[2013] OKEQ Weekly eNews, 5 March 2013
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Welcome to the eNews.
The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is entirely supported by donations from the community. Be Our Voice, Give a Day allows us to spotlight our generous donors. Be Our Voice, Give a Day
eNews Staff
Oklahomans for
The eNews for the week of March 5th, 2013 is brought to you by EBA Member Business:
Be Our Voice, Give a Day
Denise Polonchak donated to
OkEq's Be Our Voice, Give a Day campaign and sponsored the LGBT Helpline for yesterday Monday, March 4th, 2013
to celebrate her son's 31st Birthday.
Happy Birthday Dusty and Thank You Denise for your support!
eNews March 5th, 2013
In This Issue
EBA Sponsor
Be Our Voice, Give a Day First Thursday Camp Fire Green Country Camp Fire Candy Sale Gamily Medicare Supplements Legal Clinic
Be Our Voice, Give a Day First Thursday Art Reception
Thursday, March 7th, 2013; 6:00 pm
The March OkEq showcase and exhibit of local artists at the Equality Center, will feature the Photographic Art of Steve Barrett and Cheryl Quetone, beginning with a reception on Thursday, March 7th, 2013 from 6:00 - 9:00 pm and continuing throughout the month.
Camp Fire Green Country Candy Sale
Wednesday, March 6th, 2013; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Oklahomans for Equality will host a Camp Fire
Green Country Candy Sale at the Dennis R. Neill
Equality Center on Wednesday, March 6th, 2013
starting at 5:30 pm. Camp Fire will be selling their
world famous Chocolate Bars for $1 each. Camp Fire
is an inclusive organization welcoming children, youth
and adults regardless of race, religion,
socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity.
Girl Scouts Cookie Sale
Thursday, March 7th, 2013; 5:30 - 7:30 pm
In support of Girl Scouts being an inclusion organization, Oklahomans for Equality will host the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma Cookie Sale at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center on Thursday, March 7th, 2013 starting at 5:30 pm.
The cookies will cost $4.00 per box and will include: Thin Mints, Tagalongs (peanut butter & chocolate patties), Samoas (chocolate, caramel, coconut cookie), Do-si-dos (peanut butter sandwich cookie), Trefoils (a shortbread cookie) and Savannah Smiles (a zesty lemon cookie).
GAMILY Meeting
Saturday, March 9th, 2013; 3:00 pm
OkEq welcomes our new intern, Samantha Checotah, who will be working with our GAMILY program which advocates and serves LGBT parents and their children. Gamily will have a Meet n Greet get together on Saturday, March 9th, 2013 at 3:00 pm at the Equality Center.
SAGE hosts Medicare Supplements Made Easy
Tuesday, March 12th, 2013; 10:00 am
SAGE Tulsa will host Al Triggs (Creative Marketing Director for Legacy Insurance Advisors) for an informational presentation on Medicare Supplements and information on where you can get the most value for your money. Do you find the descriptions about supplement programs confusing? Do you fee you are paying too much money? Are your medications too expensive? Lunch will be provided. Please RVSP to mary.jones@okeq.org.
Legal Aid Services Legal Clinic
Tuesday, March 12th, 2013; 6:00 pm
Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma's next Legal Clinic at the Equality Center is on Tuesday, March 12th, 2013, at 6:00 pm. This free to the public legal clinic will address Oklahoma's Juvenile Code & Juvenile Law Issues. The clinic's guest speaker will be Ivan Orndorff, Esq. and Craig Reffner, Esq.
Equality Business Alliance
Upcoming Events
Join the Equality Business Alliance EBA Business Directory
EBA on Facebook
The March Monthly EBA Meeting will be on
Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 at 6:00 pm at the Equality
Center. This meeting is open to members and non-members, however you must be a paid member to speak or vote on agenda items. This is your chance to steer the organization so all members are encouraged to attend. If you have an item you want on the agenda, please have it sent to eba@okeq.org by Monday March 11th.
The March Monthly Mixer Meeting will be on Wednesday, March 20th, 2013 at 6:00 pm, hosted by The Street Law Firm. Please RSVP and send an invite to everyone on your friends list. Walk ins are welcome. This event is open to members and non-members alike. Bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to give a 2 minute commercial about your business.
The Street Law Firm
400 S. Boston Ave. Suite 1100W, Tulsa, OK 74103
4th Annual LGBT Equality Day
Wednesday March 6th, 2013; 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Equality Network (TEN) invites all LGBT and allied people from across the state for the 4th Annual LGBT Equality Day at the Capitol. Nothing shapes legislators' attitudes more than face-to-face contact with their constituents. Wednesday, March 6th will begin with a brief lobbying training session at 9:00 am in Room 25. TEN will provide information on how to effectively interact with your representatives as well as talking points for target legislation.
