OkEq Weekly eNews January 25, 2021 |
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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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Thank you, President Joe Biden |
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The February Exhibition
in the Allie Jensen, Memorial Art Gallery will feature
Alexander Tamahn: “Antivenom”
My Blackness and Queerness enter the very same rooms I do, as is true for many men who present as Black and self identify as members of the LGBTQAI+ community. To create this series of work, I sat down and spoke candidly with several peers who exist at this intersection. I created work grounded in these experiences that allowed these men (and myself) to share authentic, personal truths about the challenges and triumphs of being Black, Queer, and male. No single identity supersedes the other, yet we exist—we thrive—in a world that seeks to pigeonhole us, often relegating us to small confines of an imposed identity we mush ultimately shed to grow beyond such limitations.
Serpents are creatures demonized and vilified in western culture. So are Black men. Although we often project our own emotions and ideas on animals and use science to support our claims that we are more enlightened and cognitively advanced than all other creatures, many indigenous cultures and eastern philosophies implore us not to lord ourselves over all creation but rather learn, protect, and respect creatures beyond ourselves. This series of work incorporates subtle and overt serpentine motifs to draw the connection be them and us.
Contrary to many beliefs in the west, snakes are not, in fact, slimy. And while many believe they are only capable of acting upon instinct, they are social creatures to certain extents—not unlike us. They have been known to coordinate with one another to increase the likelihood of success in hunting and develop meaningful social bonds with one another. Like us, they’re selective about who they bond with. My goal, however, is not entirely to humanize these misunderstood creatures. I instead consider several idiosyncrasies of their behaviors and the correlations therein with our own—particularly the shedding of skin.
Molting or ecdysis is a special and unique process for serpents to undergo. They are arguably at their most vulnerable when engaging in this process. What’s more, this process helps them remove harmful parasites that could kill them. While there are several complexities to this process and corresponding variables that deeply impact it, one thing remains true; they must complete it to become and/or remain healthy.
Through this series, I assert that the men I held space for (myself included) must do the same to become and/or remain healthy. Identities placed upon us by society—by our own family, friends, etc. must be shed. When we no longer subscribe to them, we inherently subscribe less and less to toxic masculinity as it has long been normalized and codified into socially acceptable behaviors.
Portraiture and critical use of blue and pink hues that allude to masculine and feminine binaries are prevalent throughout this series. Many compositions include statements by the subjects themselves to amplify further their truths oriented in such ways that audiences must crane their necks to and fro—they must physically change their perspective to engage with them. Much like antivenom, exposure to the toxins is necessary… The show’s namesake was selected because this work is ultimately about binding and neutralizing the venom that is toxic-masculinity.
The show opens at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa OK 74120 on Thursday, February 4th, with Covid measures in place. The show continues throughout the month.
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Queer Black Voices: A Conversation with Mauree Turner
Virtual Event
Friday, February 5, at 7:00 p.m.
Join OKEQ as we kick off Black History Month with the newly-elected OK House District 88 Representative Mauree Turner.
Turner is the first publicly non-binary U.S. state lawmaker and the first Muslim member of the Oklahoma Legislature. Turner is queer/non-binary and uses they/them and she/her pronouns.
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This event will be held via zoom and live-streamed due to Covid-19.
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On Jan 20, 2021, State Representative Daniel Pae presented and filed The Aubrey Alert bill for missing natives in Oklahoma. We need each of our Oklahoma friends and family to call your representative and tell them to vote yes to HB1790. |
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ACTION ALERT:
Oklahomans For Equality condemns Oklahoma State Senate Bill SB331, a new state senate bill introduced that prohibits transgender students from participating on the sports teams of their gender identity. Sports are about teamwork, confidence building, friendship-making, and leadership development. Denying transgender youth opportunities to participate in sports like basketball, soccer, softball, and more denies them opportunities to develop critical social-emotional life skills. Our transgender youth deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, and they deserve to have the chance to play on a team. Say NO to SB331.
