eNewstop March 4th, 2010
Oklahoman's For Equality Enews Weekly
Welcome to the eNews. 
Hope your enjoying the warmer weather, I know we sure are here. Get out of the house and join us for these great upcoming events.
eNews Staff
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
"First Thursday" Art Opening
Thursday, March 4th: 6-9pm
art The March exhibit at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Gallery will feature a catalogue of works by Robb Conover which will create a progression of art from one side of the gallery to the other. This is an exciting acrylics on canvas display; it is unlike anything that has been in the Gallery before and promises to be an unusual and visually stimulating presentation. Robb lived in Tulsa in the 1970's and 80's; He currently resides in Dallas and is represented in several galleries there.  Please join us to visit with Robb at the Opening Night Reception on Thursday, March 4, from 6 to 9pm.  Refreshments will be served. Robb's art will be on display through March 2010.
 
Andrew Harvey at Fellowship Congregational
Saturday, March 6th : 10am to 5pm
Andrew Harvey, distinguished mystical scholar, Rumi translator, poet, writer, spiritual teacher and architect of Sacred Activism will return to Tulsa Saturday, March 6, 10 am - 5 pm to present an interfaith workshop called A Vision for Action in a World Gone Slightly Mad, at Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 South Harvard, Tulsa. On Sunday, March 7, he will deliver the sermon at both the 10 am and 11:30 am service at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 South Peoria, Tulsa. For more information check out www.andrewharveytulsa.com.
National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS
Sunday, March 7th: 6 pm
Community of Hope UCC will focus on the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS (March 7-13).  Stories of members of the community living with HIV/AIDS will be shared during the worship and communion service. On Thursday, March 11, 6pm the congregation located at 2545 South Yale Avenue, Tulsa Oklahoma 74117  will continue its focus on the National Week of Prayer and AIDS impact on our community.
Business Alliance Survey
 Oklahomans for Equality is launching a Business Alliance of LGBT-owned and LGBT-allied businesses in the Tulsa area.  Your input is of great importance.  Please complete the attached Statement of Need and Interest, and e-mail to:  valerie.lawson@okeq.org.  Help make our community stronger through your contribution: act, participate, build. Fill out the survey by clicking here..
 
2010 Census Partner
Census 2010Oklahomans for Equality will be a 2010 Census Partner. We have formally pledged our commitment to share the 2010 Census message and mobilize our lgbt community in support of the Census Bureau's goal of achieving a complete count. 
 
The 2010 Census in the United States will count gay married couples for the first time in US history.  The questionnaire format will remain unchanged, offering the choice of "husband or wife" and "unmarried partner" to describe a household relationship. Oklahomans for Equality is advising same-sex married couples to check the married instead of the unmarried partner.
Before 2000, there was no option for married same-sex couples on the census form. If a gay partner checked "husband or wife", the census bureau altered what they assumed to be an error in designating gender. Since 2000, married same-sex couples could only designate themselves as "unmarried partners". By law the census ensures confidentiality.
Eating Out for Equality
Monday March 29th 5-9 pm
El Guapo Join family and friends for a great evening of dining at El Guapos. Oklahomans for Equality will receive 25% of the proceeds for the night, so come support OkEq and enjoy the food!

El Guapos is located at:
332 East 1st Street
Tulsa, 74120
(918)382-RITA
More color 2010 Tulsa Pride Art Show
May 27th - June 5th
 OkEq encourages artists of all orientations and genders to submit art works for the MOREcolor 2010 Pride Art Exhibition. The Juried Category is open to all artists. Accepted work is exhibited through the 10-day show and sale. All media is welcome, including 2D and 3D media, as well as performance and installation work. The show encourages challenging, edgy, provocative work, as well as traditional expressions, and typically experiences strong sales, with 70% of sales paid to the artist. To submit work by April 16, find details, guidelines and online submission form at http://www.morecolorart.com/juried.

 
Tony Kushner, Pulitzer Prize Winning
Playwright
Sunday, April 18th: Lecture 7:00 pm
Tony Kushner Renowned screenwriter and creator of Angels in America, playwright Tony
Kushner will make his first live appearance in Tulsa. Kushner will speak at The Synagogue: Congregation B'nai Emunah 1719 South Owasso, Tulsa Oklahoma 74120 in the annual public lecture series, Talking Heads. Kushner is the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards, three Obie Awards, and an Oscar nomination.
You may purchase your general admission tickets through Oklahomans for Equality for $25.00. For admission prices to the dinner prior to the lecture call the Synagogue at 583-7121 or writing reservations@bnaiemunah.com by Friday, April 9.

Oklahomans for Equality Award Recipients 2010

Equality Gala Each year OkEq recognizes outstanding individuals who have both helped change and shape our ever evolving community. This year we are pleased to announce the following winners. Please plan on joining us on April 24th when we will be honoring these special people at our 30th Anniversary Equality Gala.

Lifetime Achievement Award
20 years of service to the lgbt community
Kelly Kirby

Russell Bennett Spiritual Inclusion Award
Advocacy for interfaith and lgbt dialogue
Rabbi Charles P. Sherman
Temple Israel

Community Hero
Advocacy work for lgbtq youth
Karen L. Davis
Senior Progam Officer
Tulsa Community Foundation
and Tulsa Reaches Out

 
Community Hero
2004 Oklahoma Marriage Discrimination Law suit
Gay Phillips & Sue Barton
Sharon Baldwin & Mary Bishop


Volunteer(s) of the Year
I.T. Team
Eric Vogelpohl
Don Satterthwaite
Andrew Hicks

Grand Marshal
2010 Pride Parade and Festival
Rev Marlin Lavanhar
Advocacy work for the global lgbt community

In This Issue
Andrew Harvey
Prayer Week
Business Alliance
2010 Census
Eating Out
Tulsa Pride Artshow
Tony Kushner
Community Hero
Tulsa Pride

Tulsa Pride 2010 Planning Meeting
Thursday March 4th 6:30 pm

OkEq Board of Directors and
Advisors meeting
Thursday March 18th
7:00 pm


Grieving Well
Bereavement Support Program for lgbt individuals who have lost a partner or loved one to death
2nd and 4th Mondays 
6pm to 7:30 pm
by
Denise Hunter
with Sojourn Care Hospice


Health
Health Clinic for the uninsured
Dr. Jeremiah Rutherford
6 pm to 9 pm
Each Thursday
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center

Live Free!
Coming Out
Workshop
Tuesdays, 7 pm.
ComingOut@OKEq.org
 

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.
Oklahoman's For Equality
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center
Hours: Mon - Sat 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Closed Sunday except for special events.
Oklahomans for Equality | 621 E. 4th Street | Tulsa, OK 74120 | 918.743.4297
www.okeq.org