31 20 639 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/bb45d6f0326d983ca527673a88fd5984.MOV a131e82ed673721844cbd57a12c8c69e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] Mikala Phillips Interview https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/931ca8ee760f61e0ca774790cf7a08b6.pdf 04313a6cf8c4c3141058993dc2a9d086 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOMPANYING INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS FOR 2023 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Board of Directors .............................................................................................................................. 3 Independent Auditor’s Report ......................................................................................................... 4-5 Financial Statements Statements of Financial Position .......................................................................................... 6 Statements of Activities ........................................................................................................ 7 Statements of Functional Expenses ....................................................................................... 8 Statements of Cash Flows ..................................................................................................... 9 Notes to the Financial Statements ................................................................................. 10-15 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 Whitney Cipolla President Paula Shannon Vice-President/Treasurer Kaylyn Compton Secretary Liz Ortiz Member Eddie Carreno Member William Mark Bonney Member Yonah Jasper Member Julia Fletcher Member Grace Fallon Member Stephen Haney Member Kasey Rhone Member Zoe Brett Member Lollie Moore Member at large 3 OBER & LITTLEFIELD Certified Public Accountants, PLLC 124 S. Main Street, Miami, Oklahoma 74354 6 South Adair, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 918-542-4401 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT Senior Management and Board of Directors Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma OPINION We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. (a nonprofit organization), which comprise the statements of financial position as of September 30, 2024, and the related statements of activities, statements of functional expenses, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. as of September 30, 2024, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. BASIS FOR OPINION We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.'s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements. 4 To the Board of Directors Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Page 2 In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, we:  Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.  Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit. REPORT ON SUMMARIZED COMPARATIVE INFORMATION We have previously audited Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s 2023 financial statements, and we expressed an unmodified audit opinion on those audited financial statements, in our report dated December 22, 2023. In our opinion, the summarized comparative information presented herein, as of and for the year ended September 30, 2023, is consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial statements from which it has been derived. [Signature: Ober & Littlefied, PLLC] OBER & LITTLEFIELD Certified Public Accountants, PLLC Miami, Oklahoma May 7, 2025 5 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $549,201.46 $80,446.42 Cash and cash equivalents - restricted 31,159.19 97,766.15 Investments held by others 50,934.96 43,994.38 Inventory 13,004.85 8,946.43 Prepaid insurance 62,428.14 19,590.23 Other assets 22,690.07 2,024.30 Total Current Assets 704,694.48 277,492.10 Noncurrent Assets: Furniture and Fixtures 134,098.46 134,098.46 Buildings and Improvements 2,013,376.54 2,013,376.54 Computers and Software 15,080.30 15,080.30 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (1,045,140.26) (944,137.42) Total Noncurrent Assets 1,117,415.04 1,218,417.88 Total Assets $1,822,109.52 $1,495,909.98 Liabilities Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $18,301.75 $26,862.12 Accrued expenses 1,665.79 32,186.42 Deferred revenue 79,886.00 1,723.75 Payroll liabilities 25,596.87 856.31 Sales tax payable 941.77 138.24 Total Liabilities 126,392.18 61,766.84 Net Assets Net assets without donor restrictions 1,664,558.15 1,336,376.99 Net assets with donor restrictions 31,159.19 97,766.15 Total Net Assets 1,695,717.34 1,434,143.14 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $1,822,109.52 $1,495,909.98 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 6 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Without Donor Restriction With Donor Restriction Total Total Revenues, gains, and other support Support: Grants 244,549.50 36,244.00 280,793.50 309,922.57 Contributions 287,931.49 50,515.71 338,447.20 376,482.68 Membership income 7,881.45 - 7,881.45 18,891.05 Sponsorship 455,731.44 - 455,731.44 184,589.10 Other Income 149,658.96 - 149,658.96 293,140.47 Total Support 1,145,752.84 86,759.71 1,232,512.55 1,203,300.87 Net assets released from restrictions 153,366.67 (153,366.67) - - Total support 1,299,119.51 (66,606.96) 1,232,512.55 1,203,300.87 Revenues and gains/(losses): Unrealized gain/(loss) on investment 7,172.06 - 7,172.06 2,462.20 Total revenue and gains/(losses) 7,172.06 - 7,172.06 2,462.20 Total revenues, gains/(losses), and other support 1,306,291.57 (66,606.96) 1,239,684.61 1,205,763.07 EXPENSES: Program Services 568,246.63 - 568,246.63 792,989.54 Support Services: Fundraising 63,545.67 - 63,545.67 48,454.12 Support Services: General and Administrative 346,318.11 - 346,318.11 345,035.04 Total expenses 978,110.41 - 978,110.41 1,186,478.70 Increase (decrease) in net assets 328,181.16 (66,606.96) 261,574.20 19,284.37 Net assets, beginning of year 1,336,376.99 97,766.15 1,434,143.14 1,414,858.77 Net assets, end of year $1,664,558.15 $31,159.19 $1,695,717.34 $1,434,143.14 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 7 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Program Fundraising General & Admin Total Total Advertising $567.07 - $233.00 $800.07 $4,300.20 Bank Fees 1,609.92 - 12,305.65 13,915.57 19,891.05 Chapter and Affiliate Expense 64,621.75 - - 64,621.75 59,601.61 Computer and Software 3,830.15 5,321.26 8,979.93 18,131.34 13,984.93 Contracted Services 10,670.00 - 19,149.00 29,819.00 49,125.50 Cost of Goods Sold 13,028.83 - - 13,028.83 34,681.62 Dues, Fees and Registrations - - 1,198.00 1,198.00 8,964.00 Employee benefits 15,815.16 4,210.00 12,503.21 32,528.37 10,848.68 Event expense 8,416.63 - - 8,416.63 104,013.62 Fundraising Costs - 16,003.10 - 16,003.10 - Insurance 6,068.23 - 22,209.99 28,278.22 40,746.16 Meals 2,764.93 - 566.56 3,331.49 4,250.59 Miscellaneous 957.50 - 6,704.20 7,661.70 3,442.38 Office/Postage Expense 2,645.76 - 12,802.68 15,448.44 2,488.59 Payroll tax expense 19,937.83 3,136.10 9,494.27 32,568.20 26,467.17 Program Expenses 20,790.68 - - 20,790.68 46,093.70 Printing/Copying Expense 3,654.60 - 2,111.96 5,766.56 6,440.97 Professional Services 17,911.90 - 51,535.54 69,447.44 107,928.40 Repairs and Maintenance 28,926.24 - 12,229.54 41,155.78 27,384.37 Salaries and Wages 231,660.80 34,875.21 107,615.09 374,151.10 348,783.13 Security 12,825.00 - 3,677.50 16,502.50 63,265.85 Staff and Board Development - - 96.00 96.00 495.00 Supplies 3,952.76 - 17,638.23 21,590.99 34,280.84 Travel Expense 354.96 - 2,679.55 3,034.51 4,222.21 Utilities Expense 33,912.51 - 4,908.79 38,821.30 43,888.85 Total Expenses Before Depreciation 504,923.21 63,545.67 308,638.69 877,107.57 1,080,518.07 Depreciation 63,323.42 - 37,679.42 101,002.84 105,960.63 Total Expenses $568,246.63 $63,545.67 $346,318.11 $978,110.41 $1,186,478.70 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 8 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Change in net assets $261,574.20 $19,284.37 Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation expense 101,002.84 105,960.63 Unrealized gain on investments (6,940.58) (2,444.51) (Increase)/decrease in operating assets: Promises to give 20,665.77 (22,690.07) Inventory 4,058.42 2,696.63 Prepaid expenses (42,837.91) (19,590.23) Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses (39,081.00) 23,950.68 Payroll liabilities 24,740.56 (5,848.74) Sales tax payable 803.53 951.47 Unearned revenue 78,162.25 1,723.75 Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities 402,148.08 103,993.98 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property and equipment - (24,021.91) Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities - (24,021.91) Net increase/(decrease) in cash 402,148.08 79,972.07 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 178,212.57 98,240.50 Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $580,360.65 $178,212.57 Reconciliation to statement of financial position: Cash and cash equivalents $549,201.46 $80,446.42 Restricted cash 31,159.19 97,766.15 $178,212.57 $580,360.65 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 9 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 1 – Nature of the Organization The Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. (the “Organization”), is an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation, incorporated on November 20th, 2006. Oklahomans for Equality, Inc., formerly known as Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), have served the Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) community since the organization was founded in 1980. The Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. seeks equal rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Accounting – The financial statements are prepared using the accrual basis of accounting. Accordingly, revenue is recorded when earned, and expenses are recorded when incurred. The financial statements are presented in accordance with authoritative accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. As such, the standards require contributions to be recognized as revenue when they are received, or unconditionally pledged, and net assets to be classified as net assets with donor restrictions or net assets without donor restrictions, depending on the limitations placed on the contributions when received. Income Taxes – The Organization is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes. In addition, the Organization has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service not to be a private foundation, within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Organization’s Forms 990, Organization Exempt from Income Tax, for the years ending 2021, 2022, and 2023 are subject to examination by the IRS, generally for three years after they were filed. Estimates – The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates, and assumptions, that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include all monies in banks, and highly liquid investments, with maturity dates of less than twelve months. The carrying value of cash, and cash equivalents, approximates fair value because of the short maturities of those financial instruments. Concentrations of Credit and Market Risk – Financial instruments that potentially expose the Organization to concentrations of credit, and market risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and investments. Cash equivalents are maintained at high-quality financial institutions, and credit risk exposure is limited at any one institution. The Organization has not experienced any losses on its cash equivalents. Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost. The Organization capitalizes assets with a cost greater than $2,500. Betterments and renewals are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations when incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method, over the following estimated useful lives: Building and improvements 40 years Equipment 3-10 years Vehicles 3 years 10 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: (continued) Classification of Net Assets - Net assets of the Organization shall be classified based upon the existence, or absence, of donor-imposed restrictions, as follows: Net Assets without Donor Restrictions - Net assets that are not subject to donor-imposed stipulations. Net Assets with Donor Restrictions - Net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that may, or will be, satisfied through the actions of the Organization, and/or the passage of time. Net assets accumulated by the Organization that are not subject to donor-imposed restrictions, but which the Board of Directors of the Organization has earmarked for specific uses, shall be segregated in the accounting records as "board-designated" funds, within the category of net assets without donor restrictions. Note 3 – Concentrations of Credit Risk Custodial credit risk is the risk that, in the event of a bank failure, the Organization’s deposits may not be returned to it. The Organization’s cash deposits, including interest-bearing certificates of deposit, are maintained in financial institutions. The Organization has a deposit policy for custodial credit risk to move funds to another institution if the balance exceeds FDIC coverage. Category Carrying Bank A B C Amount Balance Demand deposits $500,000.00 $ - $80,360.65 $580,360.65 $576,802.34 Total $500,000.00 - $80,360.65 $580,360.65 $576,802.34 Category A – Cash and cash equivalents that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or collateralized with securities held by the Organization, or its agent, in the Organization’s name. Category B – Collateralized with securities held by the pledging financial institution’s trust department, or agent, in the Organization’s name. Category C – Uninsured or unregistered investments for which securities are held by the pledging financial institution’s trust department, or agent, but not in the Organization’s name. Note 4 – Promises to Give Promises to give are majorly comprised of contributions awarded by third parties but not received prior to year-end. There were $0 promises to give as of September 30, 2024. 11 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 5 – Restricted Cash As of September 30, 2024, the Organization had restricted cash in the amount of $31,159.19. Restricted as follows: Restricted Purpose Amount Chapter and Affiliates $5,957.93 Food Insecurity Grant 10,594.00 History Project 8,360.01 Lynn Riggs/Kitchen 1,789.37 Van Insurance 1,167.75 Rainbow Room 2,500.00 Various >$2K 790.13 Total $31,159.19 Note 6 – Investments Held by Others Investments held by others, as of September 30, 2024, consist of two investment funds held by Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF): The OkEq Operating Endowment Fund and the OkEq Capital Campaign Fund. These funds are invested in pooled funds, cash, and equivalents. The investments are carried on the Organization’s books at fair market value. These funds are component funds of Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF). As defined by the United States Treasury Regulations, TCF has the right to modify the terms of the fund agreement. This is sometimes referred to as “variance power”. As a result of the variance power all component funds are considered to be part of a single public charity, TCF. TCF is the legal owner of all assets contributed to any of its component funds. Financial Accounting Standards Board requires that if TCF accepts contributions from the Organization and agrees to transfer those assets and the return on investment of those assets back to the Organization, then these contributions are to be reported on the financial statements of the Organization. The OkEq Operating Endowment Fund -This fund was established as Oklahomans for Equality Fund, a TCF Agency Fund, in April 2001. It transitioned to the OkEq Operating Endowment Fund on 12/30/2010. Current fund advisors are Board President, Vice President, and Treasurer. With 2/3 of the Advisors, TCF can accept annual distribution requests and make changes to the fund including the investment strategy. The portion allocated to the Organization, and reported as investments held by others, is $16,369.53. The portion of funds contributed to TCF by unrelated third-party donors and not reported as investments held by others on the Organizations books is $15,238.78. The OkEq Capital Campaign Fund - This fund was originally established by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human, Rights, Inc. as the Pyramid Project Capital Campaign Reserve Fund, a TCF agency reserve fund, in April 2002. It was renamed to the OkEq Capital Campaign Fund in TCF records. It is an agency reserve fund, and the funds are available to purchase , furnish, maintain, or make improvements to a building to house the Tulsa gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Community Center owned by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights. Current fund advisors are Board President, Vice President, and Treasurer. With 2/3 of the Advisors, TCF can accept annual distribution requests and make changes to the fund including the investment strategy. The portion allocated to the Organization and reported as investments held by others $34,565.43. The portion of funds contributed to TCF by unrelated third-party donors and not reported as investments held by others on the Organization’s books is $122,904.98. 13 [sic.] OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 6 – Investments Held by Others (continued) As of September 30, 2024, the balances are insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), up to $500,000. Cash coverage is limited at $250,000. At times, the Organization’s deposits may exceed insured amounts. Management believes the funds are not exposed to any significant risk due to the diversity of high-grade financial instruments held by the fund, and management’s routine assessment of the portfolio. Investment Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates will adversely affect the fair value of an investment. Generally, the longer the maturity of an investment, the greater the sensitivity of its fair value to changes in market interest rates. Note 7 – Fair Value Measurements The Organization reports fair value measurements of its assets and liabilities using a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy, established by GAAP, requires that entities maximize the use of observable inputs, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, when measuring fair value. The assets or liability’s measurement within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement. The three levels of input used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1. Quoted prices are for identical assets or liabilities in active markets to which the Organization has access at the measurement date. Level 2. Inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include:  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active;  Observable inputs other than quoted prices for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates and yield curves); and  Inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation, or by other means. Level 3. Unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs should be used to measure the fair value if observable inputs are not available. When available, the Organization measures fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value. However, Level 1 inputs are not available for many of the assets and liabilities that the Organization is required to measure at fair value (for example, unconditional promise to give and in-kind contributions). The primary uses of fair value measurements in the Organization’s financial statements are the initial measurement of noncash gifts, gifts of investment assets, if any, including unconditional promises to give, and recurring measurement of short-term and long-term investments. 13 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 8 – Property and Equipment The following is an analysis of property and equipment, at cost, and related depreciation at September 30, 2024: Beginning of Year Additions Deletions End of Year Furniture and Fixtures 134,098.46 - - 134,098.46 Building and Improvements 2,013,376.54 - - 2,013,376.54 Computers and Software 15,080.30 - - 15,080.30 Total Capital Assets 2,162,555.30 - - 2,162,555.30 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (944,137.42) (101,002.84) - (1,045,140.26) Net Book Value $1,218,417.88 $(101,002.84) $ - $1,117,415.04 Note 9 – Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue represents payments received for events occurring subsequent to year end. Note 10 – Note Payable The Organization had no notes payable as of September 30, 2024. Note 11 – Donated Services The Organization receives a significant amount of donated services from unpaid volunteers, who assist in fundraising and special projects. No amounts have been recognized in the statement of activities because the criteria for the recognition, under authoritative accounting standards, have not been satisfied. Note 12 – Functional Allocation of Expenses The costs of providing the various programs, and supporting services, have been summarized on a functional basis, in the statement of functional expenses. Costs that are not directly associated with providing specific services have been allocated based on the relative time spent by the employees providing these services. Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies As of the date of this report, the Organization had no commitments or contingencies other than those reported on the statement of financial position. 14 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 14 – Liquidity and Availability Financial assets available for general expenditure, that is, without donor or other restrictions limiting their use, within one year of September 30, 2024, are: Cash and cash equivalents $580,360.65 Investments 50,934.96 Other assets 2,024.30 Total financial assets, at year end 633,319.91 Less those unavailable for general expenditures within on year, due to: Contractual or donor-imposed restrictions Restricted by donor with time or purpose restrictions 31,159.19 Financial assets available to meet cash needs for general expenditures within one year $602,160.72 Note 15 – Net Assets with Donor Restrictions The Organization has $31,159.19 net assets with donor restrictions at September 30, 2024. Restricted Purpose Amount Chapter and Affiliates $5,957.93 Food Insecurity Grant 10,594.00 History Project 8,360.01 Lynn Riggs/Kitchen 1,789.37 Van Insurance 1,167.75 Rainbow Room 2,500.00 Various >$2K 790.13 Total $31,159.19 Note 16 – Evaluation of Subsequent Events The Organization has evaluated subsequent events through May 7, 2025, the date which the financial statements were available to be issued, and no additional disclosures are required. 15 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] OKEQ Financial Statements and Auditor's Report from September 2024 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Financial Statements and Accompanying Independent Auditor's Report for the Year Ended September 30, 2024 with Comparative Totals for 2023 Description An account of the resource 15 pages of Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ)'s financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024, with an independent auditor's report done by Ober & Littlefield and comparative totals for the year of 2023. Issued on May 7, 2025. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 7, 2025 2024 2025 auditor's report Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Kaylyn Compton Board Vice President Board Vice President Paula Shannon Eddie Carreno Financial financial statements Grace Fallon independent auditor's report Julia Fletcher Kasey Rhone Kaylyn Compton Liz Ortiz Lollie Moore Mark Bonney Ober & Littlefield Ober and Littlefield OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ financials OKEQ President of the Board OKEQ Secretary of the Board OKEQ Treasurer of the Board Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Paula Shannon statement of activity Stephen Haney Whitney Cipolla William Mark Bonney Yonah Jasper Zoe Brett https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/31bfda5165b0746280882931c907e116.pdf c62a0d8cd65108708fdb1542b110edce Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document OKEQ-FY2025 Budget-Revision Draft REVENUE FY2025 Revision Notes Grant Revenue 200,000 275,000 Aids Coalition, DN, Ascension Contributions 125,000 110,000 Already at $85k I Am Equality 125,000 - Remove Clinic Services 75,000 85,000 Store/Vending Sales (net) 10,000 7,500 Bar/Concession Sales (net) 15,000 15,000 Art Gallery (net) 1,000 1,000 Event/Ticket Sales 30,000 5,000 Delay in hiring Lynn Riggs/KitchenRental 35,000 20,000 Delay in hiring Equality Business Alliance 10,000 10,000 OKEQ Membership 5,000 1,000 Not ready to relaunch In-Kind Donations - 5,000 Catering from TW-AB Gala (net proceeds) 225,000 300,000 Pride Festival & Bingo 248,924 134,547 Investment Income 2,000 3,000 TOTAL REVENUE 1,106,924 972,047 EXPENDITURES FY2025 Revision Notes Salaries & Wages 409,333 339,165 Adjust. based on current positions and 3 mos. ED Payroll Taxes and Benefits 71,078 63,000 Workers Com 3,800 7,800 Increased due to 2023 wc audit and staff. Contract Services 101,950 - Replaced with detailed line items IT Services - 25,200 Accounting Services and Audit - 38,000 HR Consultant - 9,000 Executive Consultant - 56,250 Archivist/History Coordinator - 8,000 Grant funded Marketing Services - 9,500 Data Services - 21,000 Data Capacity Group Legal Services - 5,000 Other Contract Services - 25,000 Restorative Justice and Charity Engine Storage 4,560 4,560 Vehicle Expenses 3,000 2,500 Insurance-Liability & Cyber 8,000 8,000 Insurance-D&O 2,200 2,200 Insurance-Property 12,000 14,000 Insurance-Clinic 1,500 1,500 Insurance-Van 3,000 3,000 Utilities/Phone 34,380 30,000 Office expenses 27,000 - Replaced with detailed line items Office Supplies & Services - 4,000 Software/TechPlatforms/Digital Apps - 27,500 Data Capacity Grant, Charity Engine Shipping & Postage - 1,000 Copy Lease & Printing - 4,300 Cleaning & supplies 12,000 12,000 $595/month services, plus Cintas Repairs & Maintenance 20,000 12,000 Business Licenses & Permits 2,000 2,000 Memberships and Subscriptions 1,500 1,500 Non-Cap Equipment 7,500 7,500 Meals & Entertainment 5,000 5,000 Staff, donor relations, board Marketing and Advertising 1,200 1,200 Security (excluding Pride) 20,000 10,000 Clinic Supplies & Lab 15,000 15,000 Other Program Expenses 7,500 20,000 Gender Marker Grant, Food Insecurity Grant Library Materials 8,500 8,500 Grant funded support for remote libraries Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) 15,000 5,000 Community Outreach 24,000 16,000 Support to other organizations Travel & Training 10,000 5,000 Conferences, staff development Pride Festival Expenses 233,946 186,372 Transaction Fees 10,000 5,000 Bank Fees & Charges 500 500 TOTAL EXPENDITURES 1,075,447 1,022,047 Use of Reserves - 50,000 Net Revenue over Expenditures 31,477 0 FY2025 Revision Beginning Year Cash 580,360 580,360 Net Income/Loss 31,477 (50,000) Reserve Use - 50,000 Estimated Year End Cash 611,837 530,360 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] OKEQ FY2025 Budget Revision Draft Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Revision Draft Description An account of the resource 2 pages of a draft revision of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) budget for the fiscal year of 2025. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2025 2025 budget budgeting Financial OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/de069673b469757b8899914e7888df0e.pdf da2f2de28253cf29ef28c6d518c513d7 Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document OKEQ Strategic Plan Final Draft 2025 – 2030 For 45 years, Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) and the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have faced many obstacles in securing equal rights and a sense of safety and well-being. Over the years, important progress has been made. But recent internal and external issues, including a growing hostile political environment on many levels, are creating unprecedented challenges for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and those organizations providing services and support. In response, OKEQ must adapt to changing circumstances as it continues to support individuals, defend hard-fought rights, and stand against discriminatory policies. We believe the following goals, strategies, and actions will help us create a more resilient and capable organization to meet the moment as we work with others to show strength and a unified voice. Our Mission Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) seeks equal rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Our Goals GOAL ONE: Complete the reconciliation and restorative justice process started by the Community Relations Committee and Transition Team. GOAL TWO: Implement internal and external changes to increase organizational effectiveness and improve governmental operations. GOAL THREE: Employ highly qualified staff who are mission aligned and have lived experience in proximity to the community being served. GOAL FOUR: Expand programs and partnerships to improve services and outreach. GOAL FIVE: Improve the financial, fundraising, and operational structures to stabilize operations and provide a foundation to respond to future needs and challenges. GOAL SIX: Refresh and reimagine our Center to better serve today’s community. OKEQ Detailed Strategies Action items should be considered a starting place; additional actions may be warranted by the staff, volunteers or committees tasked with the goals and strategies. GOAL ONE Complete the reconciliation and restorative justice process started by the Community Relations Committee and Transition Team. Strategy One: Take actions which demonstrate our durable commitment to the reconciliation work. Action Items: • Engage Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma (RJIOK) for a second phase of culture work with the board, staff and larger community. • With RJIOK help, host a mission / vision / values retreat with the board and community. • Budget for an annual RJIOK board workshop as well as opportunities to share the training with the larger community. • Examine and update our policies and practices, especially related to governance, membership, financial management, fundraising, and partnerships. Strategy Two: Ensure transparency and communicate frequently. Action Items: • Continue quarterly town halls and monthly president’s letter. • Educate community members on our new code of conduct and the feedback mechanisms for handling incidents and grievances. • Reaffirm recent statements regarding organizational challenges and harms; explain the processes completed or in development to address them. • Communicate these updates with the community as they are implemented within the framework of a strategic communications plan. • Utilize