31 20 642 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/cbd3b82247e4c4eadc83a4934259e074.jpg 7355e3f0fb88d63ef43c7d6ebd67a7ab https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/cb0c9c183b92e5b42dcdda4184ad9ca0.pdf 36c17cee6aab257744b790b6a5047017 PDF Text Text May/June2005 Volume four/Issue five oklahomans for human rights Leaving on a Jet Plane! Lear Jet Use for 3 Hours Tops List of Live Auction Items at Diversity Gala 2005! Diversity Celebration 05 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Pdghts (TOHR) is celebrating its 25th Am~iversary tlfis year mad offering a once-in-alifetime opportusfity. Topping the list of live auction items during the event of the year, "Diversity Gala 2005," is the use of a private Lear Jet for 3 hours! Rarely offered at similar events, you and 6 or 7 friends can leave on a jet plane, traveling to your destniation while supporting equalit2 . EQUAL RIGHTS._NO MORE, NO LESS! tulsa- pride Each year, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and allied community comes together for PRIDE events - celebrating our cor~m~tmity and the advances made toward equality by being ourselves and being OUT. This year, we are celebrathig the GLBT & allied con~nunity through PRIDE and diversity with the theme "EQUAL RIGHTS...No More, No Less!" "Diversity Celebration 2005 - Tnisa PRIDE" premiere events feature the 6th A~nual Tulsa GLBT PRIDE Parade & Festival. The parade bes£ns on Cherry Street near 15th & Peoria, travels West on 15th to Main Street and heads South to Veterans Park. Don’t miss the Maple Park Parties mad the Party on Main to cheer on the floats, marching units and Grand Marshals. The finish line at the intersection of 18th & Main will have g~andstands as well as a few special surprises - plan to stake your spot early in the ~ay. (Continued on page 3) JUNE t0, 2005 TIJLSA, TOHR’s A~miversary Celebration begins at 6:00 PM with a Patrons’ Reception and tour of the acclaimed blockbuste~ exlaibit of "Machu Picchu." 7:00 PM brings the Anniversary Reception and Silem Auction with over 50 items ranging from diimers to yoga classes to antiques. Dirmer by the Polo Grill, the live auction, presentation of awards and remarks by guest speaker Tim PaLmer follow at 8:00 PM in Gilcrease Museum’s beautiful Vista Room. "Metro Swing," along with chocolates and cheeses, are plarmed after dimmer to close out this special everdng. Reservations range from $45 to $125 and are currently available at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. SeF page 6 for all the information you need and log onto TOHR.org to make your reservations today. �This year’s "Diversity Celebration 2005 - Tulsa Prid!!" will be the largest ever. Look for lhe schedule of events and the plans in this issue. This will be one celebration you will not want to miss. The events over the last year t~ave energized our community. Our allies are realizing that they must join us in our stand for equality. Steve Eberle organized a successthl fundralser at the Tulsa Summit Club. Individuals who have never previously donated to TOHR gave money and pledges. Look for a full report from Steve in the next issue. The state legislative session is always tense and tiffs year has been no exception. Only three house members voted against a resolution to direct the public libraries to restrict access to the book "King and King". This children’s book shows a prince rejecting the princess in favor of a prince. TOHR continues to work to educate Northeast Oldahomans on the need for civil equality. On behalf of the board I want to extend our sincere appreciation for those who have supported TOHR tiffs past year. Those who attend the Diversity Gala wi!l see how much support we have. These contributions reflect the confidence that the cotrantmity has in TOFIR m~d its board of directors. We are deeply touched by for human fights Office location ~ommunRy Center 5545 East 41st Street Tulsa, OK 74135 TOHR Board of Directors _Executive Board President.ark Benney 1st V~ce President--Dr. Laura Belmonte Secret~ry--Mike Willia ms Treasurer--Dwight Kealiher Assistant Treasurer~ohn Madigan your generosity. President, TOHR TOHR’s~ The Pyramid Project Sue Welch Comm4t~ Member~ �(continued fi.om page l) The PRIDE Festival, at Veterans Park, will be filled with more live entertainment by local stars, an expanded Family Fun Zone for the kid in