27 20 644 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/d45c583b12b2335200b1cadfaf673ea4.doc 8a0cd410701d32fc69e634c5bafe6fa7 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document INTRODUCING THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED HISTORY PROJECT SPONSORED BY TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS JOIN US IN EXPLORING OUR GLBT HISTORY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE IN NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA We Are Here. We have always been here. We Matter. TOHR GLBT History Project The GLBT History Project (the “History Project”) is a volunteer group of interested members of the Tulsa community who are committed to uncovering, preserving and presenting the rich contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people within the state of Oklahoma, with a particular emphasis on Tulsa and the surrounding area. Why undertake this effort, which will include gathering and indexing documents, news stories, oral and video interviews and creating a permanent and accessible archive? How else can we understand the contributions, sacrifice, and dedication of our GLBT community and its many supporters? As we fight for a better society that more openly accepts its rich diversity and extends equal rights to all, the History Project will be an important source of knowledge and inspiration. Due to past discrimination, the contributions and sacrifices of GLBT persons around the world and through the ages have been overlooked and minimized. The History Project is proudly joining the struggle to document these issues and lay a firm foundation to addressing the wrongs of past discrimination and marginalization. One brief historical example. For the last four hundred years, millions of people have traveled to Rome to view Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel – one of the great achievements in Western culture. They accept as a historical fact that he was an Italian living in the sixteenth century; for Italians, his accomplishment is a source of national pride. Less well known, and less accepted, is the fact that he was a homosexual. The latter fact, like the former, does not intrinsically amplify or diminish the work itself. For gay people everywhere, however, his sexuality engenders a similar sense of pride. It says to us something akin to what it says to Italians: We are here. We have always been here. One of us did this. We matter. The GLBT community has been served by many outstanding individuals, gay and straight, each with their own history and perspective on where we have been and where we need to go. The lack of comprehensive documentation presents a critical problem in the formation of a truly balanced history of GLBT Oklahomans, their friends and family. It also demonstrates the need for permanent GLBT archives, repositories for the evidence that reveals how we live, work, play, love and die. In gathering this history, we have discovered men and women who struggled to lead whole lives and who fought to express themselves as active, creative and loving human beings and Oklahomans. It is with pleasure that we will tell their stories. Additional Background: The History Project was launched by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights in 2002. To date, it has received funding from TOHR, the GLBT Project at All Souls Unitarian Church of Tulsa, and many individuals. It will continue to operate under the direction of the Board of Directors of TOHR. The gathered materials will be made available to interested persons at the Project’s Office or the TOHR Community Center. Certain information will be provided for use by TOHR in its newsletter and other communications. Historical excerpts will also be regularly posted to the Project’s Web site. The Project will provide speakers and materials to share the Project’s information with interested organizations. Upon the completion of TOHR’s new Community Center, the Project will maintain a permanent office and display space which will enhance the availability of its archives and the ability to continue its work. In conjunction with TOHR, the Project will sponsor a Fall Speaker’s Bureau. This event will be an opportunity to seek financial support for the Project while at the same time bring to the Tulsa area a notable individual who can add to our understanding of the GLBT community at-large. Your Participation: Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate with us in capturing the rich history of the GLBT community in the Tulsa area. You can do so by: Volunteering – we need people to conduct interviews, organize data, digitize material, prepare typewritten transcripts, and speak to interested groups about the Project. Contributing Material – You may have material that can be archived or copied and added to the Project’s information. You may also know of individuals or organizations that can contribute material or should be interviewed as part of our efforts. Please contact us about such contributions. Financial Support – The Project relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and foundations to carry out its important work. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation. Contact Us: Please reach us by mail, telephone or email. Mail: TOHR Attn: GLBT History Project P.O. Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 Phone: 918-743-4297 Email: history@tohr.org Website: www.tohr.org Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] GLBT History Project Brochure Subject The topic of the resource 2003 Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered History Project Brochure Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 2003 Description An account of the resource Brochure for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered (GLBT) History Project sponsored by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), describing the project's goals and plans for contribution. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) 2003 ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH GLBT History Project TOHR TOHR GLBT HISTORY PROJECT Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/b7ea3e563d6558c1fb7ab1bde8a43d3f.doc 9b53f798ad06e734322146295246924e https://history.okeq.org/files/original/d598d936aa073c45b6903fd431cd11b6.pdf c05471f84aae92c94822824821520f1d PDF Text Text JUNE 13, 2003 DENNIS NEILL REMARKS AT GALA ISN’T IT GREAT TO HAVE AMBASSADOR HORMEL AND HIS PARTNER IN TULSA TONIGHT? SPECIAL LEADERS IN THE ALL IMPORTANT FIGHT FOR THE GLBT COMMUNITY. IN TULSA, WE HAVE ALSO BEEN BLESSED WITH COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE VOLUTEERED THEIR TIME AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR SERVICES TO THE GLBT COMMUNITY – PROVIDING EDUCATION, OUTREACH , ADVOCACY. FOR 23 YEARS, TOHR HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT ANCHOR IN THAT EFFORT – BUT AN ANCHOR THAT IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS CHAIN – OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS. TONIGHT, YOU REPRESENT A LARGE PART OF THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE ENSURED THAT TOHR CONTINUE TO GROW AND EVOLVE OVER THESE 23 YEARS. BRENT AND SUE HAVE HIGHTLIGHTED THE PROGRAMS OF TOHR AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. WHAT I WISH TO CONVEY IS THE IMPORTANCE OF TOHR AND ITS PROGRAMS BEING AT THE CORE OF YOUR GIVING – OF TIME AND MONEY. THERE ARE MANY WORTHWHILE CAUSES IN OUR CITY, IN OUR STATE, IN OUR NATION, AND AROUND THE GLOBE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS THAT WE CAN. BUT A FEW CAUSES WE CAN MAKE THE CORE OF OUR GIVING, AND REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THOSE CAUSES. WHEN WE REFLECT IN THE FUTURE ON HOW EACH OF US USED OUR RESOURCES, I BELIEVE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE �MADE TOHR A CORE OF OUR GIVING WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE. BY BEING HERE TONIGHT, YOU ARE IN ALL LIKLIHOOD A CONTIRIBUTOR TO TOHR’S BUDGET. IF TOHR CAN BE IN THE CORE OF YOUR CHARITABLE DONATIONS, WE WILL TAKE THE ORGANIZATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE EXPAND THIS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPPORTERS WITHIN THE GLBT AND STRAIGHT COMMUNITY. SO ASK YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR THEIR HELP. VOLUNTEER MORE OF YOUR TIME AND MONEY. BE POSITIVE ABOUT OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS . PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY OF SERVING TULSA’S GLBT COMMUNITY TODAY AND TOMORROW. WE WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE DID TO MOVE TOHR AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS FORWARD – TOGETHER. � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document JUNE 13, 2003 DENNIS NEILL REMARKS AT GALA ISN’T IT GREAT TO HAVE AMBASSADOR HORMEL AND HIS PARTNER IN TULSA TONIGHT? SPECIAL LEADERS IN THE ALL IMPORTANT FIGHT FOR THE GLBT COMMUNITY. IN TULSA, WE HAVE ALSO BEEN BLESSED WITH COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE VOLUTEERED THEIR TIME AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR SERVICES TO THE GLBT COMMUNITY – PROVIDING EDUCATION, OUTREACH , ADVOCACY. FOR 23 YEARS, TOHR HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT ANCHOR IN THAT EFFORT – BUT AN ANCHOR THAT IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS CHAIN – OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS. TONIGHT, YOU REPRESENT A LARGE PART OF THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE ENSURED THAT TOHR CONTINUE TO GROW AND EVOLVE OVER THESE 23 YEARS. BRENT AND SUE HAVE HIGHTLIGHTED THE PROGRAMS OF TOHR AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. WHAT I WISH TO CONVEY IS THE IMPORTANCE OF TOHR AND ITS PROGRAMS BEING AT THE CORE OF YOUR GIVING – OF TIME AND MONEY. THERE ARE MANY WORTHWHILE CAUSES IN OUR CITY, IN OUR STATE, IN OUR NATION, AND AROUND THE GLOBE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS THAT WE CAN. BUT A FEW CAUSES WE CAN MAKE THE CORE OF OUR GIVING, AND REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THOSE CAUSES. WHEN WE REFLECT IN THE FUTURE ON HOW EACH OF US USED OUR RESOURCES, I BELIEVE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE MADE TOHR A CORE OF OUR GIVING WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE. BY BEING HERE TONIGHT, YOU ARE IN ALL LIKLIHOOD A CONTIRIBUTOR TO TOHR’S BUDGET. IF TOHR CAN BE IN THE CORE OF YOUR CHARITABLE DONATIONS, WE WILL TAKE THE ORGANIZATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE EXPAND THIS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPPORTERS WITHIN THE GLBT AND STRAIGHT COMMUNITY. SO ASK YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR THEIR HELP. VOLUNTEER MORE OF YOUR TIME AND MONEY. BE POSITIVE ABOUT OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS . PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY OF SERVING TULSA’S GLBT COMMUNITY TODAY AND TOMORROW. WE WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE DID TO MOVE TOHR AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS FORWARD – TOGETHER. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Dennis Neill Remarks at Gala Description An account of the resource 2 pages of a transcript of Dennis Neill's remarks at Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights' (TOHR) annual gala in 2003. Includes mentions of United State Ambassador James Hormel's presence and the importance of community contribution to the center. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 13, 2003 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Dennis Neill Subject The topic of the resource Dennis Neill's Remarks at 2003 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Gala 2003 2003 Gala Ambassador Hormel Ambassador James Hormel Dennis Neill Dennis R. Neill gala James Hormel TOHR Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/904480a3d8e47306a5f86647726b6749.docx e253a74baa0eb624bb3f93c77ac53ba2 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Dennis Neill 3019 S. Boston Ct. Tulsa, OK 74114 918.808.1010 <a href="mailto:dneill@cox.net">dneill@cox.net</a> June 15, 2010 Mr. Bill Christiansen City Councilor, District 8 One Technology Center 175 E. 2nd Street Tulsa, OK 74103 Dear Councilor Christiansen: I understand that the City Council’s June 17, 2010 agenda will include a discussion of including sexual orientation in the city’s non-discrimination ordinance. I hope you will do the right thing for the City and its citizens and vote to accept the recommendation from the Tulsa Human Rights Commission. This inclusive step has been analyzed and discussed within the City since 1978 and was first recommended by the Tulsa Human Rights Commission in 1995. It is time for the City of Tulsa to make this affirmative and positive step and join hundreds of sister cities in moving diversity forward. By doing so, it will be a momentous day and one I can cherish as a resident of the City since 1977. Thank you for your favorable consideration. Sincerely, Dennis Neill Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2010] Letter to City Councilors on Non-Discrimination Ordinance Description An account of the resource Letter written by Dennis Neill to Bill Christiansen, City Councilor, District 8, regarding the city's non-discrimination ordinance. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 15, 2010 Subject The topic of the resource 2010 Dennis Neill Letter to City Councilor Bill Christiansen on Non-Discrimination Ordinance Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dennis Neill 2010 Bill Christiansen City Councilor City Councilor Bill Christiansen Dennis Neill Dennis R Neill District 8 non-discrimination policies https://history.okeq.org/files/original/cd2a91b99fd6c464d15253f72c119648.doc fff793688180c0c1fa997c94851c7642 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Dennis Neill 3019 S. Boston Court Tulsa, OK 74114 <a href="mailto:dneill@cox.net">dneill@cox.net</a> 918-743-4354 (Home) 918-591-1010 (Office) February 2, 2004 The Honorable Penny Williams Oklahoma State Senator 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room #417A Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Re: Same-gender civil unions Dear Senator Williams: I am pleased to see comments in the press recently that the Oklahoma Democratic leadership recognizes that the Legislature has much more important business to attend to than the divisive bills introduced by various House and Senate members on same-gender civil unions. While I come from the position that such unions should be permitted as a basic individual right and liberty, it is also important that the state of Oklahoma not once again be labeled as backward and bigoted. This is not the image we need if we want to develop real economic opportunity for our citizens. As the two enclosed articles note, the states and cities which support a progressive and diverse work environment –including their gay and lesbian citizens - are the ones who will most likely move forward in their economic development. We should also be supportive of the thousands of Oklahoma families who have gay children or other relatives – and simply wish to have the same rights and responsibilities as of the rest of the population. We certainly do not want to codify in our state or federal constitutions examples of blatant bigotry, a legacy which would be ashamed of for generations to come. Instead, let’s take a deep breath – and pursue the real issues that mean a better quality of life for all. Sincerely, Dennis R. Neill Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2004] Letter from Dennis R. Neill to Oklahoma Legislatures on Same-Gender Civil Unions Description An account of the resource Letter from Dennis R. Neill to Oklahoma Legislatures on Same-Gender Civil Unions. The letter is addressed to Oklahoma State Senator Penny Williams. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dennis R. Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 2, 2004 Subject The topic of the resource 2004 Letter from Dennis R. Neill to Oklahoma State Senator Penny Williams on Same-Gender Civil Unions 2004 civil unions Dennis Neill Dennis R Neill Oklahoma State Senator Penny Williams Penny Williams senator Senator Penny Williams https://history.okeq.org/files/original/49a1f25eb3c3103d3a155d47cd00085d.pdf 2f188cc7466146e5565b78d19995de27 PDF Text Text tr I I rLti:ft,li t'l{:}il/"/? ii/;: 14i} c*i '-;r:r I I I il cv{ il I tr hry.IIT I &co( ffi I F* tr i ? E - .i- i:llT 1l{:}#7;- r}'L]ffi frr[1iir 1i Art tlrr.ttllr iitrtrlirilr lJn[r 6q?7 5. (cnfon Ave. &**t 3 b****t* f,s*t ef YsI* tright, Oklahoma's has one of the best state songs around thanks to Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! (1943), a musical adaptation of Lynn Rigg's play Green Grow the Lilacs (1931). Riggs was born in 1899 on a farm near Claremore. He escaped Oklahoma when he turned 18, surviving on odd jobs in Chicago and New York. He returned to Tulsa a year later and worked briefly as a reporter for the Oil and Gas Journal. Part-Cherokee, Riggs used income from leasing his Claremore land allotment to attend the University of Oklahoma where he studied English and started to write poetry. Stress and illness (probably connected with a growing awareness of his homosexuality), however, prevented Riggs from graduating. Instead, in 1923,he left Norman and moved to Santa Fe at the invitation of gay poet Witter (Hal) Bynner (1881-1968) who had briefly taught at OU in 1922. Bynner, who edited the literary journal the Laughing Horse, published a few of Rigg's early poems. Bynner's own Santa Fe home is now a gay-friendly Bed and Breakfast, the Inn of the Turquoise I\I|SW, LCSW Counselor & Psychothe 4870 E Lewis Ave Suite 190 Tulsa, OK741 05 918 .284.A123 Bear. In Santa Fe, Riggs joined an literary and artistic circle that partly rotated around the wealthy Taos socialite Mabel Dodge Luhan who had talked bisexual British author D. H. Lawrence into moving to New Mexico. Along with Bynner, Rigg's New Mexico friends included gay artist Cady Wells and gay novelist Myron Brinig. Between 1935 and 1940, Riggs owned a home in Santa Fe located at 710 Acequia Madre. He also had an apartment in New York, at 1 Christopher St and also lived, for a few years, in France and Los Angeles working on Hollywood movie screenplays These included The Garden of Allah (1936), featuring Marlene Dietrich and Charles Boyer, Cecil B. DeMille's The Plainsman (1936) starring Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur, and also two early Basil Rathbone features, Sherlock Homes and the Voice of Terror and Sherlock Holmes in Washington. In Hollywood, Joan Crawford was a favorite beard. She gave Riggs a Scottish Terrier named Baron. Providing Mental He fo r olescents, Adults and Gouples. Riggs only returned to Oklahoma for brief visits. One of these was to attend the History Project Memories (Continued on page l2) 6 tohr.o I �(Continued from page 6) opening of Oklahoma! in Tulsa's Convention Hall (Brady Theater) in April 1947. Riggs had mixed memories of his boyhood state, describing Oklahomans as "a suspect fraternity, as fearful of being recognized by others as they were by themselves. Gamblers, traders, vagabonds, daredevils, fools. Men with a sickness, men with a distemper. Men disdainful of the settled, the admired, the regular ways of life. . . Pio- neers, eaten peop[e." On the other hand, he wrote his play Green Grow okho the Lilacs featuring Oklahomans were not parsimonious of speech and ordinarily, not parched in their fruity enjoyment of life. These people were few and far between indeed; but they existed, uneaten, undisturbed, hearfy, fertile, and gay." Riggs had complicated relations with friends and lovers. He had only two longer-term partners, both younger: the Mexican artist Enrique GasqueMolina (who painted and wrote as Ramon Naya) and Gui Machado, a performer in Jos6 Limon's New York dance company. With profits kom Oklahoma!, Riggs bought a home on Shelter Island, off Long Island, where he died from stomach cancer in 1958. Besides Green Grow the Lilacs, Riggs left behind a legacy of poems and plays (including the experimental Cherokee Night). And who can ignore Oklahoma!'s lyrical plea? Tlte.farmer and the cowman should be frtends, Oh, the farmer and the cowman should be friends. One man likes to puslt a plough, the other likes to chase a caw, But that's no reason why they cain't be friends. tr I a 0 a I 0 I a I a F (Continuedfrom page I l) ma. Steve served as Diroctor of Environmental Programs for the American Lung Association of Oklahoma for three years, trained as an Environmental Consultant and now provides environmental consulting and education to homes, schools and business through the University of Tulsa and Oklahoma State University. Steve has worked for the past 28ry,ears with nearly 50 different not-for-profits in Tulsa, primarily in fundriising ahd Board service. Steve resides near downtown Tulsa, attends Holy Family Cathednalsnd hasa strong group of longtime friends with a common goal of serving those in need. Janet Gearin Oklahoma born and bred, Janet left Oklahoma to pursue degrees that would lead her into a career as a Psychiatric Clinical Specialist. Her first stop was in Denver where she spent 3 years getting her BS in Nursing. As a University of Colorado graduate, Janet then had to make a decision of where to go for her Masters degree. She chose the great city San Francisco and spent 2 years there getting that Clinical Specialist certification from the University of California-San Francisco. Janet chose to return to her home state to be close to family and to be the flrst Clinical Specialist to practice in the state of Oklahoma. She is now well into her 31st year with the Depart- ment of Veterans Affairs. In the 1980's, she began helping those with HIV and AIDS. She was among those who established the TOHR helpline. She was with Shanti for several years, served on its first Board of Directors , and worked as a facilitator for many support groups for friends, family and persons with HIV/AIDS. Janet remembers the early days of RAN, PFLAG, and Interfaith AIDS Ministries as organizations that led the way. She worked with the Community Service Council for a number of years to expand, build and organize community services. She spoke to many different groups...from secretaries to Dental hygienists to other nurses during those years trying to build bridges of support and assistance for the Gay community as well as those living with HIViAIDS. In 1989, with the founding of Follies Revue, lnc., she found her real passion. She served as President several years and helped Follies raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for HIV/AIDS support and service organizations over a 10-year period of time. Since 2003, Janet has served on the TOHR board and she also works as a Center volunteer on Friday evenings. Lamont Lindstrom Lamont currently serves as the 2nd Vice President of TOHR. Lamont received his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and is a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Tulsa. Lamont is active in the Society of Gay and Lesbian Anthropologists and the advisor of the University of Tulsa's BLGTA (Bi, Lesbian, Gay & Transgender Association). Michael Mills a Michael has approximately twenty-five years of diverse experience in private industry and higher education. For the past eighteen years, he has held a variety of administrative management positions at The University of Tulsa, encompassing the areas of academic support services and student services administration. Currently, he holds the position of Associate Dean of Students and Director of Career Services and University and Community Service. Mr. Mills received his undergraduate degree from Oklahoma State University and his master's degree from The University of Oklahoma. Mr. Mills has presented workshops on a variety of topics, including Resume Writing, Interview Techniques, Dress-for-Success, Business Etiquette, The Successful Job Search, and Effective Communication. He currently seryes as VicePresident for Community Outreach on the Board of Directors for Youth Services of Tulsa. (Continued on page l3) 12 tohr.o I � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] TOHR Reporter "There Would Be No Oklahoma! Without Lynn Riggs" Description An account of the resource TOHR Reporter article about the life and works of Lynn Riggs from the September - October 2006 issue, pages 6 and 12. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September - October 2006 Subject The topic of the resource 2006 TOHR Reporter Article "There Would Be No Oklahoma! Without Lynn Riggs" Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource TOHR Reporter 2006 history project history project memories Lynn Riggs Oklahoma Oklahoma musical TOHR TOHR Reporter Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/782be2e06f4196dcf5dadac7d7cbbbe8.gif cbce87eaba9b98cee4e803731486757b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Sub-Series] OKEQ > Organizational History > TOHR, OHR Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [ND] TOHR Logo Subject The topic of the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Logo Description An account of the resource An image of a graphic icon designed for usage by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). advertising graphic graphics icon icons logo Logos TOHR Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/64c9115edacd208f9db576c5c63199d3.mp4 3918179526aad18a34e98c6397b36510 Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2002] Diversity Gala and Pride Video Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2002 2002 Diversity Diversity Gala gala Pride video https://history.okeq.org/files/original/e53f1f3f9249cc8be593399abb7b6ec0.jpg 3c721ea48ab504592032a22673d7c5ea Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2004] "Vote No" Sign Subject The topic of the resource 2004 "Vote No" Sign Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 Description An account of the resource A sign that reads "Vote No. Don't Legalize Discrimination". Above the slogan is the number 711 crossed out in red, referring to Oklahoma's State Question 711 that would specify marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman. 2004 amendment against same sex marriage anti marriage amendment Gay marriage gay marriage ban gay marriage in Oklahoma LGBT marriage marriage amendment marriage equality same sex marriage same sex marriage in Oklahoma same sex marriage repeal same-sex marriage State Question 711 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/69deb4a37fe53889a9fd282376483ef9.jpg adb066b065cd7e97d03c60c1639f721a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2010] Tulsa Pride "Pride Guide" Description An account of the resource The cover of a printed guide for Tulsa Pride 2010 with the caption "Celebrating 30 Years". Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 5, 2010 Subject The topic of the resource 2010 Tulsa Pride "Pride Guide" 2010 2010 Tulsa Pride booklet Centennial Park Pride Pride 2010 pride festival Pride Guide Tulsa Pride Tulsa Pride 2010 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/f58c60f4429918caffc1ff3b4a835a0a.jpg 91de9045959e2dbfae5fb6ab8b1d8cd8 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2000] Tulsa Diversity Celebration Program: Humanity Unites for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2 - 10, 2000 Subject The topic of the resource 2000 Tulsa Diversity Celebration Program: Humanity Unites for Human Rights Description An account of the resource The cover of a brochure for the 2000 Humanity Unites for Human Rights Tulsa Diversity Celebration taking place June 2 - 10, 2000. 2000 brochure Diversity celebration Diversity Celebration 2000 Human Rights Celebration Humanity Unites for Human Rights pride festival Tulsa Human Rights Celebration Tulsa Pride Tulsa Pride 2000 Tulsa Pride Events https://history.okeq.org/files/original/ba1f7b8f61702dc7c8c84a2b535505db.jpg a4e612aeb03786db4b0edd4bc2f7ab84 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2005] Tulsa Pride/Diversity Celebration Poster Description An account of the resource A poster promoting the 2005 Tulsa Pride celebration and outlining a schedule of events between June 5th and 11th. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 3-11, 2005 Subject The topic of the resource 2005 Tulsa Pride/Diversity Celebration Poster Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), OpenArms Youth Project (OYP), Gay and Lesbian Fund 2005 Diversity celebration Diversity Celebration 2005 Gay and Lesbian Fund Open Arms Project Open Arms Youth Project OpenArms Openarms Youth Project Openarms Youth Project (OYP) OYP Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) PFLAG PFLAG Tulsa Chapter pride festival TOHR Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) Tulsa Pride Tulsa Pride 2005 Tulsa Pride Events https://history.okeq.org/files/original/10f1b5999791efbbfb496d3dd7a04056.pdf 3a0b80d556c0a920500462cc4a65f09a PDF Text Text �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [1996] NGLTF - Barney Frank and June Jordan at Creating Change Conference Description An account of the resource Two pages of a press release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) on June 27, 1996, detailing featured speakers for their Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference. Barney Frank's address will open the event on November 7, 1996, with June Jordan presenting the First Annual Vito Russo Lecture on Art and Politics the following day. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 27, 1996 Subject The topic of the resource 1996 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - Barney Frank to Analyze Presidential Election at Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference; Writer/Artist/Activist June Jordan to Deliver First Annual Vito Russo Lecture on Art & Politics Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) 1996 1996 Creating Change Conference 1st Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture 9th Annual Creating Change Conference Barney Frank Carmen Vasquez conference Creating Change Creating Change Conference 1996 First Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture June Jordan National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) NGLTF NGLTF Creating Change Conference Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference press release Vito Russo Memorial Lecture Vito Russo Memorial Lecture on Art and Politics https://history.okeq.org/files/original/b0e3b63de5e866960bcdd84c87847153.pdf b253798e0780107cefa52f19816117f5 PDF Text Text �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [1995-1996] NGLTF - Media Releases Description An account of the resource 15 pages of various media/press releases from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force: - NGLTF Applauds Congressional Passage of Church Arson Prevention Act; Permanently Reauthorizes Hate Crime Statistics Act (2 pages) - Barney Frank to Analyze Presidential Election at Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference; Writer/Artist/Activist June Jordan to Deliver First Annual Vito Russo Lecture on Art & Politics (2 pages) - The Marriage Debate by John D'Emilio (3 pages) - Attorney General Reno Responds to Task Force Inquiry; Assures NGLTF That Anti-Lesbian Bias is Being Considered in Slayings of Women in Shenandoah National Park (3 pages, includes Reno's response letter) - 1996 State Marriage Legislation; Real Discrimination, Real Rights and Responsibilities (2 pages) - NGLTF Urges Attorney General Reno to Intervene in Wake of Murders on Appalachian Trail; Asks Confirmation that Possible Anti-Lesbian Bias is Explored by Investigators (3 pages, includes Melinda Paras' letter to Reno) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 20, 1995 - June 27, 1996 Subject The topic of the resource 1995-1996 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media and Press Releases Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Melinda Paras, Tracey Conaty, John D'Emilio, Janet Reno 1995 1996 1996 Creating Change Conference 1st Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture 9th Annual Creating Change Conference arson Attorney General Janet Reno Barney Frank Carmen Vasquez church Church Arson Prevention Act Church Arson Prevention Act 1996 Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 churches conference Congress Creating Change Creating Change Conference Creating Change Conference 1996 Defense of Marriage Act First Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture Gay marriage gay marriage ban hate crime hate crime bill Hate crime legislation Hate Crime Statistics Act Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA) HCSA Janet Reno John D'Emilio Julianne Williams Julie Williams June Jordan Laura Winans LGBT marriage Lollie Winans marriage equality Melinda Paras Murder National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) NGLTF NGLTF Creating Change Conference Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference press release same sex marriage same-sex marriage Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah National Park murders Sue Hyde Tracey Conaty Vito Russo Memorial Lecture Vito Russo Memorial Lecture on Art and Politics https://history.okeq.org/files/original/a0f991d6b3c8cc1eef52b0034cfbded1.pdf 4d5c79f2c9a6b5525ea5c7b3e83c8ed8 PDF Text Text �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [1996] NGLTF Applauds Congressional Passage of Church Arson Prevention Act Description An account of the resource A press release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force on the Congressional passage of the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 and re-authorization of the Hate Crime Statistics Act, two pages. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 27, 1996 Subject The topic of the resource [1996] National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Applauds Congressional Passage of Church Arson Prevention Act Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Melinda Paras 1996 arson church Church Arson Prevention Act Church Arson Prevention Act 1996 Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 churches Congress hate crime hate crime bill Hate crime legislation Hate Crime Statistics Act Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA) hate crimes hate crimes bill HCSA Melinda Paras National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) NGLTF press release Tracey Conaty https://history.okeq.org/files/original/ea093838d21a64972f69a890d2df64a1.pdf 6e9ec675148403616fe0542040c0fdff PDF Text Text �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2015] List of Oklahoma Counties that Issued Same-Sex Marriage Licenses within a Year of it Becoming Legal Description An account of the resource A 22 page document containing one page first consisting of 1 page listing counties in Oklahoma who issued same-sex marriage licenses within the first year of same-sex marriage becoming legal, then 4 copies of five pages (20 pages total) from OKCountyRecords.com listing all Oklahoma counties with some handwritten notes, then 1 final blank page with some handwriting on it. Accessed October 1, 2015. Subject The topic of the resource 2015 List of Oklahoma Counties that Issued Same-Sex Marriage Licenses within a Year of it Becoming Legal Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 1, 2015 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource OKCountyRecords.com 2015 Gay marriage gay marriage in Oklahoma legalization of same sex marriage LGBT marriage marriage marriage equality marriage licence marriage licences Oklahoma counties Oklahoma gay marriage Oklahoma same sex marriage same sex marriage same sex marriage in Oklahoma same-sex marriage https://history.okeq.org/files/original/0884be749d2bca1e9b7af0e9c855b417.pdf 6d72fee2b5f92d1ad992dc094c6fcc5a PDF Text Text �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2014] Estimating the Economic Boost of Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in Oklahoma Description An account of the resource A 9 page document from the Williams Institute by Justin M. O'Neill, Christy Mallory, and M. V. Lee Badgett in July 2014 titled "Estimating the Economic Boost for Same-Sex Couples in Oklahoma". They predict over a million dollars in tax revenue within the first year same-sex marriages are legalized within the state. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 2014 Subject The topic of the resource 2014 Williams Institute Report Estimating the Economic Boost of Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in Oklahoma Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Justin M. O'Neill, Christy Mallory, M. V. Lee Badgett Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law 2014 Christy Mallory Gay marriage gay marriage in Oklahoma Justin M. O'Neill Justin O'Neill legalization of same sex marriage LGBT marriage M. V. Lee Badgett marriage marriage equality Oklahoma gay marriage Oklahoma same sex marriage same sex marriage same sex marriage in Oklahoma same-sex marriage state revenue Taxes The Williams Institute UCLA UCLA School of Law University of California University of California Los Angeles University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) University of California Los Angeles School of Law University of California School of Law Williams Institute Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Mike Green Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 4, 2003 Description An account of the resource Transcript only of oral history interview with Kerry Lewis on May 4th, 2003. Born on June 25th, 1932, in Tulsa, Mike served as the Oklahomans for Human Rights, Tulsa Chapter as its first Vice-President when it was formed in 1980. He often represented members of the LGBTQ+ community with various legal issues, including incidents of police entrapment. Married in 1955, he and his wife divorced in 1967 after which he became involved with Tulsa’s gay community. Mike passed in Tulsa in the early 2020’s. Need deed of gift. Tape says "1st Treasurer 1980-1982." Video and Transcript available at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center for on-site research. Subject The topic of the resource Mike Green Oral History Project Interview from May 4, 2003 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mike Green, Kerry Lewis, Dennis Neill 2003 interview Kerry Lewis legal protection Mike Green OHR OKEQ Oral History Project Oklahomans for Human Rights Oklahomans for Human Rights - Tulsa Chapter oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript police abuse TOHR transcript Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) video https://history.okeq.org/files/original/0982d06f9a2f92fbf7fe2f9136d901e2.mp4 a9de7829384dba075a9196f77cfcdd6e https://history.okeq.org/files/original/ad0d0594064e8fa1c25d3be91a009043.pdf 162b575cf68ca5c82dd758b4c47c8b4e PDF Text Text Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview with Bob Inglish, Mike Green and Dennis Neill Interview Conducted by Kerry Lewis Date: May 5, 2003 Transcribed By: Dennis Neill using Reduct.Video, March 14, 2026 Restrictions: Interviewee requested: N/A Oklahomans for Equality History Project 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK. 74120 918.743.4297 historyproject@okeq.org 1 �Discover the early days of Tulsa's LGBTQ+ activism through the personal stories of key founders. This episode explores how the community built a social, legal, and health infrastructure amidst societal resistance and growing awareness of HIV/AIDS. Main Topics Covered:         Origins of TOHR and OHR in Tulsa (1980s) Community challenges and societal attitudes Formation of advocacy, social, and health programs The role of gay bars and underground networks Personal experiences of coming out and safety concerns The impact of HIV/AIDS on community activism Milestones: First events, legal battles, and social acceptance Resources and support organizations then and now Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Tulsa's LGBTQ+ activist roots 00:34 - Personal backgrounds of Dennis, Bob, Mike 01:12 - How and when the community organized in Tulsa 02:06 - Early social hubs: Bars and clandestine meetings 03:04 - Challenges and societal perceptions in 1980s Tulsa 04:16 - Community safety and personal disclosures 05:55 - Formation of Tulsa's LGBTQ+ advocacy group 06:57 - Establishing social activities and their significance 08:14 - National awareness and influence from outside Tulsa 09:55 - The community's response to Stonewall and pride events 10:53 - Visibility and openness issues in the community 12:06 - Overcoming societal fears and the early fight for rights 13:31 - Personal safety, coming out, and legal discrimination 15:07 - Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in Tulsa 16:00 - The role of community support and opposition 17:23 - The importance of social activities beyond bars 2 �18:53 - Early efforts in education and health services 19:55 - Community milestones: Growth and societal change 21:20 - Encountering hate, violence, and the bravery to stand out 23:52 - The significance of making history and feeling of impact 25:09 - Responding to societal prejudice and the evolution of acceptance 26:30 - The pioneering moments during the AIDS crisis 28:01 - Community outreach, resources, and forming alliances 29:49 - Reflections on why OHR and TOHR were critical 31:19 - The influence of legal, social, and cultural shifts 32:45 - Social programs: Sports, dances, and community events 34:27 - Responding to the AIDS epidemic: education and activism 36:44 - Community response to initial activism efforts 38:24 - Internal community conflicts and how they evolved 40:34 - The importance of social support and combating loneliness 42:14 - Fundraising events, health clinics, and advocacy work 44:40 - Building social networks and the importance of social activities 48:55 - The community's response to HIV/AIDS and health initiatives 50:04 - Early reactions to AIDS in Tulsa and community education 52:01 - How epidemic shifted community behaviors and perceptions 54:11 - Ongoing issues: Safe sex, relationships, and legal protections 56:34 - The cultural significance of marriage and family for gay Oklahomans 57:23 - The continued evolution of community activism and health issues Bob Inglish, Mike Green, Dennis Neill oral history interview May 5, 2003 Kerry Lewis: Hi, I'm Kerry Lewis. I'm with the TOHR's Gay History Project. I'm here today on May 4th interviewing Dennis Neill, Bob Inglish, and Mike Green. They are three of the original organizers of TOHR in the early years, and so we're going to begin by talking to them a little bit about who they are and then also how OHR and TOHR began. Well, good afternoon. What I'd like to do is to begin by asking you a little bit about who you are and what you do and things like that. So we'll start with you, Dennis. Dennis, if you wouldn't mind, let us know when you were born. Dennis Neill: I was born on March 18, 1952. Kerry Lewis: And that makes you? Dennis Neill: I'm 51. Kerry Lewis: You're 51 years old. And have you always been from Tulsa? Dennis Neill: I was born in Ponca City and then went to school at Stillwater and University of Texas Law School. Kerry Lewis: And then did you move to Tulsa after that? Dennis Neill: Right. Dennis Neill: About what year was that? Dennis Neill: In May of 1977, I joined the law firm of Conner and Winters. 3 �Kerry Lewis: And you are and have been single and you have no children? Dennis Neill: Well, I have a partner, but I do have no children. That's correct. Kerry Lewis: And your profession? Dennis Neill: Well, I'm a lawyer by training, but have responsibility for the technology and office assets of Samson Investment Company, an oil and gas company headquartered in Tulsa. Kerry Lewis: We'll probably go back in a minute and ask you more about what you were doing at the time, the OHR beginning, et cetera. But I'll probably just move on now to Bob. Bob, could you give me your date of birth and how old you are? Bob Inglish: 1954, 49. I grew up in Okmulgee and practiced law there out of school and still do. But I've always lived in Tulsa since getting out of school. Kerry Lewis: And Mike? Mike Green: I was born June 25, 1932. Born right here in Tulsa. And I grew up in Tulsa, graduated Central High School, went to OU, got my BA there. And then went in the Army, spent two years in the military. Married while I was in the military, met my colleague, sweetheart. And we had two children. And returned to Tulsa when I got out of the Army. Was here for about a couple of years with my brother in the oil field supply business. And then went to Waterloo, Iowa, where I worked with my father-in-law in the retail clothing business. From there I went to Tempe, Arizona, where I went to school and studied writing, creative writing. Then returned to Tulsa, once again in the oil field supply business, for about five years. Then went to night Law School and started practicing law in 1966. Retired one year ago and moved to Palm Springs with my partner. By the way, I got divorced. Kerry Lewis: My understanding from your answer is that back in, say, 1980, in that time period, you were practicing law. You were in private practice? Mike Green: In private practice. Kerry Lewis: What kind of law did you practice? Mike Green: I always say general practice. When I first started practicing law, I was one of the three Tulsa County public defenders that was appointed. I did that for a couple of years. I always did a lot of criminal work, did domestic work, personal injury work, just general practice. Kerry Lewis: And were you working at that time with a firm or individually? Mike Green: There were three of us that did form a firm, but it was back in the 70s. That was for about five years. So I think I was probably by myself at the time in the 80s. Kerry Lewis: What about you, Bob? Say, around 1979, 80, in that time period, what was your profession like at that time? Or what did you do at that time? 4 �Bob Inglish: Well, I practiced in Okmulgee, which is a town of 14,000 people. At that time, the oil boom was in full force. I did a lot of oil and gas work. I always did a lot of probate work, real estate work. And, of course, in a small town, you do a lot of things, but that was primary emphasis. Kerry Lewis: And Dennis, in 1980, what were you doing? Dennis Neill: I was a third-year associate at a firm of about 30 attorneys, and I was spending a lot of my time working with the securities partners on oil and gas and real estate securities offerings. Kerry Lewis: Do you have any recollection of when you first met, the three of you, back in the, I'm assuming, the late 70s? Do you have any recollection of how that occurred? Mike Green: I met Dennis. There were three of us that had a bar in Central Plaza. It was part-time, it wasn't our day jobs. And we did it for fun at nighttime, and Dennis was living there, and Dennis would come in and sit there and have drinks and smoke cigars every time. That's how I met Dennis. I think I met Bob, I think Bob actually lived in Center Plaza for a while. Bob Inglish: Yeah, I did, I didn't make that connection. Mike Green: And that's when we first met. Kerry Lewis: And that was well before TOHR, OHR began? Mike Green: A few years, I would say, before that, about many years before. Bob Inglish: Well, of course, I was out of law school in 79 and TOHR started when? Dennis Neill: 80. Bob Inglish: 80, yeah, yeah. I think I met Dennis, like, at Zippers, and it wasn't, you know, the next week there was supposed to be a meeting at his house to come to. That's how I remember that, so. Kerry Lewis: Do you remember when the first time the discussion came up about we need to form or have some sort of an organization like OHR? For right now, it's limited to OHR. I understand there may have been some stuff going on before that, but do you remember how that first came up? Dennis Neill: Well, I remember talking with, I think, probably both of you at Zippers one night. I definitely recall, at least visiting with you, Bob, didn't I, at Zippers, and we were talking about the concept of having an organization. And I don't know if Mike and I kind of met separate on that issue or not, but very quickly we kind of got together with the four of us that became the first officers, including Gary Durst, and very quickly started meeting in some homes and laying out some thought processes, given the stimulus that we had from the Oklahoma City organization that had formed a few years before. Bob Inglish: There were probably about 10 or 15 people at that first meeting, I remember, at Dennis' house. And of course, one thing that seemed unique then that 5 �may seem peculiar now is that it's very important to have the support of the bar owners, because that was the center of gay