Dennis Neill
3019 S. Boston Court
Tulsa, OK 74114
918-743-4354 (Home) 918-591-1010 (Office)
February 2, 2004
The Honorable Penny Williams
Oklahoma State Senator
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Room #417A
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Re: Same-gender civil unions
Dear Senator Williams:
I am pleased to see comments in the press recently that the Oklahoma Democratic leadership recognizes that the Legislature has much more important business to attend to than the divisive bills introduced by various House and Senate members on same-gender civil unions. While I come from the position that such unions should be permitted as a basic individual right and liberty, it is also important that the state of Oklahoma not once again be labeled as backward and bigoted. This is not the image we need if we want to develop real economic opportunity for our citizens. As the two enclosed articles note, the states and cities which support a progressive and diverse work environment –including their gay and lesbian citizens - are the ones who will most likely move forward in their economic development.
We should also be supportive of the thousands of Oklahoma families who have gay children or other relatives – and simply wish to have the same rights and responsibilities as of the rest of the population. We certainly do not want to codify in our state or federal constitutions examples of blatant bigotry, a legacy which would be ashamed of for generations to come. Instead, let’s take a deep breath – and pursue the real issues that mean a better quality of life for all.
Sincerely,
Dennis R. Neill
JUNE 13, 2003
DENNIS NEILL REMARKS AT GALA
ISN’T IT GREAT TO HAVE AMBASSADOR HORMEL AND HIS PARTNER IN TULSA TONIGHT?
SPECIAL LEADERS IN THE ALL IMPORTANT FIGHT FOR THE GLBT COMMUNITY.
IN TULSA, WE HAVE ALSO BEEN BLESSED WITH COMMITTED INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE VOLUTEERED THEIR TIME AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR SERVICES TO THE GLBT COMMUNITY – PROVIDING EDUCATION, OUTREACH , ADVOCACY.
FOR 23 YEARS, TOHR HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT ANCHOR IN THAT EFFORT – BUT AN ANCHOR THAT IS ONLY AS STRONG AS ITS CHAIN – OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS.
TONIGHT, YOU REPRESENT A LARGE PART OF THE CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS WHO HAVE ENSURED THAT TOHR CONTINUE TO GROW AND EVOLVE OVER THESE 23 YEARS.
BRENT AND SUE HAVE HIGHTLIGHTED THE PROGRAMS OF TOHR AND THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
WHAT I WISH TO CONVEY IS THE IMPORTANCE OF TOHR AND ITS PROGRAMS BEING AT THE CORE OF YOUR GIVING – OF TIME AND MONEY.
THERE ARE MANY WORTHWHILE CAUSES IN OUR CITY, IN OUR STATE, IN OUR NATION, AND AROUND THE GLOBE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SUPPORT THOSE EFFORTS THAT WE CAN.
BUT A FEW CAUSES WE CAN MAKE THE CORE OF OUR GIVING, AND REALLY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THOSE CAUSES. WHEN WE REFLECT IN THE FUTURE ON HOW EACH OF US USED OUR RESOURCES, I BELIEVE THOSE OF US WHO HAVE MADE TOHR A CORE OF OUR GIVING WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE.
BY BEING HERE TONIGHT, YOU ARE IN ALL LIKLIHOOD A CONTIRIBUTOR TO TOHR’S BUDGET. IF TOHR CAN BE IN THE CORE OF YOUR CHARITABLE DONATIONS, WE WILL TAKE THE ORGANIZATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT THAT WE EXPAND THIS CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPPORTERS WITHIN THE GLBT AND STRAIGHT COMMUNITY. SO ASK YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS FOR THEIR HELP. VOLUNTEER MORE OF YOUR TIME AND MONEY.
BE POSITIVE ABOUT OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS . PARTICIPATE IN THE CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY OF SERVING TULSA’S GLBT COMMUNITY TODAY AND TOMORROW. WE WILL BE PROUD OF WHAT WE DID TO MOVE TOHR AND WHAT IT REPRESENTS FORWARD – TOGETHER.
Dennis Neill
3019 S. Boston Ct.
Tulsa, OK 74114
918.808.1010 dneill@cox.net
June 15, 2010
Mr. Bill Christiansen
City Councilor, District 8
One Technology Center
175 E. 2nd Street
Tulsa, OK 74103
Dear Councilor Christiansen:
I understand that the City Council’s June 17, 2010 agenda will include a discussion of including sexual orientation in the city’s non-discrimination ordinance. I hope you will do the right thing for the City and its citizens and vote to accept the recommendation from the Tulsa Human Rights Commission.
This inclusive step has been analyzed and discussed within the City since 1978 and was first recommended by the Tulsa Human Rights Commission in 1995. It is time for the City of Tulsa to make this affirmative and positive step and join hundreds of sister cities in moving diversity forward. By doing so, it will be a momentous day and one I can cherish as a resident of the City since 1977.
Thank you for your favorable consideration.
Sincerely,
Dennis Neill