us all, activities for young adults, sports and activities for everyone and of course, all kinds of vendors with everything from arts & crafts to food to rainbow merchandise - and most everything in between! EQUAL RIGHTS.,.NO MORE, NO LESS! On April 20th, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) celebrated the grand opening of the David Bohnett CyberCenter. Some 50 people joined the TOHR Board, staff and volunteers in welcoming Michael Fleming, Executive Director of the Los Angeles-based foundation to the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center. The ten donated computer workstations greatly enhance the services provided at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. Already, the David Bohnett CyberCenter has had more than 200 users! Usage is expected to grow as additional features are added and computer skills classes are offered. Watch for additional information about computer skills classes upcoming this summer. Many in the community are working together for "Diversity Celebration 2005 - Tulsa PRIDE! You can be a part of the excitement and help make the Pride Parade & Festival the event for Tulsa! Contact Christina Elder, Diversity Celebration 2005 Volunteer Coordinator @ 743-4297 or tohr.org and see what you can do for Pride! After the Grand Opening, more than 25 TOHR donors and board members met for the quarterly "Donors’ Circle" reception at the White Lion Pub. TOHR thanks the David Bohnett Foundation and all the volunteers and board members who helped make the CyberCenter a reality. And we thank our donors who help ensure that our Community Center and its programs are available to all. We also appreciate John and Betty of the White Lion Pub for hosting the Donors’ Circle and welcoming Michael Fleming to Tulsa. Dennis Neil CHECK OUT THE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ON PAGE 5 & PLAN TO ATTEND ALL THE EVENTS! For more information on the events of Diversity Celebration 2005, please contact Greg Gatewood at the GLBT Community center at 918-743-4297 or ggatewood@tohr.org or Kelly Carter at kcarter@cox.net. Kelly Carter Get ’em while they’re hot! You can support the Tulsa PRIDE Parade & Festival when you buy a 2005 "Equality" bracelet for only $3 each. Get one or fill your arms with them. EQUALITY bracelets are available at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Cetner at 5545 E 41st Street in Highland Plaza. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center is open 3:00-9:00 ~PM Tuesday-Saturday. GOT PR DE? Volunteers make Tulsa’s annual PRIDE events - "Diversity Celebra, tion"- the success that it’s always been. PRIDE Parade & Festival volunteers can choose from a variety of options in helping the community commemorate, educate & celebrate. Take your pick of several opportunities to give back to your community. Many positions are available in 2 houz shifts by contacting the "Diversity Celebration 2005 Tulsa PRIDE!" Volunteer Coordinator, Christina Elder, at misschristinarml0@¥ahoo.com, calling the Tulsa GLBT Community Center at 743-4297 or you can log onto TOHR.org. Pictured above at the David Bohnett CyberCenter Grand Opening are (Imeeling, l to O: Center Director Greg Gatewood and Board Member Andrew Carter. Standing l to r: Board members Dennis Neill, D~vight Kealiher, Steve Eberle, Janet Gearin, Kaye Smith, Richard Hurtig, Laura Bebnonte, Lamont Linstrom, Michael Fleming, ED of the David Bohnett Foundation and John Madigan. Picture below at the TOHR Donor Circles event at the White Lion Pub are TOHR supporters (1 to r): Linda Stevens, Bob Cisar, Janet Gearin and Kirk Holt. John Do &p C S. ¯ Avenue Suite OK 74! Children+ Adolescent+ Aclult+ C �5545 east 41st TUESDAYS Open 3-9 PM WEDNESDAYS Open 3-9 PM THURSDAYS Open 3-9 PM FRIDAYS Open 3-9 PM SA TURDA YS Open 3-9 PM Pride Store 6-9 PM HIV Testing 6-8 PM 1 st Tuesday Primetimers 6 PM - Board 7 PM - Mtg. FREE POOL! Cyber Focus 6-9 PM Gender Outreach 7-9 PM Pride Store 6-9 PM FREE POOL! Pride Store 6-9 PM Games & Things 7-9 PM FREE POOL! Pride Store 6-9 PM Center Cinema 6:30-9 PM FREE POOL! Pride Store SALE~ 3-9 PM HIV Testing " 4-7 PM 1st Saturday T.U.L.S.A. 4 PM - Board 5 PM - Mtg. ?REE POOL! SUNDAYS Open for the "Sunday Sho" Sunday Sho 9-10 PM "Queer as Folk" Doors open at 8:30 PM Special Events www.tohr.org Is your weekend in the middle of the week? Are you looking for a place