[2003] GLBT History Project Brochure
Title
[2003] GLBT History Project Brochure
Subject
Brochure for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered History Project sponsored by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights
Date
May 2003
Text
INTRODUCING THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED HISTORY PROJECT
SPONSORED BY
TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
JOIN US IN EXPLORING OUR GLBT HISTORY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE IN NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA
We Are Here. We have always been here. We Matter.
TOHR GLBT History Project
The GLBT History Project (the “History Project”) is a volunteer group of interested members of the Tulsa community who are committed to uncovering, preserving and presenting the rich contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people within the state of Oklahoma, with a particular emphasis on Tulsa and the surrounding area.
Why undertake this effort, which will include gathering and indexing documents, news stories, oral and video interviews and creating a permanent and accessible archive? How else can we understand the contributions, sacrifice, and dedication of our GLBT community and its many supporters? As we fight for a better society that more openly accepts its rich diversity and extends equal rights to all, the History Project will be an important source of knowledge and inspiration.
Due to past discrimination, the contributions and sacrifices of GLBT persons around the world and through the ages have been overlooked and minimized. The History Project is proudly joining the struggle to document these issues and lay a firm foundation to addressing the wrongs of past discrimination and marginalization.
One brief historical example. For the last four hundred years, millions of people have traveled to Rome to view Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel – one of the great achievements in Western culture. They accept as a historical fact that he was an Italian living in the sixteenth century; for Italians, his accomplishment is a source of national pride. Less well known, and less accepted, is the fact that he was a homosexual. The latter fact, like the former, does not intrinsically amplify or diminish the work itself. For gay people everywhere, however, his sexuality engenders a similar sense of pride. It says to us something akin to what it says to Italians: We are here. We have always been here. One of us did this. We matter.
The GLBT community has been served by many outstanding individuals, gay and straight, each with their own history and perspective on where we have been and where we need to go. The lack of comprehensive documentation presents a critical problem in the formation of a truly balanced history of GLBT Oklahomans, their friends and family. It also demonstrates the need for permanent GLBT archives, repositories for the evidence that reveals how we live, work, play, love and die. In gathering this history, we have discovered men and women who struggled to lead whole lives and who fought to express themselves as active, creative and loving human beings and Oklahomans. It is with pleasure that we will tell their stories.
Additional Background:
The History Project was launched by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights in 2002. To date, it has received funding from TOHR, the GLBT Project at All Souls Unitarian Church of Tulsa, and many individuals. It will continue to operate under the direction of the Board of Directors of TOHR.
The gathered materials will be made available to interested persons at the Project’s Office or the TOHR Community Center. Certain information will be provided for use by TOHR in its newsletter and other communications. Historical excerpts will also be regularly posted to the Project’s Web site. The Project will provide speakers and materials to share the Project’s information with interested organizations.
Upon the completion of TOHR’s new Community Center, the Project will maintain a permanent office and display space which will enhance the availability of its archives and the ability to continue its work.
In conjunction with TOHR, the Project will sponsor a Fall Speaker’s Bureau. This event will be an opportunity to seek financial support for the Project while at the same time bring to the Tulsa area a notable individual who can add to our understanding of the GLBT community at-large.
Your Participation:
Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate with us in capturing the rich history of the GLBT community in the Tulsa area. You can do so by:
Volunteering – we need people to conduct interviews, organize data, digitize material, prepare typewritten transcripts, and speak to interested groups about the Project.
Contributing Material – You may have material that can be archived or copied and added to the Project’s information. You may also know of individuals or organizations that can contribute material or should be interviewed as part of our efforts. Please contact us about such contributions.
Financial Support – The Project relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and foundations to carry out its important work. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
Contact Us:
Please reach us by mail, telephone or email.