life. And I remember John Willis was there, and Tim was there from Tim's playroom, and whatever, and there was... Mike Green: I think Jim Smith, too. Bob Inglish: Jim Smith. Kerry Lewis: How many, just to give us today a little bit of an idea, how many bars did you estimate were around back in 1980 that were kind of gay or gay-friendly bars in Tulsa? Bob Inglish: Well, there was Zippers, there was Tim's, and then there was the, wasn't there a trio of bars downtown? Mike Green: Right, the Taj Mahal and the Zebra. Bob Inglish: Zebra, which is awful. And the Queen of Hearts. Mike Green: Yes, and then what was the other, the disco down the street from the Queen of Hearts? In fact, it was the first disco in Tulsa, and it was so popular, the straights began coming to it. Took it over? Well, yeah, we put up a good fight. So it didn't ever really become a straight bar, but in fact, one of the owners was straight, and the other two were gay. Bob Inglish: But there wasn't anything about gay life, from a congregation standpoint, except the bars. Mike Green: Right. Bob Inglish: I mean, there wasn't a supportive church, there wasn't a non-profit group, there wasn't a group of common interests. It was just, if you were gay and you wanted to see people, you went to a bar. Kerry Lewis: Were you three, at that time, aware of nationally what was going on with the gay community? Were you aware that there were some organizations outside of Tulsa and Oklahoma that did something like this, or just, what was your level of knowledge as far as what else was going on as a whole as far as the gay community at that time? Mike Green: I'm not real certain of the time period, or the time frame, I should say, but I do remember that my practice had kind of taken a turn while I was doing an awful lot of gay work, representing people, gay people in divorces, both men and women, in criminal matters and other things like that. And I remember getting contacted by Lambda and some other organizations nationwide as to the work I was doing and wanting to assist and even pay some clients fees. They couldn't afford the fees themselves. Bob Inglish: Well, you certainly could take the Advocate to keep in contact with what was going on nationally. I think several of us were well-traveled and certainly at that point in time, the Castro area in San Francisco had developed and Greenwich Village had developed, so if you traveled any, you were certainly aware that there was a lot going on in the gay movement. Certainly, I had just come from OU and there was a lot of activity as far as gay student groups getting started at the 6 �university that was well publicized and so everything was in its early stages, but there was things going on that we were aware of here in Oklahoma. Mike Green: When was Stonewall? Bob Inglish: 1969. Mike Green: I'd ask that because I remember Gary Durst was there in New York when Stonewall occurred. I remember Gary telling me that he thought it was just another night out in New York City when it happened. He had no idea what was going on. Kerry Lewis: Well, at that time, did cities tend to have big pride-type activities like pride parades and festivals? Dennis Neill: Not locally at all. I think we saw some of the flamboyant stuff probably occurring in San Francisco and New York that you see on TV, but this was certainly pre-internet, pre-email, so you looked more for these static publications rather than the wealth of resources that you can have today with regard to knowing what other community centers are doing throughout the U.S. or what's going on with the gay and lesbian movement in other locales. It was a little more difficult, but there were a couple of reliable, viable sources of information. Kerry Lewis: How out were you in your personal lives at that time when you decided to be involved with organizing OHR, the Tulsa chapter of OHR? Were you fairly open with being gay to your family and friends at that time? Dennis Neill: Well, I was with my sister, but I wasn't particularly out with my parents, although I think they were aware. I do remember approaching a new junior partner at the law firm as we were first contemplating formation of TOHR and asking him if he thought I should go to the partners meeting and explain my activities with the gay community in Tulsa. He gave me the wise thought that really that was probably the focus of the partners meeting, that maybe if it was important for civil rights issues to go ahead and pursue it, but not really a need to visit with the law firm at this stage. So that was probably the right discussion because that was in 1980 and even that firm, that would have been the first gay individual that they would have had to deal with. It was probably better for them to get it more down the road after things got informed and in a little bit better shape than probably at that point in time. Bob Inglish: I think contextually you'd have to remember that when you talk about the gay movement coming into its own, that the Castro area in San Francisco or the Greenwich Village in New York City probably started developing as a gay center in 74 or 76. So we're talking about Tulsa in 1979 and 1980. We're certainly not the Castro area and we're certainly not Greenwich Village. The movement was fairly recent and the concept of people being openly gay and out and having activities as a gay community was still pretty new in other cities other than major metropolitan areas. I would think that we might have had an exuberance about starting the organization, but you weren't aware of roadblocks at the time until you tried things. You didn't necessarily know that doors were going to be shut until you tried things. Or tried a case, Mike, I would guess. You didn't necessarily know that there might be prejudice or confrontation as you tried things. 7 �Mike Green: I think I divorced in 66 and I had two children, like I said earlier. They were born I think in 58 and 60. And I never actually came out and told my family I was gay. I never came out and told my kids I was gay. They told me and they told my ex-wife who was very, very receptive and we're still very, very close to this date. But when TOHR was being formed, by that time my practice had become I'd say at least 50-60% gay. And as far as the community, the outside community was concerned, I grew up sitting in maybe four or five gay bars. And we had the liquor problems back in those days and there were a lot of liquor busts. And they got used to when they would bust a bar and take the owners in or the bartenders in, they would expect Mike Green to show up within a few minutes to get them out. And so my name was becoming associated with gay issues. And I realized too, some other attorneys learned I was gay and I never seemed to have a problem with it because of their knowledge. Kerry Lewis: And that kind of leads me on to my next question. I mean, what is your evaluation or your sense of the climate in Tulsa at that time as far as their attitudes towards gays and lesbians? Mike Green: I think it was negative. I really do. I don't think the people were educated, and I think they were fearful of the, quote, gay political agenda. And Tulsa had become a very, we used to call it the buckle of the Bible belt. And it was not at all, I don't think, gay friendly. But because they had not been exposed to that kind of lifestyle that we were going to try and present to them later on. And I know in some of the court situations I had, just the mere fact that you were a lesbian or you were a homosexual male would mean you were unqualified to have custody of your children. And I had problems in visitation issues even, where if you had a partner, that partner could not be in the home when the children came to visit. And it was just presumed that if you were gay or a lesbian and you had a partner, same sex partner, that you were doing something that was not presentable to the children. Kerry Lewis: And I'll ask the same question to you, too, in a second. But just as a follow up question to you, Mike, did you ever have a sense of risk as far as your personal safety or your personal status? Mike Green: Not my safety, no. Personal status, yes. I was concerned at times. I had a lot of clients who I'm not sure how receptive they would have been to knowing that I was gay. And also, I had two children I was supporting, and a son I was sending through college. Kerry Lewis: Bob, do you have any differing views on how Tulsa was as far as its perception of gay people? Bob Inglish: I don't think I would disagree, but you also have to remember where gay people were. I mean, I laugh at some of the things. You know, I remember, you know, you would dress a certain way. I mean, gay life was very clandestine, even for people who were out. And by out, I mean, they might go to gay bars or they might consider themselves homosexual and admit that personally and not have a problem with it. But, you know, if you were wanting to meet other homosexuals, you might dress a certain way. I mean, it went through trends. You might dress, have an IZOD t-shirt. How many IZOD shirts did you have? But that was... 8 �Dennis Neill: Are they out of style? Bob Inglish: They're back in, I think. But you would wear, you might wear an IZOD shirt and your jeans, and jeans, your hair might be cut short. And that was like a universal symbol. Or there was an absurd fashion statement where you flipped your collar up in the back for a while, which really looked dumb. But it was a, that was a signal to people that you were gay. And then you also had this feeling if you were like in an airport or you were at a store or something and, you know, you would see somebody and maybe detect that, some of those universal symbols that you go, wow, I mean, here's another gay person, like, oh, wow, you know. And of course, I think people were very sexually promiscuous then simply from a repression standpoint, they had been repressed for so long and there was such a exuberance about accepting the fact that you were gay that, you know, you might meet someone and you'd go, oh, you're gay, you know, maybe this is going to be a sexual encounter because, you know, you weren't going to meet gay people in another way. And so, you know, yeah, Tulsa had a feeling, you know, I think all of us perceive that to be negative, but gay people were not out and open and comfortable like they are today. I mean, you know, that was 24 years, 24 years ago, is that right? 