to relax with friends during the afternoon? Do you need a place to surf the web, catch up on TiVo or play games on PlayStation 2? Does your organization need a place for meetings or events? Then the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center is the place for you, your friends and your family! The Tulsa GLBT Community Center is expanding the hours of operation so all in the community - young adults to seniors and all in between - can take advantage of the many programs and services offered in the center. Now open from 3:00 - 9:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday, the Center has been refurbished and redesigned with you in mind. New at the Center is: The wildly popular David Bohnett CyberCenter. 10 flat-panel workstations outfitted with the latest technology allows you to surf the web, finish that school paper or chat with friends across the nation. The "Family" Room. GLBT parents can bring their children to the center - and the kids can play the day away in the new "family" room. PlayStation 2, board games, books (we have the "controversial" titles), toys and more are available for the kid in us all in the Family Room. o The Community Conference Room is available for use during the day or evening for Reach thousands of NE OK Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and allied community READERS ADVERTISE IN THE TORCH! board meetings, planning sessions - whatever you need. The "Back Room." Soon to open, groups up to 20 people may meet in private. The Tulsa GLBT History Project documents and preserves the rich history of the Northeast Oklahoma GLBT community. Now in the History Room is a temporary display of past PRIDES. Come by and fred your face in the pictures and help us identify others in the hundreds of pictures from years gone by. The Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library has over 3,000 titles for you to checkout - and over 300 FREE movies. It’s all being cata!ogued for you to easily find your selection or area of interest. See the schedule above and stop by soon - you’ll discover the community! ALL are Welcomer. OPEN Tues-Sat. 6:00-9:00 PM 5545 E. 41st St., Inside the Tulsa GLBT Community Center �GARRETT LAW OFFICE, R C. tulsa glbt history project Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) sponsored Tulsa’s first community PRIDE picnic (now the Tulsa PRIDE Festival) in 1982 at Chandler Park. In those years, socialization was very important and TOHR offered a useful way to meet other GLBT people. The picnic featured activities such as softball, volleyball, and sack and high heel races. It was a true picnic in the sense that people brought their own coolers, food and blankets and shared their experiences of living in Tulsa during what was a very difficult time for the GLBT community. This was just at the onset of the AIDS epidemic and many of those who participated in the first picnic have passed on. We honor their memories during TOHR "s 25tt’ anniversary year, and the upcoming "Diversity Celebration 2005 Tulsa PRIDE!" I moved to Tulsa in May 1981. I had just out of the Navy and finished graduate school, moving to Tulsa to go to work for the same institution to which I am still employed. Those were wonderful days for me. AIDS hadn’t reared its deadly head as yet; the oil crunch hadn’t caused scores of professionals to move to greener pastures. OHR (what was to become TOHR) had just been established here and it seemed to me that all one had to say was "OHR is planning..." and people showed up by the hundreds--whether it was a picnic at Chandler Park, a baseball game at Henthorne, or the Turn-About Show at the Homebuilders’ Association building. Everyone wanted to be there. The first picnic took place summer 1982. I remember it was hot (no shock I’m sure), but many were pressed and dressed--remember preppy was in. We all seemed so young (we were actually) and nothing seemed impossible. Dennis i Neill and TOHR officers had created a venue whereby gay people from all over Green Country could gather and celebrate their hard-won individuality. The Stonewall Riots were a very recent memory then and the gay community seemed to feel part of the fabric of America. I think we felt good about ourselves and hoped that the future would bring other advancements in the cause of the rights of gay, bi-sexual, lesbian and transgendered people everywhere. That