Mail: TOHR
Attn: GLBT History Project
P.O. Box 2687
Tulsa, OK 74101
Phone: 918-743-4297
Email: history@tohr.org
Website: www.tohr.org
SPONSORED BY
TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
JOIN US IN EXPLORING OUR GLBT HISTORY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE IN NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA
We Are Here. We have always been here. We Matter.
TOHR GLBT History Project
The GLBT History Project (the “History Project”) is a volunteer group of interested members of the Tulsa community who are committed to uncovering, preserving and presenting the rich contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people within the state of Oklahoma, with a particular emphasis on Tulsa and the surrounding area.
Why undertake this effort, which will include gathering and indexing documents, news stories, oral and video interviews and creating a permanent and accessible archive? How else can we understand the contributions, sacrifice, and dedication of our GLBT community and its many supporters? As we fight for a better society that more openly accepts its rich diversity and extends equal rights to all, the History Project will be an important source of knowledge and inspiration.
Due to past discrimination, the contributions and sacrifices of GLBT persons around the world and through the ages have been overlooked and minimized. The History Project is proudly joining the struggle to document these issues and lay a firm foundation to addressing the wrongs of past discrimination and marginalization.
One brief historical example. For the last four hundred years, millions of people have traveled to Rome to view Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel – one of the great achievements in Western culture. They accept as a historical fact that he was an Italian living in the sixteenth century; for Italians, his accomplishment is a source of national pride. Less well known, and less accepted, is the fact that he was a homosexual. The latter fact, like the former, does not intrinsically amplify or diminish the work itself. For gay people everywhere, however, his sexuality engenders a similar sense of pride. It says to us something akin to what it says to Italians: We are here. We have always been here. One of us did this. We matter.
The GLBT community has been served by many outstanding individuals, gay and straight, each with their own history and perspective on where we have been and where we need to go. The lack of comprehensive documentation presents a critical problem in the formation of a truly balanced history of GLBT Oklahomans, their friends and family. It also demonstrates the need for permanent GLBT archives, repositories for the evidence that reveals how we live, work, play, love and die. In gathering this history, we have discovered men and women who struggled to lead whole lives and who fought to express themselves as active, creative and loving human beings and Oklahomans. It is with pleasure that we will tell their stories.
Additional Background:
The History Project was launched by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights in 2002. To date, it has received funding from TOHR, the GLBT Project at All Souls Unitarian Church of Tulsa, and many individuals. It will continue to operate under the direction of the Board of Directors of TOHR.
The gathered materials will be made available to interested persons at the Project’s Office or the TOHR Community Center. Certain information will be provided for use by TOHR in its newsletter and other communications. Historical excerpts will also be regularly posted to the Project’s Web site. The Project will provide speakers and materials to share the Project’s information with interested organizations.
Upon the completion of TOHR’s new Community Center, the Project will maintain a permanent office and display space which will enhance the availability of its archives and the ability to continue its work.
In conjunction with TOHR, the Project will sponsor a Fall Speaker’s Bureau. This event will be an opportunity to seek financial support for the Project while at the same time bring to the Tulsa area a notable individual who can add to our understanding of the GLBT community at-large.
Your Participation:
Interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate with us in capturing the rich history of the GLBT community in the Tulsa area. You can do so by:
Volunteering – we need people to conduct interviews, organize data, digitize material, prepare typewritten transcripts, and speak to interested groups about the Project.
Contributing Material – You may have material that can be archived or copied and added to the Project’s information. You may also know of individuals or organizations that can contribute material or should be interviewed as part of our efforts. Please contact us about such contributions.
Financial Support – The Project relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and foundations to carry out its important work. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
Contact Us:
Please reach us by mail, telephone or email.
Mail: TOHR
Attn: GLBT History Project
P.O. Box 2687
Tulsa, OK 74101
Phone: 918-743-4297
Email: history@tohr.org
Website: www.tohr.org
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Citation
“[2003] GLBT History Project Brochure,” OKEQ History Project, accessed April 30, 2024, https://history.okeq.org/items/show/1021.