OkEq Weekly eNews February 11th, 2020
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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.
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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!
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Urgent call to action:
Oklahomans for Equality has released our legislative agenda for the Oklahoma State House Session. Please review the bills we feel need our support and will improve life for LGBTQ+ Oklahomans. We also have listed the bills that we feel will impact the LGBTQ+ community negatively.
We encourage you to contact your legislator by mail, phone, email, and join our CEO/Executive Director Toby Jenkins for scheduled weekly trips to the Oklahoma State House to engage and visit with lawmakers.
Remember the LGBTQ+ lobby day at the Oklahoma State Capital will be Wednesday, March 4th, 2020.
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Wild Hearts Ball: Stupid Cupid
Saturday, February 15, 7:00 p.m. - 10:00p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Tired of mushy cards, candy hearts, and flowers everywhere?
All are welcome to un-celebrate Valentine's Day with us at our Anti-Valentine's Day, Stupid Cupid Party! We promise that there will be no Cupid's arrows in sight! Singles and couples are welcome! Get ready for some fun, competitive games with great prizes.
Scrappy Legacy will Emcee the event with some of your favorite Queens and Kings.
Free to attend and free to party your hearts out.
Cash Bar available.
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Shimmies From the Heart
Saturday, February 15, 7:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Elysium Belly Dance is giving back to the community by hosting a belly dance show and silent auction benefiting the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center and Oklahomans for Equality. The showcase will take place in the Lynn Riggs Black Box Theater.
Shimmies from the Heart will feature group and solo performances highlighting different styles of Middle Eastern, oriental, and fusion dance. Tickets are available at the door, $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 12 and under.
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Sisters in Song
Tuesday, February 18, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Sisters in Song would like to invite women that enjoy singing and performing to join us for our first 2020 ensemble! Please call 918-809-9751 for further information or questions.
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February EBA Mixer
Wednesday, February 19, 6:00 p.m.
The Skin Spa & Boutique
1530 S. Harvard Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74112
918-938-4801
The Skin Spa and Boutique will be hosting the Equality Business Alliance Mixer for February.
The
Skin Spa and Boutique
is a woman-owned small business located in
Tulsa
, OK offering luxury spa services such as Massage, Thai Yoga Massage, Facials, Waxing.
We look forward to seeing you there!
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Thursday, February 20, 8:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
African Americans have played a part in the success of music since the early twentieth century. Join some of Tulsa’s finest African American performers, led by Kia Hightower, as they take you on a journey through time to explore the successes and failures of black musical artists. Click below to get your tickets in advance.
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POC Social at OkEq
Friday, February 21, 7:00 p.m.
Airsoft Tulsa
6323 E. 41st St
Tulsa, OK 74135
The People of Color Social Mixer focuses on celebrating, preserving, and connecting POC in the Tulsa LGBTQ+ community. Join us for drinks, food, and fun! The POC events are scheduled the third Friday of each month.
This month, the POC Social will meet at Airsoft Tulsa.
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Mardi Gras Parade
Saturday, February 22, 5:30 p.m.
McNellies
409 E. 1st St.
Tulsa, OK 74120
Join OKEQ as we march in Mardi Gras Parade! Put on your boas and masks and celebrate Mardi Gras in the historic Blue Dome District.
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Mardi Gras Masquerade
Saturday, February 22, 6:00p.m. - 2:00a.m.
Unicorn Club
221 E. 1st St.
Tulsa, OK 74120
The 5th Annual Tulsa Mardi Gras Masquerade is the official after party of the Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade.
Isn't time Tulsa had a proper Mardi Gras celebration?
Oklahomans for Equality, LockHeart Productions, and the Blue Dome District are hosting the 5th annual Tulsa Mardi Gras Masquerade on Saturday, Feb 22nd at 7:00 p.m.
This year we’re changing things up. A portion of the profit is donated to Oklahomans for Equality. All funds from VIP and sponsorship packages go to support OKEQ and are tax-deductible donations. This event WILL sell out, please buy your tickets in advance to make sure you can get in!
One ticket gets you into two shows! Enjoy a traditional Mardi Gras environment with live Cajun and music at Enso Bar, or get crazy to a Mardi Gras gone wild celebration in The Unicorn Club.