first picnic may then be compared to other halcyon days in history--those precious times prior to events that forever changed the fabric of society. We were young, proud, and defiant--we had everything to gain and, we thought, nothing to lose. The AIDS crisis was and is pure tragedy, but we have come through it stronger, and even more defiant than before. Here’s to all those wonderful people from that first picnic--whether you’re still with us or whether your spirit guides us from other plains of existence. We salute you. -- Mike Williams & Dennis Neil Garrett Law Office, EC. ~is an association of lawyers with one common goal: to serve the public interest by representing injured persons or persons with property damage who are susceptible to possible unfair treatment by insurance companies. Our practice areas are: INSURANCE DISPUTES PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH JOB-RELATED INJURIES SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PRODUCT LIABILITY SECURITIES FRAUD BANKRUPTCY Call our office for a free consultation before you commit to signing a release which could compromise the value of your claim and your legal rights. 1-888-GARRETT In Tulsa: 622-9292 Remember - The adjuster works for the insurance co~npany - WE WORK FOR YOU! �Pyramid Project Event A Great Success . The Terwilleger Heights Home Tour was a great success and enjoyed by many! The tour benefited Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) capital campaign, the Pyramid Project. The public tour was held on Sunday, May 15th. The evening Patrons’ party before the tour was hosted by Charles Faudree. Patrons were treated to a private tour of Mr. Faudree’s home and a dinner of paella. Thank you Patrons for your support! Over 350 people toured four homes on Sunday and $17,000 was raised. The event ended at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, 5545 E 41st Street, with a live auction topped off by champagne and chocolate. Jim Ritchey served as our professional auctioneer extraordinaire. ~ew ~ce ~d ~onda Rudd, two co~uNty-suppo~ive candidates, are ~g to replace State Senator Bernest Cain in ON~oma City’s Senate District 46. Cain, who has also been suppo~ive of civil fights issues, is te~-li~ted and ca~ot mn for reelection. Rudd was raised as a Southern Baptist and married to a Southern Baptist ~Nster for eleven years ~d believes tNs helps her understand the broad range of O~ahomans: "Cow, cation is one key to being a successN1 legislator." She is also ~ e~olled member of the CNckasaw Nation. "I’m really just a re~lar person," Rudd said. "But I thi~ I may be just what the legislate needs. We are a nation of the people. I am dete~ned to represent o~ people’s needs. I have been there. I’ve worked hard, been to school and raised my cNl&en. I have done all of this so that all of us can have a be~er life. I believe I will be elected to the Winner of auction items included Andy Kinslow & Robert Coffey, Heather Harp Howland, Carol Lambert, Marcy Smith & Sue Welch, Janet Gearin, Doug Hartson & Don Wilkes, Loy Payne, Diane Morehead, David Nelson, Sallye Phillips Mann, Linda & Bob Reis, Fred & Myma Burki and Julia Latham. Auction items were generously donated by: Charles Faudree, Solomon’s Seal Garden Design, Paul Harrison, Talmadge Powell Concepts, Burnett’s Flowers & Gifts, Petal Pushers, Thyme American Bistro, TW’s Catering, The Living Kitchen, Loy’s Photography and Sue Welch & Marcy Smith. Many thanks to the homeowners for opening their beautiful homes and gardens to us: Mitchell Savage & Michael Smith, Andy Kinslow and Robert Coffey, Bob & Linda Reis, Paul Harrison & Talion Nelson and Charles Faudree. Thank you also to Russ White of Molly’s Landing & Chocolate Fountains of Tulsa, Andrew Hicks of AndrewHicksOnline.com, Tim Bridges at QuikPrint on Admiral, Harvard Liquor and the numerous volunteers for all their help. For more information on TOHR’s capital campaign, the Pyramid Project, the next home tour or upcoming events for the Pyramid Project, go to TOHR.ORG or email Sue Welch at sue1523@swbell.net. Sue Welch Senate because people want real representation. That’s what I plan to give them." To volunteer or contribute to Rudd’s campaign you may contact her at campaign headquarters 2722 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73108. The campaign email address is ruddforsenate@cox.net. Andrew Rice