism as it relates to these topics.
Disorderly Conduct: A TLGBQ Creative Workshop Series
Saturday, April 13, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

Disorderly conduct is a creative workshop series for the TLGBQ community sponsored by TWANG Anthology. Through partnership with OkEq, we're coming to Tulsa on April 13th! We welcome all TLGBQ folks to join us as we discuss poetry, generate new creative work & share our stories with one another. All experience levels are welcome!

Disorderly Conduct will be centering transgender, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming writers in our workshop materials & approach. The workshop itself is open to anyone who is a part of the TLGBQ or TGNC community & will be facilitated by Brody Parrish Craig.

Show up with your self, a pen, and whatever stories you need to tell. This is a FREE event, though we ask that you register in advance if you are able. Registration will help us prepare ample workshop materials but if you forget or can't register in advance, please come join us that day anyway!

Register online at twanganthology.org or via 'ticket' link below.
Equality Gala 2019
Saturday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.
Cox Business Center
100 Civic Center
Tulsa, OK 74103

Art Call for MOREColor 2019
Submission Deadline: May 3rd

Oklahomans for Equality is pleased to announce our call for entries to the 2019 MOREcolor regional juried exhibitions and sale of fine art. Long a tradition to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride through the arts, MOREcolor strives to be artist-friendly and encourage innovative work. The exhibition will be held at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

As always, artists receive 70% of their sales. Cash prizes will be awarded. There is a single entry fee of $15 for up to five entries.

To Enter:
Go to https://morecolor2019.artcall.org/ for online submission of entries. All entries must be made online. Each artist may submit up to 5 original works, which have been created in the last 3 years and have never been shown at any OkEq event.

Proposals for performance and installation works should be addressed to Jose Vega at jose.vega@okeq.org , or call for information 918-813-8993.
Tulsa Metro Softball League

Knock the dust off your softball bat and get ready for a fun season of softball with Tulsa Metro Softball League! 2019 Spring Season starts March 24th!


Tulsa Metro Softball League is dedicated to the promotion of amateur softball for all persons regardless of age, race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin, with special emphasis placed on the participation of members of the Gay Community of the Tulsa Metro Area.
AIDS Quilt Narratives Wanted

The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center and Jeremy Stevens, program director of the Orbit Initiative for the Tulsa PAC, are asking anyone who knew and/or loved someone who died of AIDS to record their narratives for archival and future use. This project is for anyone affected by the AIDS crisis whose stories are connected to Tulsa. All of these stories deserve to be told.
 
Those who are interested in having a story recorded are asked to contact Stevens at the Tulsa PAC at (918) 596-7119 or  jeremystevens@cityoftulsa.org  or Oklahomans for Equality Program Director Jose Vega at (918) 743-4297 or   jose.vega@okeq.org .
Pride Night at ONEOK Field
Saturday, May 18, 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
ONEOK Field
201 N. Elgin Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74120
Writing Warriors
Every Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120

Hosted by published author Amy Romine, our weekly meet-up will include discussion, debating and brainstorming and will get your creative writing juices flowing. Topics will include the kernel idea, building solid plots and characters, blogging, marketing your book on social media and many others. We are looking for all types of writers – novice, published and the “I'm-a-gonna's.” Also, all genres are invited – poets, bloggers, screenwriters, novelists, short story writers, etc. We are all writers and can learn so much from each other. All are welcome. This is not a critique group; this is an educational resource support group.

Contact Amy at amyromine@outlook.com for more information or any questions.
Lesbian Cinema Series
Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center
3000 General Pershing Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73107
TWANG seeks art (literary & visual) from our diverse community of transgender, non-binary & gender non-conforming voices within or with ties to Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri & Kansas.

While we are open to submissions that directly speak to your experience as a TGNC friend within these states, we are thrilled to consider any creation on any subject/theme (love poems, glitter-collages, tirades against traffic lights) as long as you identify as a part of the community outlined above.

Please submit your work to  twanganthology@gmail.com . Submissions are due by May 1, 2019. There is no submission fee. All contributors selected will be paid.
Thesis Research Study

Please consider participating in my thesis research study examining the connection between lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) identity, community connection, and resilience!

This study is approved by the institutional review board at Northeastern State University and under the supervision of my thesis chair, Dr. Steven Byers.

In order to be eligible for the study, you must:
-        Be 18 years of age at the time of completion
-        Identify as LGBTQ+

To participate in the study, please complete the survey here . The survey will take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. You can be entered to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card if you provide an email address at the end of the survey. 

This study is anonymous. The only identifying information which will be collected is demographic information, and will not specifically identify you. You will be asked to provide an email at the conclusion of the survey to be entered in the raffle if you so wish, but are not required to do so. 

Participation in this study is voluntary. If you wish to withdraw from the study, you may close the browser window at any time. If you do not want to answer a question, you may skip any question in this survey.