Our Masquerade is a full immersion experience. From the flavors, decor, and music, to party favors, bead necklaces, masks and more! You will walk into a proper Louisiana Mardi Gras celebration. Our cast and crew will whisk you away to the bayou with their wild costumes and performances on stage, among the crowd, and even outside. Profits from the evening benefit Oklahomans for Equality.
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Survivors of Conversion Therapy T.E.A (Therapy Experienced Anew)
Monday, February 24, 7:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
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.
This group meets every 2nd and 4th Monday.
Call or text Jess Branston at 918-924-5624 or email [email protected] if you have any additional questions.
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70s/80s Throwback Night
Friday, February 28, 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Your favorite gay disco is back open. Its time to have a ball. We have so much to learn about our history and such an exciting way to interact with it at OKEQ's Throwback Night: 70s/80s Edition.
Join us for this FREE, all ages event with specialty drinks and cocktails, curated music, and all sorts of historical documents from Oklahoma's LGBTQ+ past.
Plus, as a special treat, we will be doing a special historical overview of Ball Culture, and you can participate in the Ball if you would like!
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Memorial Service for Aubrey Dameron
Monday, March 9, 6:30 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Northeast Oklahoma Indigenous Safety and Education (N.O.I.S.E) will be holding a memorial service for missing, indigenous, Cherokee, transgender woman Aubrey Dameron on the one-year anniversary of her disappearance.
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2020 Equality Gala Sponsorship
Saturday, April 18, 6:30 p.m.
Cox Business Center
100 Civic Center
Tulsa, OK 74103
Sponsorship's for the 40th Anniversary are now available! Click the link below to join us today! 2020 marks the 40
th
Anniversary of the first Oklahomans for Equality Gala. We will commemorate this milestone year and celebrate the achievements of Oklahomans for Equality.
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First LGBTQ+ Clinic in Tulsa Opening at the Equality Center
The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is proud to be the home of the OKEQ Health Clinic, the first LGBTQ+ clinic in Tulsa. With competent judgment-free care and accessible pricing, the OKEQ Health Clinic hopes to make our community feel safe accessing the vital care we all need and deserve.
Right now, we are primarily focused on providing hormone replacement therapy for our transgender community (18 and up) but will be expanding these services in the future.
If you would like to make an appointment, please click the link below. We look forward to serving you!
For more information, you can call 918-938-6537 (OKEQ).
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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.
The Transgender Flag continues to fly at half staff in memory of Dustin Parker. 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
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LGBT Women's Network March Happy Hour
Monday, March 2nd, 5:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m.
The Taproom at Marshall Brewing
1742 E 6th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104
Marshall Brewing's Taproom is stop number three of our small brewery tour of 2020 (as most are closed on Mondays). Let's make some new friends, have a beer or two, and some fun together! *this location is kid friendly AND for you non-beer drinkers, they have wine and cider available for purchase!
As always, our monthly meetups are come & go gatherings for Tulsa women who identify as LGBTQ+ and allies are always welcome.
If you would like to recommend a happy hour location, just send us a message. We’re interested to visit all LGBTQ+-friendly locations!
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LGBTQ+ Lobby Day
Wednesday, March 4, 6:45 a.m.
Meet at Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
In collaboration with Freedom Oklahoma, OKEQ will gather at the Oklahoma State House to meet and engage our legislators regarding bills that impact our community.
Please meet at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center at 6:45 a.m. as we will leave promptly at 7:00 a.m. The dress code is professional, and we ask that you wear comfortable shoes. You will need to provide your own lunch and snacks for the day. We will return to the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center by 4:00 p.m.
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3rd Pride Bingo of 2020
Saturday, March 14, 6:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Tulsa PRIDE BINGO is back for the 2020 Pride season.
The fun and hilarious Rainbow Granny will be there with special guests to join her for our Bingo Bash.
