[2007] Lifetime Achievement Award Dennis Neill Acceptance Speech
Title
[2007] Lifetime Achievement Award Dennis Neill Acceptance Speech
Subject
2007 Equality Gala Lifetime Achievement Award Acceptance Speech by Dennis Neill
Description
A transcript of Dennis Neill's acceptance speech for the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2007 Equality Gala, 2 pages.
Creator
Dennis Neill
Date
2007
Contributor
Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ)
Text
2007 Gala
Dennis Acceptance Speech
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognition of guests, Extended Family, Michelle Hoffinan’s tireless work on the video. Rene Potter, dear friend from Tucson, coming to join us and provide this wonderful entertainment.
For 27 years, OkEq has been here, working for equality, being a community supporter, providing outreach and services. For an organization which has grown from an annual budget of a few thousand dollars to one with a budget of a few hundred thousand dollars, one constant has been there, an absolute reliance on dedicated volunteers and board and recently a few loyal staff who work day in and day out for our important mission.
I can only accept this very gracious gesture of OkEq by recognizing that every step of the way, what we have done has been a team effort sharing in our successes and dealing with our losses.
We could not have done our important work without our allies and friends in the community. And the partners who provide the support throughout the ups and downs. Thank you John.
We now have a center the entire community can be proud of. This new home is here today and will be here tomorrow. And for tomorrow’s generation. Most importantly, programs and services are offered to address a great need in education, advocacy and support. Services and space together imder one roof means that OkEq provides a beacon of acceptance in a nation, state and city which have yet to fully deal with their past and current biases.
Without us, fighting on the frontier, where we would be? Where would the next generation find the voice for what is right?
We should all have a renewed sense of hope for equality because of recent developments to which many in this room have contributed and to which all of us support. Let us continue our efforts, together
Thank you so much, I will never forget the true meaning of this night – teamwork for equality!
Dennis Acceptance Speech
Lifetime Achievement Award
Recognition of guests, Extended Family, Michelle Hoffinan’s tireless work on the video. Rene Potter, dear friend from Tucson, coming to join us and provide this wonderful entertainment.
For 27 years, OkEq has been here, working for equality, being a community supporter, providing outreach and services. For an organization which has grown from an annual budget of a few thousand dollars to one with a budget of a few hundred thousand dollars, one constant has been there, an absolute reliance on dedicated volunteers and board and recently a few loyal staff who work day in and day out for our important mission.
I can only accept this very gracious gesture of OkEq by recognizing that every step of the way, what we have done has been a team effort sharing in our successes and dealing with our losses.
We could not have done our important work without our allies and friends in the community. And the partners who provide the support throughout the ups and downs. Thank you John.
We now have a center the entire community can be proud of. This new home is here today and will be here tomorrow. And for tomorrow’s generation. Most importantly, programs and services are offered to address a great need in education, advocacy and support. Services and space together imder one roof means that OkEq provides a beacon of acceptance in a nation, state and city which have yet to fully deal with their past and current biases.
Without us, fighting on the frontier, where we would be? Where would the next generation find the voice for what is right?
We should all have a renewed sense of hope for equality because of recent developments to which many in this room have contributed and to which all of us support. Let us continue our efforts, together
Thank you so much, I will never forget the true meaning of this night – teamwork for equality!
Files
Citation
Dennis Neill, “[2007] Lifetime Achievement Award Dennis Neill Acceptance Speech,” OKEQ History Project, accessed November 21, 2024, https://history.okeq.org/items/show/762.