targeted communication strategies and innovative methods to engage members and stakeholders in the work. GOAL TWO Implement internal and external changes to increase organizational effectiveness and improve governance operations. Strategy One: Create governance structures that support community involvement at every level. Action Items: • Finalize roles and responsibilities of trustees, board, advisors, including a structure for the financial expectations that ensures buy-in but also creates accessibility. • Launch a revised membership strategy that clarifies benefits and responsibilities of membership and creates mechanisms to pay membership dues either through dollars or volunteer service. • Grow our talent pipelines by engaging more individuals of varying backgrounds and skillsets in committee service. • Review and update policies and processes for selecting and onboarding new board members. • Ensure annual training for board members in the areas of nonprofit basics, board responsibilities, OkEq history, social media organization representation, and DEI awareness and action. • Build new ways for business and funding partners to demonstrate allyship. • Actively engage with CenterLink and other national resources so we can learn from best practices nation-wide. Strategy Two: Review community perceptions of OkEq and make appropriate changes to marketing and branding to address concerns and build on positives. Action Items: • Engage professional assistance to review branding and build layered communication strategies (i.e. website, e-news, apps, social media, print materials, etc.) • Recognize our history and accomplishments as we make appropriate adjustments to respond to current and future challenges and opportunities. • Promote Pride as something that lives year-round and is a visible aspect of our engagement in community. • Use the power of storytelling to uplift the voices and diverse perspectives of the community as we expand our outreach and services. • Ensure our images are representative of the diverse community we serve. Strategy Three: Use data to tell our story of impact, report our outcomes, and make decisions regarding the implementation of our goals and strategies. Action Items: • Develop an annual stakeholder survey to track progress on needs, goals, and engagement. Use this data to determine program priorities. • Develop an annual staff survey to track progress on needs, goals, and engagement. Use this data to make staff related recommendations and in evaluation of the Executive Director performance. • Utilize technology tools to track participation in programs and services. Develop surveys to determine client satisfaction as well as relevant impact. • Engage in annual planning and review processes. o Executive Director creates annual operational plans to establish specific goals and metrics involved in meeting the goals of the plan. o Executive Committee reviews the plan quarterly and updates board on strategic plan implementation status. o The board annually reviews the plan at a summer planning retreat and adopts changes to the plan as needed at the Annual meeting. GOAL THREE Employ highly qualified staff who are mission aligned and have lived experience in proximity to the community being served. Strategy One: Ensure capable executive leadership. Action Items: • Launch an Executive Director search committee to build out position description, identify the qualities and qualifications needed, and lead an effective recruitment and interview process. • Hire and onboard an Executive Director with a track record of inclusive leadership and demonstrable skills to address the needs of the organization and those we serve. Strategy Two: Invest in a staff structure that provides the capacity to implement strategic initiatives and prioritizes ongoing training and development. Action Items: • Review organization needs and create a long-term staffing plan to address fundamental responsibilities including advocacy, programs, outreach, marketing, fundraising and building partnerships. • Ensure up to date job descriptions and clear organization chart with every iteration of staff development. • Develop staff recruitment and selection processes that balance community experience, diversity, mission alignment and technical skillsets. • Examine compensation structures and benefits to assure workplace retention. • Invest in training and accountability to support continued development for team members. • Hire and train paid front desk workers as needed to augment volunteer contributions. Ensure all front desk workers have the training and updates needed to ensure consistent guest experiences, accurate referrals, and exceptional customer service. GOAL FOUR Expand programs and partnerships to improve services and outreach. Strategy One: Engage with community through collaboration and partnerships. Action Items: • Complete community asset mapping to identify potential partners as well as programmatic gaps that may still exist that could be filled by OkEq. • Create structures through which it is absolutely clear and transparent what OkEq’s relationship is with those operating in our space or promoted on our social media (i.e. which are our programs, which are vetted services that are operating under formal agreements, which are given support but operate independently etc.) • Maintain space for hosting third party providers delivering case management, counseling and other important social services on a consistent and widely promoted schedule. • Clarify and strengthen our relationships with existing partners and develop new connections to better serve the community. Update our partnership agreements. • Partner with affirming social safety net organizations to meet the needs of those most vulnerable in our community through services such as housing and rent assistance, food security, trans-friendly clothing and other important needs. • Evaluate our clinic operations to determine which services are best done in-house and which can be provided through partnerships. Invite other clinic providers offering different types of affirming services to use our space during hours our inhouse provider is not in residence. • Partner with credible social justice organizations to lend our name and resources to ongoing efforts to defend and expand civic liberties. Expand our engagement with others in the state around advocacy and public affairs. Strategy Two: Be a hub for connecting people to the affirming resources and training they seek. Action Items: • Expand training and resources for our volunteers to ensure consistent and informed information and referrals. • Actively engage at tabling events and Pride celebrations across the state to both promote our own resources and stay aware of the resources being offered by others. • Update our resource guides for affirming faith communities, supportive health resources, legal resources, equality business members, and other allied businesses and social services. Publish the resource guide on our website. • Actively participate with interfaith and community networks that are seeking to improve equity and quality of life for the people of Tulsa, making sure the needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals are represented at the table. • Expand outreach with local attorneys to provide various legal resources and periodic legal clinics to provide information and guidance to members on relevant topics. • Partner with educational organizations to provide GED classes, language classes, and a variety of professional learning opportunities in our space, targeted to our members’ identified needs. Strategy Three: Offer opportunities to our community members to build leadership, give service, and advocate for positive change. Action Items: • Train a cadre of board and staff representatives to speak to 2SLGBTQIA+ issues with the media and at community events. • Partner with city government, emergency responders, and large institutions to ensure they are considering the needs of Oklahoma’s 2SLGBTQIA+ population when making policy. • Expand the Equality Business Alliance Membership Program. • Offer periodic service-day activities at OkEq and with other service agencies for members. • Work with Leadership Tulsa to relaunch the Lead Together Program. • Provide education, connection, and encouragement to our members and allies, especially those that have the social or financial capital to do so safely, to be advocates within institutions to foster safer spaces overall and push back on efforts to dismantle protections such as GSA’s, BRG’s, DEI offices, and other initiatives that have provided safe harbor. Strategy Four: Always be a safe space where people find community, belonging, and support. Action Items: • Review current safety protocols and security needs and make adjustment as needed to address concerns and potential threats. • Continue and expand our successful line-up of support groups meeting at the center. • Start a program to fill the gap in young adult programming (18-23) that was identified during community listening sessions. • Invest in quarterly community feasts and holiday gatherings to make space for friendship and comradery. • Host, cohost and/or amplify awareness of important community milestones and markers such as Trans Day of Remembrance, World Aids Day and more as appropriate. • Honor those we have lost in our community by hosting an annual memorial service. Strategy Five: Embrace the power of the arts, affirming spiritual traditions, and wellness practices to build community across lines of difference, engage hearts, tell stories, and make powerful social change. Action Items: • Build on the potential of the art gallery with compelling shows and monthly or bimonthly art openings. At least once a year provide a show that highlights some aspect of our shared history. • Support the efforts of the staff and the LRT Advisory Council to maximize the utilization of the black box theater for the benefit of OkEq and the community at large. • Partner with others to offer author talks, lecture series, affirming religious or spiritual programs, holistic wellness workshops and retreats, film festivals, and other types of intergenerational, cultural, and educational programming. • Maintain and expand access to the rich, diverse, and affirming collection provided by the Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library. • Continue the work of