23, yeah. So it was very different. Kerry Lewis: What about your sense of personal safety, your sense of status? You're just coming out of law school, or a few years out of law school. Did you have any, were you conscious of what the effect might be on your life and your career by being open or being part of a group like this? Bob Inglish: I don't really know that I was, but I think there was always some discretion that was involved. I mean, you just, you know, for example, now, if I interview a secretary or something at work, you know, I might say, I just want you to know I'm gay and, you know, I hope you don't have a problem with it, perhaps. You know, back then, I wouldn't have that discussion. You know, I mean, you wouldn't think about having that discussion. I was always out to my parents, but as far as, at least, you know, Okmulgee being very open, I don't think that I was. I never hid anything. I never dated, you know, a girl to give some kind of cover, but I never, but I don't know how particularly open I was. I had a pretty convenient out that I could drive back to Tulsa and be in a larger city and have that little bit of protection, but I don't think I ever had much fear for adverse consequences, and I think early on, I knew that it wasn't worth the sacrifice. I fortunately had counseling whenever I came out and had a pretty good, firm feeling that being openly gay was not an option, but an essential character. You know, something was very essential to one's well-being, and if something adverse had happened, I think I knew that I had other options, and perhaps there were areas of the country where you could go live, where you could be accepted. I mean, you could move to San Francisco. You could move to New York. You didn't have to stay here if you didn't want to. Kerry Lewis: So what were your perceptions of the climate in Tulsa with regard to gays and lesbians? Dennis Neill: Well, I felt we were definitely on the frontier here, and, you know, it was a time of contrast, too, because there were certainly some very supportive institutions. All Souls Unitarian Church, where we were first meeting, some of the 9 �members of their congregation really had a lot of outreach to us. The ACLU, in working with them, very interested in the gay rights movement in Oklahoma. So we certainly had some friends and some advocates, but I think they were pretty few, you know, and we really weren't pushing them too hard at that point in time to help us with some of the more advocacy type of activities that they've certainly become well-known for since 1980. But I certainly think I recognized we were dealing in a little bit different world then a lot of our heterosexual friends were, because I, for example, was taking materials to Zippers one Saturday night, and I got clobbered by some teenager kids that smashed in my eye, and that was in 1980. That was a time period that several people were getting beat up outside of Zippers and some of the other bars by kids with baseball bats. One of the co-hosts of our first Black and White, which also happened to be in 1980, disappeared and was presumed killed, whether it was gay-related or not. He was very out in the gay bar community, so very possibly a victim of a hate crime at that time. A couple of the drag queens were killed in the 1980 to 83 time period. So I think, and then there was that murder down at Taj Mahal. Mike Green: Double murder. Dennis Neill: So, double murder. So I think, you know, we were certainly aware that there were some risks being gay. Certainly risk being a closeted gay or an out gay in the community at that point in time. But I kind of go back that we also had some very important friends that helped us as we moved forward with regard to the advocacy issues and the legal issues for the gay and lesbian community. Kerry Lewis: And you may have already answered this question, but it kind of leads me to wonder whether you had a personal sense that you were making history of sorts at that time. Was there that sense of excitement that you were doing something new, something that hadn't been done before in Tulsa? Did you understand or comprehend or understand that at that time? Or is that something that just comes since then? Dennis Neill: Speaking for me, I definitely felt it because we would get people coming to our functions that were really so excited to have an organization like TOHR and we had so many of these activities outside of the bars, the skates, the softball, the volleyball. It became a very important outlet for people to get socialized within the gay and lesbian community. I remember doing a radio program and talking a little bit about gay issues and I was really speaking more of an ACLU attorney and getting many, many hostile calls during that talk radio program, but that really made you quite aware that you're pushing the envelope in the Tulsa community. The next morning I had a strange bag on my front lawn and I thought, man, maybe this is a bomb, but it was actually my neighbor leaving some trash out for the trash bin the next day, but just decided to put it in my yard instead of her yard. I think there was definitely a feeling and I think we definitely, I certainly felt that we were having an impact through this organization of reaching out to some of the newer members in our community as well as those that have been here for a long time. 10 �Kerry Lewis: Bob, what about you? Did you have that sense of that you were doing something that hadn't been done before, making history? Bob Inglish: Well, it was exciting and it was a needed service. I don't know that I really had much of a historical perspective. I mean, frankly, I think the three of us are just thrilled to death that TOHR is still here and that it has the many functions that it does. This is all pre-AIDS and there have been a lot of changes in the gay community, but if you think today what the gay community has compared to what we had then, we had nothing outside of the bars. Absolutely nothing. And today, and perhaps it is the result of some of this early work, you have at least two if not three gay churches. You have churches that are certainly accepting of gays. You have Prime Timers. I point to Mike. You have Project Open Arms that deal with gay youth. You have youth services that deal with gay youth. You have, gosh, help me out here, what are some of the other things that we just take for granted today that go on in Tulsa? Mike Green: Council Oaks. Bob Inglish: Council Oaks, Men's Chorale. Now there's a women's group of Council Oaks. There's probably support groups that we're not even aware of that, there was just nothing. There was just nothing. Everything we did, you know, softball team, I mean who would think that gay people would, I mean, you know, it would be stereotypical, but you know, we've had three or four meetings and somebody's talking about a softball league and you're going, why would we want to play softball? Dennis Neill: Who wants to do that? Bob Inglish: I didn't have any desire. There was a big combination of cheerleaders, I remember that. But we sponsored plays. We registered people to vote. We had health clinics because the venereal disease was rampant in the gay community. We did political surveys. We had a lot of programs and it just mushroomed and every year it mushroomed with more and more people involved. I mean, I didn't realize that, but Dennis, you were reading something in 83, which would have been three years later, there were 250 members of the organization and we maybe started out with 10, so. Kryy Lewis: What about you, Mike? Mike Green: I found it very exciting. I didn't realize what was going on as far as, like Dennis said, pushing the envelope, but I always remember the, when Virginia Opulso [Note – Virginia Apuzzo served as Executive Director of the National LGBTQTask Force in the early 1980’s], was that who it was, came to Tulsa in 1983, was that when she came here? And spoke and then we, at a dinner we held at the Trinity Church, we asked earlier, it was downtown, which of course is one of the bigger churches. And I remember the feeling that I had that evening that it was the very first time I had ever gone to a real presentable place for a gay function. The very first time ever. And I knew it was important. I remember I was so thrilled by it. And I remember that she, the thrust of her message was that if the gays would unite, we'd be one of the strongest, the strongest forces in the entire world. I remember going back to Tim's bar after that was over, being so enthused and walking in and all of the 11 �disagreements, the arguments and so forth, I dawned on me that it would never happen. But still, it was just the idea that I had gone to a gay function in a presentable place among presentable people. And that was unique, it really was. To be gay was unique back in those days. Today it's no longer unique. It's just accepted. Accepted the fact, oh, you're gay, like Bob said, in being a secretary. It's not an issue anymore. Of course, I live in Palm Springs now, so out there. It's certainly not an issue with me and my lifestyle. Kerry Lewis: You all have touched on it, but do you have anything else, I guess, to add than what you've already said about the reason for beginning OHR, to start organizing? What you said so far is normal. There was definitely a need for some social events to gather. There really was. The only alternative at the time was the network of bars. But was there any other compelling reason or something that you really felt personally why you wanted to see OHR go forward or having this kind of a group go forward? Mike Green: I think it was the thought, and I think Dennis presented this thought to us, was that we could make a difference somehow. And we didn't know when or how, but by actually organizing and doing something, we could make a difference in what was going on in our lives and those who would have come after us. Kerry Lewis: Are you referring to a political sense or just... Mike Green: Political sense, yes, social, in every aspect of gay life. Because gay life back in those days, as far as I'm concerned, was not acceptable. I remember being in the courtroom representing gay people and the attitude of some of the judges. Just the fact that they were gay made them guilty of something. Maybe not the crime they were charged with, but guilty of something. And that changed. I'm not saying we changed it, but I think that groups like TOHR, OHR, throughout the country and around the country did change it. And so we certainly had our place in it. I remember one judge, a good example would be one judge who was homophobic. And it even said in the courtroom that he would not believe anything a gay person said on the witness stand. Merely because they were gay. And that judge went to a judicial conference in San Francisco and came back a changed individual. And he even said things like, if I would have carried my thoughts to San Francisco, they would have run me out of town on a rail. And he came back just totally a different person. Bob Inglish: I think, you know, not only was TOHR a force, but those of us that were involved, we didn't want TOHR to be a social organization. But at the same time, in addition to maybe having a real feeling that we were doing something, you know, frankly from a personal standpoint, it was a wonderful way to meet people. And, you know, I think a lot of people became involved in the organization because you could meet people and visit with people and do things. And it wasn't that you had to go to a bar at midnight and have a drink and try to converse with people. It was, you know, you could really get to know people. And I know so many people in Tulsa, you probably feel the same way, and Dennis, you do too, that we met in the early days of the organization that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to do. And, you know, you too got involved with Black and White, you know, because, you know, 12 �there was a need to have social activity in the gay community, again outside the bar, so they started the Black and White Party. I, along with several other people, started the Harwelden Party in probably 1981 or so. I think it was probably 81. But, I mean, there was a desire to, like, you know, we're gay people, we can go out, we can have a nice party, a nice social function outside of the bars. And that still goes on today. It's still a nice function and a nice part of the gay community. It seemed like there was some other... Well, to me, one of the pioneering moments of TOHR was the AIDS crisis, because we, as a result of early on, 1983 or whatever, we sent Jeff Beal, and did you say you went too, Dennis? Dennis Neill: Yes Bob Inglish: To a conference about AIDS, and they brought back information about the disease that probably would not have gotten to Tulsa for another year or two. And so we were educating people about AIDS long before it would have happened otherwise, and you just would hope that you would save people's lives, that people's lives were saved as a result of getting that information. But also at that point in time, and I don't know if it was a function of our age or a function of the organization, but people weren't out, and as a result of talking to people and coming to these groups, they...became out. I don't know what the proper English is, but, you know, they became comfortable with being gay. And they weren't before that. And just by having all these activities, they were. And you don't hear... I mean, now people come out when they are 16. They go to a youth group after school. But I can assure you that wasn't the situation at that point in time. And some of our earliest meetings, in fact the first one you noted in the newsletter, was a psychiatrist who came and talked about being gay. I mean, did we have some horrible, awful disease? Were we somehow psychologically impaired? You know, what was wrong with us? That was what was going through a lot of people's minds. And we were able to bring information to people to indicate