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As we prepare for Oklahoma's winter blast we hope these events will warm you up. Remeber to use the index at the right to jump to a story of interest.
eNews Staff
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. |
Thank You to Union Public School District
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Oklahomans for Equality is pleased that the Union Public School District of Tulsa County on Wednesday evening voted 3 to 1 to keep the book "Buster's Sugartime" on the shelf and available to students. The book by author Marc Brown was featured on an episode of the "Postcards from Buster" series on PBS. Some parents were opposed to the children's book because of it's depiction of a child with two parents of the same gender.
Nancy McDonald president of PFLAG Tulsa says " Our society embraces all kinds of families. Those "families" take on many different combinations such as, opposite sex, single parent, grandparents, same-sex and those families can be made up of different races, religions, cultures, ages, and sexual orientation. It is so important that young children have opportunities to see "their" families displayed in reading materials, movies, plays, print, and to know that the most important thing is that they are loved, cared for, and valued no matter what their family structure is."
OkEq President Toby Jenkins has said "this courageous school board is now our heroes in Tulsa, please let them know we applaud their brave and just decision." You many contact the Union Public School Board by emailing Secretary Beverly Thummel thummel.beverly@unionps.org. You may also send written letters to Union Public Schools Education Service Center located at 8506 E. 61st St. Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133. If you are in the District 9 Independent Union School District please include that in your correspondence. |
| Book Signing Tuesday, Feb. 2nd: 7pm
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 On Tuesday, February 2nd at 7pm, Oklahomans for Equality and Booksmart Tulsa will host a literary event and book signing at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, with Wade Rouse for At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream. Finally fed up with the frenzy of city life and a job he hates, Wade Rouse decided to make either the bravest decision of his life or the worst mistake since his botched Ogilvie home perm: to uproot his life and try, as Thoreau did some 160 years earlier, to "live a plain, simple life in radically reduced conditions." At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream is a sidesplitting and heartwarming look at taking a risk, fulfilling a dream, and finding a home-with very thick and very dark curtains.
Sponsored by:
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Emergency Fundraiser for
Maegan Kauffman medical expenses.
Through January
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 Oklahomans for Equality will
host an art show featuring the work of Maegan Kauffman. Proceeds from
the art show will be used for Maegan's medical expenses associated
with her treatment for Crohn's disease. A University of Oklahoma senior
majoring in art, she is the granddaughter of Linda Stevens. Maegan
has said "As an artist,
I draw my inspiration from life and the human body as it differs from
individual to individual. I am inspired by the human condition, and
the way that we not only deal with the challenges we face out in the
world, but also with the inner battles we have within ourselves."
The exhibit will be on
display at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 East 4th
Street and opens December 10th and runs through January. Every piece will be available for purchase. You may
also make a donation by designating your gift to the Oklahomans for
Equality Maegan Kauffman fund.
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Gift Shop
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 OkEq is proud to present the first inspirational art company for the LGBT community! Bella Reflection has recently marked their 2010 calendar down 30%! The calendar can be purchased in our pride store or online at www.bellareflection.com for only $16.99. Limited copies remain so be sure and get yours today! A portion of all sales will be donated back to the community. |
Book Signing
Saturday, Jan. 30th: 4pm
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 Emma Spotted Bear began writing
at a young age, and has used it as a way to heal, grow and live. Emma
grew up on Crow agency reservation south of Billings Montana. At the
age of six, her family moved to Oklahoma, where she continued her writing.