the History Project to preserve OkEq documents, artifacts, and community donated items which tell the story of OkEq and of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. GOAL FIVE Improve the financial, fundraising, and operational structures to stabilize operations and provide a foundation to respond to future needs and challenges. Strategy One: Complete the substantial investments in technology that have been started by the IT Special Committee Action Items: • Finalize the customer relationship management software conversion process. • Implement Asana project management software organization wide. • Launch the “Let’s all do Good” app. • As funding permits, upgrade technology in the meeting rooms to accommodate today’s virtual meeting landscape. • Develop a secure and comprehensive document storing and sharing protocol so resources are available despite staff and volunteer transitions. • Provide ongoing training to staff and committee chairs on best practices, organizational standard operating procedures, and use of available technology tools. Strategy Two: Create and implement a comprehensive financial plan that diversifies revenue streams, ensures financial stability, expands endowments and operating reserve, and supports sound fiscal decision making. Action Items: • Continue quarterly reforecasting and mid-year rebudgeting protocols. • Annually implement a successful end-of-year giving campaign that engages individuals and small businesses in the mission. • Continuously innovate and improve on the annual gala strategy in ways that maximize proceeds and the participant experience. Prioritize ways that people can be included at a variety of giving levels. • Expand our major gifts and foundation support by improved communication and direct contact with current and lapsed donors while cultivating and developing new funders and growing our base of support. • Identify mission-related special-project giving opportunities in addition to seeking general operating support. • Approve a facility rental strategy that balances earned income with in-kind hosting 2SLGBTQIA+ focused events. Market special rental packages that increase facility rental income. • Improve earned revenue opportunities through a calendar of engaging and entertaining fee-based events. • Create effective campaigns that solicit, cultivate and track paid memberships. • With board and trustee leadership, implement a planned giving program and other funding initiatives designed to add to the corpus of the existing endowments with the Tulsa Community Foundation. Review and update as appropriate the investment and distribution terms of the endowments. • Publish a digital annual report that transparently shares sources and uses of funding while highlighting accomplishments and impact. Strategy Three: Expand the value and positive impact that Pride programming provides to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community while managing financial and liability issues. Action Items: • Explore options and determine if OkEq remains the best organization to host and coordinate the Pride festival and programming for the future. • Continue the community listening process related to priorities and most important aspects of the annual Pride Festival to the queer community members. • To address the growing expense and significant staff and volunteer commitment, adjust the primary festival events to a one or two-day event. • With the Pride committee, discuss the opportunities to include more educational and cultural programming with a Pride theme year-round. GOAL SIX Refresh and reimagine our Center to better serve today’s community. Strategy One: Continue organizing and refreshment of the Center. • Engage staff, board and volunteers along with professional organizers to help with organizing and decluttering activities. • Support the ongoing work of the archivist and volunteers in sorting and preserving meaningful materials that should be kept for historical purposes. • With trustees, develop a budget and funding stream to provide for the maintenance and replacements of physical assets and allow for ongoing improvements to address changing needs. • With trustees, complete an examination of current space usage and implement facility upgrades that improve the quality of the space, enhance user experience, and maximize facility use. • Innovate new uses for old spaces that prioritize flexibility. With staff and stakeholders evaluate needs for spaces such as staff offices, counseling rooms, clothes closet/food pantry, meetings spaces. Consider co-working or coffee house type spaces that members can use during open hours. • Refresh paint, floor coverings, furnishings, and lighting; add new plants, artwork and office furniture as needed. Strategy Two: Plan and execute a capital campaign. • Engage with staff, architects, fundraising professionals, volunteers, trustees, and contractors to plan a renovation of the Equality Center. • Create a budget for capital improvements and add to the endowment if possible. • Conduct a capital campaign starting with major gift solicitation in 2026 and a public fundraising effort that launches with the 20th anniversary of the Center in 2027. • Implement renovation plans with effective construction management in coordination with the needs of the Center. • Plan a grand reopening celebration for the Center. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] OKEQ Strategic Plan Final Draft 2025 - 2030 Subject The topic of the resource Final Draft of Oklahomans for Equality Strategic Plan for 2025 - 2030 Description An account of the resource 10 pages of a final draft for Oklahomans for Equality's (OKEQ) strategic plan for the years 2025 to 2030. It contains the organization's mission and goals, and detailed strategic goals with their action items. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Accessed August 7, 2025 2025 Art Gallery Asana board training budget budgeting CenterLink community community engagement community feast community networks community outreach donations EBA Equality Business Alliance Equality Business Alliance (EBA) executive director executive director search executive director search committee fundraisers fundraising gala health clinic history project IT Special Committee Lead Together Leadership Tulsa legal resources Let's All Do Good LRT Advisory Council memorial memorial service mission statement Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board and Trustees OKEQ mission OKEQ staff OKEQ strategic plan OKEQ volunteers Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Pride celebration pride festival Rainbow Library Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma (RJIOK) RJIOK safety safety protocols security staff recruitment strategic plan support groups TCF Trans Day of Remembrance Tulsa Community Foundation Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF) volunteers World AIDS day young adult programming https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/40ff0236b0f35872b7d04c6efd46fd61.MP4 e832a6eb3fcd2383b4765063b68a94a4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] Ophelia Keeley Interview https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/68f629a3a99a1a975e547e9b59dca447.MOV 516d3e792efcbca6165a3226f5de7a7e Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] Tori Bock Interview https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/5a2d5f174609df9930fd7f67a9e17d7f.MOV 27c980e2a1a1047ad6c3ab7d2035ec21 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] Whitney Cipolla Interview https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/b3d7a6a444abaaf35bcc9695a5df8f15.MP4 7e3f93f6d1827bd4237ac041c5acc846 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] Zen Hatlong Interview https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/cb45fd2c080c696f642bbf3a4ec34ca2.mp4 5200eb31f5519513b3b1c578c0a4b556 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/0a9ad56686aff1c861791cbd6e559964.pdf 9f05611ad7684b1eccd5aa7a33466e4d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] Jeremy Simmons Interview Description An account of the resource Jeremy Simmons shares his journey of self-discovery and advocacy within the LGBTQ+ community. Growing up in a conservative, religious environment, he navigated the complexities of his sexual identity while facing societal expectations and bullying. His experiences shaped his commitment to community engagement and HIV awareness, leading his long-time involvement first as a volunteer and then 30 years as an HIV educator and tester with Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights and then HOPE. Jeremy reflects on the challenges of nonprofit management and expresses hope for the future of the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the importance of continued advocacy and support. Subject The topic of the resource Jeremy Simmons Oral History Project Interview from January 21, 2026 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jeremy Simmons, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 21, 2026 2026 AIDS/HIV AIDS/HIV education Dennis Neill Dennis R. Neill HIV HIV Education HIV Outreach Education Program HIV Outreach Education Program (HOPE) HIV/AIDs HIV/AIDs outreach HOPE interview Jeremy Simmons OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript TOHR transcript Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) video https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/b5797d8e6a719851e5aaadc5bf51401a.jpeg f3c3492c194ce05fca763828f51ded62 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > In Memoriam Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] Joe McDonald Obituary Subject The topic of the resource Joseph Leo McDonald, October 25, 1933 - February 12, 2026 Description An account of the resource Joseph (Joe) McDonald, MD, passed away on February 12, 2026 in Tulsa. He was proceeded in death by his wife of 66 years, Nancy McDonald. Joe and Nancy were long-time advocates for Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) and Tulsa PFLAG, serving both organizations in many ways. Joe and other members of All Souls Unitarian Church donated hundreds of volunteer hours in 2005-2007 in the work necessary to open the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, the home of OkEq. OkEq proudly hosts the Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library, serving our community for more than two decades. Joe served in the U.S. Air Force as a physician prior to locating to Tulsa for a long career as an anesthesiologist. His other civic involvement included building houses with Habitat for Humanity and serving as a reading and math buddy in Tulsa Public Schools. (Obituary written by Dennis Neill. Tulsa World obituary from March 1, 2026 available on-site only.) Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Dennis Neill, Tulsa World Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1, 2026 2026 ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH available at Center Dennis Neill Dennis R. Neill Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Equality Center in memoriam Joe McDonald Nancy and Dr. Joe McDonald Nancy and Joe McDonald Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library Obituaries Obituary OkEq OkEq Equality Center Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) PFLAG PFLAG Tulsa Chapter Rainbow Library Tulsa PFLAG Tulsa World https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/f72c2df42fc84be737c24550dce17aec.mp4 d517224038d8563bc6f524eb2753e69d https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/9c5aa6299e0ece9650f1789f237c463b.pdf fc9870b8c20fb40b7478d0f28e9f551a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] John Madigan Interview Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Toby Jenkins on January 13, 2026. John explores his life journey from a small mining town in Canada to becoming an influential member in the LGBTQ+ community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. John shares his experiences growing up on a farm, his transition into the oil and gas industry, and his eventual involvement in various LGBTQ+ organizations, including Prime Timers and OkEq Seniors. He reflects on the intersection of faith and sexuality, the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community, and the importance of advocacy and inclusion for older adults. John's insights provide a rich narrative of resilience, community, and the ongoing fight for equality. Subject The topic of the resource John Madigan Oral History Project Interview from January 13, 2026 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource John Madigan, Toby Jenkins, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 13, 2026 2026 interview John Madigan OKEQ Oral History Project OKEQ Seniors oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Prime Timers Primetimers Toby Jenkins transcript video https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/d9c8a6149f14a01008d49c6d3f611a9e.pdf b4ccfe0cef6ae75fb4be9ca4125dc32d https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/0655db9527d9c965e3ae77cf9ab9ecd7.mp4 5fe3a81c4475dc5db209b6fe8bc46c29 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] John Orsulak and Pat Hobbs Interview Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource John Orsulak, Pat Hobbs, Toby Jenkins, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 19, 2026 Subject The topic of the resource John Orsulak and Pat Hobbs Oral History Interview from March 19, 2026 Description An account of the resource This interview with Pat Hobbs and John Orsulak explores their 36-year relationship following a chance encounter at a church, their careers and longtime involvement in theater and music. They also highlight their activism within the LGBTQ community in Tulsa and the vision they had and implemented to bring the Lynn Riggs Theatre at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center to life. They share personal stories, including the passing of Pat’s brother to AIDS, insights on community involvement, and their vision for a more inclusive future. 2026 AIDS AIDS/HIV Dennis Neill Dennis R. Neill HIV/AIDs interview John Orsulak Lynn Riggs Theatre OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Pat Hobbs Toby Jenkins transcript video https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/e5058728974a0f195bd8900e5e7c92a9.jpg 200a294d14881d81dd06ce84750b1c0f https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/0dd0cb24915e78deb62c6fbaf1d3e07d.pdf 20d176b1914b1b1833c44428a7b6656c Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Robert (Bob) Odle Oral History Interview - Feb. 19, 2026 Transcript https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/92b7672f465b31469e90f256836e0487.mp4 4594a2c03a0488471c94cd800d12db1f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Robert (Bob) Odle Oral History Interview - Feb. 19, 2026 Video Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] Robert Odle Interview Subject The topic of the resource Robert (Bob) Odle Oral History Project Interview from February 19, 2026 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Robert Odle, Toby Jenkins, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 19, 2026 Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Toby Jenkins on February 19, 2026. Bob was born on May 15, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri. His mom and stepdad moved to Tulsa when Bob was in the sixth grade. He graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1963 and finished his theatre degree from the University of Tulsa in 1967. He was required to go to Oklahoma City for a possible induction into the military as this was the height of the Vietnam War. After two interviews, it was clear that Bob was gay and not subject to military service due to the ban at that time on homosexuals in the military. He began a teaching career in competitive speech and drama at Central High School in Tulsa. He discussed his early involvement in theatre with Gaslight Theatre and the American Theatre Company with its early satirical takes on Tulsa, Oral Roberts University and co-wrote ATC’s production of “A Christmas Carol,” which continues to be performed each December for some 50 years. Bob created the Brother Oral Love role that became a fixture of ATC’s shows along with the Oral Action Singers. Bob has stayed politically active, often writes reviews of plays and musicals and serves in other volunteer roles in the Tulsa community. 2026 A Christmas Carol American Theatre Company American Theatre Company (ATC) American Theatre Productions ATC ATC productions Bob Odle Brother Oral Love Central High School Gaslight Theatre interview military inclusion Nathan Hale High School OKEQ Oral History Project Oral Action Singers oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Oral Roberts University Robert (Bob) Odle Robert Odle Toby Jenkins transcript TU Tulsa Central High School University of Tulsa video https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/9c370c2ade14307e6a1b7cac51fd997a.mp4 8c86d9871f18be29287a1c8d06288d8e https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/7c5e5db49ba8b85363ee55444f01e96e.pdf db35a189d829027f639da2f67c286749 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] Sue Welch and Marcy Smith Interview Description An account of the resource Sue Welch and Marcy Smith share their personal journeys, highlighting their experiences growing up in Oklahoma and navigating their identities as members of the LGBTQ+ community. Marcy recounts her childhood in Tulsa, her education at Oklahoma Christian College, and her early awareness of her sexual orientation. She reflects on the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in a conservative environment, including the need for stealth and the importance of finding community. Sue shares her upbringing in Ponca City and her academic journey at OSU. Both women discuss their relationships, the evolution of their identities, and the significance of community support in their lives. Marcy and Sue recount their involvement with Oklahomans for Equality and the development of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. They reflect on the challenges of coming out to their families, the societal pressures they faced, and the importance of creating a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals in Tulsa. Their stories are filled with humor, resilience, and a sense of belonging, showcasing the power of love and community in overcoming adversity. In this episode, Marcy Smith and Sue Welch share their inspiring journey of establishing a community center for the LGBTQ+ community in Tulsa, Oklahoma. They successfully organized fundraising events, such as house parties and the Wild Hearts Ball, to raise awareness and funds. Their determination led to significant milestones, including securing a $10,000 grant from a New York foundation and eventually purchasing a permanent space for their community center, which became a hub for support, celebration, and activism. The conversation highlights the importance of physical spaces for community gathering, especially in a time when virtual connections are prevalent. Marcy and Sue emphasize the need for ongoing support and engagement within the community, particularly in light of recent political challenges. They reflect on the center's role in pivotal moments for LGBTQ+ rights, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and the repeal of discriminatory laws. Their message is clear: maintaining a physical home for the community is essential for fostering connection, support, and resilience against adversity. Subject The topic of the resource Sue Welch and Marcy Smith Oral History Interview from January 16, 2026 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sue Welch, Marcy Smith, Toby Jenkins, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 16, 2026 2026 AIDS AIDS/HIV Dennis Neill Dennis R. Neill Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Equality Center Equality Center Opening Gay marriage HIV HIV/AIDs interview LGBT marriage Marcy Smith OHR OkEq Equality Center OKEQ Oral History Project Oklahoma Christian College Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (OSU) Oklahomans for Human Rights Oklahomans for Human Rights - Tulsa Chapter oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript OSU Pyramid Project same sex marriage Sue Welch Toby Jenkins TOHR transcript Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) video Wild Hearts Ball https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/c9d67df35090fb846d82e38728243423.jpeg 3f7500dd0ec1f26bfe646192d40da5e3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Collection] Oklahoma LGBT+ History Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Digital