TEN encourages you to set up an appointment with your state representative and state senator in advance to ensure that you will be able to meet with them on
Equality Day. To find your representatives, click here. Tulsa Pride 2013
Tulsa Pride is now accepting registrations for Volunteers and Exhibitors, Food Vendors and Parade Entries atwww.tulsapride.org for Tulsa Pride 2013.
Pride Planning Meeting
Thursday, March 28th, 2013; 7:30 pm
Dennis R Neill Equality Center
Tulsa Pride will have a planning meeting Thursday, March 28th at 7:30 pm at the Equality Center. Meetings are open to the public and anybody interested in helping is encouraged to attend.
Pride Idol
Saturday, March 30th, 2013; 9:00 pm
New Age Renegade 1649 S Main St
Calling all entertainers! Here's your shot. The winner of Tulsa Pride's Drag Idol will win a spot on the Tulsa Pride Main Stage during the Tulsa Pride Street Festival. Drag, live vocals, spoken word, whatever! One night of competition, Saturday March 30th at New Age Renegade, Hosted by Tabitha Taylor. For rules and regulations and for additional information visit Tulsa Pride on Facebook.
6th Annual Turn About Show
Monday, April 1st, 2013; 8:00 pm
Club Majestic
124 N Boston Ave
Come out and see your favorite LGBT bar owners and staff like you've never seen them before. Monday April 1st, Doors open at 8:00 pm, No Cover Charge! Raffles and Door Prizes. Proceeds benefit Tulsa Pride. 18 to Enter, 21 to Drink!
Save the Date! OkEq Equality Gala
Saturday, May 4th, 2013
The Annual OkEq Equality Gala has a new home on Facebook
And be sure to join us on Saturday, May 4th, 2013!
www.okeq.org/gala SAGE hosts TCC Center Tour
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013; 10:30 am
SAGE Tulsa will host a Tulsa Community College class tour of the Equality Center on Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 at 10:30 am. Food will be provided and the TCC students will join the SAGE members for intergenerational discussions. Email lucas.green@okeq.org if you would like to attend.
DREAM ACT Oklahoma
Saturday and Sunday, March 16th and 17th, 2013
Oklahomans for Equality will host a training session for DREAM Act Oklahoma at the Equality Center on Saturday March 16th from 6:00 - 10:00 pm and Sunday March 17th from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm.
DAOK is excited to bring together potential leaders from
all around Oklahoma to decide the next phase of the
immigration youth movement. The retreat will set the
direction and focus on what Oklahoma needs. DAOK wants to outline a strategic process and listen to you.
DREAM Act Oklahoma is a youth-lead organization with an emphasis on civil rights for the undocumented community, trying to eradicate fear, help educate and advocate for a better life and a brighter future.
For more information on DREAM Act OK or to sign up for the training, contact Ivan Godinez at Ivan@dreamactok.org or visit dreamactok.org
Tulsa LGBT Softball Keeps Growing
Tulsa Metro Softball League is kicking off their 5th Spring Season on April 7th, 2013. To date, the league has 14 registered teams and expects to have more than 160 players. They're inviting everyone to get in on the action!
TMSL's annual Spring Recruitment Clinic will be held on
Saturday, March 9th, 2013 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at
Lantz Park. If you have ever wanted to play, this is the
way to find a team. All players, new and returning, that
are looking for a spring team should attend. At the
clinics, players will go through some drills, learn about
the league and meet coaches to be placed on a team. Lantz Park is located at 821 N. Yale Ave in Tulsa.
TMSL also has several sponsorship opportunities available for their upcoming spring season and their two big tournaments this summer.
To learn more about sponsorship and to get signed up to play visit
TulsaMetroSoftball.com
Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
Wednesday, March 20th, 2013; 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
March 20th is Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and the Creek Nation HIV/AIDS Project will be having HIV testing at the Equality Center
from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. The day will also include speakers, light food and beverages, information booths with give-a-ways. H.O.P.E. Testing will provide tests from 4:00 - 8:00 pm.
Sponsored by
Creek Nation HIV/AIDS Project
H.O.P.E Testing Clinic
H.E.A.R.T. Native American Coalition of Green country
Homebuyer Education Class
Thursday, March 28th, 2013; 6:30 pm
Dennis R Neill Equality Center
Oklahomans for Equality will be hosting a free Homebuyer Education Class on Thursday, March 28th, 2013 at 6:30 pm. Join us to learn about the home buying process. The class will be conducted by Shane Allbee (Theinsurancecrew), Anthony Carr ( Keller Williams Realty) and Jason Dieckman (Bank
of the Wichitas Mortgage Company).
There is no admission fee for this informational class. Learn the basic steps to homeownership: Lender/Realtor/Insurance and the basics to knowing "Your Credit". The class will include a Q&A session. Participants will be provided with a packet to get started. Seating will be limited so send an RSVP to OkEq Program Coordinator Mary Jones mary.jones@okeq.org.