Emma still lives in Oklahoma with her three children. After 25 years
of writing, she has compiled some of her poetry and contemplations into
this her first book. Passionate Life was released on December 1, 2009
and is available for purchase through Authorhouse.com, as well as amazon.com
and barnesandnoble.com. We are pleased to announce a Book signing and
reading to be held at the Dennis R. Neill Equality center on Saturday
evening January 30th, 2010 at 4pm
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To Age or Not To Age
Thursday, Feb. 11th: 5:30pm
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How subjective is age? Documentary Filmmaker Robert Pappas examines stopping the aging process in his new film "To Age or Not to Age." The film will show one night only at the Circle Cinema on Thursday February 11th at 5:30pm. The film and following panel discussion will be simulcasting LIVE from the Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre in New York City. Audiences nationwide will be able to ask questions via Twitter. For more information, visit circlecinema.com, or call 592-FILM, that's 592-3456. Learn more about the film at toageornottoage.com. |
Wild Hearts Weekend
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Friday, February 12th: 7pm to 9 pm
Relationship Recognition Reception
Great Hall of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
Lecture series by Tulsa's top legal and financial professionals with expert advice on how to protect your relationships legally and financially.
Reception to honor those couples who have codified and solemnized their relationships out of state through officially state recognized marriages and civil union contracts
Saturday, February 13th: 7pm to 11pm
Wild Hearts Ball 10th Anniversary
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
Music by DJ Zeke with video graphics set to the best mobile light
show in town
Party Pics with Cupid by Steven Michael Hall Photography
Party appetizers and desserts
Cash Bar
Raffles and door prizes
Sunday, February 14th: serving from 11am to 2pm
Brunch and Blessings 4th Anniversary
$10 admission for Brunch and Mimosas
Inspirational Entertainment provided by Tulsa's top musical artists and choirs. Drop in Brunch but please make your reservations with Debby@okeq.org
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| Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade
Tuesday, Feb. 16th: 6:30pm
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 Join OkEq as we co sponsor the Blue Dome Mardi Gras Parade located at 1st Street and Greendwood. The Parade will kick off around 6:30 and OkEq will have a float to mark the occasion.
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Call For Nominations!
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Oklahomans
for Equality recognizes individuals who have made an impact on the
cause for LGBT community. These awards will be presented at the
annual Equality Gala celebrating our 30th Anniversary on April 24,
2010, Tulsa Convention Center Ballroom. The following awards are
presented:
Lifetime Achievement Award-recognizes a lifetime
dedication to the cause of equality for LGBT in Oklahoma. Past
recipients include Nancy McDonald, Dennis Neill and Charles Faudree.
This award is not always presented annually.
Community Heroes
recognize those individuals and groups who have represented or served
our community in the previous year. Many of these heroes have "taken
a bullet" for our cause. Past recipients include Council Oak Men's
Chorale, Jim Roth, Carol Crawford, and Kelly Carter.
The
Russell Bennett Award for Spiritual Inclusion is presented to a faith
leader who leads and supports affirming the faith of the LGBT community
in our local congregations. Past winners include Leslie Penrose and
Richard Ziglar.
If you would like to nominate an individual
or group for one of the awards, please contact Paul Allen,
pallen210@gmail.com or check www.okeq.org for a nomination form.
Deadline is February 15, 2010.
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INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY FOR THE
DENNIS R. NEILL EQUALITY CENTER
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In the event of inclement weather you may need to confirm that special events and regularly scheduled programming at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center have not been cancelled due to poor road conditions or winter weather advisories.
Please contact the equality center by calling: 918-743-4297 (GAYS)
Also you can check the OkEq website: WWW.OKEQ.ORG
Toby Jenkins, President of Oklahomans for Equality will contact the local media so that we can be included in the posted weather related closings and we will also post it on Facebook.
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| Board of Directors and Advisors Monthly Meeting |
Thursday
February 18th
at 7:00 pm
Events Room
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| Equality Center Gallery |
There is still time to catch the Robert Giard exhibit at the Center Gallery. Girad's subject matter includes landscapes from his travels and home, nudes and most
significantly, portraits of noted gay and lesbian literary lights such
as Edward Albee, Allen Ginsberg, Adrienne Rich, David Leavitt and
Michael Cunningham.
Sponsored by
Club 209
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Health Clinic for the uninsured
Dr. Jeremiah Rutherford
6 pm to 9 pm
Each Thursday
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
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Live Free!
Coming Out
Workshop |
Tuesdays, 7 pm.
ComingOut@OKEq.org
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MISSION:
Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq)
seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs,
alliances and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
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