Media: Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] Veteran's Wall https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/c9595acfdf635bd17f3530d01ce54e06.pdf 537c53efc893da073a9a55ec451d16cd Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Collection] Oklahoma LGBT+ History Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Digital Media: Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document ____________________________________________________________ Flash From The Past by Tim Turner And help from others... When you look at some of the photos from the Playroom Club era, 1978 to 1986, it almost seems as though everyone was happy and gay during that period in time. From what I remember, we were. We worked hard and we played hard, like most Americans at that period in history. The end of the Free Love Era certainly was not evident in the gay club scene in the late 70's. AIDS was pretty much unknown, at least in our part of the world, life was good...spirits were high, there was uncharted territory. Around 1970, I got to hear great stories of the first known gay bars in the Tulsa area. Tropical Gardens, as far back as the Early 40s, operated by two sisters in an old filling station; The Blue Note Lounge located on North Denver during the 40s and 50s; The Blue Haven opened November, 1948 by the 'much loved' Producer, Activist and Entrepreneur, the late M.C. Parker. M.C. Parker and Tim Warren would later cultivate and produce the largest, most spectacular Oklahoma Gay Event in history, the Miss Gay Oklahoma Pageant at the Camelot Inn. (Tim Warren, his life partner forty years his younger, was later murdered and his body discovered in Mohawk Park. The murder was never solved, as well as most gay murders in our city as I recall. ) M.C. was a promoter, he contracted sponsorship by major brand names such as Phillip Morris and Halston and achieved an estimated attendance of over 2000, and that's not including the number of baptist protesters outside the hotel. The Camelot was sold out for this event for one of the few times in it's history, it was said, and was never the same afterwards. The entire event was, to say the least, amazing... especially for it's time in history. We could talk about it for hours over cocktails sometime. The Milwaukee Tavern, a 40s and 50s lesbian bar located at about 15th and Cincinnati; Bishops Bar, 40s and 50s located downtown with a mixed crowd, but a popular gay hangout; The St. Moritz 40's and 50s located on South Main which was THE place to go and was closed down after a move, in anticipation of Liquor by the Drink... which didn't pass. Little Mexico, late 50s, owned by Thurman Glynn. The Doghouse, owned by Bob Johnson. The famous Skoo-Bee-Do Club owned by Paul Scott who, rumor has it, met with a curious and untimely death in Hawaii. Then there were the clubs I have personal memories of. At 20 years old I actually had no idea there were nightspots that were frequented by crowds of gays. I actually thought that there might be at least ten other gay people in the whole State of Oklahoma. That was, until I ventured into Friends Lounge at 3rd and Utica, owned by Tracy McLaughlin, aka Tony. Tracy has always been somewhat of my mentor as far as the club business. He ran a tight ship and a good bar. He worked hard and loved giving the kids a safe place off the streets. Friends Lounge was famous for it's Friday night drag shows and was a coming out place for hundreds over the years. Unfortunately, much of the potential profits went for court costs and attorney fees over time. Frequent police raids and obvious, blatant incidents of harassment were much too frequent and it was my first personal experience of bigotry, political and social intolerance. I was amazed to realize that at the same time I had discovered a multitude of others of the same sexual orientation, I was also unknowingly transcending from a safe, accepted majority into that of an often misunderstood and shunned minority. The battle, for me, had begun. Tracy did a lot toward gay acceptance in Tulsa and for Oklahoma. Most of which today's generation will never realize. But Tracy never wanted the spot light, he only wanted to be left alone and given an opportunity to make a living and provide a place for gay people to go. Equal treatment to straight bars. I will never forget, with amusement, one time when Tracy was to appear in court on a trumped up charge of some kind, I asked him if he had a good attorney and he told me he didn't need one. When I asked why not, he told me to show up in court and see for myself. Tracy showed up in court with five stunning, outlandish, drag queens and the case was thrown out before they had a chance to parade to the witness stand. The Judge didn't want his court room turned into a circus, although the police had already taken the first step towards that end. Friends lounge would later move West down third street to be called Tracy's, then The New Edition and later sold to Jimmy and Roy and became the new location for the Tool Box, which moved from downtown where Renegades is still located. Around the same era, things were hopping downtown. (The Fruit Loop as it was called.) Friends Lounge was less than 5 minutes from the famous pink pool table in the Zebra Lounge on Main Street, owned by Tom Oliver, which was just around the corner from the Taj Mahal, owned by Norma Peterson and later purchased by the late Pete Longenbaugh and Robert Kowalski (aka Sugar). Sugar was the victim of a brutal knifing inside the Taj Mahal after hours....also unsolved. The Fruit Loop was notorious for hustlers and parking lot parties for 'after clubbers' and those too young to make it past the I.D. check at the clubs. The police seemed to just allow it for a period of time then would randomly decide to clamp down... but the revelers would return and the cycle would continue. About the only dance club, The Gala at 11th and Lewis, (Just under the Meadow Gold Milk Sign), eventually to be re-opened as Tim's Playroom Club, (Yours Truely) had been closed for about 5 years, and that left Mary and Jody's The Club" on Memorial which had a very strict door policy and was a good distance from the downtown action. "The Club" was probably one of the most versatile gay/lesbian mixes next to the Gala of all times. We all partied together, both inside and out. I saw the vacancy for a dance club and had the itch to get into the gay club business myself. I eventually met a new acquaintance who's uncle (uh huh) purchased a huge brick 13,500 sq. ft. masonry building at 911 S. Main, which was very close to the action and would fill the void in the club scene. With a lot of ambition, sweat, learning experiences and a little borrowed money, Tulsa's grandest, most beautiful Art Deco Disco to date (one of the first) opened with a frenzy. I'm thinking that it was about 1974. Bright red walls and bar lined with metal flake padding, mirrors out the ying yang and a beautiful Art Deco stage with Silver Lamé curtains, The Queen of Hearts Club and Cafe would be short lived, but it introduced Tulsa to a new era of national advertising, dance clubs with professional sound and light shows, DJ's, pageants, national entertainers like the Laughing Kahunas from Hawaii and Sami Joe Cole known for her hits, "Tell me a Lie" and "It Could Have Been Me", and brought hundreds more out of the closet in Tulsa and OKC. It also began to draw more attention from the city fathers which meant more media coverage, more cops....more lawyers. After the Queen of Hearts closed, it became New York, New York for a while and then was purchased by Evelyn White who named it The Fountain of Youth, then The 911 Club, then Papillon. After Evelyn sold it to Bill Oliver, who closed the Zebra after some 20 years, it became Caruso's. People loved the club, as did I, and didn't want to let it go. Carusso's was later demolished for parking space along with Mary's, our favorite wino bar which was snuggled between Queen of Hearts and the Tiffany Club at 915 S. Main, owned by the late Jim Smith, Robert Wilson and some other idiot. Anyway, at least my first 'dream club' became established in the minds of many. I then dabbled with Tim's Anything Goes Club, a plush conversation cocktail lounge at 58th and Peoria in the rear of the center and gave it up as "too quiet" after a short time for the opportunity to manage the New Plantation Club with some guys from Dallas, at 51st and Yale. Eventually, through trial and error and with a tip from a well known and much appreciated Tulsa Newspaper sports writer, I opened the type of bar that I was most comfortable in.(Trashy Classy, as some called it, very much like Tramps is today!) He pointed me to a location that had been a well known gay hang-out for close to twenty five years (Including the next seven) and had been closed for the previous five years. Thus, becoming one of Tulsa's most controversial yet fun, notorious and nationally known gay clubs ever, Tim's Playroom Club. Eventually we joined in with the OHR Blueboys and helped gay softball achieve fame in Oklahoma. We had national invitational tournaments in Tulsa as well as traveled to Houston, Dallas, Kansas City , OKC and Wichita. It really helped put Tulsa on the gay map. We once played in one of the nations largest invitational gay tournaments in Houston among a field of twenty two teams from places such as New York, San Francisco, Atlanta and won the Most Spirited Team (Miss congeniality) award. I still think it's because we had the best-looking team there and we made more friends in the bars. Team Photo Doubling in size in just a few years, The Playroom would offer a diverse crowd a variety of entertainment and events. From a Cruise Bar at noon to a wild, thumping Dance bar at night Tulsa got it's first feel of Cerwin Vega Earthquake speakers in a bar that pounded away at the fifty year old brick walls causing them to crumble. It also got a close up look at dozens of Tulsa's Police Officers who constantly toured with flashlights in their hands and disgust and smirks in their faces. It was an ongoing battle. We had it set up so that whichever of the staff went to jail for whatever trivial or trumped up reason, Team B would contact the attorney to bail out Team A and reopen immediately. During the seven years of operation there were more than fifty arrests of myself or staff members and resulted in NO CONVICTIONS. Imagine that. Eventually, with the