Pictures are hyperlinked!

Congratulations to our newly crowned King of Tulsa Pride 2023, Micah Membrane, and Queen of Tulsa Pride 2023, Karma Eclectic.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍🤎

Thank you to our 2022 King of Tulsa Pride King Mykal Khrystian, and 2022 Queen of Tulsa Pride, Kitty Quinn Khrystian, for serving their term and being a part of the Tulsa Pride Royal Family.

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Thank you to our 2020-2021 King of Tulsa Pride King Blaze Khrystian and 2020-2021 Queen of Tulsa Pride Kitty Marie Legacy

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Thank you to our hosts, 2019 King and Queen of Tulsa Pride, Scrappy Legacy, and Emeritus Anita Richards.

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Thank you to our judges, volunteers, and attendees for joining us and crowning our Tulsa Pride King and Queen for 2023.

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🤍🤎

We want to thank Club Majestic Tulsa for hosting our 2023 Tulsa Pride Pageant.

Tuesday, January 24th | 4:00pm - 6:00pm

Dennis E. Neill Equality Center

621 E 4th St., Pride Street, Tulsa, OK 74120

H.O.P.E. (Health Outreach, Prevention and Education) Testing Clinic provides free HIV testing at the Equality Center on Tuesdays from 4:00 - 6:00 pm.

Thursday, Jan 26th | 6:00pm - 7:30pm

Tulsa Ballet

1212 E 45th Pl S, Tulsa, OK 74105

Join us for our Equality Business Alliance Mixer at Tulsa Ballet.

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The international press has described Tulsa Ballet as “one of the best in the world” A professional company of international dancers representing 14 countries performs six times a year. The Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education offers classes for ages 3-adult at two campuses: in Tulsa on Brookside and in Broken Arrow at the Hardesty Center for Dance Education.

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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 our community.

EBA networking mixers are each month 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm. The EBA networking mixers are terrific venues for you to meet prospective clients. Mixers are open to non-members as well as EBA members. Hosting a networking mixer is a great way to showcase your business. You may host at your establishment or use The Equality Center.

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If you would like to host a mixer, send an email to Membership Coordinator, Luke Scuitto at luke.scuitto@okeq.org for more information or visit our website: https://www.okeq.org/equality-business-alliance.html

Saturday, Jan 28th | 6:30pm

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center

621 E 4th St., Pride Street, Tulsa, OK 74120

Tulsa Pride Bingo is BACK!

This Saturday, January 28th, play some Bingo, be entertained, win prizes, and raise money for Tulsa Pride 2023!

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Enjoy performances from our newly crowned Pride Royalty, 2023 King of Tulsa Pride Micah Membrane & 2023 Queen of Tulsa Pride Karma Eclectic, 2019 King of Tulsa Pride Scrappy Legacy, and 2019 Queen of Tulsa Pride and Emeritus Anita Richards with special guests Keisha Kye and Granny Rainbow!

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Prizes are sponsored by Equality Business Alliance members, Aaru Entertainment, Dalesandro's Italian Cuisine, Hodges Bend, Bohemian Wood Fire Pizza, Go Beyond Performance, Empire Slice House, Tonsorial Barbershop, and St. Vitus.

This event is 18+

Month of January

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center

621 E 4th St., Pride Street, Tulsa, OK 74120

Nancy Moran presents "Collage Conversations: Self-care for the Activist Soul" at The Allie Jensen Memorial Art Gallery.

Exhibit opening night is Thursday, January 5th at 6pm. The exhibit will be on display for the month of January.

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Nancy Moran, a long time Tulsa activist, dares to believe that people can, and will, do the right thing. To her that has meant organizing to open Tulsa’s first transitional living center for unhoused persons with chronic mental illness, leading an antiwar movement, supporting immigrant rights, and working on getting Tulsa, an oil and gas town, to commit to 100% renewable energy. It takes a lot of energy, and positive self-talk, to continue acting upon these convictions. She sees other people having the same struggles.