that wasn't the case. Kerry Lewis: You Dennis, do you have any other reasons other than what had been said for why OHR was formed? Dennis Neill: No, I think it's a good point. When we first started meeting and understanding what the Oklahoma City group orientation was, and we were a chapter initially of the Oklahomans for Human Rights that was started in Oklahoma City about two years before we really got started. It was probably a lot more advocacy at the front because the co-founder of that, Bill Rogers, was a very involved attorney, very involved in the ACLU, very involved in social cause issues. So he was probably much quicker to, in Oklahoma City, take it to be a political advocacy group to the extent it could while it was still a 501c3 non-profit organization. And we felt like here we needed a little more time to develop ourselves and understand for new people coming into the organization, kind of the socialization issue. So we probably did kind of focus on the social side quicker at the beginning, but very promptly got focused on the advocacy side too. In fact, it's reflected in our first 13 �bylaws, which really haven't changed since we organized in 1980, talking about really focusing on non-discrimination for all people. So that was certainly part of our charter at the beginning. It became a focal point fairly early in the organization. And I think that was evidenced by the fact that the news media, the political environment, very quickly became aware of us and we did become the spokespeople for the gay community. Whether we wanted to be representative of the gay community or not, you do need a focal point for the media and for the political establishment. I think we very quickly became the focal point. Kerry Lewis: What kind of response did you receive when you first decided to post your first few meetings and try to get people together? Was there a positive response? Was it easy to reach people that were in the community? What was your sense, Dennis, if you want to... Dennis Neill: Well, Bob has a better memory of this. I had forgotten that even in our initial meetings that we were able to get many of the bar owners together, although I think they probably had a little bit different agenda than maybe we did initially going in. So I might kind of pass it to Bob, because I honestly don't recall a lot of what those first meetings really looked like. Bob Inglish: You know, what I recall is that there was a group of gay people, and we're really speaking from a male perspective because the lesbian community, I think, has evolved a little bit differently. But there was an older group of gay people that I think were very non-supportive of TOHR because they were so used to being closeted. They had their little bridge nights, and they had this and that that interested them, and they had their very private parties. But as far as doing anything publicly, to come out publicly was a threat. They had definitely a system, a code among themselves that you could be gay, but you weren't supposed to tell anybody about it, and you certainly didn't go to an organizational meeting, and I think there was some hostility from that segment of the gay community. I think people that were our age were fairly supportive. Dennis Neill: That's a great point. I've forgotten, a mutual friend of all of ours was very adamantly against us when we first started OHR. He worked in the same building that I did, and he criticized us for about two or three years and eventually became a very big supporter of TOHR and participated in many of our activities, but gosh, Bob's right, the environment even within our own community was somewhat hostile. Bob Inglish: That was a kind of a function Mike served with some of the older members of the community. Mike Green: You guys are right. Now that I remember. Bob Inglish: I would go, Mike, would you talk to these people? Mike Green: And it was fear-based is what it was. We had people who held large positions with oil companies and banks. There were doctors, accountants, and these people were frightened they were going to be drug out of the closet, and Bob's right about the lifestyle they had. They even had their own little language. They had words 14 �that meant certain things that even today most of us don't know what they mean anymore. Bob Inglish: Watch the boys in the band. That will give you an idea. Mike Green: Mitch at the Tea Room had a whole different significance in those days. These people were scared. They really were, and the idea that they wouldn't have to come out. I think also it was a knowledge that they wanted to come out. They wanted this openness, and yet they were afraid what it might bring to them, a loss of earnings after a 55, 60-year-old man who's faced with losing his job. Even to this day, you can be fired because you're gay. There's no protection whatsoever under the law in Oklahoma. These people did not want to lose their source of income, and this was looming in the future that appeared to them. For some reason, many of them did come out, but there are still many older gays who don't want to be associated with these kind of things. As for myself and for the younger people, a gay lifestyle could be a very lonely lifestyle. By organizing, it got rid of some of the loneliness and some of the fear of the future of living a gay lifestyle. I think that was very important to many people, and that's why they opted. Because like Bob said, although we had a different agenda, it was very social. We were talking earlier that when we were organizing it, it got to the point where sometimes the food that was served, not at my house, but at other houses by some of the people that were organizing the group, the main issue was the food and tables that were set for us and things of that type. It's still social, but that's any organization you have nowadays. Any political organization becomes social or any selfimprovement organization becomes social, that's just the way life is. You meet people that have common interests with you, and it becomes very much easier to develop relationships. Kerry Lewis: What kind of things did you do? You mentioned several, but in addition to having meetings where speakers would come and I guess occasionally having dinners and meetings where you ate, apparently, what else? What other kind of activities toward the beginning did TOHR or OHR do? Mike Green: We had the bowling. We were talking earlier, we had the softball tournaments. Bob Inglish: Gay Skates. It was always a surefire fundraiser was to have a roller skating party. I still can't believe it. Dennis Neill: Because we also served alcohol, and we had an open bar at those things. It was a cash bar, and there was one of those skates that we had out in Sand Springs, and somebody, I think it was J.L., ran into the wall and injured himself and was in the hospital for three days. It was probably somewhat alcohol related, so we took some risk with regard to that. I think the skate's demise was when we decided we were going to cool it on alcohol. Mike Green: Then we had a group that met down at Riverside Drive to play volleyball on Sunday afternoons. 15 �Dennis Neill: Very quickly when we first formed, the drag queens were very supportive of the organization, had some fundraisers. Then we did our own Turnabout Drag Show, which became the Follies, where some of us that definitely shouldn't have been doing drag end up doing drag. Hugely successful fundraisers. They raised a couple of thousand dollars each event, which was very vital for our organization at that period of time. Bob Inglish: They did health clinics, registered people to vote, did questionnaires. Dennis Neill: Our picnics were kind of different than the picnics now in that we had a lot of games at those picnics. We had the softball games, chariot races, activity booths. When we started that, like 82 or 83 at the Chandler Park. So that it was very much about trying to get people involved in each activity. So we tried many things. And for the women, we certainly did outreach through the volleyball and the women's softball. Dennis Neill: And we started seeing what would you say, within the first year or so, women starting to get involved with the TOHR. Because by 83, I think two of the six or seven officers were female. And we started seeing a balance develop by the mid 80s where the females were getting involved with, at least at the organizational level, they probably weren't as involved in the meetings and as representative in the community at the meetings, but started getting involved in the leadership positions. Kerry Lewis: Did you have any other activities that you guys can recall at that time? Maybe I should ask this. When did the helpline begin? Was that toward the beginning of the 80s or about the same time? Dennis Neill: I remember we had the training at John Dratz's apartment where he lived there about 15th off of Peoria. And then that Steve, I think that was his name, at his house we had some early training. Typically you'd have to spend all day as a volunteer going through the training. And then we even had some professional trainers and got some training from the Community Service Council's helpline to help us. But gee, it had to be early on, didn't it? Because we had it well before our first office, and our first office came about in 83 or 84, and that was when we used to have it down in Zippers before we even had an office. Bob Inglish: When we had a recorded message, we were listed in the phone book, so it wasn't necessarily staffed, but people could call. Mike Green: We would staff that, I think, in the evening hours, is what we'd usually do, and then record a message in the daytime. I remember one time walking into the clerk's office in one of the courts, and they were all laughing about something. And I realized what they were laughing about was that somebody had told them of the gay helpline, and they were calling it just to get that message. They weren't saying anything, they weren't really harassing phone calls, they were just calls just to see what the message was. And these people could not believe there was actually a gay helpline in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They were so amazed by it. Dennis Neill: Dean Dugan and Steve Wilson, who both worked with Southwestern Bell, helped us get the phone number, because we won that Vanity phone number, 743-GAYS. And I remember that when they put it in, that the central office of 16 �Southwestern Bell, the supervisors, all got together in an office to dial that number and get that recording, because they'd heard about it. And Dean or Steve just happened to be walking by and noticed them all in there wondering what in the world they were doing on a speakerphone. They were listening to our phone number. And within the first few months of putting it in, some students at that Rhema Bible College took a pledge to try to tie up our line. And we understand that was even discussed in the classes, to encourage students to dial our number, because they thought it was not appropriate to have the gay helpline here. And so we had a tremendous volume for about the first six months, and many of them were just hanging up, trying to tie up our line. But the group of dedicated volunteers, we got through that first six months or so, and then got down to the point where we were getting very important calls from people needing health information, needing to know what was going on in the community. The tough ones were the younger people calling, because we at that time felt uncomfortable talking to anybody under 18. And fortunately, we found a couple of resources. I think one of the churches volunteered to be a resource for those that were under 18, and we would provide a phone number for them. But we started getting lots of very important calls. I think the line made a big difference in people's lives. Now, obviously, still 67 percent of the calls might be somebody out of town wanting to know what bar to go to, what activities might be in the community. But a lot of them, particularly, as Bob mentioned, kind of this pre- and emerging AIDS time frame, we could really start seeing the swing over to the health issues by 83, 84. Bob Inglish: Didn't we donate books to