Tulsa Mr. Leather 2013
Friday and Saturday, March 8th & 9th, 2013
Tulsa's Premier Gay Leather Event - the Tulsa Mr. Leather Contest and Event will take place March 8th & 9th, 2013 at the Tulsa Eagle, 1338 E. 3rd St, just east of Downtown Tulsa. The Event begins on Friday, March 8th at 10:00 pm with a Meet n Greet Mixer at the Tulsa Eagle and follows up with the Contest at 10:00 pm on Saturday the 9th of March.
The event is open and welcoming to all interested fans and friends. Part of the $5 cover charge will start the charity fund that will be raised throughout the year.
For more information email:
tmlproducers@gmail.com
The eNews for the week of March 5th, 2013 is brought to you by EBA Member Business:
Flying Solo - Singles Night OUT
2nd and 4th Fridays; 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Dennis R Neill Equality Center
OkEq is hosting a new singles group for the LGBT community looking to meet new people and try new experiences. Meets on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of every month. Hosted by PENNY SLOTS AND JIMMIE NEUTRON, the Superheroes of Love. Event will be ages 21 and over. Next meet is Friday, March 8th, 2013
COLORAMA presented by Tulsa Lambda Bowling
Friday, March 8th, 2013; 8:00 pm
Sheridan Lanes
3121 South Sheridan Road Tulsa, OK
The Tulsa Lambda League bowlers present COLORAMA at Sheridan lanes. Friday, March 8th, 2013 at 8:00 pm. Everyone is invited to come out and join in for a fun night of bowling, and to win some cash. COLORAMA is a fundraiser for the Jackpot Oklahoma Lambda Tournament (JOLT), Tulsa's only
annual Gay bowling tournament which brings in Gay & Lesbian bowlers throughout the nation to Tulsa. You don't need to be a league bowler to participate, so any skill level is welcomed. The cost for COLORAMA is $20. Be prepared to have a ball.
Tulsa Growl 2013
May 3rd - 5th, 2013
The Green Country Bears are proud to sponsor Tulsa Growl II on May 3rd - 5th, 2013. Tulsa's Best Bear Run will be an event filled weekend so be sure to visit www.tulsagrowl.com and check out the entire schedule and to register.
Marriage Equality Week
March 25th - 30th, 2013
Within Our Reach
Saturday, March 30th, 2013; 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
Oklahomans for Equality in
collaboration with Family &
Children's Services will be
offering "Within Our Reach" a
free, fun, educational couples
relationship enhancement
workshop. It is intended to help couples build on existing strengths and teaches important skills to create safe and stable relationships. In addition, couples will learn how to communicate effectively, work as a team to solve problems, manage conflicts without damaging closeness, and preserve and enhance love, commitment and friendship.
Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, please call Carrie at 918.560.1243 or email clitttle@fcsok.org
Suzanne Westenhoefer
Saturday, April 13th, 2013 8:00 pm
IDL Ballroom 230 E 1st St Tulsa, OK 74103
Come on out to the IDL Ballroom in Downtown Tulsa and enjoy a night with the Funniest. Lesbian. Ever. Suzanne Westenhoefer. She's bad... and she knows it. She's also rip-roaring hilarity wrapped up with a silver bow and a gift tag that says, "Just Try Me".
Doors open at 7:00 pm Show starts at 8:00 pm Seating is limited
For more info and to purchase tickets, call 918.798.3647 or visit here
Proceeds benefit Therapetics Service
Dogs of Oklahoma. Therapetics works to
enhance the lives of individuals living with physical disabilities by providing them with highly trained service dogs. For information on Therapetics visit www.therapetics.org.
Tulsa Two Spirits Society Gathering
April 19th - 22nd, 2013
Osage Hills State Park
2131 Osage Hills State Park Road Pawhuska, OK 74056
The gathering's program will include workshops on traditional and
contemporary Native American culture, Pow Wows, stompdancing, celebrations, Native faith, and other related activities. No alcohol, drugs or guns will be allowed.
The Tulsa Two Spirits Society is "a non-profit Native American LGBT Collective. We seek to affirm and embody positive traditional and modern Two Spirit identities, and in so doing, be valued members of our communities".
For more information or to register for the gathering, please visit
t h e Tulsa Two Spirits Gathering section on the OkEq download the registration form here.
Council Oak Mens Chorale
Rehearsals continue on Mondays; 7:00 pm
The Vocal Pride Foundation is excited to announce that Council Oak Mens Chorale rehearsals for the summer 2013 season have begun. Our performance ensemble had great success last season with the Divo/Diva summer concert, a stellar performance in Denver, Colorado at the GALA 2012 Festival, and our fall Zinga! performances with clarinetist Stacy C. Smith.
website or
Council Oak Men's Chorale Summer Season 2013 "DONNA SUMMER/WHITNEY HOUSTON - A TRIBUTE" with celebrated soloist Phena Hackett, Soprano
Rehearsals continue on Mondays Fellowship Congregational Church 2900 S. Harvard Ave Fellowship Hall
7:00 to 9:00 pm.