Creating collages is a means of providing encouragement, for herself and others. As a nurse and a mind-body medicine scholar, she sees collage-making as a whole body-brain activity allowing her to steep herself in the values and motivation needed to keep up the good fight. Through her “Dispatches from the Collage Cutting Factory,” she uses these collages as a means to reflect on a variety of topics ranging from mindfulness, self-compassion, spirituality, ecology, tenacity, and the importance of refusing to be a spectator in a world that needs each and every one of us to be a force for good.

Her collages in essays may be found at https://www.facebook.com/Collagesandcoktails

Thursday, Feb 16th | 7:30 pm

Lynn Riggs Theater

621 E 4th St., Pride Street, Tulsa, OK 74120

Join Jeremy Stevens and his friends as they travel through the years singing songs that were winners - and songs that weren’t so lucky.

Join Jeremy Stevens and his friends as they travel through the years singing songs that were winners - and songs that weren't so lucky.

Bistro Seats are $20, and General Admission seating is $15.

Tickets are on sale now.

Sunday, Feb 19th | 12:00pm-4pm

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center

621 E 4th St., Pride Street, Tulsa, OK 74120

A community-sharing event!

Bring what you can, and take what you'd like! No cash, barter, or trades!😮🤯

Share your unwanted goods and/or shop other people's treasures.🛍️

Letter From the President

Dear Friends,

We hope this letter finds you safe, warm, and in the company of those most important in your life. As temperatures drop and days slow down, I begin again to reflect. To celebrate the successes of the waning year while looking to the incredible opportunities ahead.

Together, we have moved through significant triumphs and adjustments here at OkEq. There is much to be grateful for as we count our blessings and look ahead. Over the last year, and under the guidance of former President Stacy Turner, we had the most successful Gala and Pride events in the organization's history. Over 700 attendees joined us for our Gala, while Pride welcomed its largest number of vendors and participants since its inception.

We also navigated staffing, Board, and program adjustments. Most recently, pausing some events and programs along with slightly reduced center hours (noon to 8 pm weekdays) as we turn inward to focus on the infrastructure needed to keep OkEq thriving well into the future.

Moving into 2023, we are building on our successes with committees preparing for the Gala and Pride to be even bigger and concentrate on celebrating every single one of you. Supporting that is the first segment of our interim Executive Directors strategic plan for OkEq, the Three Ps — People, Programs, and Purpose.

Here are some of the exciting things you can expect through January:

• Defined employee roles and additions to staff and volunteers
• New financial protocols for efficiency and accountability
• Safety improvements, including a new camera system and intercoms
• Expanded support group offerings
• The return of youth and young adult programs
• New education and outreach training through OkEq and select partners
• The first details about our new counseling initiatives
• A return to standard operating hours at the Center
• Website and social media refreshes

As you can see, these are exciting times! We invite you in this season of reflection, generosity, and hope, to share the great work happening at OkEq and encourage your networks to consider giving or matching your support of our growing services. There is no end destination in our work, and we remain ever focused and full of gratitude for your support of OkEq.

On behalf of the OkEq Staff, Board, and Trustees, I wish you all a very warm and happy Holiday Season!

Sincerely,

Bob Hanson

Board President

Board President Updates

11.07.22

11.14.22

11.21.22

Stan Simpson

Aug 29, 1929 - Jul 21, 2022

Carol Smith

Sept 14, 1940 - Aug 22, 2022

Paul Wayne Gossett

Feb 9, 1944 - Aug 23, 2022

Joseph Edward Johnson

1947 - 2022

Matt Brooks

Born Day - 2022

Daniel Davis Aston

Born Day - 2022

Bob Hendricks

Jan 27, 1957 - Dec 3, 2022

Community Leader

Jonathan Stanley

Aug 16, 1948 - Dec 1, 2022

OKEQ Seniors Member

Queer Women's Collective Tulsa *usually* meets every First Wednesday of the month.

Meet like-minded Tulsa women and build your network

Our monthly meet-ups are come and go gatherings for Tulsa Women who identify as LGBTQ+ and Allied Women are always welcome!

The program exists to provide support, encouragement, education, and social opportunities for all Bisexual and Pansexual, Curious, & Questioning individuals. 