the public library? I mean, there wasn't hardly any gay books at the library, or knowledge. Didn't we donate books? Dennis Neill: I think we did. Kerry Lewis: Logistically, how did you guys handle the helpline? Was that kept at somebody's home? Mike Green: No. John Willis, who owns Zippers, volunteered Zippers for the helpline. He had a private office in there. Wasn't there a small office behind his office where we originally set it up? And then later, when we got our first offices, we moved it over there, of course. Kerry Lewis: The impact of HIV and AIDS on the community and your impressions of that. I'm not sure at the time it was happening that it was as clear as it might be now. Looking back on it, what did the sudden emergence of a gay disease, as it was called, have on the community in Tulsa? I Mike Green: think it came around. It evolved so slowly. I can remember sitting up at Rick's and a friend of mine who's no longer living, who's a doctor, reading from Time magazine. I think I handed it to him, a little excerpt about the gay cancer thing. And him just kind of marveling, what is this thing, gay cancer? This really can't be. You know, if it's disease, we're just gay people. It just slowly got bigger and bigger. And it wasn't a long time before it hit Tulsa. Bob Inglish: You could read about it and watch TV about it, but it was all going on in San Francisco and New York. You thought, well, this isn't going to happen in Tulsa. And then it just eventually started happening. One of the first things I remember was, 17 �do you remember, it was at Sophian Plaza. It was at Don Donaldson's apartment. There was this guy that had AIDS. And of course, at that point in time, he knew he had AIDS because he had Karposi. And he had an identical brother. And they were going to go to Baltimore or someplace to have this bone marrow thing. I mean, it was real early on. Dennis Neill: Gosh, I do remember that. Bob Inglish: And we charged like 50 cents. You had to make a donation of 50 cents or something like that to help this guy out, pay for this medical treatment. I mean, Lord only knows the watershed of dollars after that, whether 50 cents a person mattered. But I remember that distinctly. Mike Green: Yeah, now that you talk about that, I do remember something about that. Dennis Neill: Yeah, I had forgotten about that. And then the first one I remember was that by mid-1983, as we started having these TOHR meetings focused on HIV, we started getting aware of it. I think it was in like early 1984, an individual came to one of our meetings and was actually in a wheelchair and was HIV infected and was ill from that. That's the first individual I remember that came to an OHR meeting and was also clearly ill from AIDS. And one of the first deaths I remember was Randy Anderson's death. Bob Inglish: Well, that's who I was talking about. Dennis Neill: Oh, was it Randy? Okay. Bob Inglish: But we were talking about, A, the gay community being very sexualoriented, that you would meet a gay person at an airport and you would just be excited that you met a gay person and that there would be maybe a compulsion to have sex. Dennis Neill: Bob's speaking for himself here. Bob Inglish: Not me, I'm not talking about myself. But then the AIDS crisis comes along and, of course, everybody's sexual activity became very cautious and then so many of us have become coupled. And, of course, you were then saying that that wasn't true for the very older generation, but those people were never out. It's kind of a different generation. Mike Green: That well may be. Bob Inglish: But I can see now where before it was like, well, we're not going to get pregnant, so why not have sex? And you would have a gathering. I mean, Sunday brunch was always a big time. And it would be like, Dennis went home with so-andso and did this, and so-and-so went home with so-and-so. But no, I went home with so-and-so the night before. I mean, that was gay life, really. Mike Green: Well, I think it unfortunately or maybe I don't know what it is, that's still gay life. In many respects. After all, we do have a thing called safe sex nowadays and many people practice it. It's amazing where I live right now, there are a number of people who do not practice that. It's just kind of unbelievable but they don't. And 18 �they're very proud of not practicing safe sex. But now they do have safe sex and when AIDS first came out we didn't know what caused it. We thought if you could be around somebody you'd catch it. I remember a friend of mine went to California and came back and told me he'd been in a party where a guy was dying of AIDS. I said, how could you be near him? How would you be around him? So it was such a very scary thing. The disease was unknown as to how it was transmitted. So it's evolved and it better be bad that we know more about it and we know it's more difficult to catch than most things and that you've got to be promiscuous in certain ways to come down with it. So I still think that there's a lot of sex going on. In fact, that's one of the problems today with HIV spread, is that there's too much sex going on, too much promiscuity in the gay world. Bob Inglish: There certainly wasn't a lot of couples to maybe feel like you were modeling after that wasn't a very normal part of the gay community. And then we're talking now that at least gay people in other areas are adopting children and whatever it is. Mike Green: That is coming around. As far as older people, I have a lot of friends who have celebrated 50 years or more with the same partner. I'm not saying they've been in a monogamous relationship, but they've been together at least 50 years. Bob Inglish: I bet the percentages, though, are very different. You're talking about a pretty narrow percent of the population that you're talking about. Dennis and my generation, you're talking about a lot more people have established relationships and homes and things like that. Or do you not think so? Mike Green: Well, the only thing that will tell is time. Because I think maybe you have more monogamous relationships now than we had before. Dennis Neill: Well, it could be part of the deal, might be, don't you think? Not that there's these huge generational gaps here, but probably in your generation, Mike, there may be more people that were willing to live the lie, i.e., always stay married to a female, and therefore there weren't as many opportunities for some of those people to couple up with a guy where probably in our generation, certainly the younger generations, there's less acceptance of living the lie. And so much earlier on in their development, they may be looking at, one, exploring the sexual side of the gay life, but then, two, realizing that it is important hopefully at some point in time to find an individual that you can kind of revolve your life around. And then our societies get more mature in supporting those relationships. Mike Green: I think that's a good idea. It's much easier to maintain a gay marriage. Dennis Neill: I mean, this whole argument about gay marriage is so ridiculous because if the heterosexual world really wanted to help control the promiscuity issue, it'd be very supportive of the gay relationships, the gay unions, and so forth, much like the Netherlands has experienced and some of the other countries that have a much formalized union process to celebrate the union and to support it in various ways. Mike Green: And two, a lot of people I meet, I'm sure you guys have met too, they look at this idea of being married and getting into a heterosexual relationship and having children and so forth. It really belongs to the Midwest. It's not an East Coast 19 �thing, it's not a West Coast thing, but it belongs to Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas. It may well be. I don't know. I have a lot of friends in California now from Michigan, New York, San Francisco, and most of the guys have not been married and do not have children. Whereas back here, I still have a lot of friends who are my age who have raised families with grandmothers now. Some of the great grandmothers. Organizationally, you had mentioned that TOHR started in 1983 to deal with HIV by having programming that kind of revolved around educating or finding out what's going on with HIV. I know eventually there became testing, but what other kinds of things were going on in the early to mid-1980s involving HIV? [Tape Ended] 20 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Bob Inglish, Mike Green, and Dennis Neill Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 4, 2003 Description An account of the resource Bob Inglish, Mike Green and Dennis Neill Oral History Interview with Kerry Lewis on May 5, 2003 - Discover the early days of Tulsa's LGBTQ+ activism through the personal stories of key founders. This episode explores how the community built a social, legal, and health infrastructure amidst societal resistance and growing awareness of HIV/AIDS. Subject The topic of the resource Bob Inglish, Mike Green, and Dennis Neill Oral History Interview from May 5, 2003 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bob Inglish, Mike Green, Dennis Neill, Kerry Lewis 2003 activism AIDS AIDS/HIV Bob Inglish Dennis Neill Dennis R. Neill HIV HIV/AIDs interview Kerry Lewis Kerry R. Lewis Mike Green OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript TOHR transcript Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) video https://history.okeq.org/files/original/21d02a6d92c0f1bbc38aeacb4b197e21.mp4 d3d143b8975e231e89aee433ebbabac8 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/7fda3ee82db9d17466e3443f6b5400c5.pdf 2acf3458bfdcb44db5b39b13eba43da3 PDF Text Text �� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Dennis Neill Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 10, 2003 Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Laura Belmonte on December 10, 2003. Dennis discusses his early life growing up in Ponca City, Oklahoma, experiences at Oklahoma State University and the University of Texas Law School. In 1977, he moved to Tulsa to begin his legal career and then joining the Schusterman family in their oil and gas business. As a co-founder of the Tulsa Chapter of Oklahomans for Human Rights, which in 1985 became Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights and then in 2006 Oklahomans for Equality, he reviews the early years of the organization and involvement with other civic activities and the beginnings of the HIV/AIDS crisis in Tulsa and the community response. Subject The topic of the resource Dennis Neill Oral History Project Interview from December 10, 2003 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dennis Neill, Laura Belmonte 2003 AIDS AIDS/HIV Dennis Neill HIV/AIDs interview Laura A. Belmonte Laura Belmonte OkEq OKEQ Oral History Project Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (OSU) Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript OSU TOHR transcript Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) University of Texas University of Texas Law School video Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2004] Rex Ball Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 30, 2004 Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Laura Belmonte on January 30, 2004. Video and Transcript available at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center for on-site research. Born in Oklahoma City in 1934, he attended Oklahoma State University and served as a commissioned officer with the Army Corps of Engineers. Married in 1960, he and his wife had four daughters. In 1986, they divorced and he became involved in the Tulsa LGBTQ+ community when he moved to Tulsa in 1986. As a gay man, he entered into a long-term relationship and continued his work as a well-regarded architect and urban designer. Subject The topic of the resource Rex Ball Oral History Project Interview from January 30, 2004 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rex Ball, Laura Belmonte, Allison Richmond, Matthew D. Williams, Dennis Neill 2004 Allison Richmond available at Center interview Laura A. Belmonte Laura Belmonte Matthew D. Williams OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Rex Ball transcript video