To contact your legislator, click the button below:
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SAGE Tulsa has moved their weekly in-person meeting on Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m. to a conference call.
You can join the SAGE call at (918) 398-8780 and enter the access code, 60#.
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.
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Neurodiversity Tulsa
Regular Meeting
1st and 3rd Tuesday of Every Month, 6:00 p.m.
Virtual Event
Neurodiversity Tulsa is a program of OKEQ focused on connecting neurodiverse LGBTQ+ people. If you are on the autism spectrum, have ADHD, have bipolar, have anxiety, have Down Syndrome, a personality disorder, brain injuries, or other neurodivergencies, you are welcome in this group! We will meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month (on zoom until further notice) to play games, make art, chat, and connect with like-minded individuals in our community.
Please message Anna Puhl on Facebook for the zoom link or email by clicking the button below:
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SPIRIT: A Happy Hour Panel on Faith and Sexuality
Thursday, February 4, 2021, 6 p.m. on Facebook Live
Join OKEQ as we kick off a new weekly program with a special Facebook Live edition of our religion and sexuality conversational group. We are excited to welcome Reverend Todd Freeman of College Hill Presbyterian Church, Reverend W. Lee Dominick from Trinity Episcopal, and Reverend Bonnie Lebak from House Church Tulsa as our hosts for the evening. SPIRIT is a virtual happy hour-style discussion group dedicated to helping LGBTQIA+ individuals reframe their relationship with religion. Whether their goal is to reconnect with faith, recover from past spiritual abuse, renounce faith, or just connect with other people, SPIRIT is the group for individuals to explore faith and sexuality. Each Thursday, a spiritual advisor from the region and surrounding areas will guide the group through a discussion about the intersections of faith and sexuality. All walks of faith are welcome. All expressions of identity are welcome.
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Cloyd Alvin Stotler-Easly Jr.
Willard Myron Wentz
It is with great sorrow to hear one of our Green County Bears' passing, Willard Myron Wentz R.I.P. You will be greatly missed, my friend.
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Jerry Perigo
Services to be Announced
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Welcome to Tulsa / Confronting Our Past, Embracing Our Future
Sunday, January 31, 12:30 p.m.
Presented by the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts, and Culture:
While 2021 marks the centennial of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, today's Tulsans see this as a starting place, not a finish line. This event will explore how the spirit of Greenwood continues today and is guiding its renaissance through a screening of the new documentary short Welcome to Tulsa, followed by a panel discussion.
Panelists: Trey Thaxton (Welcome to Tulsa director, Owner of Goldmill Co.), Venita Cooper (Owner of Silhouette Sneakers and Art, Greenwood Main Street Board Member), Phil Armstrong (Project Director for Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission)
Moderator: Brandon Oldham (George Kaiser Family Foundation Officer on the Vibrant and Inclusive Tulsa team)
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Queering Cinema in Oklahoma
Sunday, January 31, 4:00 p.m.
A panel discussion featuring Oklahoma filmmakers that reflects on the evolution of Queer cinema and how these films affect the communities they represent.
Panelists: Laron Chapman (Writer/Director), Yousef Kazemi (Writer/Director),
Alexandra Nicole (Writer/Director), Lance McDaniel (Filmmaker),
Veronika Payton (Writer/Producer/Director/Composer)
Moderator: Russ Kirkpatrick (Film Producer)
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Register Now! Spring 2021 CHAUTAUQUA Conference on Family Resilience: Resilience of LGBTQ+ Families: Pride and Celebration:
Join us for the 2021 Chautauqua Conference on Family Resilience- Resilience of LGBTQ+ Families: Pride and Celebration.
General Registration is $25
The first 50 students to register through the registration link will receive free admission to the conference. Once this hits capacity, the $25 General Registration fee will be required.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Available!
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Breath of Fresh Air:
In July 2020, the Dennis R. Neill Center installed air scrubbers in our HVAC system to help keep our constituents and visitors healthy when visiting Oklahomans for Equality. Clean air is essential for everyone, those with health concerns, and those without. Please see more on these units using the link below:
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All Youth Programming has Resumed on Zoom |
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Do you know a young person who loves to sing?