Brought to You Bi the Letter B meets every 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month 7:00pm.- 8:00pm

For more information email Daniel

A social organization for mature minded Gay and Bisexual men age 21+. The purpose is to establish friendship and support through social interaction.

Prime Timers meets every 2nd Tuesday of every month 7:00pm

For more information email Steven or call

918.592.0088

IndigiQueer is a space created for queer and two-spirit native/indigenous persons.

IndigiQueer aims to empower our indigenous community through cultural learning, connection and tribal involvement.

Every First Tuesday of the month.

For more information email Brian Jennings or Kao Morris

Sin Fronteras es un movimiento liderado por latinos que brinda un entorno acogedor y seguro en el cual sus miembros y aliados de la comunidad LGBTQ+ pueden prosperar en Tulsa y sus alrededores.

Sin Fronteras is a Latin-led movement that provides a welcoming and safe environment in which LGBTQ+ community members and allies can thrive in Tulsa and surrounding areas. 

Sin Fronteras meets every Third Wednesday of the month. 

The program is providing support, education and social opportunities for transgender and intersex individuals.

Groups: Trans Men, Trans Women, Non-Binary, Partners of Trans, & Gender Outreach

A first time interview is required before attending your first meeting.

Email Rowan to schedule interview

Every Wednesday from 7:00pm - 8:30pm.

For more information call 918.743.4297.

Looking for something fun to do on a Tuesday night? Wanna meet up with friends and make new ones? Do you have board games you've been eager to play? Then Equality Gaming Night is for you!

Last Tuesday of the Month 5:00pm - 9:00pm

Jamm Outt will learn about different cultures, traditional music from around the world, and get to play instruments while expanding musical knowledge.

This group meets every first and third Monday of the month at 5:30 pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.

This program is for ages 13 - 17. Email Shay with Name, School, and Age.

Join PFLAG & OKEQ for our new support group for parents of LGBTQ+ teens. Coffee and cookies will be provided. 

This group meets monthly on the first Saturday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Fellowship Congregational Church

2900 S. Harvard Ave.

Tulsa, OK 74114

OKEQ Seniors is daytime programming for those who are retired or accessible during the day. The mission of OKEQ Seniors is to address issues related to aging lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons. In partnership with its constituents and allies, OKEQ Seniors works to achieve a high quality of life for LGBT older adults, supports and advocates for their rights, fosters a greater understanding of aging in all communities, and promotes positive images of LGBT life in later years.

OKEQ Seniors meets every Tuesday morning at 10:00 am at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.

Email SAGE@OKEQ.ORG for more information.

The purpose of the group is to provide much-needed support to LGBTQ+ veterans, who are looking for safe spaces among those who share their identities.

Veterans Support Group meets every Thursday at 6:00 pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.

We are a Social Group that identifies as "Bears" or part of the "Bear Culture/Subculture" that falls within the LGBT Community and is based in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Green Country Bears meets every second Thursday of the month at 7:00pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center

For more information email Daniel or call 918.812.4640

Social and support group for non-traditional, complicated relationships. It's Complicated will meet Every First Thursday of the Month from 7pm - 8pm.

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Email Thomas for more information.

Hopefully you have had the chance to check out the online catalog, check out a new book, and explore some of the new additions as we are expanding and growing. Speaking of changes, there are two brand new initiatives we’ve implemented, and if you’d like to help with either of those, please let me know!

CHILDREN’S BOOKS: We have gotten some new children’s books in! You can view them here: https://tinyurl.com/2s4ku89v. We’ve also started adding links to Teachers’ and Family Guides where available, as well as any reading/interest levels as we can find. Take a look at this book: https://tinyurl.com/yxt8hzh2. If you scroll down to the “Local Notes,” you’ll find where this information can be found. (Quick tip: If you have logged into your library account, you can click “Place Hold” for a book to be set aside for you to pick up).

BOOK DONATIONS: We’ve also been asked if there is a wish list for the library. It is now live! You can view it here: https://tinyurl.com/yv4wn46t. As part of your holiday charity giving, consider donating a book or two, or make it a monthly commitment to purchase a book along with a regular Amazon delivery. 