$20 for general admission
$35 Adult Beverage admission includes 3 drink tickets
$300 Table for 8 people which includes open bar for your table
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TDOV (Transgender Day of Visibility) Health and Resource Fair
Sunday, March 29, 11:00a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
621 E. 4th St., Pride Street
Tulsa, OK 74120
Join us March 29th starting at 11:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. We will have Transgender affirming health vendors, businesses, a closet full of clothes to give away, and door prizes.
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Census 2020
The Census starts this year on April 1st! 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.
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If you are looking for work please consider working for the Census. They are currently trying to fill 3K positions both Full Time and Part Time with pay ranges from 15.00 to 17.00 an hour. Click below to access their website.
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Dennis R. Neill, co-chair of the Prism Project, and Avery Marshall, program director at Oklahoma Center for Community & Justice, shared the findings from the recent Prism Project report at the last
PFLAG Tulsa
meeting. This is one of the first steps in addressing the needs brought up in the survey. Please find the link to the survey below.
Pictured right are: Taylor Raye (Youth Services), Dennis R. Neill (co-chair of the Prism Project), Nancy McDonald (founder/President of PFLAG Tulsa) and Avery Marshall (program director at Oklahoma Center for Community & Justice)
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2020 Freedom Oklahoma College Summit
Friday, February 21, 8:30 a.m.
Meinders School of Business
2701 N McKinley
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73106
It's that time again! Join us for the 8th annual Freedom Oklahoma College Summit! Our annual summit is an incredible opportunity for LGBTQ and allied students from across the region to come together, network, share best practices and learn from experts in the field of advocacy, civil rights, law, and LGBTQ health. This year's summit is hosted by Oklahoma City University with the support of the OCU Spectrum Alliance and OCU Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Admission is FREE!
All pre-registrants will receive lunch and a free tote bag.
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Joe and Nancy McDonald Library
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Find this selection and more by visiting the Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library.
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"Chicana Lesbians: The Girls Our Mothers Warned Us About"
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"Literary Nonfiction. LGBT Studies. "CHICANA LESBIANS is a love poem, a bible, a dictionary, nothing so simple as a manifesto--this book is yet another reason to believe--to believe in the girls our mothers warned us about, brown girls, lesbians, making their own love poems, bibles, dictionaries, manifestoes, reasons to believe."--Dorothy Allison"When I was selling books at a Chicana conference, I noticed book buyers were literally afraid to touch this anthology. I say now what I said then, 'Don't be scared. Sexuality is not contagious, but ignorance is.' If you've ever been curious, been there, been voyeur, been tourist, or just plain under-informed, misinformed, or unaffirmed, here is a book to listen to and learn from."--Sandra Cisneros
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Non-Binary, Bisexual, Genderqueer, Polyamorous keychains. These locally made keychains are a great way to express your identity and keep your keys together. Help support local artists and the Equality Center by coming by and picking yours up today. $8.00 Special!
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Allison Ikley-Freeman
Allison Ikley-Freeman, LPC Candidate is passionate about assisting individuals who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ community who experience a range of concerns and issues. Individual, youth, and adolescent counseling is available on a sliding fee scale based on income.
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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.
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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.
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Regularly Scheduled Programming
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Sisters in Song
Tuesdays
7:00 - 9:00 pm
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!
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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.
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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.
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OkEq Board Meeting
Monthly Meeting
Thursday, February 13, 6:00 p.m.
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
All Oklahomans for Equality board meetings are open to all OkEq members.
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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!
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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
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SOS Group
Mondays 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
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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
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SAGE Tulsa
Every Tuesday
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
"drop in for coffee"
Facilitated by
John Madigan
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Survivors of Conversion Therapy T.E.A (Therapy Experienced Anew)
Every other 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.
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The Equality
Business Alliance fosters a sharing of information, ideas, contacts, products and services, and also strengthens and expands our businesses, careers and community.
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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.
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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
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Jose Vega
Deputy Director
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Morgan Allen
Center Coordinator
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Alex Wade
Medical Services Coordinator
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Kao Morris
Facilities Manager
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Krissy Dudley
Administrative Manager
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Toby Jenkins
CEO/Executive Director
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Donovid Sekulits
Special Projects
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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
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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
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Oklahomans for Equality
Hours:
Mon - Sun 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
621 E. 4th St.
Tulsa, OK 74120
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