eNewstop April 1st, 2010
Oklahoman's For Equality Enews Weekly
Welcome to the eNews. 
Raise your hand if you are loving the warm weather!!
eNews Staff
Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.
"First Thursday" Art Opening and Exhibit
Thursday, April 1st: 6pm
art The April exhibit at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Gallery will feature works by Dennis R. Scott. If there were a simple way to describe the art of Dennis R. Scott, it would be called "accidental art" since art is the accident of discovery - the unexpected result of the meandering mind. Dennis Scott, a retired English teacher, resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is a writer, lyricist, poet, craftsman, and artist.  Dennis Scott has been creating in the medium of digital "art" for the last six years. One could easily peg Dennis Scott's art as abstract, impressionistic, or surreal but categories are of little concern to him. The art exhibit at the Dennis R. O'Neil Equality Center Gallery in April titled "Les Belles Dames Nues" (Lovely Naked Ladies) will feature over 65 nude prints of Dennis Scott's art, with over 40 of the works never having been printed before. Please join us to visit with Dennis Scott at the Opening Night Reception on Thursday, April 1, from 6 to 9pm.  Refreshments will be served. Dennis's art will be on display throughout April 2010.
Turn About Show Vegas Show Girls
Thursday, April 1st: 9:30pm
Glenda
Club Maverick (822 South Sheridan Tulsa) will host Its annual April Fools Turn About Show with the proceeds benefiting Tulsa Pride 2010.  Owners Mark and Scott and the staff do an incredible Show to help kick off the Pride Season. Oklahomans for Equality President Toby Jenkins joins the fun.

 Maverick
PFLAG Oklahoma:
9th Annual Day At the Capitol
Wednesday, April 7: 8:30am - 2pm.
Oklahoma Captiol
Meet on the 5th floor balcony of the Oklahoma State Capitol Rotunda. Refreshments will be provided. Meet your legislator and let them meet our families. Cimarron Alliance Foundation based in Oklahoma City and Oklahomans for Equality based in Tulsa will be joining PFLAG chapters from across the state for this annual event. For more information contact Nancy McDonald with PFLAG Tulsa NancyMcDo@aol.com
Festival of Trees


Dr. Marci Bowers To Speak At OkEq
Friday, April 16th: 8pm
Dr. Marci Bowers
Dr. Marci Bowers will speak at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 East 4th Street on Friday April 16th at 8:00 pm.

Dr Marci Bowers a gynecologist who operates a surgical practice in Trinidad Colorado. Bowers is viewed as an innovator in the field of transgender surgery. Bowers has been referred to as the "Rock Star" of transgender surgery. Dr. Bowers has traveled to Africa and offered her expertise in vaginoplasty for the  victims of female genital mutilation and does not charge for these surgeries.

She is listed among 'America's Best Physicians', is a member-elect of the European Academy of Sciences, and is a member of WPATH (World Professional Association for Transgender Health). She has appeared on numerous television programs including Oprah and made a small cameo on an episode of CSI: Las Vegas'. Dr. Bowers is committed to healthy living (she is a vegetarian), she is interested in alternative health solutions to compliment more traditional medical techniques.


 
Two Spirit Society Retreat
Friday April 16th to Monday April 19th
drum The Two Spirit Society Retreat will be held at the Osage Hills State Park. Events include the Miss Tulsa Two Spirit & Miss Osage Hills (no)Talent(show)Pageant, Stompdance, Traditional feast, Pow Wow, Give away ceremony, seminars on HIV/AIDS and healthy relationships, opportunities for outdoor. exploring and more.
For more information contact Corey Taber at okienativeboy@yahoo.com
Register at:  www.denvertwospirit.com/tulsa.
Suggested donation of $25 per person..
Tony Kushner, Pulitzer Prize Winning
Playwright
Sunday, April 18th: Lecture 7:00 pm
Purchase Tickets From OkEq
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 preferred seating tickets through Oklahomans for Equality for $36.00. 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.

