30 20 644 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/683a4d754ac5db8340bc50dee27bd311.pdf bd8ca451c2a682e4fe218e391f367844 PDF Text Text 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality FAQ The following document answers some questions that we’ve received at the Equality Center over the past weeks and months. As staff, board members, advisors, and trustees we wanted to provide you with this resource as we continue to be as transparent as possible with our members and our community about what’s next for Oklahomans for Equality and the hard work everyone is doing to keep these critical programs and partnerships accessible for our community. We thank you for your patience as we work to stabilize our organization, rebuild trust, and move this organization forward in a way that serves our 2SLGBTQIA+ community for years to come. Our organization is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all our community members. It is important to acknowledge that our community is diverse, with members from various religious, cultural, and political backgrounds. We respect and value this diversity, as it enriches our understanding of the world and strengthens our ability to empathize with others. We encourage our members to engage in respectful dialogue and to seek understanding, even when faced with differing opinions or perspectives. It is through open and honest communication that we can foster a sense of unity and support within our community while still acknowledging the complexity of the world around us. If you have additional questions or concerns to share, we ask you to submit them on our Feedback form where they will be distributed to the proper individuals for awareness and response. Who is currently in charge of the Equality Center? Andi Gunter, who has been involved with the Center since 2019 and has been on staff since 2021, is serving as the Deputy Director of Oklahomans for Equality. Previously, she https://okeq.org/faq/ 1/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality served as the Health Clinic Operations Manager and has stepped up to lead the organization during this transition. Andi began her work at the Center as a volunteer as she sought resources and better understanding to support her trans daughter. Why did you hire Wendy Thomas as a consultant? Why not hire a new Executive Director right away? The OKEQ Board of Directors selected Wendy Thomas to facilitate this transition through a contract of 12 months because of her experience successfully leading a Tulsa nonprofit for more than 20 years and her specific expertise in nonprofit management, leadership transitions, and nonprofit best practices. The Board of Directors wishes to engage in deep, robust community participation in the process of strategic planning and selecting a new permanent executive director. Since this process will take time, the Board of Directors decided Wendy’s expertise would be invaluable for our staff and board while we work toward being ready to hire a new permanent executive director. At Leadership Tulsa, Wendy guided thousands of Tulsans through education, nonprofit, and civic engagement, and she developed programs that successfully educated and engaged underrepresented Tulsans in local nonprofit leadership positions including the Hispanic Leadership Institute, New Voices, Tulsa Changemakers, and a partnership with Oklahomans for Equality called Lead Together. Although not a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, she is an ally who is dedicated to supporting us and committed to engaging with everyone in our community through this transition process. What is the role of the consultant? Now through September, our consultant will be leading our Transition Team, assisting with organization stabilization, and conducting interviews with organization stakeholders to guide decision-making. In the fall, our consultant will help us with comprehensive strategic planning. Then, likely in the new year, she will help us launch a new Executive Director search effort. Until a permanent Executive Director is hired, all work will be overseen and reviewed by Andi Gunter, Deputy Director, as well as the OKEQ Board of Directors. https://okeq.org/faq/ 2/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality Why a Transition Team? To allow our staff to focus on the day-to-day needs of running the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, partnerships, and programs, the Executive Committee decided to assemble a Transition Team made up of volunteers, board members, and staff who can help with the extra efforts needed during this time. The Transition Team can focus on this transition period by supporting, supplementing, and guiding the work of our staff, committees, and various stakeholder groups. The Transition Team is made up of 2SLGBTQIA+ people who have served or are currently serving on the Board of Directors or Advisory Board or have volunteered for or partnered with OKEQ. They were asked to assist with the transition due to specific skill sets that can support this work including nonprofit management, communications, health care, fundraising, human relations, and DEI. It is important to note that the Board remains fully in charge of governance, policy setting, fiduciary oversight, and decisions about strategic direction including a new strategic plan, fundraising, and the search for the next Executive Director. How is the organization financially, right now? We are making progress in financially stabilizing the organization due in great part to support we’ve received from the community and new and long-time funders. The board has diligently streamlined the budget with additional short-term modifications in place as a new budget is developed to align with financial projections. We will be doing quarterly reforecasting and are committed to doing a financial audit every year for the next ten years even though our bylaws only require an audit every other year. We want to be transparent with our financials and cultivate confidence in our stakeholders. The I Am Equality Gala was a successful sold out event, and we are building our fundraising and grant-application pipeline to ensure we can continue to provide services, advocacy, community, and programs for and with our community. Financial updates are being provided monthly to our board, and these meetings are open to the public. Additionally, we post all finance reports on our website. Is the organization up to date with all federal filings including 990 forms? https://okeq.org/faq/ 3/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality We are up to date on all federal filings including the 990 forms that go to the Internal Revenue Service. Presently, we have worked with an independent external tax firm, and have timely filed the Form 990 for the 2022/2023 fiscal year, which was due in February 2024, and which covers our fiscal year starting on October 1, 2022, and ending on September 30, 2023. This form will be uploaded shortly to our public repository on our website. There are also copies of our Forms 990 going back to 2014. The IRS requires tax-exempt organizations to, at minimum, make the last 3 years’ worth of Forms 990 available for public inspection. We have chosen to provide additional years of forms on our website. Did OKEQ lose its accreditation? No. We are not aware of any accreditation required for 2SLGBTQIA+ community centers. We are compliant with all state and federal regulations for nonprofits. If you have specific concerns regarding this matter, please contact the Board President at president@okeq.org. Why did the Tulsa Pride including the festival, parade, and Rainbow Run move to October? Amidst a growing nationwide trend, Oklahomans for Equality has elected to move our Tulsa Pride festivities to October in 2024 and subsequent years. While we still celebrate the month of Pride in June and are engaged and supporting celebratory efforts, the Pride festival, parade, and Rainbow Run are tentatively scheduled for the weekend of October 11th through the 13th, which aligns with LGBT History Month and National Coming Out Day. This is still tentative until we definitively secure permitting from the City of Tulsa, which we have been working on diligently. This shift comes as a response to concerns about the scorching temperatures experienced in June that pose significant health risks for heat-related ailments. By transitioning the event to the fall season, we anticipate Tulsa Pride events will become safer and more inclusive for all attendees. Although historically we have hosted the Equality Gala in late spring and Tulsa Pride in June, this year having both in June created concerns about cash flow for the organization since our two largest events were back-to-back. Another consideration was our staff who tirelessly work to make these large scale events happen. Postponing OKEQ Pride events until the fall gives us a longer runway to raise the funding necessary for a great event, engage more volunteers, and incorporate community feedback. https://okeq.org/faq/ 4/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality What is the status of the investigation into the allegations of embezzlement? We continue to work with authorities to pursue avenues available to us to conclude the investigation and resolve the matter. We spoke to many of these issues in our previous report to the community. Starting in October 2022, OKEQ leadership implemented rigorous financial controls including engaging a nonprofit accounting firm to handle all finances, conducting a forensic audit, and implementing an annual CPA financial audit. Some of the new day-to-day controls include: multiple layers of approval for all invoices, specific approval from the board for the use of restricted funds to ensure that funds are used for intended purposes, elimination of all credit cards, and monthly meetings between the external accounting firm and the Finance Committee. Our audits demonstrate that OKEQ now has all of the needed and recommended financial controls in place. Our latest audit can be viewed here. 08/20/2024 Update: We have been informed that Paul Allen, the former Treasurer of Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ), has been charged with felony embezzlement. It is important to note that these charges are allegations, and Mr. Allen has not been convicted of any crime at this time. We are grateful to the Tulsa Police Department and Tulsa County’s District Attorney’s Office for their thorough investigation and ongoing efforts in this matter. We trust that the legal process will continue to unfold with fairness and due diligence. Our commitment to transparency and accountability remains unwavering, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as this case progresses. We appreciate the community's support and patience as we navigate this challenging situation. What is OKEQs relationship with the former Executive Director? Dorothy (Des) Ballard served as Interim and then Executive Director of Oklahomans for Equality starting in November 2022. In February, 2024, she left OKEQ. She was not terminated nor was she asked to tender her resignation. OKEQ wishes her the best. What is OKEQ’s stance on Indigenous and Two Spirit issues? The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is made up of a diverse group of individuals. OKEQ https://okeq.org/faq/ 5/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality recognizes that intersectionality (the ways in which queer identities intersect with race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, class, age, disability, country of origin, religion, languages spoken, and other identities) greatly impacts how certain people are able to move through the world and are perceived. In 2023, we changed our mission statement to include “2SLGBTQIA+” in an effort to center Two Spirit identities in recognition of the fact we are in Oklahoma and own a building on Muscogee Nation land. We have heard and understand that some Two Spirit and indigiqueer individuals have been hurt by our organization. We are committed to working in partnership on how to better serve 2SLGBTQIA+ indigenous people. Our staff and board will be undergoing training on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which will include how to be more anti-racist. Did OKEQ really ask the production of HBO’s We’re Here not to film? No. The HBO series We're Here was filmed in Oklahoma and aired this spring. In one of the episodes, an email was sent to the production of the show expressing concern about filming in Bartlesville due to political tensions since the Bartlesville City Council banned public drag performances. This email was not sent by Oklahomans for Equality located in Tulsa, but rather by Bartlesville Equality, a separate entity. While we did not issue this statement to We're Here, we understand the difficult nuances of being 2SLGBTQIA+ in a conservative, rural state where our community is always under threat of harm and violence. We look forward to the day when 2SLGBTQIA+ people and artists in Oklahoma don't feel like they have to choose between visibility and safety. What is OKEQ doing to rebuild trust with the community and answer criticisms about their engagement with parts of our diverse and intersectional community? We take feedback and criticisms about the diversity of our board and our relationships with our community seriously. For the past two years, the Board Governance Committee has utilized a board diversity matrix to help identify identity and skill-based gaps on the board. https://okeq.org/faq/ 6/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality We have also formed a new Community Relations Committee which will soon be launching a series of three community conversation sessions facilitated by our consultant to allow us to hear directly from community members in ways that will affect our decision-making and strategic plan going forward. If you would like to register for this event, please do so here. These are scheduled on the following dates: • Sunday, July 21 | 1 to 3 PM • Tuesday, August 6 | 6 to 8 PM • Monday, August 19 | 6 to 8 PM For those who don’t wish to attend a community conversation session, we are also launching a new feedback form on our website at https://okeq.org/feedback/. Furthermore, we will be putting out a community survey to hear from all members of our community. We commit to reinstituting quarterly town halls. We are reviewing our governance policies including future opportunities for public comment at board meetings. We are also reviewing our purpose and process for selecting advisory board members, engaging in community partnerships, and fundraising. We understand that some members of our community have not experienced the Equality Center as a safe or welcoming place, and we take those concerns seriously. We will be developing norms for all members and building users related to our interactions with others, methods for elevating concerns and filing incident reports, due process, opportunities for restoration, and fair and equally enforced consequences when restoration is not an option. In addition to training around board best practices, we are in the process of sourcing proposals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist training for our board and staff. We recognize that where there is no trust, there is no partnership, and we depend on our community partnerships to allow us to effectively serve the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We are working hard to balance the need to go fast and be responsive to our community’s concerns and going slow and taking the time to be thoughtful and inclusive of multiple perspectives. We are focused on the deep work of self-examination, process https://okeq.org/faq/ 7/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality improvement, consensus building, and strategic planning. This is not a one-and-done process. It will be work that must be engaged with over time and with great attention. If you see ways in which we are coming up short, we welcome the opportunity to do better. Our board members, advisors, trustees and staff are ready, willing, and able to accept your feedback. Should you not feel heard, please reach out to our Board President, Whitney Cipolla, at president@okeq.org or the Community Relations Chair, Yonah Sienna Jasper, at secretary@okeq.org. How can I support OKEQ during this time of transition? If you would like to volunteer at the front desk, please contact hannah.tamplin@okeq.org. If you would like to volunteer for the Pride planning committee, please fill out this interest form. If you are interested in Board committees open to the public, please fill out this form. How will the revenue from Gala be used? Expenditures and revenue numbers from the I Am Equality Gala are being finalized. We will share a report with the Board and public this summer. The budget saving measures were enacted for this year’s gala to maximize profitability and honor our commitment to financial responsibility. This included downsizing to a smaller venue while still honoring the contract with Cox Convention and Business Center, and eliminating an open bar in favor of a cash bar for patrons. The revenue generated from the gala directly impacts our operating budget and will be used for payroll, costs of maintaining the building, and community programming and services. The Board will continue to take stewardship of our resources very seriously. The Board will ensure that a budget for FY2025 maximizes the use of this revenue to continue to stabilize and move the Center forward. If you have comments or ideas our Board should consider during the budgeting process, please submit your thoughts via our feedback form. FEEDBACK https://okeq.org/faq/ 8/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality CONTACT 918-743-4297 Phone 918-938-6537 Health Clinic 918-295-6885 Fax LOCATION Dennis R. Neill Equality Center 621 E 4th ST Tulsa, OK 74120 HOURS Sunday – Monday Closed Tuesday – Thursday 9 am to 9 pm Friday 9 am to 6 pm Saturday 12 noon to 6pm OKEQ eNEWS SIGNUP Email * https://okeq.org/faq/ 9/10 �8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality First Name * Last Name * I'm not a robot reCAPTCHA Privacy - Terms Submit Copyright © 2019 Oklahomans for Equality Powered by UniComm Solutions https://okeq.org/faq/ 10/10 � 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 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ –Oklahomans for Equality OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY FAQ The following document answers some questions that we’ve received at the Equality Center over the past weeks and months. As staff, board members, advisors, and trustees we wanted to provide you with this resource as we continue to be as transparent as possible with our members and our community about what’s next for Oklahomans for Equality and the hard work everyone is doing to keep these critical programs and partnerships accessible for our community. We thank you for your patience as we work to stabilize our organization, rebuild trust, and move this organization forward in a way that serves our 2SLGBTQIA+ community for years to come. Our organization is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all our community members. It is important to acknowledge that our community is diverse, with members from various religious, cultural, and political backgrounds. We respect and value this diversity, as it enriches our understanding of the world and strengthens our ability to empathize with others. We encourage our members to engage in respectful dialogue and to seek understanding, even when faced with differing opinions or perspectives. It is through open and honest communication that we can foster a sense of unity and support within our community while still acknowledging the complexity of the world around us. If you have additional questions or concerns to share, we ask you to submit them on our Feedback form where they will be distributed to the proper individuals for awareness and response. Who is currently in charge of the Equality Center? Andi Gunter, who has been involved with the Center since 2019 and has been on staff since 2021, is serving as the Deputy Director of Oklahomans for Equality. Previously, she served as the Health Clinic Operations Manager and has stepped up to lead the organization during this transition. Andi began her work at the Center as a volunteer as she sought resources and better understanding to support her trans daughter. https://okeq.org/faq/ 1/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality Why did you hire Wendy Thomas as a consultant? Why not hire a new Executive Director right away? The OKEQ Board of Directors selected Wendy Thomas to facilitate this transition through a contract of 12 months because of her experience successfully leading a Tulsa nonprofit for more than 20 years and her specific expertise in nonprofit management, leadership transitions, and nonprofit best practices. The Board of Directors wishes to engage in deep, robust community participation in the process of strategic planning and selecting a new permanent executive director. Since this process will take time, the Board of Directors decided Wendy’s expertise would be invaluable for our staff and board while we work toward being ready to hire a new permanent executive director. At Leadership Tulsa, Wendy guided thousands of Tulsans through education, nonprofit, and civic engagement, and she developed programs that successfully educated and engaged underrepresented Tulsans in local nonprot leadership positions including the Hispanic Leadership Institute, New Voices, Tulsa Changemakers, and a partnership with Oklahomans for Equality called Lead Together. Although not a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, she is an ally who is dedicated to supporting us and committed to engaging with everyone in our community through this transition process. What is the role of the consultant? Now through September, our consultant will be leading our Transition Team, assisting with organization stabilization, and conducting interviews with organization stakeholders to guide decision-making. In the fall, our consultant will help us with comprehensive strategic planning. Then, likely in the new year, she will help us launch a new Executive Director search effort. Until a permanent Executive Director is hired, all work will be overseen and reviewed by Andi Gunter, Deputy Director, as well as the OKEQ Board of Directors. https://okeq.org/faq/ 2/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality Why a Transition Team? To allow our staff to focus on the day-to-day needs of running the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, partnerships, and programs, the Executive Committee decided to assemble a Transition Team made up of volunteers, board members, and staff who can help with the extra eorts needed during this time. The Transition Team can focus on this transition period by supporting, supplementing, and guiding the work of our staff, committees, and various stakeholder groups. The Transition Team is made up of 2SLGBTQIA+ people who have served or are currently serving on the Board of Directors or Advisory Board or have volunteered for or partnered with OKEQ. They were asked to assist with the transition due to specific skill sets that can support this work including nonprofit management, communications, health care, fundraising, human relations, and DEI. It is important to note that the Board remains fully in charge of governance, policy setting, fiduciary oversight, and decisions about strategic direction including a new strategic plan, fundraising, and the search for the