majored in Religious Studies at Colby College, Maine. He was accepted to Harvard University Divinity School but deferred his ad- mission for a year to work and travel in Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. In Sri Lanka he worked with the largest Buddhist Grassroots NGO in Asia, helping with rural development. In Thailand, Rice worked for the country’s largest private AIDS Hospice. In India, Rice studied local (continued on page 9) �Mike Redman is Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) Director of Advocacy. TORCH." Where did you grow up? Where is home for you? MR: I grew up primarily in Oklahoma City; however, as an Air Force brat, I also lived in California and Georgia. I have lived in Tulsa since 1988 and currently live there with my partner. TORCH." How did you first become involved with Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR)? MR: I first became involved with TOHR last year. I had been speaking on the social and legal implications of gay marriage when TOHR representa- tives approached me about serving on its Board. Being an election year, my emotions were running high on gay rights and I accepted the invitation. As a newly elected member of the Board, I am still learning so much about the history and goals of the organization. One thing is clear: I enjoy public speaking on gay rights issues! TORCH." As TOHR’s Director of Advocacy, can you tell us of some ongoing projects? MR: Unfortunately, so many organizations and political leaders are unwilling even to have an open dialogue because of fear of retribution. The number one goal of the advocacy committee should OUT OK Summer Film Series OUT OK returns with its sizzling hot Summer Film SeFollowing on the heels of "Diversity Celebration 2005 - Tulsa PRIDE", OUT OK will screen Bruce LaBruce’s controversial RASPBERRY REICH "Heterosexuality is the Opiate of the Raspberry Reich follows the comiMasses." cal aspirations of would-be terrorists in modem Germany. LaBruce blends sexual politics and homosexual radicalism into a new revolution of camp, glamour, and raw sex. Sensory overload! Best Film at the Melbourne Underground Film Festival. Due to graphic content, all movie patrons must pre-register. Date: Thursday, June 16, 2005; 7:00pm. Location: University of Tulsa, Chapman Hal!. Reservation: pau@out-ok.com; 981-682-4654, ext. 2. Cost: $10 or free with valid OUT OK Pass. The Summer Film Series continues June 30 and concludes July 21 (movies to be announced). OUT OK 4 pre-film festival screening will open August 25 (movie to be announced). This Fa!l, OUT OK 4, The Oklahoma International Film Festival, will run October 13-23. OUT OK 4 premieres October 1 with a Big Bang! He’s huge, he’s massive and he’s starring in the ABSOLUT Cocktail Party. Stay tuned for a wet and delicious evening with an erotic film star. Look for the OUT OK booth at the Tulsa PRIDE Festival, June 1 lth at Veterans Park. The OUT OK 4 VIP PASS will be on sale. Philip A u be to educate our members, and the public at large, of the social and legal implications of issues we currently face. We should strive to educate persons who draw conclusions about us before considering the underlying facts or long-term implications of those conclusions. TORCH." And what more needs to be done? MR." I believe that we need to identify those organizations that support our entitlement to equal rights and those who do not. We need to stand beside and do business with those organizations that work with us in our pursuit of equal human rights. addiction problems and treatment. He returned to Harvard Divinity School and received a Masters Degree in Theology in 1999, Rice later moved to New York City to work as a freelance documentary producer and editor. In his public advocacy work, Rice repeatedly bumped up against stubborn limits impeding efforts to hold representatives accountable to our nation’s core principles. He decided, therefore, to run for office himself. He says, "I am running for Senate to represent my district in a manner that has all of our resident’s interests in mind, to counter the trends in local government that disrespect the guidance of our constitution, and to represent values that are more broadly defined and inclusive than the often closed-minded and self-righteous values we see and hear so much about these days from certain sectors of our society." Voters can