We are so excited to partner with Tulsa Opera and have a youth choir at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center!
This choir is open to all LGBTQIA+ youth, will be held on zoom and in-person starting this Saturday afternoon, and is COMPLETELY COST-FREE!
This group is meant for all music levels, all genders, all expressions, and will be 100% fun. The group is led by a professional musician and will have multiple concert opportunities as COVID-19 allows.
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Join Oklahomans for Equality's NEW youth group for kids under 13: Alphabet Soup Kids. This group is for all youth who identify as LGBTQ2SAI+ or who have parents/guardians who are LGBTQ2SAI+. This group exists to provide support, connection, and (most importantly) FUN for our kids across Oklahoma.
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Being a parent is the most challenging, most amazing job on the planet but being the parent of an LGBTQ2SIA+ youth comes with its own unique challenges and amazing moments. OKEQ's new support group for parents of LGBTQ2SIA+ youth is here to help you navigate hard conversations, meet other parents and have a safe space to talk about what's going on and how to create a better environment for our kids. To learn more and to join this group, contact Morgan Allen at [email protected]
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New Year, New Me!
Starting in 2021, Oklahomans for Equality will offer scholarships for transgender persons seeking a name and gender marker changes. This scholarship will cover the cost of an attorney and all filing fees.
Applicants will be chosen based on financial need and a dedication to volunteer service. This scholarship is open to anyone in Oklahoma, not just the Tulsa area.
We will select scholarships monthly as funds allow.
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Oklahomans For Equality's Transgender Programming is launching a new Gender Marker and Name Change Scholarship fund! Help raise money for transgender and gender non-conforming folks in Oklahoma to secure funds for legal fees, gender marker change, and name change fees.
The full cost for each scholarship is $300, but any amount helps!
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Support Group for Parents of Transgender People
1st Wednesday of the Month, 7:00 p.m.
Meets via Zoom
This group is here to support parents of transgender people at all stages of transition. Whether your child is 6 or 60, this group is for you to find community and connect to resources.
All participants must speak to one of the group facilitators before joining.
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Trans Teen's Support Group
2nd and 4th Monday of the Month, 6:00 p.m.
Meets via Zoom
This support group is for all transgender teens, ages 13+. This group is welcome to trans boys, trans girls, non-binary teens, and everyone under the trans umbrella.
All participants must speak to one of the group facilitators before joining.
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Support Group for Partners of Transgender People
2nd Wednesday of the Month, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Support group for partners of transgender people. Whether your partner is just starting to transition or transitioned twenty years ago, you are welcome to come to talk and find community.
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Non-binary Support Group
2nd Wednesday of the Month, 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Support group for anyone who identifies outside the gender binary. Whether you identify as non-binary, genderfluid, genderqueer, or agender, everyone is welcome!
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Brought To You Bi the Letter B Virtual Programming
2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 p.m. - 7:40 p.m.
Meets via Zoom
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 it via Video, Chat, and/or telephone.
Please call 918-798-1054 or email Daniel Buck with the link below for more information.
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Coming Out Workshop
1st Monday of the Month, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
Free to participate, this one-day course is designed for individuals coming to terms with their sexuality with presentations on how to come out to family, friends, and coworkers. Question and answer session in a supportive and informed environment.
Please contact our OKEQ Mental Health services at 918-938-6538 or click the button below to schedule.
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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 by calling 918-938-6537. If you want to make an appointment, follow the link below.