next Executive Director. How is the organization nancially, right now? We are making progress in nancially stabilizing the organization due in great part to support we’ve received from the community and new and long-time funders. The board has diligently streamlined the budget with additional short-term modications in place as a new budget is developed to align with financial projections. We will be doing quarterly reforecasting and are committed to doing a financial audit every year for the next ten years even though our bylaws only require an audit every other year. We want to be transparent with our financials and cultivate condence in our stakeholders. The I Am Equality Gala was a successful sold out event, and we are building our fundraising and grant-application pipeline to ensure we can continue to provide services, advocacy, community, and programs for and with our community. Financial updates are being provided monthly to our board, and these meetings are open to the public. Additionally, we post all nance reports on our website. Is the organization up to date with all federal lings including 990 forms? https://okeq.org/faq/ 3/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality We are up to date on all federal lings including the 990 forms that go to the Internal Revenue Service. Presently, we have worked with an independent external tax firm, and have timely filed the Form 990 for the 2022/2023 scal year, which was due in February 2024, and which covers our fiscal year starting on October 1, 2022, and ending on September 30, 2023. This form will be uploaded shortly to our public repository on our website. There are also copies of our Forms 990 going back to 2014. The IRS requires tax-exempt organizations to, at minimum, make the last 3 years’ worth of Forms 990 available for public inspection. We have chosen to provide additional years of forms on our website. Did OKEQ lose its accreditation? No. We are not aware of any accreditation required for 2SLGBTQIA+ community centers. We are compliant with all state and federal regulations for nonprots. If you have specific concerns regarding this matter, please contact the Board President at president@okeq.org. Why did the Tulsa Pride including the festival, parade, and Rainbow Run move to October? Amidst a growing nationwide trend, Oklahomans for Equality has elected to move our Tulsa Pride festivities to October in 2024 and subsequent years. While we still celebrate the month of Pride in June and are engaged and supporting celebratory efforts, the Pride festival, parade, and Rainbow Run are tentatively scheduled for the weekend of October 11th through the 13th, which aligns with LGBT History Month and National Coming Out Day. This is still tentative until we denitively secure permitting from the City of Tulsa, which we have been working on diligently. This shift comes as a response to concerns about the scorching temperatures experienced in June that pose signicant health risks for heat-related ailments. By transitioning the event to the fall season, we anticipate Tulsa Pride events will become safer and more inclusive for all attendees. Although historically we have hosted the Equality Gala in late spring and Tulsa Pride in June, this year having both in June created concerns about cash ow for the organization since our two largest events were back-to-back. Another consideration was our staff who tirelessly work to make these large scale events happen. Postponing OKEQ Pride events until the fall gives us a longer runway to raise the funding necessary for a great event, engage more volunteers, and incorporate community feedback. https://okeq.org/faq/ 4/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality What is the status of the investigation into the allegations of embezzlement? We continue to work with authorities to pursue avenues available to us to conclude the investigation and resolve the matter. We spoke to many of these issues in our previous report to the community. Starting in October 2022, OKEQ leadership implemented rigorous nancial controls including engaging a nonprot accounting rm to handle all nances, conducting a forensic audit, and implementing an annual CPA financial audit. Some of the new day-to-day controls include: multiple layers of approval for all invoices, specific approval from the board for the use of restricted funds to ensure that funds are used for intended purposes, elimination of all credit cards, and monthly meetings between the external accounting firm and the Finance Committee. Our audits demonstrate that OKEQ now has all of the needed and recommended financial controls in place. Our latest audit can be viewed here. 08/20/2024 Update: We have been informed that Paul Allen, the former Treasurer of Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ), has been charged with felony embezzlement. It is important to note that these charges are allegations, and Mr. Allen has not been convicted of any crime at this time. We are grateful to the Tulsa Police Department and Tulsa County’s District Attorney’s Office for their thorough investigation and ongoing efforts in this matter. We trust that the legal process will continue to unfold with fairness and due diligence. Our commitment to transparency and accountability remains unwavering, and we will continue to cooperate fully with the authorities as this case progresses. We appreciate the community's support and patience as we navigate this challenging situation. What is OKEQs relationship with the former Executive Director? Dorothy (Des) Ballard served as Interim and then Executive Director of Oklahomans for Equality starting in November 2022. In February, 2024, she left OKEQ. She was not terminated nor was she asked to tender her resignation. OKEQ wishes her the best. What is OKEQ’s stance on Indigenous and Two Spirit issues? The 2SLGBTQIA+ community is made up of a diverse group of individuals. OKEQ recognizes that intersectionality (the ways in which queer identities intersect with race, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status, class, age, disability, country of origin, religion, languages spoken, and other identities) greatly impacts how certain people are able to move through the world and are perceived. https://okeq.org/faq/ 5/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality In 2023, we changed our mission statement to include “2SLGBTQIA+” in an effort to center Two Spirit identities in recognition of the fact we are in Oklahoma and own a building on Muscogee Nation land. We have heard and understand that some Two Spirit and indigiqueer individuals have been hurt by our organization. We are committed to working in partnership on how to better serve 2SLGBTQIA+ indigenous people. Our staff and board will be undergoing training on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which will include how to be more anti-racist. Did OKEQ really ask the production of HBO’s We’re Here not to film? No. The HBO series We're Here was filmed in Oklahoma and aired this spring. In one of the episodes, an email was sent to the production of the show expressing concern about filming in Bartlesville due to political tensions since the Bartlesville City Council banned public drag performances. This email was not sent by Oklahomans for Equality located in Tulsa, but rather by Bartlesville Equality, a separate entity. While we did not issue this statement to We're Here, we understand the difficult nuances of being 2SLGBTQIA+ in a conservative, rural state where our community is always under threat of harm and violence. We look forward to the day when 2SLGBTQIA+ people and artists in Oklahoma don't feel like they have to choose between visibility and safety. What is OKEQ doing to rebuild trust with the community and answer criticisms about their engagement with parts of our diverse and intersectional community? We take feedback and criticisms about the diversity of our board and our relationships with our community seriously. For the past two years, the Board Governance Committee has utilized a board diversity matrix to help identify identity and skill-based gaps on the board. https://okeq.org/faq/ 6/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality We have also formed a new Community Relations Committee which will soon be launching a series of three community conversation sessions facilitated by our consultant to allow us to hear directly from community members in ways that will affect our decision-making and strategic plan going forward. If you would like to register for this event, please do so here. These are scheduled on the following dates: • Sunday, July 21 | 1 to 3 PM • Tuesday, August 6 | 6 to 8 PM • Monday, August 19 | 6 to 8 PM For those who don’t wish to attend a community conversation session, we are also launching a new feedback form on our website at https://okeq.org/feedback/. Furthermore, we will be putting out a community survey to hear from all members of our community. We commit to reinstituting quarterly town halls. We are reviewing our governance policies including future opportunities for public comment at board meetings. We are also reviewing our purpose and process for selecting advisory board members, engaging in community partnerships, and fundraising. We understand that some members of our community have not experienced the Equality Center as a safe or welcoming place, and we take those concerns seriously. We will be developing norms for all members and building users related to our interactions with others, methods for elevating concerns and filing incident reports, due process, opportunities for restoration, and fair and equally enforced consequences when restoration is not an option. In addition to training around board best practices, we are in the process of sourcing proposals for diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist training for our board and staff. We recognize that where there is no trust, there is no partnership, and we depend on our community partnerships to allow us to effectively serve the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We are working hard to balance the need to go fast and be responsive to our community’s concerns and going slow and taking the time to be thoughtful and inclusive of multiple perspectives. We are focused on the deep work of self-examination, process improvement, consensus building, and strategic planning. This is not a one-and-done process. It will be work that must be engaged with over time and with great attention. https://okeq.org/faq/ 7/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality If you see ways in which we are coming up short, we welcome the opportunity to do better. Our board members, advisors, trustees and staff are ready, willing, and able to accept your feedback. Should you not feel heard, please reach out to our Board President, Whitney Cipolla, at president@okeq.org or the Community Relations Chair, Yonah Sienna Jasper, at secretary@okeq.org. How can I support OKEQ during this time of transition? If you would like to volunteer at the front desk, please contact hannah.tamplin@okeq.org. If you would like to volunteer for the Pride planning committee, please ll out this interest form. If you are interested in Board committees open to the public, please fill out this form. How will the revenue from Gala be used? Expenditures and revenue numbers from the I Am Equality Gala are being finalized. We will share a report with the Board and public this summer. The budget saving measures were enacted for this year’s gala to maximize protability and honor our commitment to financial responsibility. This included downsizing to a smaller venue while still honoring the contract with Cox Convention and Business Center, and eliminating an open bar in favor of a cash bar for patrons. The revenue generated from the gala directly impacts our operating budget and will be used for payroll, costs of maintaining the building, and community programming and services. The Board will continue to take stewardship of our resources very seriously. The Board will ensure that a budget for FY2025 maximizes the use of this revenue to continue to stabilize and move the Center forward. If you have comments or ideas our Board should consider during the budgeting process, please submit your thoughts via our feedback form. FEEDBACK https://okeq.org/faq/ 8/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality CONTACT 918-743-4297 Phone 918-938-6537 Health Clinic 918-295-6885 Fax LOCATION Dennis R. Neill Equality Center 621 E 4th ST Tulsa, OK 74120 HOURS Sunday – Monday Closed Tuesday – Thursday 9 am to 9 pm Friday 9 am to 6 pm Saturday 12 noon to 6pm OKEQ eNEWS SIGNUP Email * https://okeq.org/faq/ 9/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality First Name * Last Name * I'm not a robot reCAPTCHA Privacy - Terms Submit Copyright © 2019 Oklahomans for Equality Powered by UniComm Solutions https://okeq.org/faq/ 10/10 8/7/25, 3:55 PM FAQ – Oklahomans for Equality 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 [2024] OKEQ FAQs - August 2024 Subject The topic of the resource 2024 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers from Oklahomans for Equality, August 2024 Description An account of the resource 10 pages of a publicly available document posted to the main page of the Oklahomans for Equality website containing 16 frequently asked questions and answers regarding leadership transition, the organization's financial situation, moving Tulsa Pride to October, and the organization's relationship with intersecting communities. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Oklahomans for Equality https://okeq.org/faq/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Accessed August 7, 2025; last updated August 20, 2024 2024 Des Ballard Dorothy (Des) Ballard Dorothy Ballard embezzlement Equality Gala Equality Gala 2024 FAQ HBO We're Here I Am Equality Gala leadership transition OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ fundraising Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Oklahomans for Equality Executive Director Oklahomans for Equality fundraising pride festival pride Parade Pride Parade and festival Rainbow Run transition team Tulsa Pride Tulsa Pride 2024 two spirit We're Here Wendy Thomas https://history.okeq.org/files/original/a959e78bf14d0548997a4890b7f52d28.pdf 9fff8b7e77709bd5a2b852a1d522e838 PDF Text Text OKEq FAQs - February 2024 1. How is OkEq going to be more transparent? The OkEq Board is committed to transparency. All of our monthly Board meetings are open to the public and take place on the third Thursday of every month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Equality Center. All agendas, meeting minutes, and monthly financial reports, as well as our financial audit and bylaws can be found on our website. 2. What does it cost to operate OKEq? How many staff does the organization have? During fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 through September 2023), OKEq’s operating expenses were approximately $1.2 million. Oklahomans for Equality currently employs eight full-time staff. Six staff positions are salaried and two staff positions are hourly. A number of services (custodial, security, IT, and accounting) are provided through contracted services. 3. Why isn’t OkEq leveraging the foundations in Tulsa? OkEq has received immense support from the local foundations in Tulsa to maintain operations as we’ve rebuilt following the embezzlement. However, it was necessary to turn to the broader community for support to help bridge the funding gap between what we’ve been given by the foundations until we can reach our annual fundraising event, the Equality Gala, which is May 4, 2024. OkEq will expand efforts to better engage many historical donors who have been very generous in previous times. 4. Why are you putting the strain of fundraising on an already marginalized community? We understand times are tough financially for many in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We would never ask someone to give financially if that meant they wouldn’t be able to provide for their own needs. Oklahomans for Equality has poured into the lives of thousands though, and if people are in a fortunate enough position to give back, that means we as an organization can use that and pass it forward to the next person in need. This campaign has also received broad community support from those outside of the community who are allies. Furthermore, there are other ways people can support the mission of OkEq aside from financial giving. If you have time or talents and would like to get more involved, please consider volunteering at the Center, in our library, or on our Board. 5. Is OkEq closing if it doesn’t raise $100K by Valentine’s Day? Due to the generous support of the community, we have raised enough revenue to stay open for approximately the next two months at the current expense level. The Board and �staff now have additional time to secure new funding streams, take a hard look at the existing expenses, and make additional decisions about ways to reduce spending. While we understand the language used in the campaign sounded alarmist, we were at imminent risk of not being able to make payroll the week of Valentine’s Day. The Board selected the goal of $100K knowing that that would sustain the Center until our major fundraising event, The Equality Gala could get under way. The Board will expand efforts to better engage many historical donors who have been very generous in previous times. 6. Why didn’t you alert the community about the embezzlement sooner? We have tried to be as transparent as possible throughout this process. In November of 2022, the President of the Board of Directors first shared information about the situation to the public. We hosted the first community town hall in October of 2023. We will continue to hold quarterly town halls to encourage community dialogue. Please make sure you are subscribed to OkEq’s e-newsletter and are following us on social media to be notified of programs, services, and upcoming events. 7. Why didn’t the past OkEq Board and Executive Director realize at the time something was wrong when the embezzlement was actively happening? Past OkEq Board members just like the current Board are volunteers. This does not excuse past Boards from fault, but many do not come from a financial background. Even if the Board members had had financial acumen, we know that financial documents given to the Board were falsified to cover up wrongdoings. The former Executive Director who was at the helm during the period of embezzlement stepped down in June of 2022 and is no longer with the organization. We have three remaining Directors on our Board who overlapped with the previous Treasurer. One of the three is who first identified the malfeasance and informed the Board. The other two are trusted Board members who had no knowledge of the embezzlement occurring and have been supportive of all of the measures we’ve taken to insert financial controls. The Board Governance Committee has established OkEq’s first formal onboarding process to better educate and prepare new Board of Director members and Advisors. We also hosted a Board retreat with a session specifically focused on nonprofit finances. Additionally, we’ve instituted an audit committee and a finance committee to ensure accountability for the organization’s finances. The Board is committed to continued growth as well as learning and implementing best nonprofit Board practices. 8. What about all of the harm that OkEq has caused in the past? The current Board and leaders of OkEq recognize that even though we are responsible for a lot of good, that doesn’t negate the fact that we are responsible for a lot of very real harm. If we are going to be Oklahomans for Equality who run the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, we need to live up to the ideals of equality for all. This means looking at the �intersectional identities of all 2SLGBTQIA+ people and realizing there is no singular queer experience. We understand that some are frustrated that we have asked for funds without fully rectifying practices that cause harm. OkEq has tried to do this simultaneously, but rebuilding relationships and repairing relationships takes time. We were running out of time to be able to continue these conversations because of our financial position. We are working on a new membership model that puts more power and agency back in the hands of our members. Our staff does phenomenal work. The reality is that we are operating with only around 50% of the staff we should have for a Center our size. The changes to membership that we are currently working through will also allow an avenue for people to engage with OkEq leadership and ensure their voices are heard. � 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 <div style="text-align:center;">OKEq FAQs - February 2024 </div> 1. How is OkEq going to be more transparent? The OkEq Board is committed to transparency. All of our monthly Board meetings are open to the public and take place on the third Thursday of every month from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Equality Center. All agendas, meeting minutes, and monthly financial reports, as well as our financial audit and bylaws can be found on our website. 2. What does it cost to operate OKEq? How many staff does the organization have? During fiscal year 2023 (October 2022 through September 2023), OKEq’s operatingexpenses were approximately $1.2 million. Oklahomans for Equality currently employs eight full-time staff. Six staff positions are salaried and two staff positions are hourly. A number of services (custodial, security, IT, and accounting) are provided through contracted services. 3. Why isn’t OkEq leveraging the foundations in Tulsa? OkEq has received immense support from the local foundations in Tulsa to maintain operations as we’ve rebuilt following the embezzlement. However, it was necessary to turn to the broader community for support to help bridge the funding gap between what we’ve been given by the foundations until we can reach our annual fundraising event, the Equality Gala, which is May 4, 2024. OkEq will expand efforts to better engage many historical donors who have been very generous in previous times. 4. Why are you putting the strain of fundraising on an already marginalized community? We understand times are tough financially for many in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We would never ask someone to give financially if that meant they wouldn’t be able to provide for their own needs. Oklahomans for Equality has poured into the lives of thousands though, and if people are in a fortunate enough position to give back, that means we as an organization can use that and pass it forward to the next person in need. This campaign has also received broad community support from those outside of the community who are allies. Furthermore, there are other ways people can support the mission of OkEq aside from financial giving. If you have time or talents and would like to get more involved, please consider volunteering at the Center, in our library, or on our Board. 5. Is OkEq closing if it doesn’t raise $100K by Valentine’s Day? Due to the generous support of the community, we have raised enough revenue to stay open for approximately the next two months at the current expense level. The Board and staff now have additional time to secure new funding streams, take a hard look at the existing expenses, and make additional decisions about ways to reduce spending. While we understand the language used in the campaign sounded alarmist, we were at imminent risk of not being able to make payroll the week of Valentine’s Day. The Board selected the goal of $100K knowing that that would sustain the Center until our major fundraising event, The Equality Gala could get under way. The Board will expand efforts to better engage many historical donors who have been very generous in previous times. 