If you have any questions, please contact  Jordan Westcott  ( Westcott@nsuok.edu ) or  Dr. Steven Byers  ( byerss@nsuok.edu ). 
We hope that you choose to participate in this study and share your experience!
Joe and Nancy McDonald Library
Find this selection and more by visiting the Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library.
" The 57 Bus" written by Dashka Slayer
"One teenager in a skirt. 
One teenager with a lighter.
One moment that changes both of their lives forever.

If it weren’t for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight."
Equality Pride Store



The OkEq Pride Store now has Two-Spirit Pride Flags!




Be sure to "Like" the  OkEq Pride Store Facebook  page to keep up with the new items and new sale items
Counseling Services
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 5 sessions  free  and each session following that is 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.
 Sara’s office is located at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120
 Sara operates on a sliding scale fee structure and can be reached at
918-928-2809 or Sara@UnityTulsa.com
Regularly Scheduled Programming
OkEq Board Meeting
Monthly Meeting 
Thursday, March 21 7:00 p.m.

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
 All Oklahomans for Equality board meetings are open to all OkEq members
Family Ties
Family Ties is an official program of Oklahomans for Equality and is a support network for LGBTQ parents and families in Oklahoma. For more information about Family Ties, email  jose.vega@okeq.org .
Lawyer in the Library
Wednesday, March 27th
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.
SAGE Tulsa 
Every Tuesday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

"drop in for coffee" 
Facilitated by
John Madigan
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.
Game Night
Saturdays 
7:00 - 9:00 pm
 
 Join old friends and make new friends as you play some great board and card games at the Center!
All are welcome!
Facilitated by
Saturday Volunteers Richard Haley and
Teresa Reno 
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 Amanda at 918-902-4625.
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 www.facebook.com/UnityTulsa or check the OkEq event calendar at http://www.okeq.org/event-calendar.html
Non-Binary Support Group
3rd Tuesday of each month
 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
 
A new support group for folks who identify with non-binary genders, including but not limited to, genderqueer, genderfluid, agender, bigender, neutrois, genderflux, and more. This group will be a safe space to discuss our identities, receive support, and build a strong non-binary community in Tulsa. For information contact Vic Wiener at 
SOS Group
Mondays 7:00 pm 

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
No Shade for Plus
Every Thursday
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.

A new support group to bring together people who have found they are HIV positive and those who have been living with HIV for many years. 
The group will provide support, Education, Social activities and so much more. 
The group will be here at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center to provide a safe place to discuss issues and meet other people who are navigating their lives being PLUS. 
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
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. Please contact Amanda at 918-902-4625.
Live Free!
Coming Out
Workshop
2nd & 4th Monday
of each month 
6:30-7:30 p.m. 

Are you planning to come out? Maybe you have just recently come out? Join us for a coming out discussion group meeting in the History Project Room. It's free! This course is designed for individuals coming to terms with their sexuality with presentations on how to come out to family, friends, and co-workers. Question and answer session in a supportive and informed environment. Facilitated by Allison Ikley-Freeman.
Please contact 
ComingOut@OkEq.org  or call 918-743-4297
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. Facilitators
Daniel & Haley
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
the website  for
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. 

Neurodiversity Social Group
Saturday, March 27th
6:00 p.m.
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.
Workforce OK
Workforce Oklahoma
Access Point
Open every day
Workforce Oklahoma maintains a resource area at the Equality Center that includes computers, a printer and fax machine, as well as step-by-step instructions on how to register with
Oklahoma JobLink.
H.O.P.E. 
HIV Testing Schedule

Tuesday  4 - 8 pm
Wednesday  4 - 8 pm
Saturday 4 - 8 pm
 
Testing provided by H.O.P.E. Testing
 
Check  www.okeq.org  for testing dates.
OkEq Staff
Toby Jenkins
CEO / Executive Director
Jose Vega
Program Director
Alex Wade
Medical Services Coordinator
Tracy Allen
Special Projects
OkEq Board and Trustees
Executive Committee
Sheena Grewal - President
Chris Brecht-Smith, Esq. - Vice President
Marcia LaBooth Keesee - Secretary
Paul Allen - Treasurer
Darci Hazelwood, D.O. - Member at Large

Board of Directors
Allison Ikley-Freeman
Chris Shoaf
Al Triggs
Robin VanMeter
Will Vaughn
  Board of Advisors
Laura Arrosmith, D.O.
Michael Farr
Joann Frizell
Andrew Gordon
Jack Graham
Bob Hanson, PharmD
Dale Hogan
Denise Reid
Justin Ross
Jeremy Stevens

Trustees
Shawna Baker, Esq.
Dan Burnstein
Kirk Holt
David Nelson
Kris Wilmes 
Oklahomans for Equality
Hours:  Mon - Sat 12 a.m. - 9 p.m. | Sun 12 a.m.- 6 p.m.
621 East 4th Street, Tulsa, OK 74120