Thank you for all your support this year. It has been a rollercoaster ride with all the political and societal issues that have impacted the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, but together, we can become stronger and find ways to overcome these challenges. 

Happy holidays,

Michelle Simmons

Library Director

IT'S OFFICIALLY HERE! The Rainbow Library online catalog is live! ➡️ The Rainbow Library

Here's how you can request a library card:

Or, if you have a library card already, you can log in to the catalog to see what you have checked out and request a hold on a book. 

You can also email the librarian.

Currently, we are compiling a list of over 100 books, primarily Young Adult titles, to purchase in the next month. In addition, we sent out our first batch of library cards, with more to be mailed out soon. 

There is still a lot of work to be done. With limited time, the other library volunteers and I are doing what we can to finish sending out our backlog of library card requests, add new books, process current books (since the conversion from the old system to this one was not entirely 100% smooth), and become fluent on the new system. So bear with us as we work through these things, but most importantly, come enjoy YOUR new library.

The first piece is "Forest Scene" by Pop Chalee (Taos Pueblo).

The EBA exists to strengthen LGBTQ+ -welcoming businesses in the Tulsa community by:

1. Providing a directory of LGBTQ+ welcoming businesses in the Tulsa community;
2. Creating regular networking opportunities with these businesses; and
3. Creating professional environments where gay-welcoming businesses can meet to have their voices heard on important issues that affect how we do business and our quality of life.

The EFA exists to connect the LGBTQIA+ community with affirming faith communities. 

All participating faith communities must show a commitment to being an affirming and welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community in their spaces and in their practices. 

The EHA strives to connect the LGBTQ+ community with friendly healthcare providers. We provide healthcare professionals with training on working with the LGBTQ+ community as well as follow-up support and education on evolving best practices. 

Every Tuesday from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.

(Free Testing)

Alyssa Bryant is a Staff Attorney at Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma. Alyssa will be assisting members of the LGBTQ+ community with fair housing-related issues. If you believe you've been a victim of housing discrimination, please call her at 918-238-1650, or email her at alyssa.bryant@laok.org.

These legal services are open to everyone regardless of income and are available throughout the State of Oklahoma for LGBTQ+ persons.

Julie L. Goree with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma is available for drop-in discussions regarding legal issues.

Julie can answer basic questions on any matter that Legal Aid covers. So divorces, paternity, child custody, protective orders, child support, guardianships, housing, expungements, Wills/Estates, and Social Security. Legal Aid does not cover criminal, personal injury, or worker's comp. However, she has some knowledge about those fields of law.  

She also will accept questions via email or phone if someone does not feel comfortable getting out or coming in. 

Do you, your partner, or your family members qualify for SNAP or Soonercare benefits? American citizens living in Oklahoma who make less than roughly $19k a year qualify for these free government services, and Tulsa Responds navigators would love to help you get enrolled and support you in the process of using those benefits. To get these services or avoid being kicked off Soonercare/SNAP, please make an appointment for assistance at www.tulsaresponds.org/healthinsurance or call 918-900-0918 ext.3 to make an appointment today.

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. 

Oklahomans for Equality and the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center are affiliates of Action Link: Center Action Network. Sign up at the link below to keep up to date with advocacy alerts across the country. 

Executive Committee

Bob Hanson, PharmD - President

Julie Chase - Treasurer

Eric Wilson - Secretary

Whitney Cipolla - Member at Large



Board of Directors

Dani Byrd

Angelyn L. Dale, Esq.

Elizabeth Ortiz

Crista Patrick

Justin Ross

Paula Shannon

Matthew Stroud

Ovidio Trejo

Monique Washington

Trustees

Shawna Baker, Esq.

Dan Burnstein

Kirk Holt

Cynthia Phillips

Kris Wilmes - Chair

Board of Advisors

Claire Combs

Heather Hornig

Caleb Jackson

Michael James

Karen Keith Wilkins, Esq.

Denise Reid

Jane Wiseman