Equality Gala Celebrating 30 years!
Saturday, April 24th: 7pm
Equality GalaJoin Oklahomans for Equality as we celebrate 30 years at the annual Equality Gala.   Saturday, April 24th, 2010, Tulsa Convention Center Tulsa Ballroom.   Patron Reception begins at 6:00 pm; Gala at 7:00 pm.   Special entertainment will be provided by Tony Award nominated Ann Hampton Callaway.  
The event will also honor Lifetime Achievement Award-Kelly Kirby; Russell Bennett Spiritual Inclusion Award-Rabbi Charles P Sherman; Community Heroes-Karen Davis, Gay Phillips & Sue Barton; Sharon Baldwin & Mary Bishop; Volunteers of the Year-Andrew Hicks, Don Satterthwaite, and Eric Vogelpohl.
Sponsorships are still available and individual tickets for patron reception and event are $130 for OkEq members, $140 non members and event only tickets are $90 for members and $100 for non members.  Tickets can be purchased via www.okeq.org,  at the Dennis R Neill Equality Center, or by phone 743-4297 during Equality Center operating hours.
Ann Hampton Callaway
Sunday, April 25th: 7pm
Ann Hampton Callaway

Ann Hampton Callaway in concert Sunday, April 25th at 7pm in the Williams Theatre, at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center benefiting Oklahomans for Equality. The New York Times writes, "For sheer vocal beauty, no contemporary singer matches Ms. Callaway." A Tony nominated performer and widely considered the "champion of the Great American Songbook" released her CD, At Last in February 2009 to unanimous rave reviews. She received national attention from television audiences for her song "The Nanny Named Fran" which she wrote and performed for the CBS television comedy hit "The Nanny." Patron tickets are $60 (preferred seating, artist's reception following the performance) and general seating is $30. If purchased before April 10, a special rate of $25 is available if using the code OKEQ.  Tickets are available at www.tulsapac.com. The Performing Arts Center Box Office or Reasor's Stores. 
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.

 
2010 Census Partner
Census 2010
Oklahomans 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. Same Sex couples may check married couple or unmarried partner to identify their relationship.  Oklahomans for Equality is also pleased that the Census Bureau is encouraging Transgendered individuals to self identify on their forms.

By law the census ensures confidentiality.

OkEq Is Pleased To Announce
3 New Programs For April.

The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is launching day time programing for those who are retired or free during the day. OkEq will be establishing a SAGE chapter (Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders) which is a national program geared toward individuals over 50. Each Tuesday the Center will open at 10 am for Coffee and Bagels followed by a computer class taught by Don Satterthwaite at 11:00 am in the Cyber Center. Lunch will be provided at noon for a donation. At 1 pm a book Study on classical gay authors such Edward Albee, Oscar Wilde, James Baldwin, Armistead Maupin.
 
Quit Smoking Cessations Program.  $25.00 fee for course materials.  Class Schedule to be determined by participants. Instructor Brad Sullivan. Contact Debby@okeq.org  to register for this program.
 

Within Our Reach Relationship Workshop
Free six-week series. Learning how to work as a team to build the foundation for a strong relationship, practice communication and problem solving skills, explore the importance of fun and friendship, and discover the power of your identity as a couple. Family & Children's Services brings this free program to the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Free Dinner and child care provided. You must register for this program by contacting Debby@okeq.org
Infidelity Study in Same Gender Relationship
Hello, everyone! My name is Olivia Leeker, a 3rd year doctoral student in the Counseling Psychology PhD program at Oklahoma State University. I am currently conducting a research project for my dissertation exploring individuals' feelings about imagined acts of infidelity within their current romantic relationships.

If you are over the age of 18, self-identity as lesbian or gay, and are involved in a current romantic relationship, we would like to encourage you to participate in this study by completing an online survey at http://frontpage.okstate.edu/coe/olivialeeker/ which should take approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete.

Upon completion of the survey, interested participants will be directed to a separate website (so that names will not be connected to survey responses) where they can enter into a drawing to WIN one of two $25.00 gift cards to Walmart by providing the following information: name, email address, and telephone number.

Please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Thank you for your time and help!
 

Olivia A. Leeker
olivia.leeker@okstate.edu
Doctoral Candidate
Counseling Psychology Ph.D. program
Oklahoma State University

In This Issue
First Thrusday Art Opening
TurnAbout Show
Day Ath The Capitol
OkEq Lecture
Two Spirit Society Retreat
Tony Kushner
Ann Hampton Callaway
Tulsa Pride Artshow
2010 Census

Pride Planning Meeting 
Tuesday
April 6th
6:30 pm
church


Hate Crime in Claremore!
Oklahomans for Equality has been assisting Phillip Nelson a 24 year old Claremore man and Rogers State University student who has been a victim of several hate crimes. Fox 23 News aired the story on their Wednesday evening broadcast.
 
http://www.fox23.com/news/local/story/Gay-Man-Targeted/Ir6lF61Wf0G7ks1vzHeMZQ.cspx 

Phillip has endured harassment, physical assault and now vandalism to his apartment.
Under present Oklahoma law this is not classified as a hate crime. A recent Oklahoma senate bill SB 1965 will not allow Oklahoma law enforcement to comply with the Federal Department of Justice during an investigation of lgbt victims of violence.

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