help of KOTV Channel Six who did a thirty minute segment on Tulsa gays, most of which was filmed in my bar and called "Strangers In The Night" (of which they no longer recall or can find a copy of in their archives), and aired it during prime time, a face to face discussion with then Tulsa Police Chief Jack Purdy and a meeting with a nationally recognized attorney who could not represent us because of conflicting interests, but made a strong recommendation to the Police Department Internal Affairs that they cease the harassment and change their policy and treatment toward gays or face another Stonewall or worse, a lawsuit. Things got much better for a few years. Some policy changes were eventually made and the attitudes seems to have improved somewhat over time. Although there were still questions, such as the tragic and unbelievable unsolved multiple murder of manager Robert Kowalski (aka Sugar)and another, which inadvertently closed the downtown version of the Taj Mahal. There were several other unsolved gay murders in Tulsa before and after that incident. (another story) Pete tried moving the Taj to 11th & Lewis behind the Playroom, in the old Zebra Club, but I don't recall that it lasted too long. It surprises most to hear that there were as many as thirteen active, open gay bars in Tulsa during this time frame and most were successful. Great clubs with another complete history behind them, such as Zippers at 33rd and Yale owned by the late John Willis and of course the legendary Bamboo Lounge on Pine Street which has reopened a couple of times since the infamous late Gene Curnigan.Tulsa Mining Company, Seekers Choice, Over the Rainbow and Dante's, just to name a few, but none bring back the memories of the early days like the old downtown scene as seen in many other larger cities. Due to the eventual adoption of the much misunderstood at the time, and misconstrued by the public, Liquor by the Drink, I realized that the end of the club business, as I knew it, had come. Gone were the back-door bottle club days. The bulk of the profits would now be re-directed from the owners and investors to the government coffuers, using a common method known as overtaxation and regulations.....or progress, as some would call it. But that is yet, another story all together. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [c. 1990] Tulsa Gay Bar History by Tim Turner Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tim Turner Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tim Turner Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tim Turner Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource About 1990 911 Club Art Deco Disco Bamboo Louge Bishops Bar Blue Haven Blue Note Lounge Bob Johnson Camelot Inn Caruso's Dante's Doghouse Evelyn White Fountain of Youth Friends Lunge Fruit Loop gala Gene Curnigan Jack Purdy Jim Smith John Willis Little Mexico M.C. Parker Mary's Milwaukee Tavern Miss Gay Oklahoma Pageant Mohawk Park Morma Peterson Murder New Edition New Plantation lub New York OHR Blueboys Over the Rainbow Papillon Paul Scott Pete Longenbaugh Queen of Hearts Renegades Rober Kowalski Robers Wilson Seekers Choice Skoo-Bee-Do St. Moritz Strangers in the Night KOTV Sugar Taj Mahal The Club Thurman Glynn Tim Turner Tim Warren Tim's Anything Goes Club Tim's Playroom Tom Oliver Tool Bo Tracy McLaughlin Tramps Tropical Gardens Tuffany Tulsa Bar History Tulsa Mining Company Zebra Lounge Zippers https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/6da3185e3c9411346acb45f174dd3c31.jpg 98c26387f8be6f490a4a4fa8804ee6c2 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/98b5266fc83c9948564198c691c566c6.mp4 0c0146cc3f558b39b5d63d4dae7ac832 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/062906c82060eb043f35e0daa45468ba.pdf 569c6056020b1a38f0eec877c89425b5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data VHS Duration Length of time involved (seconds, minutes, hours, days, class periods, etc.) 1 hour 20 minutes Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [c. 2000] The Jimmy Flowers Story Subject The topic of the resource Jimmy Flowers Interview for Tulsa Youth Discovering Diversity Description An account of the resource From Julie Tucker - Trainum, August 2019 - Jimmy Flowers was one of the very first members of the AIDS Coalition in Tulsa. He was a young man when he was part of Stonewall and in his interview he talks about Stonewall. Jimmy died in the mid 2000s. He was interviewed so we could share his story at the YST support group "Tulsa Youth Discovering Diversity." Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jimmy Flowers, Julie Tucker-Trainum, Youth Services of Tulsa, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Interview was conducted in 1999 or 2000 1999 2000 AIDS AIDS Coalition of Tulsa HIV interview Jimmy Flowers Julie Tucker-Trainum OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Stonewall transcript Tulsa Youth Discovering Diversity video Youth Services of Tulsa YST https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/2f56e8eb013fc7285639282d80498d7d.pdf 84d7d4b5a9977fabc990006ac7325a08 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "Outrage" Flier Subject The topic of the resource Arts and Culture Description An account of the resource Flier advertising "Outrage," a film about closeted gay politicians who stand against LGBT rights. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Circle Cinema Relation A related resource Circle Cinema Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Flier Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant "Outrage" Film Arts and Culture Politics Homophobia Activism Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/files/show/2091 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [ND] Circle Cinema Subject The topic of the resource Arts and Culture Description An account of the resource Documents and items relating to the Circle Cinema. Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Circle Cinema Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Arts and Culture "Outrage" Film Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/641 activism arts and entertainment Film https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/b367a4f6b231939e8565db8c28ea7b6f.mp4 d33190fe0b4a8b5a063b9662de140aac Moving Image A series of visual representations imparting an impression of motion when shown in succession. Examples include animations, movies, television programs, videos, zoetropes, or visual output from a simulation. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [ND] Follies Video https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/f1b1cddf4c503aa1dc4cae2719505f13.pdf aaa00c46e5965ae5a68dae73e47be796 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Collection] Oklahoma LGBT+ History Description An account of the resource Physical Media: Digital Media: Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Rollie Lynn Riggs (August 31, 1899 - June 30, 1954) was an American author, poet and playwright born on a farm near Claremore, Oklahoma. His mother was 1/8 Cherokee, and when he was two years old, his mother secured his Cherokee allotment for him. He moved to Shelter Island, New York after he started receiving a steady income when Green Grow The Lilacs was adapted into the landmark musical Oklahoma! (In 1943) James Fugate (pen name James Barr), author of several gay themed novels, plays, and articles was born in Oklahoma. It was while in Holyrood that the bulk of his literary output was produced including his groundbreaking novel Quatrefoil published in 1950. In the 1950s Fugate began a journalism career as the area feature writer for the Great Bend, Kansas, Tribune. In addition to Quatrefoil, Fugate also published the play Game of Fools (1955), and his second novel The Occasional Man (1966). Bruce Alonzo Goff (June 8, 1904 - August 4, 1982) was an American architect, distinguished by his organic, eclectic, and often flamboyant designs for houses and other buildings in Oklahoma. Goff accepted a teaching position with the School of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma in 1942. In 1955, Goff, who was homosexual, was accused of "endangering the morals of a minor", as homosexuality was not socially acceptable in Norman, Oklahoma in 1955. As a result of the unproven claims, he was forced to resign from his position at the University of Oklahoma. Anita Bryant was born in Barnsdall, Oklahoma. Bryant became Miss Oklahoma in 1958 and was a second runner-up in the 1959 Miss America beauty pageant at age 19, right after graduating from Tulsa's Will Rogers High School. In 1977, Dale County, Florida, passed an ordinance sponsored by Bryant's former friend Ruth Shack that prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Bryant led a highly publicized campaign to repeal the ordinance as the leader of a coalition named Save Our Children. The campaign was based on conservative Christian beliefs regarding the sinfulness of homosexuality. Phyllis Ann Lyon and Dorothy Louise Taliaferro "Del" Martin, are an American lesbian couple known as feminist and gay-rights activists. Phyllis Lyon was born on November 10, 1924 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley, earned in 1946. During the 1940s, she worked as a reporter for the Chico Enterprise-Record, and during the 1950s, she worked as part of the editorial staff of two Seattle magazines. In 1955, Martin and Lyon and six other lesbian women formed the Daughters of Bilitis (DOB), the first national lesbian organization in the United States. On June 26, 2015 when the US Supreme Court ruled gay marriage legal Lyon age 90... laughed and laughed when told the news. "Well how about that?" she said. "For goodness' sakes." Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [ND] LGBT People of Oklahoma Description An account of the resource An informational document about notable individuals within Oklahoma's queer history, 5 pages. The document discusses the lives of Phyllis Ann Lyon, Anita Bryant, Bruce Alonzo Goff, James Fugate, and Rollie Lynn Riggs. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource ND Subject The topic of the resource LGBT People of Oklahoma Anita Bryant Bruce Alonzo Goff Bruce Goff Del Martin Dorothy Louise Taliaferro "Del" Martin Dorothy Louise Taliaferro Martin James Fugate LGBT history LGBT People of Oklahoma Lynn Riggs Phyllis Ann Lyon Rollie Lynn Riggs