Performances are Tuesday, June 4th and Friday June 7th, 2013 at Lorton Performance Center - TU Campus
www.counciloak.org MOREcolor Artist Submissions
Opening Night June 13th, 2013
Calling all interested artists ages 18 and over, we are now open for submissions for the annual MOREcolor Fine Arts Exhibition 2013, a highly anticipated feature of the Tulsa Pride celebration.
We strive to be very artist friendly, while providing a venue for cutting edge artistic vision, expressed through all media, including performance and installation creations.
The Festive and always surprising Opening Night reception will be held June 13th, 2013 at the Dennis R Neil Equality Center. It is free and open to the
public. For the 1st time this year, there will be a Juror's award as well as a People's Choice award.
For submission details go to MOREcolorart.com "Red State Brief" Filed in Marriage Cases at
US Supreme Court
Oklahomans for Equality today joined the Utah Pride Center, Campaign for Southern Equality and twenty-five other organizations in filing an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court. The brief urges the justices to strike down a wide range of anti-gay laws. The brief calls on the Court to uphold appellate court rulings in both the Defense ofMarriage and Proposition 8 cases currently pending. Oklahomans for Equality joined Utah Pride in this "Red State Brief" to detail the long history of anti-gay legislation in many states around the nation that denigrates the LGBT community.
"This brief is about arguing on behalf of the millions of Americans who feel hopeless that legislation on a state level will ever advance their cause," said Utah Pride Attorney and former Bush Administration United States Attorney Brett Tolman.
The brief contends that many local state laws are designed to routinely deny gay citizens basic civil rights, and many state codes are woven in a tangle that can only be unraveled by the courts.
Read the brief here Imperial Court of All Oklahoma
Upcoming Events
I.C.A.O. - Coronation VI
March 7th - 10th, 2013
Regent Emperor V Philip "Papa Scrappy" Saint Johns
& Regent Empress V Kris Kohl & The Imperial Court of All Oklahoma Invite you to
Coronation VI
"A Night at the USO with Designing Women and a Cast of Stars"
Thursday, March 7th
Meet and Greet at Tulsa Eagle @ 10 PM, No Cover
Friday, March 8th
Hospitality Noon to 3 at Host Hotel
Out of Town Show - Host Hotel - Doors at 6, Show at 7 $15 - includes bus tour
Bus leaves hotel at 9 - drag welcome but not required Hospitality Midnight to 3
Must have wrist band for bus tour and hospitality Friday night.
Saturday, March 9th
Hospitality - 8 am to 3 pm
Woman's Conference 1 pm - Host Hotel (Open to the Public, Free)
Coronation VI - Host Hotel - $45 (Dress is Theme or Formal) Doors / Meet and Greet at 5 pm, Dinner at 6 pm and Ceremony at 7 pm Hospitality - 1 hour after Coronation to 3 am
Sunday, March 10th
Victory Brunch - Host Hotel - $25
Doors at 10:30, Brunch at 11
Shot Party - 3 pm - 5 pm Bamboo Lounge - No Cover Victory Show - 7 pm - ? Bamboo Lounge - No Cover
Hotel, Tickets and Program Advertising Information are available on theImperial Court of All Oklahoma website
I.C.A.O. is a 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization
for more information contact ICAO on Facebook or impcourtok@gmail.com
Equality Center Pride Store
Tulsa Pride 2012 T-Shirts are only $5! Get them now before they are gone forever!
Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library
'Anything but Straight: Unmasking the Scandals and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth' by Wayne Besen
You may check out this addition to our comprehensive resource library at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
Nationally known activist Wayne
Besen spent four years examining the
phenomenon of "ex-gay" ministries
and reparative therapies-interviewing
leaders, attending conferences, and
visiting ministries undercover as he
accumulated hundreds of hours of
research. The result is Anything but
Straight: Unmasking the Scandals
and Lies Behind the Ex-Gay Myth, a
groundbreaking exposé of the
controversial movement that's revered
by independent religious groups and
reviled by gay and lesbian
organizations. The book presents a
historical perspective on the dispute,
examining "ex-gay" groups such as
Love In Action, Exodus International,
Homosexuals Anonymous, and
profiling a cast of characters that
includes Pat Robertson, the Rev.
Jerry Falwell, "ex-gay" poster boy John Paulk, National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality activist Richard Cohen, and psychiatrist Dr. Robert Spitzer.
An in-depth, well-researched, and historically significant account, Anything but Straight is full of startling facts and alarming surprises.
Check for this selection and more by visiting our library database online
Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library