6. Why didn’t you alert the community about the embezzlement sooner? We have tried to be as transparent as possible throughout this process. In November of 2022, the President of the Board of Directors first shared information about the situation to the public. We hosted the first community town hall in October of 2023. We will continue to hold quarterly town halls to encourage community dialogue. Please make sure you are subscribed to OkEq’s e-newsletter and are following us on social media to be notified of programs, services, and upcoming events. 7. Why didn’t the past OkEq Board and Executive Director realize at the time something was wrong when the embezzlement was actively happening? Past OkEq Board members just like the current Board are volunteers. This does not excuse past Boards from fault, but many do not come from a financial background. Even if the Board members had had financial acumen, we know that financial documents given to the Board were falsified to cover up wrongdoings. The former Executive Director who was at the helm during the period of embezzlement stepped down in June of 2022 and is no longer with the organization. We have three remaining Directors on our Board who overlapped with the previous Treasurer. One of the three is who first identified the malfeasance and informed the Board. The other two are trusted Board members who had no knowledge of the embezzlement occurring and have been supportive of all of the measures we’ve taken to insert financial controls. The Board Governance Committee has established OkEq’s first formal onboarding process to better educate and prepare new Board of Director members and Advisors. We also hosted a Board retreat with a session specifically focused on nonprofit finances. Additionally, we’ve instituted an audit committee and a finance committee to ensure accountability for the organization’s finances. The Board is committed to continued growth as well as learning and implementing best nonprofit Board practices. 8. What about all of the harm that OkEq has caused in the past? The current Board and leaders of OkEq recognize that even though we are responsible for a lot of good, that doesn’t negate the fact that we are responsible for a lot of very real harm. If we are going to be Oklahomans for Equality who run the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, we need to live up to the ideals of equality for all. This means looking at the intersectional identities of all 2SLGBTQIA+ people and realizing there is no singular queer experience. We understand that some are frustrated that we have asked for funds without fully rectifying practices that cause harm. OkEq has tried to do this simultaneously, but rebuilding relationships and repairing relationships takes time. We were running out of time to be able to continue these conversations because of our financial position. We are working on a new membership model that puts more power and agency back in the hands of our members. Our staff does phenomenal work. The reality is that we are operating with only around 50% of the staff we should have for a Center our size. The changes to membership that we are currently working through will also allow an avenue for people to engage with OkEq leadership and ensure their voices are heard. 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 [2024] OKEQ FAQs - February 2024 Subject The topic of the resource 2024 Frequently Asked Questions and Answers from OKEq, February 2024 Description An account of the resource 3 pages of a publicly available document posted to the main page of the Oklahomans for Equality website containing 8 frequently asked questions and answers from OKEq regarding the February fundraising event and organizational changes. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Oklahomans for Equality https://okeq.org/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 2024 100k to Valentine's Day 2024 FAQ frequently asked questions fundraisers fundraising OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ fundraising Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Oklahomans for Equality fundraising https://history.okeq.org/files/original/8999dc1279a85928871cb336a9c27f2e.pdf 278e5bfd12d192e24c198af1051068ca PDF Text Text REVENUE Grant Revenue Contributions Clinic Services Store/Vending Sales (net) Bar/Concession Sales (net) Lynn Riggs/KitchenRental Event/Ticket Sales EBA/OkEq Membership Gala PrideFestival & Bingo Art Gallery (net) Investment Income TOTAL REVENUE Unrestricted 250,000 250,000 70,000 10,000 20,000 25,000 25,000 10,000 350,000 15,000 500 1,025,500 Donor Restricted 16,000 27,600 - 43,600 EXPENDITURES Salaries & Wages Payroll Taxes and Benefits Contract Services IT Software/Equipment Accounting & Legal Fees Audt & 990 Fees HR Consultant Storage Insurance-Liability & Cyber Insurance-D&O Insurance-Workers Comp Insurance-Property Insurance-Clinic Insurance-Van Utilities/Phone Office expenses Cleaning & supplies Repairs & Maintenance Business Licenses & Permits Memberships and Subscriptions Marketing and Advertising Security (excluding Pride) Clinic Supplies & Lab Other Program Expenses Library Materials Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) Non-Cap Equipment Vehicle Expenses Meals & Entertainment Travel Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) Bank Fees & Charges 350,000 50,000 18,750 30,000 26,400 6,600 9,000 5,000 8,000 2,200 2,500 12,000 1,500 43,000 20,000 26,000 6,500 7,500 1,000 2,500 20,000 15,875 5,000 100 25,000 3,000 1,500 5,000 3,000 16,000 1,625 Gala Expenses Pride Festival Expenses TOTAL EXPENDITURES* 125,000 849,550 43,600 Net Revenue over Expenditures 175,950 - 10,000 3,000 23,500 6,000 1,100 Total Budget 266,000 277,600 70,000 10,000 20,000 25,000 25,000 10,000 350,000 Notes Clinic services are lower than projected, Initial budget was too much Based on current and projections, already received $19,180 This has been lower this year, only $5500 so far Even more than this is expected Pride moved to October-any sponsorship funds that come in will not be recognized 15,000 until next FY. Only Bingo is listed in budget. 500 1,069,100 350,000 staff reduction and not hiring ED until new FY 50,000 staff reduction 28,750 Regis McDaniel, Wendy Thomas 30,000 26,400 6,600 9,000 5,000 8,000 2,200 2,500 12,000 1,500 3,000 43,000 Actual costs have been less than projected 20,000 Reductions: software, office supplies 26,000 Monthly service has been temporarily eliminated, carpet cleaning is included. 30,000 Lynn Riggs and Kitchen, HVAC maintenance 13,500 This includes ABLE license application 1,000 2,500 20,000 15,875 Clinic activities are less than projected 5,000 1,200 25,000 3,000 1,500 Fuel, tag, maintenance 5,000 Support groups, youth activities 3,000 No additional out-of-state travel planned 16,000 Increased due to Valentines fundraiser 1,625 Reduced costs Althought Sue & Marcy's budget is a bit lower, I am putting a buffer due to increase of 125,000 patrons. Pride moved to FY2024 893,150 175,950 *Suggested that funds from Gala are restricted to FY2025 � 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 REVENUE Unrestricted Donor Restricted Total Budget Notes Grant Revenue 250,000 16,000 266,000 Contributions 250,000 27,600 277,600 Clinic Services 70,000 - 70,000 Clinic services are lower than projected, Initial budget was too much Store/Vending Sales (net) 10,000 - 10,000 Bar/Concession Sales (net) 20,000 - 20,000 Lynn Riggs/KitchenRental 25,000 - 25,000 Based on current and projections, already received $19,180 Event/Ticket Sales 25,000 - 25,000 EBA/OkEq Membership 10,000 - 10,000 This has been lower this year, only $5500 so far Gala 350,000 - 350,000 Even more than this is expected PrideFestival & Bingo 15,000 - 15,000 Pride moved to October-any sponsorship funds that come in will not be recognized until next FY. Only Bingo is listed in budget. Art Gallery (net) 500 500 Investment Income - - TOTAL REVENUE 1,025,500 43,600 1,069,100 - EXPENDITURES - Salaries & Wages 350,000 350,000 staff reduction and not hiring ED until new FY Payroll Taxes and Benefits 50,000 50,000 staff reduction Contract Services 18,750 10,000 28,750 Regis McDaniel, Wendy Thomas IT Software/Equipment 30,000 30,000 Accounting & Legal Fees 26,400 26,400 Audt & 990 Fees 6,600 6,600 HR Consultant 9,000 9,000 Storage 5,000 5,000 Insurance-Liability & Cyber 8,000 - 8,000 Insurance-D&O 2,200 - 2,200 Insurance-Workers Comp 2,500 - 2,500 Insurance-Property 12,000 - 12,000 Insurance-Clinic 1,500 - 1,500 Insurance-Van - 3,000 3,000 Utilities/Phone 43,000 43,000 Actual costs have been less than projected Office expenses 20,000 20,000 Reductions: software, office supplies Cleaning & supplies 26,000 26,000 Monthly service has been temporarily eliminated, carpet cleaning is included. Repairs & Maintenance 6,500 23,500 30,000 Lynn Riggs and Kitchen, HVAC maintenance Business Licenses & Permits 7,500 6,000 13,500 This includes ABLE license application Memberships and Subscriptions 1,000 1,000 Marketing and Advertising 2,500 2,500 Security (excluding Pride) 20,000 20,000 Clinic Supplies & Lab 15,875 15,875 Clinic activities are less than projected Other Program Expenses 5,000 5,000 Library Materials 100 1,100 1,200 Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) 25,000 25,000 Non-Cap Equipment 3,000 3,000 Vehicle Expenses 1,500 1,500 Fuel, tag, maintenance Meals & Entertainment 5,000 5,000 Support groups, youth activities Travel 3,000 3,000 No additional out-of-state travel planned Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) 16,000 16,000 Increased due to Valentines fundraiser Bank Fees & Charges 1,625 1,625 Reduced costs Gala Expenses 125,000 125,000 Althought Sue & Marcy's budget is a bit lower, I am putting a buffer due to increase of patrons. Pride Festival Expenses - - Pride moved to FY2024 TOTAL EXPENDITURES* 849,550 43,600 893,150 - Net Revenue over Expenditures 175,950 - 175,950 *Suggested that funds from Gala are restricted to FY2025 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 [2024] OKEQ FY2024 Budget Revision Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Revision from June 6, 2024 Description An account of the resource 1 page of the revised Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) budget for the fiscal year of 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 6, 2024 2024 budget budgeting Financial OkEq Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/2966bf6258db63547f9cc48e393b7b87.pdf 277b4191954a83a22a14519257bad1d4 PDF Text Text REVENUE Grant Revenue Contributions Clinic Services Store/Vending Sales (net) Bar/Concession Sales (net) Lynn Riggs/KitchenRental Event/Ticket Sales EBA/OkEq Membership Gala PrideFestival & Bingo Art Gallery (net) Investment Income TOTAL REVENUE* OKEQ Internal Actual FYE 9/30/2023 $268,455 ( $217,730 ( $60,804 ( $8,874 ( $20,699 ( $5,063 ( $40,706 ( $18,891 ( $262,174 ( $249,672 ( $1,873 ( $0 ( 1,154,941 ( EXPENDITURES Salaries & Wages Benefits Contract Services IT Software/Equipment Accounting & Legal Fees Insurance Utilities/Phone Office expenses Cleaning & supplies Repairs & Maintenance Business Licenses & Permits Memberships Marketing and Advertising Security (excluding Pride) Clinic Supplies & Lab Other Program Expenses Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) Non-Cap Equipment Vehicle Expenses Meals & Entertainment Travel Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) Bank Fees & Charges Gala Expenses Pride Festival Expenses $352,490 ( $36,981 ( $49,626 ( $42,707 ( $81,340 ( $24,815 ( $45,582 ( $26,850 ( $21,552 ( $27,699 ( $4,964 ( $2,416 ( $1,474 ( $14,683 ( $15,435 ( $8,617 ( $16,725 ( $4,519 ( $178 ( $4,030 ( $2,228 ( $5,499 ( $2,404 ( $125,070 ( $218,495 ( TOTAL EXPENDITURES* 1,136,379 ( Proposed Budget Notes 350,000) 225,000) 95,000) Increase in services in FY2024 8,000) Net out Cost of goods sold 25,000) Net out Cost of goods sold 15,000) $600/month plus events 25,000) 15,000) 250,000) 225,000) Includes Pride Bingo 2,000) Net out artists costs 2,000) 1,237,000) 460,000) At current staff capacity. 91,000) Payroll taxes, phone, and benefits 12,000) HR $750/month plus flexibility 30,000) Avg $2500/month 30,000) OKNPP $2200/mo, audit and 990 28,000) Includes 10% increase 48,000) based on current 30,000) Supplies, software, printing, postage 31,000) $2500/mo plus supplies 30,000) 7,500) City permits, ABLE 2,500) 2,500) 25,000) 25,000) 5,000) 25,000) 3,000) 7,500) Van Storage$375/mo plus maintenance 5,000) 6,000) 6,000) 2,000) 125,000) 200,000) 1,237,000) �Net Revenue over Expenditures ( 18,562) ( - ) � 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 REVENUE OKEQ Internal Actual FYE 9/30/2023 Proposed Budget Notes Grant Revenue $268,455 ( 350,000) Contributions $217,730 ( 225,000) Clinic Services $60,804 ( 95,000) Increase in services in FY2024 Store/Vending Sales (net) $8,874 ( 8,000) Net out Cost of goods sold Bar/Concession Sales (net) $20,699 ( 25,000) Net out Cost of goods sold Lynn Riggs/KitchenRental $5,063 ( 15,000) $600/month plus events Event/Ticket Sales $40,706 ( 25,000) EBA/OkEq Membership $18,891 ( 15,000) Gala $262,174 ( 250,000) PrideFestival & Bingo $249,672 ( 225,000) Includes Pride Bingo Art Gallery (net) $1,873 ( 2,000) Net out artists costs Investment Income $0 ( 2,000) TOTAL REVENUE* 1,154,941 ( 1,237,000) EXPENDITURES Salaries & Wages $352,490 ( 460,000) At current staff capacity. Benefits $36,981 ( 91,000) Payroll taxes, phone, and benefits Contract Services $49,626 ( 12,000) HR $750/month plus flexibility IT Software/Equipment $42,707 ( 30,000) Avg $2500/month Accounting & Legal Fees $81,340 ( 30,000) OKNPP $2200/mo, audit and 990 Insurance $24,815 ( 28,000) Includes 10% increase Utilities/Phone $45,582 ( 48,000) based on current Office expenses $26,850 ( 30,000) Supplies, software, printing, postage Cleaning & supplies $21,552 ( 31,000) $2500/mo plus supplies Repairs & Maintenance $27,699 ( 30,000) Business Licenses & Permits $4,964 ( 7,500) City permits, ABLE Memberships $2,416 ( 2,500) Marketing and Advertising $1,474 ( 2,500) Security (excluding Pride) $14,683 ( 25,000) Clinic Supplies & Lab $15,435 ( 25,000) Other Program Expenses $8,617 ( 5,000) Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) $16,725 ( 25,000) Non-Cap Equipment $4,519 ( 3,000) Vehicle Expenses $178 ( 7,500) Van Storage$375/mo plus maintenance Meals & Entertainment $4,030 ( 5,000) Travel $2,228 ( 6,000) Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) $5,499 ( 6,000) Bank Fees & Charges $2,404 ( 2,000) Gala Expenses $125,070 ( 125,000) Pride Festival Expenses $218,495 ( 200,000) TOTAL EXPENDITURES* 1,136,379 ( 1,237,000) Net Revenue over Expenditures ( 18,562) ( - ) 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 [2024] OKEQ FY2024 Draft Budget Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Draft from February 12, 2024 Description An account of the resource 2 pages of a draft of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) budget for the fiscal year of 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 12, 2024 2023 2024 budget budgeting Financial OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/82e1ad4b35fd36fc03c731e87fd62957.pdf 0e8361bba9cc13e68f49514328c5c38f PDF Text Text OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY FY2024 Financial Statements Preliminary-unaudited �Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Statement of Financial Position As of September 30, 2024 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 577,378 Accounts Receivable/POS System 5,007 Endowment-TFC-Capital 27,724 Endowment-TFC-Op 14,139 Prepaid Expenses 62,428 Inventory 8,946 Fixed Assets (Less: Accum. Dep) 1,117,415 TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,813,037 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts Payable 18,199 Deferred Revenue 79,886 Accrued Expenses Payable 1,666 Payroll Payable 7,753 PTO Accrual Payable 19,763 Artists Payable 103 Sales tax to Pay 942 Total Liabilities $ 128,311 Net Assets With Donor Restriction 31,316 Without Donor Restriction 1,653,410 Total Net Assets $ 1,684,726 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 1,813,037 �Oklahoman's for Equality Statement of Activity October 1, 2023 - September 2024 Revenue Grant Revenue Contributions Clinic Services Sales Event/Kitchen Rental EBA/OKEQ Memberships Equality Gala Pride Festival & Bingo Misc Income Investment Income Total Revenue 255,794 324,548 76,030 26,296 26,670 7,881 571,891 11,277 276 231 1,300,893 Expenditures Personnel Contract Services Storage Insurance Office & Utilitie Expenses Business Licenses & Permits Marketing and Advertising Security Clinic Supplies & Lab Program Expenses Non-Cap Equipment Travel Bank Fees & CC Fees Gala Expenses Pride Festival & Bingo Total Expenditures 441,078 98,965 4,482 28,278 130,854 11,417 800 16,503 12,935 70,249 3,180 2,859 13,454 106,912 5,407 947,371 Depreciation-Fixed Assets Amortization-Building & Land Net Revenue over Expenses 7,619 93,384 252,520 � 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 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY FY2024 Financial Statements Preliminary-unaudited Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Statement of Financial Position As of September 30, 2024 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 577,378 Accounts Receivable/POS System 5,007 Endowment-TFC-Capital 27,724 Endowment-TFC-Op 14,139 Prepaid Expenses 62,428 Inventory 8,946 Fixed Assets (Less: Accum. Dep) 1,117,415 TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,813,037 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts Payable 18,199 Deferred Revenue 79,886 Accrued Expenses Payable 1,666 Payroll Payable 7,753 PTO Accrual Payable 19,763 Artists Payable 103 Sales tax to Pay 942 Total Liabilities $ 128,311 Net Assets With Donor Restriction 31,316 Without Donor Restriction 1,653,410 Total Net Assets $ 1,684,726 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 1,813,037 Oklahoman's for Equality Statement of Activity October 1, 2023 - September 2024 Revenue Grant Revenue 255,794 Contributions 324,548 Clinic Services 76,030 Sales 26,296 Event/Kitchen Rental 26,670 EBA/OKEQ Memberships 7,881 Equality Gala 571,891 Pride Festival & Bingo 11,277 Misc Income 276 Investment Income 231 Total Revenue 1,300,893 Expenditures Personnel 441,078 Contract Services 98,965 Storage 4,482 Insurance 28,278 Office & Utilitie Expenses 130,854 Business Licenses & Permits 11,417 Marketing and Advertising 800 Security 16,503 Clinic Supplies & Lab 12,935 Program Expenses 70,249 Non-Cap Equipment 3,180 Travel 2,859 Bank Fees & CC Fees 13,454 Gala Expenses 106,912 Pride Festival & Bingo 5,407 Total Expenditures 947,371 Depreciation-Fixed Assets 7,619 Amortization-Building & Land 93,384 Net Revenue over Expenses 252,520 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 [2024] OKEQ FY2024 Financial Statements Unaudited Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Preliminary Unaudited Financial Statements Description An account of the resource 3 pages of financial statements for Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) for the fall period of 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 30, 2024 2023 2024 Financial financial statements OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) statement of activity https://history.okeq.org/files/original/07f31b1526363bd70f1324014054f91c.pdf 78fdba7bf6ea9f3bdd9b4d9fc2c96023 PDF Text Text REVENUE Grant Revenue Contributions I Am Equality Giving Corps Clinic Services Store/Vending Sales (net) Bar/Concession Sales (net) Rentals (Theater/Kitchen/Event Center) Event/Ticket Sales Equality Business Alliance OKEQ Membership Gala (net proceeds) Pride Festival & Bingo Art Gallery/Misc Investment Income TOTAL REVENUE BUDGET FY2024 266,000 277,600 70,000 10,000 20,000 25,000 25,000 5,000 5,000 350,000 500 1,054,100 EXPENDITURES Salaries & Wages Payroll Taxes and Benefits Contract Services Storage Insurance-Liability & Cyber Insurance-D&O Insurance-Workers Comp Insurance-Property Insurance-Clinic Insurance-Van Utilities/Phone (see tab) Office expenses (see tab) Cleaning & supplies Repairs & Maintenance Business Licenses & Permits Memberships and Subscriptions Marketing and Advertising Security (excluding Pride) Clinic Supplies & Lab Other Program Expenses Community Outreach Library Materials Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) Non-Cap Equipment Vehicle Expenses Meals & Entertainment Travel & Training Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) Bank Fees & Charges Gala Expenses Pride Festival Expenses TOTAL EXPENDITURES* Net Revenue over Expenditures Actual OctAugust 247,294 318,589 67,878 7,190 13,353 26,070 7,565 7,526 571,891 11,398 368 2 1,279,124 BUDGET FY2025 200,000 125,000 125,000 75,000 10,000 15,000 35,000 30,000 10,000 5,000 (net) 225,000 248,924 1,000 2,000 1,106,924 350,000 50,000 100,750 5,000 8,000 2,200 2,500 12,000 1,500 3,000 43,000 20,000 26,000 30,000 13,500 1,000 2,500 20,000 15,875 5,000 1,200 25,000 3,000 1,500 5,000 3,000 16,000 1,625 125,000 893,150 331,127 62,773 87,125 4,084 6,414 2,007 3,323 10,433 991 2,557 33,376 30,100 14,283 35,413 7,213 1,198 85 16,298 10,794 1,122 1,361 10,758 3,180 155 3,298 2,879 11,778 1,209 106,912 3,806 806,052 409,333 71,078 101,850 4,560 8,000 2,200 3,800 12,000 1,500 3,000 34,380 27,000 12,000 20,000 2,000 1,500 1,200 20,000 15,000 7,500 24,000 8,500 15,000 7,500 3,000 5,000 10,000 10,000 500 233,946 1,075,347 160,950 473,072 31,577 (included above) � 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 REVENUE BUDGET FY2024 Actual Oct-August BUDGET FY2025 Grant Revenue 266,000 247,294 200,000 Contributions 277,600 318,589 125,000 I Am Equality Giving Corps - - 125,000 Clinic Services 70,000 67,878 75,000 Store/Vending Sales (net) 10,000 7,190 10,000 Bar/Concession Sales (net) 20,000 13,353 15,000 Rentals (Theater/Kitchen/Event Center) 25,000 26,070 35,000 Event/Ticket Sales 25,000 7,565 30,000 Equality Business Alliance 5,000 7,526 10,000 OKEQ Membership 5,000 (included above) 5,000 Gala (net proceeds) 350,000 571,891 (net) 225,000 Pride Festival & Bingo - 11,398 248,924 Art Gallery/Misc 500 368 1,000 Investment Income - 2 2,000 TOTAL REVENUE 1,054,100 1,279,124 1,106,924 EXPENDITURES Salaries & Wages 350,000 331,127 409,333 Payroll Taxes and Benefits 50,000 62,773 71,078 Contract Services 100,750 87,125 101,850 Storage 5,000 4,084 4,560 Insurance-Liability & Cyber 8,000 6,414 8,000 Insurance-D&O 2,200 2,007 2,200 Insurance-Workers Comp 2,500 3,323 3,800 Insurance-Property 12,000 10,433 12,000 Insurance-Clinic 1,500 991 1,500 Insurance-Van 3,000 2,557 3,000 Utilities/Phone (see tab) 43,000 33,376 34,380 Office expenses (see tab) 20,000 30,100 27,000 Cleaning & supplies 26,000 14,283 12,000 Repairs & Maintenance 30,000 35,413 20,000 Business Licenses & Permits 13,500 7,213 2,000 Memberships and Subscriptions 1,000 1,198 1,500 Marketing and Advertising 2,500 85 1,200 Security (excluding Pride) 20,000 16,298 20,000 Clinic Supplies & Lab 15,875 10,794 15,000 Other Program Expenses 5,000 1,122 7,500 Community Outreach - - 24,000 Library Materials 1,200 1,361 8,500 Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) 25,000 10,758 15,000 Non-Cap Equipment 3,000 3,180 7,500 Vehicle Expenses 1,500 155 3,000 Meals & Entertainment 5,000 3,298 5,000 Travel & Training 3,000 2,879 10,000 Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) 16,000 11,778 10,000 Bank Fees & Charges 1,625 1,209 500 Gala