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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 and 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. |
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Oklahomans for Equality Sponsors
George Kaiser Family Foundation
Flint Family Foundation
Sanford and Irene Burnstein Foundation
Boomtown Tees
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma
Temple Israel
Bank of Oklahoma
Phillips 66
Creoks Mental Health Services
Phillips Theological Seminary
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
David Nelson
Christopher and Michael Brecht-Smith
Mark Fitch
Daniel S. Burnstein and Martin Martinez
Kristopher Wilmes and Dusty Gross
Danny Thomason
GOOGLE
College Hill Presbyterian Church
Darci Hazelwood and Sharon Kimberlin
Sue Welch and Marcy Smith
Anonymous
Trevor Project
Linda Ford
ONEOK
Fellowship Congregational Church UCC
AEP/PSO
Harry Cramton
Jane Wiseman
Runnymeade Foundation
Jacob and Lacey Grinnell
George McCauslan and Rusty Clyma
James Monroe
Bob and Oliver Dale Hanson
Williams
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Counseling Services: Please contact the counselor directly to schedule a virtual appointment. |
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Allison Ikley-Freeman
Allison Ikley-Freeman, LPC, 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.
Please call 918-938-6538 and select option 2 to make an appointment or send her an email at [email protected].
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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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Regularly Scheduled Programming |
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Gender Support Program
Wednesdays
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
The program is providing support, education and social opportunities for transgender and intersex individuals.
A first time interview is required before attending your first meeting. Email
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Support Group for Parents of Transgender People
1st Wednesday of the Month at 7:00 p.m.
Meets via Zoom
The program is providing support, education, and social opportunities for parents of transgender people.
A first time interview is required before attending your first meeting. Email
or
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Support Group for Partners of Transgender People
2nd Wednesday of the Month at 7:00 p.m.
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
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SAGE Tulsa
Every Tuesday
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
"drop in for coffee"
Facilitated by
John Madigan
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OkEq Board Meeting
Virtual
Thursday, February 11th, 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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Support Group for Transgender Teens
2nd & 4th Monday of the Month at 6:00 p.m.
Meets via Zoom
The program is providing support, education, and social opportunities for transgender teenagers 13+.
A first time interview is required before attending your first meeting. Email
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Alphabet Soup Youth Group
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!
Email
for more information.
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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 Krissy at [email protected].
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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 hosted virtually. 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.
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Tulsa Area
Prime Timers
2nd Tuesday of the 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.
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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.
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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!
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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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H.O.P.E.
HIV Testing Schedule
2nd and 4th Saturday of the Month
from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00p.m.
provided by H.O.P.E. Testing
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Alex Wade
Medical Services Director
He / Him / His
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Krissy Dudley
Administrative Coordinator
She / Her / Hers
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Anna Them Puhl
Technical Coordinator
They / Them / Theirs
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Morgan Allen
Center Director
She / Her / Hers
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Kao Morris
BIPOC Program and Digital Media Coordinator
He / Him / His
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Donovid Sekulits
LatinX Outreach and Library Services Coordinator
He / Him / el
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Lily Piña
Nurse Practitioner
She / Her / Hers
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Tracy Allen
SAGE
He / Him / His
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Shay Brewer
Operations Manager
He / Him / His
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Toby Jenkins
CEO/Executive Director
He / Him / His
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Executive Committee
Chris Brecht-Smith - President
Stacy Turner - Vice President
Will Vaughn - Secretary
Paul Allen - Treasurer
Bob Hanson - Member at Large
Board of Directors
Laura Arrowsmith, D.O.
Angelyn L. Dale, Esq.
Allison Ikley-Freeman
Joe Guetlein
Darci Hazelwood, D.O.
Corey Thompson
Monique Washington
Justin Ross
Shannon Gordon Fair
Trustees
Shawna Baker, Esq.
Dan Burnstein
Kirk Holt
Cynthia Phillips
Kris Wilmes
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Board of Advisors
Aderyn Lonigan, C.P.A.
Amairani Perez
Christian Fencer
Cray Flyn
Crista Patrick
Dani Byrd
Denise Reid
Matt Else, D.O.
Elizabeth Ortiz
Jane Wiseman
Joann Frizell
Karen Keith Wilkins, Esq.
Stephen Rundell
Ty Morgan
Whitney Cipolla
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Oklahomans for Equality
Reduced Hours: Please Call before you visit
621 E. 4th St.
Tulsa, OK 74120
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