Expenses 125,000 106,912 - Pride Festival Expenses - 3,806 233,946 TOTAL EXPENDITURES* 893,150 806,052 1,075,347 Net Revenue over Expenditures 160,950 473,072 31,577 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 [2024] OKEQ FY2025 Budget Approved September 2024 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Approved September 2024 Description An account of the resource 1 page of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) budget for the fiscal year of 2025, approved in September 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2024 2024 2025 budget budgeting Financial OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/69ffbd3173a19891e4e35ec57b1a1985.pdf ba216b5df64947e913e202bd9852526f PDF Text Text OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY Finance Report June 2024 unaudited �Oklahoman's for Equality Cash Position As of June 2024 Current Cash Balance Accounts Receivable (Less: Restricted Grants/Funds) (Less: Affiliate/Chapters) Available Unrestricted Funds $ $ 513,427 (5,780) (5,958) 501,689 Restricted Grants/Funds As of June 2024 Balance Grant/Activity Name SAGE USA History Project Coordinator Rainbow Library Van Insurance SAGE-Support Group Total Restricted Grants 612.73 2,880.01 294.47 1,953.00 40.00 5,780 Affiliate Balances As of June 2024 Group Name Balance Green Country Bears SEQ McAlester Chapter Tulsa2Spirit Society Total Affiliates/Chapters 640.21 1,793.83 3,523.89 5,957.93 �Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Revenue Grant Revenue Contributions Clinic Services Pride Store (Net) Bar/Concession (Net) Art Gallery Event/Shows Ticket Sales Event/Kitchen Rental EBA/OKEQ Memberships Equality Gala Pride Festival & Bingo Misc Income Investment Income Total Revenue 266,000 277,600 70,000 10,000 20,000 500 25,000 25,000 10,000 350,000 15,000 1,069,100 249,700 269,628 52,934 7,448 11,915 95 7,565 23,220 6,014 417,105 12,246 10 1,057,879 Expenditures Salaries & Wages Payroll Taxes and Benefits IT Software/Equipment Accounting & Legal Fees Audt & 990 Fees HR Consultant Other Contract Services Storage Insurance-Liability & Cyber Insurance-D&O Insurance-Workers Comp Insurance-Property Insurance-Clinic Insurance-Van Utilities/Phone Office expenses Cleaning & supplies Repairs & Maintenance 350,000 50,000 30,000 26,400 6,600 9,000 28,750 5,000 8,000 2,200 2,500 12,000 1,500 3,000 43,000 20,000 26,000 30,000 281,783 56,099 18,785 18,350 5,800 6,750 15,149 3,313 5,291 1,738 2,655 8,036 811 2,034 22,413 25,701 15,828 26,777 �Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Expenditures Cont. Business Licenses & Permits Memberships and Subscriptions Marketing and Advertising Security (excluding Pride) Clinic Supplies & Lab Other Program Expenses Library Materials Event Expenses (excl Pride and G Non-Cap Equipment Vehicle Expenses Meals & Entertainment Travel Transaction Fees (excl Pride and G Bank Fees & Charges Gala Expenses Pride Festival & Bingo Total Expenditures 13,500 1,000 2,500 20,000 15,875 5,000 1,200 25,000 3,000 1,500 5,000 3,000 16,000 1,625 125,000 893,150 6,723 1,198 85 15,718 8,997 1,247 1,361 8,009 3,180 124 3,158 2,879 11,052 1,209 66,755 2,538 651,543 Release of Restriction to Gala Net Revenue over Expenses 175,950 (25,000) 381,336 �Oklahoman's for Equality Gala 2024 As of 06/30/24 Revenue Sponsorships Contributions Tickets Raffle Auction Live Ask Total Revenue Actual 364,750 29,055 23,300 417,105 Expenditures Cox Business IT Costs Printing Advertising/Marketing Entertainers Other Event Costs Transaction Fees Total Expenditures 48,001 1,200 6,350 7,321 3,883 66,755 Revenue over Expenses 350,350 � 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 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY Finance Report June 2024 unaudited Oklahoman's [sic] for Equality Cash Position As of June 2024 Current Cash Balance $ 513,427 Accounts Receivable - (Less: Restricted Grants/Funds) (5,780) (Less: Affiliate/Chapters) (5,958) Available Unrestricted Funds $ 501,689 Restricted Grants/Funds As of June 2024 Balance Grant/Activity Name SAGE USA 612.73 History Project Coordinator 2,880.01 Rainbow Library 294.47 Van Insurance 1,953.00 SAGE-Support Group 40.00 Total Restricted Grants 5,780 Affiliate Balances As of June 2024 Group Name Balance Green Country Bears 640.21 SEQ McAlester Chapter 1,793.83 Tulsa2Spirit Society 3,523.89 Total Affiliates/Chapters 5,957.93 Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Revenue Grant Revenue 266,000 249,700 Contributions 277,600 269,628 Clinic Services 70,000 52,934 Pride Store (Net) 10,000 7,448 Bar/Concession (Net) 20,000 11,915 Art Gallery 500 95 Event/Shows Ticket Sales 25,000 7,565 Event/Kitchen Rental 25,000 23,220 EBA/OKEQ Memberships 10,000 6,014 Equality Gala 350,000 417,105 Pride Festival & Bingo 15,000 12,246 Misc Income - 10 Investment Income - - Total Revenue 1,069,100 1,057,879 Expenditures Salaries & Wages 350,000 281,783 Payroll Taxes and Benefits 50,000 56,099 IT Software/Equipment 30,000 18,785 Accounting & Legal Fees 26,400 18,350 Audt & 990 Fees 6,600 5,800 HR Consultant 9,000 6,750 Other Contract Services 28,750 15,149 Storage 5,000 3,313 Insurance-Liability & Cyber 8,000 5,291 Insurance-D&O 2,200 1,738 Insurance-Workers Comp 2,500 2,655 Insurance-Property 12,000 8,036 Insurance-Clinic 1,500 811 Insurance-Van 3,000 2,034 Utilities/Phone 43,000 22,413 Office expenses 20,000 25,701 Cleaning & supplies 26,000 15,828 Repairs & Maintenance 30,000 26,777 Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Expenditures Cont. Business Licenses & Permits 13,500 6,723 Memberships and Subscriptions 1,000 1,198 Marketing and Advertising 2,500 85 Security (excluding Pride) 20,000 15,718 Clinic Supplies & Lab 15,875 8,997 Other Program Expenses 5,000 1,247 Library Materials 1,200 1,361 Event Expenses (excl Pride and G 25,000 8,009 Non-Cap Equipment 3,000 3,180 Vehicle Expenses 1,500 124 Meals & Entertainment 5,000 3,158 Travel 3,000 2,879 Transaction Fees (excl Pride and G 16,000 11,052 Bank Fees & Charges 1,625 1,209 Gala Expenses 125,000 66,755 Pride Festival & Bingo - 2,538 Total Expenditures 893,150 651,543 Release of Restriction to Gala (25,000) Net Revenue over Expenses 175,950 381,336 Oklahoman's for Equality Gala 2024 As of 06/30/24 Actual Revenue Sponsorships 364,750 Contributions 29,055 Tickets 23,300 Raffle - Auction - Live Ask - Total Revenue 417,105 Expenditures Cox Business 48,001 IT Costs 1,200 Printing 6,350 Advertising/Marketing - Entertainers - Other Event Costs 7,321 Transaction Fees 3,883 Total Expenditures 66,755 Revenue over Expenses 350,350 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 [2024] OKEQ June 2024 Unaudited Finance Report Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Finance Report for June 2024, Unaudited Description An account of the resource 5 pages of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) finance report for the month of June 2024. Includes the organization's cash position, restricted grants/funds, affiliate balances, budget vs. actual, and Equality Gala revenue over expenses. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 30, 2024 2024 budget budgeting Equality Gala Equality Gala 2024 Financial financial reports gala grants OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://history.okeq.org/files/original/d5b1521e58237069547f1d28a137397b.pdf fb1c579e8f855c98cf18f017bc85cfa5 PDF Text Text Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-1 OKEQ RESOLUTION ON COMMUNITY INPUT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHEREAS the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) is committed to fostering trust, accountability, transparency and participation amongst our members and community stakeholders, ACKNOWLEDGING that OkEq does not have a formal policy for public and membership input directed at the Board of Directors, independent of the members’ grievance process outlined in the bylaws, RECOGNIZING that the input of diverse voices from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities is beneficial to our organization and necessary for success in our mission, OBSERVING that members of the community have requested more ways to provide meaningful input regarding the direction of the organization, AFFIRMING that our boards, committees, members, and stakeholders are best served by having diverse ways to provide input, as well as diverse avenues for receiving reflection, response, and action, NOTING that our organization is currently in a time of deep transition and transformation with many developments on the horizon, KNOWING that what is needed during our journey can and should change as we continue to advance through this transitional and transformational time, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors, that Oklahomans for Equality takes the following actions forthwith: 1. RECOMMIT to hosting Town Hall events no less than once per quarter for fiscal year 2025 (October 1st, 2024 through September 30th, 2025). �Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 2. HOST no fewer than three (3) Community Café events BEFORE the end of fiscal year 2024 (September 30th, 2024) with the purpose of gathering input from members and community stakeholders as we develop OkEq’s medium and long-term strategic plans. 3. DISSEMINATE a Community Survey to be open until the end of fiscal year 2024 for the purpose of collecting additional qualitative and quantitative data to ensure our future decisions are based in a sound understanding of the needs and desires of the diverse communities that we represent and serve. 4. DIRECT the Governance Committee to continue its investigation into potential benefits, rights, and structures for membership, including development of policies around participation in boards, committees, subcommittees, and meetings. 5. ALLOW for ongoing community input to the board of directors by prominently featuring an open-ended feedback form on the OkEq website. All feedback entered in this form shall be delivered to the Board President, Board Secretary, and Executive Director. If any of these positions are vacant, the feedback will be directed to whomever the board designates as the appropriate person to fill their duties. 6. MANDATE that the Community Relations Committee deliver a report at every regularly scheduled board meeting that must include a high level summary of feedback received through this form since the last report, and an overview of actions taken in response. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. __________________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: ________________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary � 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 oklahomans for equality RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-1 OKEQ RESOLUTION ON COMMUNITY INPUT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHEREAS the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) is committed to fostering trust, accountability, transparency and participation amongst our members and community stakeholders, ACKNOWLEDGING that OkEq does not have a formal policy for public and membership input directed at the Board of Directors, independent of the members’ grievance process outlined in the bylaws, RECOGNIZING that the input of diverse voices from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities is beneficial to our organization and necessary for success in our mission, OBSERVING that members of the community have requested more ways to provide meaningful input regarding the direction of the organization, AFFIRMING that our boards, committees, members, and stakeholders are best served by having diverse ways to provide input, as well as diverse avenues for receiving reflection, response, and action, NOTING that our organization is currently in a time of deep transition and transformation with many developments on the horizon, KNOWING that what is needed during our journey can and should change as we continue to advance through this transitional and transformational time, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors, that Oklahomans for Equality takes the following actions forthwith: 1. RECOMMIT to hosting Town Hall events no less than once per quarter for fiscal year 2025 (October 1st, 2024 through September 30th, 2025). Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 2. HOST no fewer than three (3) Community Café events BEFORE the end of fiscal year 2024 (September 30th, 2024) with the purpose of gathering input from members and community stakeholders as we develop OkEq’s medium and long-term strategic plans. 3. DISSEMINATE a Community Survey to be open until the end of fiscal year 2024 for the purpose of collecting additional qualitative and quantitative data to ensure our future decisions are based in a sound understanding of the needs and desires of the diverse communities that we represent and serve. 4. DIRECT the Governance Committee to continue its investigation into potential benefits, rights, and structures for membership, including development of policies around participation in boards, committees, subcommittees, and meetings. 5. ALLOW for ongoing community input to the board of directors by prominently featuring an open-ended feedback form on the OkEq website. All feedback entered in this form shall be delivered to the Board President, Board Secretary, and Executive Director. If any of these positions are vacant, the feedback will be directed to whomever the board designates as the appropriate person to fill their duties. 6. MANDATE that the Community Relations Committee deliver a report at every regularly scheduled board meeting that must include a high level summary of feedback received through this form since the last report, and an overview of actions taken in response. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. [Whitney Cipolla's signature] __________________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: [Yonah Jasper's signature] ________________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 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 [2024] OKEQ Resolution FY 24-1 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Resolution No. FY 24-1: OKEQ Resolution on Community Input to the Board of Directors Description An account of the resource 2 pages of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Resolution No. FY 24-1: OKEQ Resolution on Community Input to the Board of Directors. It was adopted by the board on July 18, 2024, and signed and sealed on August 4, 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 4, 2024 2024 Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Yonah Jasper Community Cafe Community Relations Committee community survey Diversity executive director Governance Committee OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Executive Director OKEQ Resolution OKEQ Resolution No. FY-1 Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board resolution resolution adoption Resolution FY 24-1 town hall Whitney Cipolla Yonah Jasper https://history.okeq.org/files/original/57718ed845d9fc098e2c7c172e75307e.pdf 6f37ea44ed07c65d894381e1a0af4e2a PDF Text Text Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-2 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize the establishment of banking relationships for the corporation. WHEREAS: To effectively manage the funds of the corporation, the Finance Committee of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommends that the Board of Directors approve an extension of the banking relationship the corporation currently holds with Grand Bank by authorizing the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account to allow unused funds to earn interest while remaining easily accessible for the corporation’s operational needs. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. authorizes the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account with Grand Bank. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the signing authority on the account to the following officers of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, and (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4 th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary � 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-2 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize the establishment of banking relationships for the corporation. WHEREAS: To effectively manage the funds of the corporation, the Finance Committee of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommends that the Board of Directors approve an extension of the banking relationship the corporation currently holds with Grand Bank by authorizing the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account to allow unused funds to earn interest while remaining easily accessible for the corporation’s operational needs. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. authorizes the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account with Grand Bank. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the signing authority on the account to the following officers of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, and (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. [Whitney Cipolla's signature] ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: [Yonah Jasper's signature] ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 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 [2024] OKEQ Resolution FY 24-2 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Resolution No. FY 24-2 by the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Description An account of the resource 1 page of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Resolution No. FY 24-2 by the Board of Directors of OKEQ, Inc. regarding the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account with Grand Bank. It was adopted by the board on July 18, 2024, and signed and sealed on August 4, 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 4, 2024 2024 Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Yonah Jasper Board Treasurer Board Treasurer Eddie Carreno Board Vice President Board Vice President Paula Shannon Eddie Carreno Finance Committee Financial Grand Bank OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Board President OKEQ Board Secretary OKEQ financials OKEQ Resolution OKEQ Resolution No. FY 24-2 Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Paula Shannon resolution resolution adoption Resolution FY 24-2 Treasurer Eddie Carreno Vice President Paula Shannon Whitney Cipolla Yonah Jasper https://history.okeq.org/files/original/df3afeae778e443958da1aa1edeba2dc.pdf de434f64cde48b6f85350054ced8f1c7 PDF Text Text Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-3 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize officers and/or employees of the corporation to execute contracts and/or disburse payments in the name of the corporation. WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. plans to organize and hold the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities starting on Friday, October 11, 2024, and ending Sunday, October 13, 2024, and as a result will need to begin paying security deposits and executing contracts to ensure the smooth operation of such festivities. WHEREAS: To effectively and responsibly manage the disbursement of funds by the corporation in support of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommend that the Board of Directors grant prior approval for the below listed items that are expected to exceed the $10,000.00 threshold requiring board approval, set forth by the corporation’s bylaws. This prior approval shall grant contracting authority, at the below prescribed limits and for the below defined purposes, so that the relevant officers and/or employees of the corporation may execute any relevant contracts and/or disburse any payments related to any such items. The items referenced above are as follows: (1) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for the purposes of event liability insurance; (2) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs; (3) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed; (4) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. WHEREAS: To effectively plan and execute the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. also recommend that the Board of Directors waive the open competition requirements for the above referenced expenditures, as set forth in Section 6.1 of the Finance Policy Manual. Due to the nature of such expenditures, it may be counterproductive and/or extremely difficult to obtain the required minimum number of bids, and therefore waiving such requirements would reduce administrative burden. This waiver shall only apply to these specific above referenced expenditures for the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. grants prior approval for contracting authority and disbursement of payments, and waives open competition 1 �Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 requirements, for the purposes of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, for the following items: (1) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for event liability insurance, (2) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs, (3) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed, and (4) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the contract authority on the above referenced expenditure items to the following officers and/or employees of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer, and (4) Andi Gunter in her official capacity as Deputy Director. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted in executive session at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 12 directors were present and with a final vote of 12 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 2 � 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-3 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize officers and/or employees of the corporation to execute contracts and/or disburse payments in the name of the corporation. WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. plans to organize and hold the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities starting on Friday, October 11, 2024, and ending Sunday, October 13, 2024, and as a result will need to begin paying security deposits and executing contracts to ensure the smooth operation of such festivities. WHEREAS: To effectively and responsibly manage the disbursement of funds by the corporation in support of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommend that the Board of Directors grant prior approval for the below listed items that are expected to exceed the $10,000.00 threshold requiring board approval, set forth by the corporation’s bylaws. This prior approval shall grant contracting authority, at the below prescribed limits and for the below defined purposes, so that the relevant officers and/or employees of the corporation may execute any relevant contracts and/or disburse any payments related to any such items. The items referenced above are as follows: (1) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for the purposes of event liability insurance; (2) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs; (3) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed; (4) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. WHEREAS: To effectively plan and execute the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. also recommend that the Board of Directors waive the open competition requirements for the above referenced expenditures, as set forth in Section 6.1 of the Finance Policy Manual. Due to the nature of such expenditures, it may be counterproductive and/or extremely difficult to obtain the required minimum number of bids, and therefore waiving such requirements would reduce administrative burden. This waiver shall only apply to these specific above referenced expenditures for the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. grants prior approval for contracting authority and disbursement of payments, and waives open competition requirements, for the purposes of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, for the following items: (1) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for event liability insurance, (2) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs, (3) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed, and (4) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. 1 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the contract authority on the above referenced expenditure items to the following officers and/or employees of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer, and (4) Andi Gunter in her official capacity as Deputy Director. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted in executive session at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 12 directors were present and with a final vote of 12 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. [Whitney Cipolla's signature] ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: [Yonah Jasper's signature] ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 2 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 [2024] OKEQ Resolution FY 24-3 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Resolution No. FY 24-3 by the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Description An account of the resource 2 pages of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Resolution No. FY 24-3 by the Board of Directors of OKEQ, Inc. regarding the approved spending amounts for certain items for 2024 Tulsa Pride activities. It was adopted by the board on July 18, 2024, and signed and sealed on August 4, 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 4, 2024 2024 Andi Gunter Board Deputy Director Andi Gunter Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Yonah Jasper Board Treasurer Board Treasurer Eddie Carreno Board Vice President Paula Shannon Eddie Carreno Finance Committee Financial OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board Deputy Director OKEQ Board Deputy Director Andi Gunter OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Board President OKEQ Board President Whitney Cipolla OKEQ Board Secretary OKEQ Board Secretary Yonah Jasper OKEQ Board Treasurer OKEQ Board Treasurer Eddie Carreno OKEQ Board Vice President OKEQ Board Vice President Paula Shannon OKEQ financials OKEQ Resolution No. FY 24-3 Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Paula Shannon Pride 2024 Pride Committee pride festival pride Parade Pride Parade and festival resolution resolution adoption Resolution FY 24-3 Tulsa Pride Tulsa Pride 2024 Whitney Cipolla Yonah Jasper https://history.okeq.org/files/original/bd984b4bd1ceb3a8aeadb45903b8a96b.pdf 4578c3bc796e0704e128ba48b46abd41 PDF Text Text Press Release Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000 OKEq board members provide additional information on the state of the organization and announce leadership transition For Immediate Release Tulsa, OK (February 13, 2024) - Following a recent fundraising effort focused on sustaining operations, the Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Board of Directors is providing an update on the organization's financial status. "As of Monday, February 12, OkEq has received just over $70,000 in donations," Board President Eric Wilson said. "We are encouraged by and optimistic about the outpouring of support we've seen over the last few days. We are looking forward to working together as a board and with our donors and volunteers to build a plan that will secure OkEq's future for generations to come." Representatives from OkEq say that the organization's financial challenges are rooted in a few related issues occurring prior to 2022: fiscal mismanagement by a former volunteer, a lack of adequate financial controls to ensure appropriate oversight and accurate accounting, and operating beyond available revenue. Vice President Bob Hanson said, “In February 2022, the former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed.This process was cumbersome and took a great deal of time and volunteer hours.” A police report was filed with the Tulsa Police Department in September 2022. Once the forensic audit was completed in August 2023, it was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. At this time, the OkEq Board awaits further information and updates from the Tulsa Police Department about the status of the ongoing investigation. The Board immediately set out to create appropriate financial oversight and develop a full financial picture. Through this process, the Board of Directors also uncovered that in years prior to 2022, restricted funds were reallocated to cover monthly expenses. Steps were immediately taken to prevent this kind of reallocation from occurring. “So while expenses were covered at any given time, OkEq was spending more non-restricted cash than it had,” explained President Eric Wilson. “It has taken over a year to create a clear financial picture. We have much work to do to better engage with local �philanthropy, historical donors, and our business community. We now have strong fiscal foundations in place to confidently do so.” In the last several months, representatives from the OkEq’s Executive Committee also shared that the organization experienced a decrease in end-of-year giving. Charitable donations in the fall and early winter have historically supported the organization until major spring fundraisers occur. In the last 18 months, OKEq’s executive director and board members have worked urgently to implement rigorous financial controls, including: ● ● ● ● In October 2022, engaged with an accounting firm, with expertise in non-profit accounting to handle all of the finances for the organization. In November 2022, Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit which was completed in August 2023. The new Treasurer, who has an extensive background in finance, implemented necessary controls and processes to ensure accuracy and transparency. Some of the new controls and processes include multiple layers of approval for all invoices, specific approval from the executive committee for the use of restricted funds to ensure that funds are used for intended purposes, elimination of all credit cards, monthly meetings between the external accounting firm and the Finance Committee. An external Certified Public Accounting Firm was hired to complete a financial audit. This was completed and reviewed by the Board in January 2024. The results of the audit demonstrated that the organization now has all of the needed and recommended financial controls in place. This audit can be reviewed here. The Board of Directors and Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard have also worked with staff and community members to identify and prioritize OkEq's most essential services. Maintaining the health clinic, mental health services, and youth and elder programming are at the top of the list. Even with improved controls and prioritized services, OKEq’s Board and staff will urgently pursue continued fundraising efforts with intentional outreach to Tulsa’s philanthropic and business communities, long-standing donors of the Center, and local and national grant opportunities. Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard has made incredible strides in steering OkEq’s restructuring and stabilization through the strategic plan developed under her leadership. She recently stepped back to ensure that work could continue as she focuses on meeting serious health challenges. “My time at OkEq has been an honor and a privilege that now must sadly end. The Board had been working with me to ensure a smooth transition as I face these critical health challenges but the remaining deficit in our funding required I take that step sooner to ensure staff and programming could be preserved” said Ballard. “I’m proud of all we have accomplished and will remain an active advocate of OkEq, its mission, and our community.” �Vice President Hanson shared, “We thank Des for her work, passion, and love for the Tulsa 2SLGBTQIA+ community.” Over the next few months, the OkEq Board will take urgent steps to chart a sustainable path forward for the Center. Some key next steps are to Identify an interim executive director, to work with staff to determine how to best support essential programming at the Center as existing revenue is maximized, and to continue to engage local foundations and long-term donors and supporters in fundraising efforts. Community members interested in supporting OkEq can visit https://OkEq.org/donate/ to make a tax-deductible donation. ### �The information below provides a high-level overview of the actions taken by OkEq’s Board of Directors as it navigated through a set of organizational and financial challenges from February 2022 through present. One timeline shares the steps taken to create effective financial oversight. The second timeline provides information about fundraising efforts. Creating Financial Oversight February 2022: The former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed. In addition, the Board added members with strong financial backgrounds to provide stronger oversight. September 2022: Initial report filed about potential embezzlement with Tulsa Police Department October 2022: The Board contracted with Oklahoma Nonprofit Partners, an outside accounting firm who specializes in non-profit accounting, to handle all of the finances for the organization. November 2022: Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit. Letter shared with OkEq members and community to explain the potential embezzlement and steps taken. April 2023: The Board voted unanimously to amend the bylaws to require the Treasurer be a member of the Board of Directors and subject the position to term limits in line with all of the other executive committee officers. August 2023: The forensic audit was completed. A copy of the audit report was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. October 2023: Certified Public Accounting firm hired to complete a standard annual financial audit. January 2024: Annual financial audit completed for the first time since 2015. This audit also allows OkEq to seek more funding opportunities. �Fundraising April 2022: The 2022 Equality Gala generated enough revenue to sustain the organization for several months. Summer and Fall of 2022: Several Tulsa area foundations supported the organization with enough funding to maintain operations through 2022. January/February 2023: Additional funding was given by individuals and area foundations that ensured the continued operation of the organization. May 2023: The 2023 Equality Gala raised enough donations to sustain the organization for several months. June–September 2023: OkEq hired a grant coordinator to focus on identifying and writing for new grants. A number of grant applications for grants which were attainable without a financial audit were submitted. OkEq also received funding from several area foundations that were able to assist to get us through 2023. January 2024: It becomes clear to the Board that OkEq received much less in end-of-year giving than typical. This lack of revenue significantly impacted revenue and cash flow. February 2024: OkEq launches the “100K to Valentine’s Day” fundraiser. ED Dorothy ‘Des’ Ballard elects to step away as a cost saving measure. � 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 <div style="text-align:center;">Press Release</div> <div style="text-align:center;">Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000</div> <div style="text-align:center;">OKEq board members provide additional information on the state of the organization and announce leadership transition For Immediate Release </div> Tulsa, OK (February 13, 2024) - Following a recent fundraising effort focused on sustaining operations, the Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Board of Directors is providing an update on the organization's financial status. "As of Monday, February 12, OkEq has received just over $70,000 in donations," Board President Eric Wilson said. "We are encouraged by and optimistic about the outpouring of support we've seen over the last few days. We are looking forward to working together as a board and with our donors and volunteers to build a plan that will secure OkEq's future for generations to come." Representatives from OkEq say that the organization's financial challenges are rooted in a few related issues occurring prior to 2022: fiscal mismanagement by a former volunteer, a lack of adequate financial controls to ensure appropriate oversight and accurate accounting, and operating beyond available revenue. Vice President Bob Hanson said, “In February 2022, the former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed.This process was cumbersome and took a great deal of time and volunteer hours.” A police report was filed with the Tulsa Police Department in September 2022. Once the forensic audit was completed in August 2023, it was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. At this time, the OkEq Board awaits further information and updates from the Tulsa Police Department about the status of the ongoing investigation. The Board immediately set out to create appropriate financial oversight and develop a full financial picture. Through this process, the Board of Directors also uncovered that in years prior to 2022, restricted funds were reallocated to cover monthly expenses. Steps were immediately taken to prevent this kind of reallocation from occurring. “So while expenses were covered at any given time, OkEq was spending more non-restricted cash than it had,” explained President Eric Wilson. “It has taken over a year to create a clear financial picture. We have much work to do to better engage with local philanthropy, historical donors, and our business community. We now have strong fiscal foundations in place to confidently do so.” In the last several months, representatives from the OkEq’s Executive Committee also shared that the organization experienced a decrease in end-of-year giving. Charitable donations in the fall and early winter have historically supported the organization until major spring fundraisers occur. In the last 18 months, OKEq’s executive director and board members have worked urgently to implement rigorous financial controls, including: ● In October 2022, engaged with an accounting firm, with expertise in non-profit accounting to handle all of the finances for the organization. ● In November 2022, Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit which was completed in August 2023. ● The new Treasurer, who has an extensive background in finance, implemented necessary controls and processes to ensure accuracy and transparency. Some of the new controls and processes include multiple layers of approval for all invoices, specific approval from the executive committee for the use of restricted funds to ensure that funds are used for intended purposes, elimination of all credit cards, monthly meetings between the external accounting firm and the Finance Committee. ● An external Certified Public Accounting Firm was hired to complete a financial audit. This was completed and reviewed by the Board in January 2024. The results of the audit demonstrated that the organization now has all of the needed and recommended financial controls in place. This audit can be reviewed here. The Board of Directors and Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard have also worked with staff and community members to identify and prioritize OkEq's most essential services. Maintaining the health clinic, mental health services, and youth and elder programming are at the top of the list. Even with improved controls and prioritized services, OKEq’s Board and staff will urgently pursue continued fundraising efforts with intentional outreach to Tulsa’s philanthropic and business communities, long-standing donors of the Center, and local and national grant opportunities. Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard has made incredible strides in steering OkEq’s restructuring and stabilization through the strategic plan developed under her leadership. She recently stepped back to ensure that work could continue as she focuses on meeting serious health challenges. “My time at OkEq has been an honor and a privilege that now must sadly end. The Board had been working with me to ensure a smooth transition as I face these critical health challenges but the remaining deficit in our funding required I take that step sooner to ensure staff and programming could be preserved” said Ballard. “I’m proud of all we have accomplished and will remain an active advocate of OkEq, its mission, and our community.” Vice President Hanson shared, “We thank Des for her work, passion, and love for the Tulsa 2SLGBTQIA+ community.” Over the next few months, the OkEq Board will take urgent steps to chart a sustainable path forward for the Center. Some key next steps are to Identify an interim executive director, to work with staff to determine how to best support essential programming at the Center as existing revenue is maximized, and to continue to engage local foundations and long-term donors and supporters in fundraising efforts. Community members interested in supporting OkEq can visit https://OkEq.org/donate/ to make a tax-deductible donation. <div style="text-align:center;"> ###</div> The information below provides a high-level overview of the actions taken by OkEq’s Board of Directors as it navigated through a set of organizational and financial challenges from February 2022 through present. One timeline shares the steps taken to create effective financial oversight. The second timeline provides information about fundraising efforts. <div style="text-align:center;">Creating Financial Oversight</div> February 2022: The former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed. In addition, the Board added members with strong financial backgrounds to provide stronger oversight. September 2022: Initial report filed about potential embezzlement with Tulsa Police Department October 2022: The Board contracted with Oklahoma Nonprofit Partners, an outside accounting firm who specializes in non-profit accounting, to handle all of the finances for the organization. November 2022: Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit. Letter shared with OkEq members and community to explain the potential embezzlement and steps taken. April 2023: The Board voted unanimously to amend the bylaws to require the Treasurer be a member of the Board of Directors and subject the position to term limits in line with all of the other executive committee officers. August 2023: The forensic audit was completed. A copy of the audit report was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. October 2023: Certified Public Accounting firm hired to complete a standard annual financial audit. January 2024: Annual financial audit completed for the first time since 2015. This audit also allows OkEq to seek more funding opportunities. <div style="text-align:center;">Fundraising</div> April 2022: The 2022 Equality Gala generated enough revenue to sustain the organization for several months. Summer and Fall of 2022: Several Tulsa area foundations supported the organization with enough funding to maintain operations through 2022. January/February 2023: Additional funding was given by individuals and area foundations that ensured the continued operation of the organization. May 2023: The 2023 Equality Gala raised enough donations to sustain the organization for several months. June–September 2023: OkEq hired a grant coordinator to focus on identifying and writing for new grants. A number of grant applications for grants which were attainable without a financial audit were submitted. OkEq also received funding from several area foundations that were able to assist to get us through 2023. January 2024: It becomes clear to the Board that OkEq received much less in end-of-year giving than typical. This lack of revenue significantly impacted revenue and cash flow. February 2024: OkEq launches the “100K to Valentine’s Day” fundraiser. ED Dorothy ‘Des’ Ballard elects to step away as a cost saving measure. 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 [2024] Press Release: "Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000" Subject The topic of the resource 2024 Press Release: "Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000: OKEq board members provide additional information on the state of the organization and announce leadership transition" Description An account of the resource A 5 page document from Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) outlining the money donated to the organization during a fundraising event and the transfer of leadership from Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard. Includes two charts tracking the timelines of OkEq's financial oversights and fundraising. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 13, 2024 100k to Valentine's Day 2024 Board President Eric Wilson Bob Hanson Des Ballard donations donors Dorothy (Des) Ballard Dorothy Ballard Eric Wilson executive director Executive Director Des Ballard Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard fundraisers fundraising OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Board President OKEQ Board President Eric Wilson OKEQ Board Vice President OKEQ donations OKEQ donors OKEQ Executive Committee OKEQ Executive Director OKEQ Executive Director Des Ballard OKEQ Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard OKEQ fundraising OKEQ Vice President Bob Hanson Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Oklahomans for Equality Executive Director Oklahomans for Equality fundraising press release Vice President Bob Hanson https://history.okeq.org/files/original/c4e4ab6a86452eca7ce441241c62a20b.pdf 33021efb3fdc448bab9ce21e290a91e0 PDF Text Text 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory  Vernon Leon Jones May 03, 1935 - February 05, 2024 Share:    Obituary Event & Services Charities & Donations Gallery Videos https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 1/4 �2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Guestbook Send Flowers Obituary Vernon Leon Jones, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, left this earthly plane to be with his late partner Phil Wiley, on February 5th, 2024. He was born in Oklahoma, on May 3rd, 1935. As a gay man, born and raised here, Vernon’s chosen family is vast. He is survived by Hayward Jones, Nekesha Jones, JaKobe Jones, Sue Davis, Fred Hilliard, Arlowe Clementine, Mason Thomas, Rey Thomas, and so many other individuals that claimed Vernon as their friend, family, and elder. Vernon was an active learner, even in his later years. He was always working to understand the world around him and was eternally hopeful for a better world. He was a strong advocate for marginalized peoples and was particularly committed to Queer and Black Liberation. Vernon was a clear Taurus. He was intelligent, dependable, logical, honest, and generous. Vernon spent most of his life focused on making his community better. He was a holder of receipts. A maker of spreadsheets. A true community historian and archivist. Vernon was dedicated to making people safer, both in his career in emergency management and his activist work in the fight against AIDS. He was not a stranger to controversy and was unrelenting in speaking his truth and the truth of the people he loved. In the years before his death, Vernon worked hard to ensure that the legacy of LGBTQ activism in Tulsa was properly recorded and preserved for current and future generations. His substantial archive is now housed in Oklahoma State University’s Archives. This collection will be witnessed by researchers and community members for years to come. Vernon was a connector. He worked hard to bring people together and was always willing to give someone support that needed it. Even in his death, he is connecting individuals over their shared love and respect for him and his life. Vernon fought hard for his community and the legacy of his late partner Phil Wiley. Anyone who knew Vernon was graced with stories of Phil’s life and legacy as well as their love for one another. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you remember Vernon by learning something new, taking a stand on social issues that are important to you, and keeping his life and legacy alive through storytelling. https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 2/4 �2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Vernon’s memorial service will take place March 1st at 11 AM at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home (2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104). ABOUT US “We will always be kind and we will never take advantage of you or your family at your saddest time” is our promise to you. BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME  2103 E 3rd St Tulsa, OK 74104  (918) 587-7000  info@butler-stumpff.com  Available 24/7 https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 3/4 �2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory VISIT US Butler-Stumpff … View larger map Map data ©2025 Report a map error © Copyright 2025 | Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory | Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved | Blog https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 4/4 � 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] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > In Memoriam Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Digital Media: 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 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Butler-Stumpff & Dyer funeral home, crematory, cemetery Vernon Leon Jones May 03, 1935 - February 05, 2024 Share:    Obituary Event & Services Charities & Donations Gallery Videos https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 1/4 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Guestbook Send Flowers Obituary Vernon Leon Jones, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, left this earthly plane to be with his late partner Phil Wiley, on February 5th, 2024. He was born in Oklahoma, on May 3rd, 1935. As a gay man, born and raised here, Vernon’s chosen family is vast. He is survived by Hayward Jones, Nekesha Jones, JaKobe Jones, Sue Davis, Fred Hilliard, Arlowe Clementine, Mason Thomas, Rey Thomas, and so many other individuals that claimed Vernon as their friend, family, and elder. Vernon was an active learner, even in his later years. He was always working to understand the world around him and was eternally hopeful for a better world. He was a strong advocate for marginalized peoples and was particularly committed to Queer and Black Liberation. Vernon was a clear Taurus. He was intelligent, dependable, logical, honest, and generous. Vernon spent most of his life focused on making his community better. He was a holder of receipts. A maker of spreadsheets. A true community historian and archivist. Vernon was dedicated to making people safer, both in his career in emergency management and his activist work in the ght against AIDS. He was not a stranger to controversy and was unrelenting in speaking his truth and the truth of the people he loved. In the years before his death, Vernon worked hard to ensure that the legacy of LGBTQ activism in Tulsa was properly recorded and preserved for current and future generations. His substantial archive is now housed in Oklahoma State University’s Archives. This collection will be witnessed by researchers and community members for years to come. Vernon was a connector. He worked hard to bring people together and was always willing to give someone support that needed it. Even in his death, he is connecting individuals over their shared love and respect for him and his life. Vernon fought hard for his community and the legacy of his late partner Phil Wiley. Anyone who knew Vernon was graced with stories of Phil’s life and legacy as well as their love for one another. In lieu of owers, we ask that you remember Vernon by learning something new, taking a stand on social issues that are important to you, and keeping his life and legacy alive through storytelling. https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 2/4 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Vernon’s memorial service will take place March 1 at 11 AM at Butler-Stump & Dyer Funeral Home (2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104). ABOUT US Butler-Stumpff & Dyer funeral home, crematory, cemetary “We will always be kind and we will never take advantage of you or your family at your saddest time” is our promise to you. BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME  2103 E 3rd St Tulsa, OK 74104  (918) 587-7000  info@butler-stump.com  Available 24/7 https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 3/4 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory VISIT US Butler-Stumpff … View larger map Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home Map data ©2025 Report a map error © Copyright 2025 | Butler-Stump & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory | Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved | Blog https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 4/4 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 [2024] Vernon Jones Obituary Subject The topic of the resource Vernon Leon Jones, May 3, 1935 - February 5, 2024 Description An account of the resource Four pages of an obituary for Vernon Leon Jones, who lived May 3, 1935 to February 5, 2024, published by Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home. A service was planned for March 1, 2024 at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1, 2024 2024 Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home Butler-Stumpff and Dyer Butler-Stumpff and Dyer Funeral Home in memoriam memoriam Obituaries Obituary Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (OSU) Oklahoma State University Archives OSU OSU Archives Phil Wiley Vernon Jones Vernon Leon Jones https://history.okeq.org/files/original/f9b1e8d9473f37a0ef1163eecab2efe1.pdf ba168f62a92aab503fddbb4e5a32c5f9 PDF Text Text OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY BOARD REPORT - NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, & JANUARY Executive Summary FY26 Grant :Funding Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) advocates for equal rights for Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, lntersex, and Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, community partnerships, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. • Secured Funding 0 Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation o GKFF o Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation o Schusterman Family Programs & Services Philanthropies o Coretz Family Foundation (new • Affirming Health Care • Affinity & Social Groups funding) • Legal Advocacy & Support • Basic Needs & Referral o Flint Family Foundation (new • Visual & Performing Arts Support revenue) • On Site Mental Health & • 2SLGBTQIA+ Resource & o HarvardAvenue Christian Church Lending Library Counseling Services • Awaiting Response • Youth & Young Adult • Rural Pride Outreach & o Lawrence Foundation (new Programming Support revenue) • Tulsa Fringe Festival • Peer & Identity Based o Vision Arts Grant (new funding) Support Groups • Tulsa Pride • In Progress o William K Warren Foundation (new funding) Volunteer Engagement • Prospects o Hardesty Family Foundation ° Cresap Family Foundation November Community Meal+ Rainbow Harvest: Sixteen volunteers participated, including support from community partners such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Tulsa Zoo, and Laureate Brain Institute. Volunteer Orientation: Six new volunteers completed orientation. Im hailey.briggs@okeq.org \. 918-442-8665 ~ okeq.org �December Fairy Tree: In collaboration w ith Tulsa Cares, we fulfilled holiday wish lists for 22 families in need. Clothing Swap & Winter Clothing Drive: Four volunteers supported the event, benefiting approximately 50 community members. An estimated 200 pounds of clothing, shoes, and outerwear were collected and redistributed. Maker's Market: Four volunteers supported the event, which f eatured 17 vendors and local artists and welcomed approximately 50 community m embers. Rainbow H arvest: Six volunteers participated. Volunteer Orientation: Four new volunteers completed orientation. Giving Tuesday & End of Year Giving Our 2025 Giving Tuesday and end-of-year giving campaign reinforced the importance of consistent, accessible communication with our community and the impact of clearly telling OKEQ's story. The campaigns utilized a combination of email outreach, social media, mailed letters, and a live ask at our Annual Community Dinner ensuring we reached supporters across multiple platforms and preferences. Giving Tuesday was a series of social media posts highlighting different aspects of the Center and OKEQ's programs over t he course of 2.5 weeks followed by a live ask at the Annual Community Meal. In total we generated $3,283.50. Our end of year letter cost the site approximately $75 for paper and postage, and has generated roughly $35,121.00 to date, demonstrating a strong return on investment and the effectiveness of low-cost, relationship- centered fundraising strategies. Beyond revenue, this campaign highlighted how regu lar communication builds trust, keeps our community connected to our mission, and makes giving to OKEQ accessible to t he general public. By clearly sharing our impact and offering multiple, straightforward ways to give, we reduced barriers to participation and invited broader engagement in sustaining our work. This approach underscores that storytelling, consistency, and accessibility are essential to long-term fundraising success and community support. �Equality Business Alliance Overview The Equality Business Alliance (EBA) Steering Committee is comprised of 10 d iverse members of the local business community, representing a range of industries and varying levels of experience w ith the EBA. This group has come together w it h a shared commitment to relaunch the Equality Business Alliance in a way that is values- driven and d irectly informed by the needs of the queer and affirming business community. The committee will m eet twice monthly to guide this work. Key Outcomes During a recent meeting, the Steering Committee engaged in a SOAR framework (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) to assess the current state of the EBA and identify priorities for relaunch. Strengths: Members affirmed the strong credibility of Oklahomans for Equalit y, deep community trust, and a shared commitment to affirming and inclusive business practices. Opportunities: The group identified t he need for c learer membership benefits, increased visibility for affirming businesses, and more intentional pathways for engagement, accountability, and growth within the alliance. Aspirations: The committee articu lated a s hared vis ion for a revitalized Equality Business Alliance that supports business owners, aligns with OKEQ values, and meaningfully benefits LGBTQ+ community members. Results: There was strong alignment around developing a c lear, trusted EBA framework w ith defined member benefits, t ransparent vetting standards, and programming that members find genuinely valuable. Next Steps • Cont inue twice-monthly Steering Committee meetings to maintain momentum. • Draft a revised EBA framework out lining membership benefits, expectations, and accountability standards. • Refine the vett ing process to ensure t ransparency, consistency, and alignment w ith OKEQ values. • Develop programming and engagement opportunities that respond directly to the expressed needs of queer and affirming businesses. Strategic Impact This work represents a s ignificant step toward relaunching the Equality Business Alliance as a sustainable, community-informed program. By centering the lived experience and expertise of local business owners, the EBA is being rebuilt in a way that strengthens affirming businesses while advancing OKEQ's broader mission of equit y, inclusion, and community care EBA Steering Committee Members Aubrey Naiman - Tulsa Library-Economic & Community Development Camille Diaz - Serenity Financial Courtney Ivy - Next Level Senior Advisors Kathy Clarke - Energy Environments Sally Mercedes - Magic City Books Tiyanah Garrett - Chamber of Commerce Eric Eastland-Jones - Advocacy Resources Kevin Eastland- Jones - Advocacy Resources The Steering Committee will continue this work at its next meeting on Friday, ;January 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. �Dear friends, As we reach the close of 2025, I've been reflecting on the foundations of Oklahomans for Equality, where we came from, who we have become, and what still calls us forward. Our story began decades ago, in the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, with a group of volunteers who saw the dire unmet needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Tulsa and refused to look away. They pooled their time, resources, determination, and belief in community care to create something that did not yet exist. These qualities are still built into the bones of this organization today. That commitment drives us to provide vital, affirming, and affordable medical care to hundreds of people each year. This year alone, 422 individuals received care through our medical clinic, many experiencing respectful and identity-affirming healthcare for the first time. It is the same approach that fuels our partnerships with embedded mental health and legal providers, who support hundreds of community members each year seeking counseling, advocacy, and guidance in moments when they need it most. It is what inspires volunteers to show up week after week, leading support groups, facilitating programs, sorting food, hosting events, and creating spaces of belonging. This year, 178 volunteers lent their time, energy, and heart to OKEQ, proving that community care is not just a value here, it is a practice and a shared responsibility. It is also the energy behind programs like Rainbow Harvest, a low-barrier farmers market that has provided fresh and shelf-stable groceries to 447 people in its first six months, supporting community members facing food insecurity. �It is what carried us across the state to 10 rural Pride events this year, ensuring support, visibility, and connection even in the smallest corners of Oklahoma. And it empowers us to host citywide events like Tulsa Pride, creating vital opportunities for joy, celebration, solidarity, and visibility for tens of thousands of people each year. This is what it means to stay proximate to our community's needs. This is the work we do because of you. FOREQU TULS FliH FEST IV September 19 &20 821 [ 4~St. lulsa. OK As we look toward 2026, t he need for affirming, life-changing care and safe spaces in Oklahoma remains urgent, especially in a political climate that continues to target 2S LGBTQIA+ rights and access to essential services. We cannot meet these needs without your support. If you are in a position to make a year end gift, your donation, no matter the size, directly sustains the programs people rely on for safety, support, and dignity. If you are able to volunteer, your time becomes part of the legacy t hat has carried us from our earliest days. And if this is not the season where either is possible, your continued connection - reading our newsletters, attending events, stopping by the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is deeply valued. Staying proximate to th is work is its own form of generosity. As we prepare for the year ahead, I am profoundly grateful for your trust, for your care, and for your continued commitment to the belief that every 2S LGBTQIA+ person in Oklahoma deserves access to reso urces, support and dignity. With gratitude and determination, Hailey Briggs Executive Director Oklahomans for Equality Donate or volunteer by using the QR code above or by visiting our website at https://okeq.org/donatE!/ � https://history.okeq.org/files/original/429a5d5e3ba794e46ee9f05118ba6659.jpg 869b61f842d8520fdc8cc2da39a30b20 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/232b19a66aa75684344a87a1ea869c7d.jpg d1fd1709268158ce1b04844d9d39be94 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/0c6ecf4209c219fa5c7af099fcd37d6d.jpg e663b2383c6758df49adc1d519ad9c91 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/2999919a60916612d6790f1fd840c36e.jpg 05da7f9710163fb1f779166ac27b9043 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/6946ecfb78faf3877005d005b6385da7.jpg 1b4c7924bf4125d9de6cebcb281a82d3 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 [2025-2026] OKEQ Board Report for November 2025 - January 2026 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Board Report - November, December, & January 2025-2026 Description An account of the resource 1 5-page document and 5 scanned images of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Board Report for the months of November and December in 2025, and January 2026. Includes letter from Executive Director Hailey Briggs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ), Hailey Briggs Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 2025 - January 2026 2025 2026 Executive Director Hailey Briggs Hailey Briggs OkEq OKEQ Board Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board https://history.okeq.org/files/original/9412165f4a234a41ee1ebdd9c91696b2.MP4 72dcbb43213916554236bd2b5c2ffff2 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] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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 [2025] Amesha Barlow Interview https://history.okeq.org/files/original/e6f155f60ac976a9f69ff51765f97d2e.MP4 f0a7944041e691c4ab59b38bfdc3e196 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] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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 [2025] Comfort Keidel Interview https://history.okeq.org/files/original/591097169e8d9edcf90d2a5179493d5d.MP4 9eb05f1481de95791fedb7ea47c7922d 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] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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 [2025] Cory Ross Interview https://history.okeq.org/files/original/eadf1c072db2c6688196bb39138060b2.MP4 8d7290b2bda1a56fbb71cbbe81374bec 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] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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 [2025] Joan Bjornsgard Interview https://history.okeq.org/files/original/9aaefe23c50b8136e1ed7e24d9c9d898.mp4 1b5aa0179d697ac638be3a4f2011a766 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] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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 [2025] John Coffman Interview https://history.okeq.org/files/original/4d63c6816fa2a71ba7ca0dfee00aeeb0.MP4 0538f3e0181536b6fee0319911ada6b6 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] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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 [2025] Julia Clayton Interview https://history.okeq.org/files/original/023559720fd72ce52b47697fd079f211.JPG 4dfd0f8858284e1c50788f51c9ec4b9f https://history.okeq.org/files/original/b5fde90b2684c2ec8438e2718e52f8c4.mp4 122ef854ea8cc57b0d701b3a8e39f867 https://history.okeq.org/files/original/a6620e81230ea3ccbc140ceb3d612311.pdf 9a54b9df7d6c3a4103fec956642cb721 PDF Text Text Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview with Kent Harrell (AKA Anita Richards) Interview Conducted by Toby Jenkins Date: December 23, 2025 Transcribed and Edited By: Dennis Neill using Riverside Studio.ai Restrictions: Interviewee requested: N/A Oklahomans for Equality History Project 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK. 74120 918.743.4297 historyproject@okeq.org 1 �Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Project Interview December 23, 2025 Interview of Kent Harrell (AKA Anita Richards) by Toby Jenkins Addendum - Kent Harrell Show Notes from Riverside Studio AI Topics include: Drag performance, LGBT community, family dynamics, AIDS awareness, personal identity, marriage equality, pageant culture, early life, career beginnings Summary This conversation explores the life and experiences of Kent Wilson Harrell Jr., focusing on his journey through early life, family dynamics, understanding his sexual orientation, and his career in drag performance. Kent shares insights into the challenges faced by the LGBT community, particularly during the AIDS crisis, and reflects on his personal relationships, including his marriage to Taylor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and offers advice for future generations. Takeaways Kent's family background includes a strong connection to the Air Force and NASA. Childhood experiences shaped Kent's understanding of gender identity. Acceptance of sexual orientation can be a challenging journey with family. Kent's drag career began in the late 1970s, inspired by performances he witnessed. The drag community has evolved significantly over the decades. Pageants in the LGBT community serve as both a platform for talent and a source of competition. 2 �The AIDS crisis had a profound impact on the LGBT community, leading to increased awareness and activism. Marriage equality has been a significant milestone for the LGBT community. Being true to oneself is essential for a fulfilling life Chapters 01:16 Introduction and Early Life 04:24 Family Dynamics and Schooling 07:23 Self-Discovery and Identity 10:21 Relationship Journey 13:21 Coming Out and Family Acceptance 20:13 Career Beginnings in Performance 25:15 Memorable Performances and Clubs 31:59 The Journey of a Performer 33:25 Pageant Culture in the LGBT Community 36:01 The Evolution of Pride Festivals 39:00 The Impact of AIDS on the Community 54:18 Love and Commitment in the LGBT Community ________________________________________________________________________Interview starts – Toby – please tell us your name. My name is Kent Wilson Harrell Jr. Toby - And for purposes of documentation, could you tell us your date of birth and how old you are at the time of this interview? 3 �March the 4th, 1960 and I am currently 65 years and about 9 months old I guess. Toby - Let's talk a little bit about how you got to us. The day of your appearance here in the world. So tell us where you were born, what city, and a little bit about your family. Well, my father worked for the federal government, and he worked for NASA. And he and my mother both were employees of Tinker Air Force Base. They worked for the Air Force. And my dad was constantly going for, what he did was quality assurance. Whenever the federal government would contract with an Air Force base to build a specific part for a plane or a rocket, or whatever and they needed a particular piece or something built, it was his responsibility to make sure that thing met government specifications. So he was constantly being moved to Air Force Base, Air Force Base, Air Force Base. So how I came into the world, he had been in Duluth, Minnesota for about six months, about four or five months, and my mother went to see him one weekend. And at this time, my dad was 43 years old and my mother was 39. They had a 17-year-old daughter and a seven year old daughter. So about a week or two weeks after that fact, they were out in an amusement park and my mother was a roller coaster fanatic and rode a roller coaster and got violently ill and went to the doctor the next day and the doctor said, you need to go to an obstetrician. And she went to the obstetrician. The obstetrician said, Mrs. Harold, you're pregnant. And she called my dad in Minnesota and said, guess what? We're going to have a new addition to my family. He said, no way. You're kidding. Anyway, long story short. That's how I came into the world from a weekend visit from Minnesota anyway. Toby - and they were living in Oklahoma City at the time. So you were born in Oklahoma City. Did you go to school in Oklahoma City? 4 �No, we lived in Oklahoma City until, well, for a long time, about two years, my dad was transferred to Vermont and New York State and then came back to our house in Oklahoma City after that and he came back to Tinker and then was transferred to North America Rockwell in December of 1964. So I was about four years and seven months old or so. So we moved to Tulsa and the first place we moved to was over on the west side. And we lived in an addition that's still in existence called Mountain Manor off of Southwest 33rd. The early days were Crystal City, shopping center and all that area around. Toby - and you went to school over in West Tulsa. Well, I started out, the situation was, in so much as both were working at North American Rockwell, my mother got a job there too. She was a statistician. And what they would do, they would drive from that area town towards North American Rockwell, and there was a little nursery school over on North Sheridan. And that's where they put me in daycare centers, we call them now. And so when I turned five, I had to go to kindergarten, of course, and the closest kindergarten to that daycare was Burbank Elementary, which is now the Bell Junior High School annex. And that's where I started my academia was at Burbank Elementary. Toby - Now, did you graduate from a Tulsa High School? No, as time went on, we ended up going from first to Tulsa, then they moved to Broken Arrow, and then from Broken Arrow to Rogers County and the Rogers County area. And we started out in Claremore and then moved to Oologah. So from seventh grade till my senior year, I went to high school and junior high in Oologah. And the reason I did that, my middle sister, because of my dad's position, had been moved from pillar to post, state to state, school to school. And when we finally settled in Oologah, I said, I'm not moving. I said, I'm not going to be transferred to any other schools. I'm going to stay here and graduate at this school. And if you don't like it, you're going to have to get me a transfer. And so that's what we did. And I spent from seventh to senior year in a very wonderful environment, a great, great school, and had a very normal academic situation in high school. 5 �Toby - and what high school. Oologah class of 197(?) Toby - For our viewing audience, I'm going to share a photo. How old are you in this photo? You're just a child. Six. Six years old. in this photo... Toby - You're dressed in a dress, looks like makeup. Tell us a little bit about, can you remember that event? My mother said once many, many years after the fact, she said, you know, when you were clumping down the hallway in my high heel shoes, I never expected you to turn it into a 45 year career. But I guess the situation was, I'm not going to say that I was, you know, you hear the stereotypical stories of a passive father, aggressive mother and all that kind of world. Not necessarily so with me, but my mother was a very gregarious individual. She was a wonderful personality and was a very colorful dresser. And she loved oranges and reds and greens and all vibrant colors. Well, men at that time were reduced to gray suits, blue suits, know, black suits. And here was this burden paradise in my household that was constantly looking so fabulous. And I thought that's what I, that's exactly how I'd like to be. so as stereotypical, I've heard this story from many, many gay individuals. I was attracted to, it was a crazy thing. I had my Tonka toys, had my GI Joes, I had my fire trucks, the whole rigmarole. But I also loved, my mom's high heels and all the bright colors and all the things and coming from that era no one ever specifically said to me you have to have a baseball or a basketball or a football or whatever. Whatever I wanted I got. It didn't matter to my dad whether I wanted a football which I had or a Barbie doll. Nobody ever cared. Which was so unusual from that time period. But you don't know it's unusual because it's your life, you know. Toby - So at six years old when you've got on makeup and a dress and high heels they thought it was 6 �They thought it was hysterical. My sister, at the time was 13, thought it was deplorable and that I was something to be hidden away as far as she was concerned. But no one ever took it seriously. They just thought it was funny. Toby - Now, how do you identify? What is your sexual orientation? How do you identify? You mean like of course I'm gay but I've always said male people have asked me it took me many, many years to make people in my family understand just because I was an entertainer a drag entertainer that I didn't necessarily want to be transgender full-time seven days a week Toby - Well thank you for sharing for that. Now you have a relationship. Tell us a little bit about your relationship. Taylor, my dear husband, Taylor and I met online when he was 19 years old. I didn't know how old he was. We got in contact on Facebook, and he got in contact with me instead of vice versa. I was just intrigued by this individual. I took a look at this face that I like, no face I'd ever seen before in my entire life. And something about him just was interesting. And I got to talking with him, asking who he was, where he was from. He told me he was from Minneapolis. I had no idea he was 19 years old. So when I found that out, I said, at that point in time, Facebook was talking to people or reporting that there were police departments around the United States that were using young men to entrap older gentlemen. you know, not knowing this person as I didn't, I didn't know whether that might have been the case also. So I found, once I found out specifically how old that he was, I said, I'm, I can't talk to you anymore. I'm sorry. And he said, but why? I said, well, you're just, you're too young. So I didn't speak to him for about close to a year and I did keep looking at his pictures and he kept looking at mine which I didn't realize till finally one day he messaged me and he said well, I'm 20 He said aren't I old enough for you to talk to now? Yes, I guess so and the situation was Taylor was Taylor felt he was transgender and from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and he was undergoing hormone therapy at that time. And he was engaged to be married to a gentleman that he was living with. But the gentleman that he was engaged to had a 7 �hard and fast rule. He said, if you want to take these hormones, that's your business and I can't stop you. But you will never, as long as you live under my roof, dress in female attire. And Taylor explained this to me and I said, you know, nobody has a right to tell you what you can and cannot be. If this is who you think you are, then you have every right on the face of the earth to be that. And I said, I'm going to give you an opportunity. I said, if you want to come to Tulsa and live with me, I said, I will make sure that you get the best medical attention. I will make sure in one way the other that you get the best best psychotherapy that you're going to have to have to do this. And I said, I will make sure that you get under the best medical care that you can have that we can find for you. If this is the person, you know, the avenue that you intend to be and who you feel you really are. So he said, he finally agreed to it. And he, and I said, well, then here's the, well, I said, I'm not rich. I have no money. I can't afford to send you here on a plane. But I said, I will try to get you here the best way I can. So bless his heart. He rode 17 and a half hours by bus to get here to Tulsa and as I told him We did get him under therapy Then he went through about and a half year worth of hormone therapy but somewhere along the way he didn't realize that it's a very hard and complicated thing to be a woman to there are certain things that you have to do in your day-to-day life that he really just didn't want to do so finally an individual who is very close to us who was trans sat him down and said Taylor you're about as female as the wall you're sitting against and I think you need to wean yourself off this medication and sit down and figure out who you really are and live your life, which is what he did. Toby - Thank you so much for sharing that. I want to talk to you a little bit about, this is your senior picture. Graduated from Oologah. Just curious, Kent, when was it that you realized that you were gay? I can tell you specifically. Toby - And tell us a little bit about maybe your interaction with your family. Because you and Taylor are legally married. And you're old enough to remember when same-sex marriage was not legal in Oklahoma. But tell us 8 �when you accepted your sexual orientation and maybe a little bit abouthow your family handled that identity. When I first realized that my attraction was more to the male gender, my mother and dad allowed me to go to a movie. I was 12 years old. There was a film that came out that year in 1972 called 40 Carrots. And it was about a lady who, a 40-year-old lady who on her birthday took a trip to Europe. And so on the prior was starring Liv Ullmann was the gal. And so in the process of this movie, she's driving along through Italy and her car stalls and she's on a bridge. And as she's out in the middle of nowhere, she doesn't know what she's going to do. And she walks over to the edge of this bridge and she looks down in this water. And there in this water is swimming this beautiful young man in a tiny yellow Speedo bikini. The yellow, the man in the bikini was Edward Albert Jr. And when he came up out of that water in this glistening, glistening photo, know, film, he came up out of that water. I was like, ha ha ha ha ha. And I knew right then that there was something a little different for me than most people. Or so I thought. I didn't know if I was the only individual like that or not. But that was the very first kind of initiation. Toby - You know, like all kids growing up in the 70s, you thought you were the only one on the face of the earth. You didn't talk about it. You know, I remember my mother and dad in a warehouse market and I was a movie magazine fanatic. And I was looking at some movie magazines and I was thumbing through and I looked down on the floor and there was a centerfold from that first, the very first edition of Playgirl magazine. And I unfolded that centerfold, went, holy cow. I folded it back up and put it in my pocket and it home. I stole it. Toby - You stole it.. I stole that sin and needless to say that was my little secret thing but there again I didn't you know I didn't discuss it with anybody really and to tell you the honest truth my parents were not they they you know as time went by of course you have revealed eventually you know they've put 9 �two and two together were they happy about it no no they weren't happy and there was a point in time where I finally said you know, you can't deal with this and I don't want to deal with you either. I, for my own purpose reasons, I moved to Tulsa. My sister said, you know, leave home, come to Tulsa. I was 19 and I moved to Tulsa. got a job. I went over and I moved into a place called Harvard Terrace Apartments around 21st and Harvard. I lived my own life and I didn't speak to my folks for over a year. It was a ridiculous thing to do because I was a very sheltered individual. I didn't know how to pay bills. I didn't know where you paid the water bill, the gas bill, blah, blah. Eventually lost the apartment, ended up homeless and still wouldn't go home. Still wouldn't go home. Lived in my car and then one day out of the blue I happened to see my parents. I was basically starving now. I had been doing drag all along. I had been doing drag here in Tulsa. I started in 1979 and but things weren't going great and being hungry as I was, I saw my mother dad drive down the street one day in their car and I thought, I'm going to go home, I'm tired, I'm starving, I'm going to go home and went home for two or three years, about three years and tried to live the life that I thought that's who they wanted me to be and then realized you just can't do it. You have to be who you are. You can't let somebody subjugate you into being somebody that you're not. And finally at the age of about 23 or 24, I came back to Tulsa. Toby - during that time had they resolved it that they come to accept that you were Well, a way, my mother once asked me, she said, you know, she said, I don't understand. She said, can't you just, you know, it's fine. That's your attraction is to men, but do you have to participate in that? Can't you just go over to the, you know, just stop it? And I said, mother, it's who you are. I said, you can't go off and you just, can't turn it off like a light switch at the wall. You can't just stop being who you are. It's who I am. I was born this way. You have to accept that. they did do it in time. But the real catalyst of the whole thing was when I was 26, I met an individual by the name of Larry Guz, who was my first long-term relationship. And he said, Kent, you've 10 �got to stop this. You've got to confront this. You've got to make them understand. If they can't love you for what you are, then they have to love you for who you are. And if they can't do that, they don't need you anyway. Toby – I want our audience to see a picture of your beautiful mom and dad. And they finally, my dad came to Larry and I and he finally said, if this is who you are, this is who you are and we accept you 150%. So that kind of, took a long, time, but they finally did. Toby - So, you're very. well known in Tulsa as Anita Richards. So I want us to kind to talk, begin to talk about your career as a performer. You said, you told us earlier that in 1979, and you would have been 19 years old, you already had started doing performance. Did you? How did you? How did come about that? I had never even heard of a drag queen. I didn't know there was any avenue that a guy could dress in female attire in public. I had no idea. From the time I was eight years old, was out in my mother's and dad's garage with a record player lip syncing to Funny Girl. I learned the lyrics to Don't Rain On My Parade before I could practically walk. I knew automatically and of course my parents thought I was nuts. You're hearing this kid who's out doing these big jaw long jams. So I knew that was something I wanted to do but I didn't know there was an avenue for it until one night there was a very fabulous nightclub here in Tulsa across the street from what is now TCC called Caruso's. And it had been there since the 1950s. It was a very sophisticated nightclub in the 50s called the Queen of Hearts. But by the time I came along, it had become a gay bar and was called Caruso's and it had a huge showroom that held about 250 people. And one night a young boy that I was dating said, let's go to Caruso's. He said, I'm going to sneak you in. He said, a friend of mine is performing on stage and needs a shirt from me. I'm gonna sneak you in and you sit in the back and I'm gonna go to the dressing room and give him the shirt and I'll come back and we'll watch 11 �his number and then we'll leave and get out of here before we get caught. So this boy, the gentleman performing his name was Samoy Alexander and he went by the name of Tracy Chateau, I'll never forget him. And he came out on stage, he was doing a song called The Deputy of Love and my friend brought him this western shirt covered with silver fringe and I saw Tracy come out and perform and I was like... Oh my Lord, can't, I want to do this, I want to do this. And the next individual that came out, I'll never forget it, was Trudy Tyler, who was, at that time, it was so funny, I was 19, Trudy was 21 and was already in Miss Gay Oklahoma of America. And when she came out on stage, it was a complete vision, I was just, it raptured. And I thought, this is something I'm going to do one of these days. So I... went back to work at Target and one Christmas we got some glittering ladies clothes and I saved up some money and bought a dress and the next thing you know I went to What Is Now the Eagle. This was 1979 mind you. I went to What Is Now the Eagle at that time it was Tracy's New Edition was what it was called and they had show nights, amateur nights on Monday and there was an intimate Queen there and I went in and brought a record and performed. My initial name was Anita Trick. And how that came by, I was standing there, the show director at that time, Tracy's was another very well-known Queen here in town, by the name of Miko Kassadine. to Miko Kassadine, she said, what's your name honey? And I said, My name's Kent. She said, no, what's your show name? And I said, I don't have one. She said, you have two entertainers ahead of you. You better find one, get one quickly so I can introduce you. And I'm standing there thinking, now, know, no one had checked IDs in those days. And here I am, this kid, I'm standing here thinking, what am I going to do? What am I going to do? And a guy walked by me, he said, my God, I need a drink. And I turned around and I looked at me, and I said, my name's I Need a Trick. Well, she said, what? I said, my name's, I need a drink well she immediately thought I said Anita like Anita Bryant and she did introduce me on stage as Anita Trick and that was the first performance I ever did and so every time the Eagle holds much nostalgia for me you know but that anyway that started it out. Toby - You were talking about the performance in those days, this would have been in 1979. You get a record, you had to give them a… 12 �Yeah, you know cassette, no cassettes no CDs. The well-known Queens here in Tulsa they had these large leather cases and you put your record albums in the leather cases and they had a long strap you put the strap on the side of your shoulder carried it in with your luggage and the funny thing about 45 some odd years later Chris Cole and I were working at the Bamboo and someone came up with the grand idea that they wanted to do an old-fashioned drag show and they asked they said let's do this with albums, no cassettes, no CDs, let all the performers bring record albums. And so we had a little cast put together and the young people all agreed to it. They all said, we'll go out, we'll go research and go to the record stores and we'll find record albums and so forth. Which they did. And another gentleman who was one of the people that came to Bamboo brought a portable turntable sound system, which we used. But the funny thing about it was, in the days when those shows were done, Chris and I never were responsible for putting the show together. We were never responsible for the lineup of the entertainers and so forth. And you know that night we had 15 entertainers. Every single entertainer was doing three songs a piece. Every single song was on a specific album, so we're dealing with 45 record albums and having to label them and put them and I looked at Chris and I said it didn't use it was not this hard when we were kids. She said we were responsible for this movie. Well, didn't know any different. No, no, no, that's all we did. Toby – You talked about Caruso's, talked about Queen of Hearts, E-Ball, Tracy's. Tell us some of the other clubs where you performed. Oh, was some of them were clubs, some of them were dives. There was one downtown called Friends Lounge. I don't know if you remember, if you probably don't remember that. There was one... Well, the main club in those days, the very first bar that I was supposed to go to attend, we had a huge club here in Tulsa called the Old Plantation. You remember Old Plantation? And the very night I was supposed Where was it? I can't remember. It was 51st and Sheridan. The night I was supposed to go to the Plantation, one of the patrons set it on fire and burned it to the ground. So I didn't get to attend that club, but so the next largest club that everyone wanted to 13 �entertain at besides Caruso’s downtown was Zippers at 32nd and S. Yale. And that's predominantly where I started really, really entertaining was in Zippers. John Willis who owned Zippers was a very good friend of mine. It was a gay bar. It was a big disco. It held probably a hundred and maybe a hundred and fifty people. And I performed there for quite a while until they brought in a door lady and her name was Patty Murray Handley. And we all know Patty very dearly. And it was her first job. And I walked in with my suitcase one day for a performance and she said, I need to see your ID. And I of course automatically knew I'm 20 years old. I said, well, I left it out in the car. She said, no, I need to see the ID. She said, you can't perform in here. I said, I've been performing here for over a year. She said, well, you're not going to perform in here tonight because I'm not letting you in the door. You can come back four months from now when you're 21 years old. And I had to tell everybody and I turned around and walked out. Fast forward 40 plus years, I walk into a doctor's office of Dr. Jeff Beal and I had not seen this young lady since that probably about that time. And I walk in for my doctor's appointment and she's sitting at the admissions desk. And she took one look at my name and she remembered my face. And after she checked me in, I was sitting there in the waiting room and she said, could you come over here? Could you come over here? She said do you remember me and I said well I don't think so and she explained who she was and she said I have to tell you I want to apologize she said I have thought about this for over whatever it was 35 years I have felt guilty ever since that night that I didn't allow you to come into that club and perform like you had been I was just scared if I did I'd lose my job and she said do you ever forgive me I said I wouldn't remember this if you hadn't even mentioned it but of course I did anyway. She was following the law and I told her, I you know, I don't blame you. But you should follow the law. I don't blame her one bit. Toby - Well she was following the law. We here at Oklahomans for Equality believe that... What other clubs stand out in your mind? 14 �Really those are probably the most, there was a very place, I hate to use the term seedy, that's not a very good description, but there was a place downtown called, on 11th, called The Mining Company. And I performed there a few times, but predominantly Zippers, predominantly Tracy's. Toby -Now, during this time, you were a performer. Did you ever travel to other states? Not until later. I was the first individual from the city of Tulsa to ever perform at Angles. This would have been right because I was in Oklahoma City. As I say, I performed here in Tulsa from 1979 to about 1982 and that was when I decided to move back to Tulsa, move back to with my parents, which they were living 100 miles south from here, little town called Weleetka, Oklahoma. I stayed there two years and came back and once I came back in 84, I think it was 83 or 84, I started performing again and have continued on as a regular basis ever since that time. But in 1986, Angles in Oklahoma City had opened their very first talent show you might say. It was called Drag Off or Drag Race or something like that. Anyway, I won it. And by winning it, you had to come back, was the process of elimination. And by winning it and becoming the champion, I won a two weekend a month spot on the Sunday showcase at Angles. And so ended up being the first person from the city of Tulsa ever to work there on regular basis. As Ginger Lamar referred to me, I was the queen of the Turner Turnpike. She's the only queen in town that's got tire tracks up her back. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. Toby - So I know that you have won some titles and you participated in pageants. Tell us a little bit about the pageant culture within the LGBT community. You know today it's mainstream. There's you know top-tier shows that people sit every night and watch. But I always like them. But it was not necessarily in Oklahoma, but really it was. Miss Oklahoma, the America pageant system, course, is the oldest Miss gay America is the oldest pageant system in the United States. And it was it was formed in 1972 by the late Norman Jones, Norma Christie, and has continued on. And it wasn't until about 1977 that she released the royalty rights to permit, I guess you'd say preliminary pageants to get contestants for her Miss America pageant. You had to go through and still to this day have to go through a system. You win a preliminary title. Then if you go from 15 �there that sponsors you into a state title, which of course is like say you Miss Gay Tulsa of America, then you're sponsored into Miss gay Oklahoma of America. If you win Miss gay Oklahoma of America, you immediately are responsible to represent your state at Miss America, wherever it's held, Dallas or wherever. And that's still the same. It's been since 1972 and it's still the same way. Of course, as you say, now they're much more mainstream. I really personally, for me, my personal goal was predominantly entertainment. I wasn't I was not that much interested I did miss Tulsa USA in 1987 I think I did Miss Tulsa of America probably about 1988. But I wasn't necessarily interested in entertaining in pageants because in my estimation, a title was for a year. You spent a lot of money. Sometimes you won, sometimes you didn't. And I saw very negative aspects of the pageant system that I thought I just don't need to be a part of this. There's good aspects and bad aspects of everything and I saw both. And I thought my goal is to entertain in the public. That's what I want to do. I was happy to bring a little happiness into life and into other people's lives. But it wasn't until I was 57 years old a friend of mine opened a pageant system called American National Star, an independent offshoot. I told Taylor, I said, know, I wonder if I can do this. And he said, well, why don't you start a little late? And I said, well, long as you're breathing, that's my goal. As long as you're breathing, you have a chance and you can still move and God gives you decent health, go for it. So I entered American National Star Classic and won that and of course people said some of the judges said you know what is your goal here I said to prove that no matter how old you are if there's a goal that you want to accomplish you can go for it as long as your health holds out you feel like you're physically able to do it you do it well lo and behold I won that pageant and then went on to their state title and won that too. And then, so by me doing that, I was asked by my dear friend, Brandon Patrick, aka Chanel Sterling, to at 58 years old to enter the Miss Gay Tulsa pageant. She said, have you ever been Miss Gay Tulsa? And it was a rumor from a thousand years that I was at one time a Miss Gay Tulsa, which I never had even entered the pageant except once. So I had done that. I entered Miss Gay Tulsa of America. It was majestic and came up first runner up. And then was responsible to go to Miss Oklahoma and one first 16 �run up out of 13 other kids at 59 years old and the reigning Miss Gay America walked up to me that evening and said, you are who I want to be when I grow up. And I thought that was so precious. And I am proud to say I have the highest standing score of any individual in personal interview of any Miss Oklahoma of America pageant that's ever been. And the current Miss America that year. She said, now when you go to nationals, she said, I want you to do something for me. And I said, what's that? She said, I want you to be just exactly who you are right now. Because she said, if you are, she said, they'll fall in love with you just like I have. I thought that was so sweet. Sad to say, God and nature had other plans. Because after the four day Miss Oklahoma pageant, I came down with arthritic neuropathy. And was unable to practically walk for about the next month. And so I wasn't able to attend Miss America Pageant, but things work out for the best, guess. I don't know. Anyway. Toby - Did you ever perform at Pride? Only for about 25 years. Toby - First Pride Festival. I don't know, I couldn't honestly tell you the first one I performed at, the first one that I went to was in 1993 when we were out at Mohawk Park when it was considered a... was sort of, were all sort of, people were separated. Remember, I didn't see a lot of unity out there because there were different groups sitting all around. I was glad when it finally got more unified and moved downtown. But the first Pride I ever performed at I think was about 1996. Toby - So that's the first pride you ever went to. I don't know, 1993 was the first one. Toby - Now you eventually became... Queen of Tulsa Pride. I think so. One of my proudest moments. 17 �Toby - You're still considered the… So you talked about your love of drag was you wanted to entertain I can remember you being a regular cast member at Twisted Theater at Renegades. And you were a part of the Twisted Theater with Tabitha and I can remember you were a hit as Rose on the go. You were part of the Golden Girls cast and played Rose. You remember performing at Pride Day? Yeah, that's what is the what's the park? Toby - Well today it's called Veterans Park, but at the time it was Centennial Park. That was without a doubt. we all, all of us who participated in the Twisted Theater performances consider those our happiest days. We all still talk about it. Toby - Record crowds. And Tabitha Taylor, who is now Brielle Cassell, gave me the opportunity to perform roles that I would never in my entire life had a chance to do otherwise and it was the most unique experience. we all, she stretched all of us to the full capacity that she thought we were capable of performing. And I mean, I got to do things like Betty Davis or Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, as you say, Rose in the Golden Girls, and Sissy in the Sorted Lives, and all those, we performed. Toby - I remember some beach movie. Frankie Avalon, was Frankie Avalon and the footage of Beach Blanket Bingo was one of those we did. And then Little Shop of Horrors. Basically, for those who might not understand what we're talking about, Twisted Theater was where basically they chose a film. Did a little shopping, cut out all the unnecessary subplot, kept the main storyline, and added music to accentuate the story and to move it along. The most famous one, I believe, that was ever done was The Exorcist. what the director would do, he would take out the subplot, look at the film, use music to accentuate the different part, and sometimes there would be music that didn't even have anything to do or wasn't any part of the particular film, but it still was relevant to the story itself. And that's kind of what Twisted Theater 18 �was. was like, for instance, probably one of the most famous ones was we did the Wizard of Oz. But when Dorothy came and knocked on the wizard's door, instead of the, she and the scarecrow and the cowardly lion got to Oz, instead of meeting the wizard, when she opened the door, she was confronted by by Dr. Frankenfurter from Rocky Horror Picture Show. And that particular instance, Dr. Frankenfurter happened to be me. So that's kind of what it was anyway. And it was a wonderful opportunity to perform. I don't know if we'll ever see those days again. But there have been people who have tried to copy that format. And some of them have been very successful. Probably the single most successful use of that format is is Chanel Sterling, who is without a doubt one of the single most all around talented individuals drag or otherwise I have ever known or ever met in my entire life. And a treasured treasured friend. Toby - Let's talk a little bit about your 65. So you've talked about the 1970s all the way to the present. Tell me about the first time you heard about AIDS. I was sitting in a club. I had just come back to Tulsa, as I said, in 1983, I think, 83, 84. And I was sitting in a club and a former boyfriend of mine came in and sat down. He had just come back from New York and we got acquainted and we began to visit. And I said, how was New York, Dean? And it was Dean Martin. He said, oh, kid, he said, it's horrifying. I said, horrifying? What are you talking about? He said, there's something going on there. They call it gay cancer. I said, gay cancer? What do you mean? He said, it's a disease. He said, it's killing people just right and left. He said, you'll see someone out at a bar on a Monday and they'll be gone by Thursday. And he said, it's it's unexplainable. And I never heard of it. I didn't know what it was. didn't know. I didn't understand that it was how it was transmitted and so forth. The first person in Tulsa that ever passed away that was the first person that anyone knew about that came in contact with HIV and passed away from the disease was a young man by the name of Paul Pack, who was a bartender at a club downtown called Tim's Playroom owned by... was Tim Turner, Tim Turner. And his lover was a very well-known female 19 �impersonator here in Tulsa, she was Shawna Michaels. And all we knew was that Paul got very sick and he was the first person that anyone had ever heard of that had, was Kaposi Sarcoma. And we all knew that he had... away, well automatically that kind of put a face to the situation here in Tulsa specifically. And we didn't, any of us, know, you know, what it was, how we basically came in contact with it. And we knew how it was transmitted, of course, but we didn't know the ins or outs of the disease. everyone automatically started getting tested. And I remember the very first test that I ever took was in 1986. I was 26 years old. I was terrified, absolutely terrified. And the health department. Toby – That’s where you took that test? And once they found out what you were in there, they treated you like what you were there for… they treated you like basically you were a vermin, you know, and you're just non-human. And as time went by, after, by 1987, I was with, as I said, my other half, Larry, who was a patient of Dr. Jeff Beal. And Jeff was the first medical physician that I'd ever come in contact who knew what was going on. And he basically held meetings and tried to explain to people the severity of what was happening and how there needed to be funding for research and so forth. And was very much on the forefront of that. And we realized then the enormity of the situation we were in. And the very first time, I will tell you. I didn't think I was going to get emotional about this. The first time I ever was confronted with it completely. I was at a pride celebration on the campus of the University of California in Irvine. And they had brought the AIDS quilt to the campus and they put it in the Student Union and it was in different levels of the Student Union. So they divided it up so that you could go and see it. And I was a member of the court system in California, in Orange County at that time and I was there with one of their booths. And I left during a break and I went to the Student Union and walked through and I can tell you that I don't normally get emotional in public. I'm not that kind of an individual. But when I was confronted with those faces and with the, all the, just the whole enormity of the quilt itself, I just fell into pieces. The next thing I knew, they were picking me up off the floor and handing me a box of Kleenex. And I kept saying, I'm so sorry. I said, no. Toby - Do you remember what year that was? 20 �19, let's see, I moved to California in November of 1988. So this would have been about 1990. And it was just, you know, it just hit you directly in the face. But I... After I came back to Tulsa in 92, I lost a number of friends, personal friends that passed away with AIDS. And like we were talking about on the phone last night, one of the individuals was 33 years old. And he had come in contact with it through the first sexual partner that he had ever physically been with and had been dealing with the disease from the time he was 20 until he was 33. And he was a patient of Dr. Beal’s. And I remember him saying to me, he said, I don't understand it. said, you know, you, I haven't lived any different life than you have. You and I, we've had the same experiences. Why am I in this situation that you're not? And I truthfully didn't. I said, Michael, I don't know. I don't know. But I said, all I know is I want to help you as much as I possibly can. And I watched that poor young thing, young man, 33 years old, pass away, the most horrific death I've ever seen in my life. And you just, and I struggled with the guilt. You do, you can't help it. Because you think, how did this get me? And all I can say is that I think I have been put here for a purpose. Obviously there must be some reason or another or otherwise it would have been I would have been in the same situation and the only thing that I could do in help with him there was a doctor here in town the name of Ralph Richter who was participating in a study through a company called VaxGen and a doctor had developed what he said was a vaccination for the AIDS virus. And they were doing a blind test study through this doctor's office and I participated in it. And they basically, they gave you shots of the synthetic antibodies, basically what they were. You didn't know whether you were getting the placebo or whether you were getting the vaccination itself. There was a series of 10 shots that she took once a month, 10 months. Midway through, I began to start getting ferocious colds and illnesses and coming up with all kinds of strange bruises and so forth. I finally asked one of the medical people in his office, said, how does my body know that what you're and you couldn't tell have an AIDS test because if you did you automatically came up positive. Anyway I asked the nurse, I said how does my body know that I'm not getting the actual antibodies? I said how does my body know that it's 21 �synthetic? And she really couldn't answer so I quit participating. And about four months later right before the study was over with they explained to me they said you know we were just getting ready to close we wish that you would come back and continue this and I went ahead and did it. I went ahead and finished the test honey and lo and behold After it was all over they sent me notification that I hadn't been given the vaccination Now what was sad about that? One of the reasons that I quit was I didn't know at the time that this shot these inoculations were $900 apiece and I asked the Representatives of the company that were in the doctor's office. I said what makes you think that any young gay individual walking down the street is going to have $900 or basically $9,000 on 10 shots to be able to afford this. They can't do it. I said, how many insurance companies are going to sponsor this? Well, they had no, you know, they had no response to that really. Anyway, lo and behold, of the gentleman who invented the vaccination to try to get the American Medical Association to approve it. He was a doctor of course who dealt with aged patients. He took the blood samples, drew blood from his most terminally ill patient and transfused the blood into him, so the contaminated blood into his own body. And he never came up with the disease. And he tried to present that as a case to the AMA that for sure that this vaccination actually did work and they still refused to approve it. So it was all that trouble for nothing basically. Toby - I can remember you helping us raise money to buy this building. You would perform at some of the big events that we would have. I can remember you and Chris Cole performing at the old Brady Mansion on Denver. That was such a unique experience to come down those stairs and see all those people at the foot of it made you feel quite like a celebrity. Toby - What about, let's, you and Taylor were able to be legally married. I want to share your picture. And y'all got married in drag. He was still, he was the guest speaker that year 2014, November 2014 at the transgender day of remembrance. We had been together by this time three years. And as you all know, we had gone through our first initial commitment ceremony here, but I knew that he was scheduled to go up to Oklahoma City tonspeak at that organizational meeting. And he was 22 �involved at that time with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which that organization. And he was very good friends of the individual who officiated our ceremony, who had gone through a minister, what's the correct term? Toby - A minister ordination. And that gentleman, the clinic, called me one day and he said, I have to tell you something. And he said, I think you should know. I said, what's that? He said, Taylor is preparing to surprise you with something. And I said, what's he going to surprise me with? He said he's bought a ring and he intends to propose marriage to you after he gets done with his speech at the organization meeting. And he said, I want to know, are you going to say yes because we've got to buy license. We've got to get everything together beforehand. We just can't throw away, have a ceremony. We need to do all this legally and I want to get it all prepared. I was quite frankly aghast. I didn't know what to say. Because the idea of being legally married had never really entered my mind. But I got to thinking personally about the situation and I thought this is this way I know that he is taken care of. I said, I know he's going to be taken care of, that there's nobody in my family that can come in and take anything away from him. That if it's all legally shared together. So I thought this is probably the best thing we can do for each other. And so he didn't know I knew anything about what was going to happen. So after he got done making his speech, he said, now I want to bring my other half up to, we were all outside with the candlelight ceremony. then I came up and he got down on his hands and knees, or she, she I should say, she got down on her hands and knees at that time and proposed. And I said, of course, yes. Well, we went into the building we were all attending this meeting. And Robin Dorner was the president of the gala, she'd already gone and bought the wedding cake and the whole nine yards had the license and everything there. The funny situation about it was we were standing on a platform about as high as this table when we to officiate the ceremony and go through the nuptials and when Clint said, 23 �do you, take this individual to be your lawfully wedded spouse to have and to hold until you part? When he had gotten aware of the situation it hit point blank in his face and he fainted. I was standing there. I watched his eyes roll, her eyes as I said she was a drag. I watched her eyes roll completely back on her head, turned snow white and started to fall. And I just grabbed her by the hand and jerked her back. He came back and I asked him, I said, what happened. He said, because I realized that this was for real, for real. This was this was going to be the lasting thing. There was no turning back, you know, the enormity of the situation. He looked me square in the face and he said, I'm glad we did it My father bless his heart. I loved him so dearly. He, when Taylor decided to become transgender or thought she was transgender. I didn't think I was going get emotional. My mother had left a pair of earrings on the table. And he had lived at this table all the time. My mother had been gone about a year. Excuse me, I can't believe this. This is crazy. She'd been gone about a year. And I didn't know what he thought about Taylor all of a sudden assuming a female identity, which he hadn't been when he came here. Because as everyone does when you're transgender you have to spend a year living in you know in your chosen attire what she was doing at the time and My dad walked over and he took the earrings off this table and he put them in Taylor's open hand And he said Mrs. Harold would be proud of you for having the courage to be who you feel that you really are. And he said, nobody can take that away from you. And that to me was just unbelievable. As time went on, Taylor decided that wasn't who he actually truthfully thought he was. Who he thought he was wasn't who he was anyway. But it was a situation that my dad did that. And I will tell you that when my father passed away, it affected Taylor almost more than it did me because he was, for the first time, had been totally accepted 100 % in that world. I had a very, very, very unique set of parents. Toby - This has been wonderful. Is there anything else you would like to say before we close out this interview? A message you might give to generations who come after you and watch this video. 24 �Be who you are. Don't let anybody, don't let anybody try to hold you down and try to make you who you aren't. You only have one chance at life and the thing you have to do with that one chance is to make the most of it as you possibly can and that's being true to yourself. That's the main goal in life is to always be true to yourself. Toby - One more time for the camera, your full legal name. Kent Wilson Harrell. Jr. 25 � 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 [2025] Kent Harrell Interview Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcription of Toby Jenkin’s December 23, 2025, interview. The interview explores his life and experiences focusing on his journey through early life, family dynamics, understanding his sexual orientation, and his career in drag performance. Kent shares insights into the challenges faced by the LGBT community, particularly during the AIDS crisis, and reflects on his personal relationships, including his marriage to Taylor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and offers advice for future generations. Subject The topic of the resource Kent Harrell Oral History Project Interview Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Kent Harrell, Toby Jenkins, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 23, 2025 2025 AIDS AIDS/HIV Dennis Neill HIV HIV/AIDs interview Kent Harrell OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Toby Jenkins transcript video