learn more of Rice’s positions and offer support by visiting his website www.andrewforoklahoma.com. �EQUAL RIGHTS...NO MORE, NO.LESS! info oklahomans for human rights PO Box 2687 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2005] TOHR Torch, May-June 2005; Volume 4, Issue 5 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May - June 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/aa5001a58e15d3873648e4e0994b00e8.jpg 8b328e52f9511b74df80e7411f02c70d https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/4d0e31793a150cbf67bd0392ffe4e42e.pdf 1bc0447a42d97dcc256f9e3b0cc677d7 PDF Text Text February/March 2005 Volume four / Issue three the tulsa oklahomans for human rights CELEBRATE DIVERSITY 2005! PFLAG, Open Arms and TOHR Join TOHR’s 2Sth Anniversary It happened 25 years ago, when the Tulsa chapter of OkJahomans for Human Rights, an Oktahoma City-based organization, was formed. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) was born and is now one of the oldest continuously operating GLBT advocacy organizations in the nation. TOHR is now well known for sponsoring the week-long Diversity Celebration held each year in June, which first appeared in 1999. This year PFLAG and Open Arms Youth Project will join as presenting sponsors Diversity Celebration 2005 As befits a 25th anniversary year, we’re planning some great things for the June 2005 Diversity Celebration. Most of the popu- TURBO to Produce Pride Guide It’s time for Tulsa to have its own Gay has produced a Pride Guide~an advertising program for Diversity Celebration in June that included a dozen or more businesses. But the newly-reconceptuaIized publication will fill a serious gap in the Tulsa GLBT community when it premieres with listings--we hope--of a hundred or more GLBT-owned, GLBT-managed and GLBT-friendly northeast Oklahoma businesses. A city’s "Gay Yellow Pages" is an historical document that will stand for generations as testimony to the Survivor Oklahoma! By Lamont Lindstrom Oklahoma’s Dr. Scout Cloud Lee (shown above with her partner Annie Lee) "survived" 39 days on Efate Island in the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. Scout was the second-to-last "voted off the island" in the popular television show Sun/ivor Vanuatu. This was, it was clear to all, a wise move on the part of winner Chris Daugherty. If Daugherty had gone into the final tribal council with Scout, she--and not he--would no doubt have won the show’s million-dollar prize. After Survivor’s emotional climax, Scout returned to Oklahoma and, recently, she, Annie, dogs, and cats have moved to a beautiful new ranch south of Stillwater where eventually they will also keep their horses, A former OSU Sti!lwater professor, Scout was attracted not by the show’s monetary prize but �From the President A Personal In vitat/on: It’s yourCenter, and the Board of Directors of TOHR invites you to use it. If Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) PO Box 2687 Tulsa OK 74101 918-743-4297 (phone) / 918-384-0108 (fax) www.tohr.org email: community~,,tohr orq you have a group that wants a place to meet, think about using the Center. If you want to plan a one-time meeting or semina~, use the Center. We want you to feel at home. If you are at home watching TV by yourself, consider coming to the Center. The big screen %/is on almost every night. We hope to be expanding the Cyber-Center soon with updated equTprnent, more sta- TOHR Board of Directors tions and games. Continue to watch for expanded programming. In this newsletter you will find information about our first meeting for the community to discuss Diversity Celebration 2005. This year’s theme is "Diversity at Work." We will be focusing on diversity in the work place and how diversity works to enhance the community. We want input from all or ganizations, and we want other organizations to share in the planning of the week-long events. This year TOHR has two main goals. The first is to build bridges with all LGBT organizations and with those non-LGBT organizations that serve our community. We want to meet with you and see how TOHR can work with your organization for the common good of all of us. We hope to bring leaders from other organizations to the Board and to committees of TOHR so that we can strategize on increasing our overall effectiveness. The second goal is to take the message to Tulsa’s leaders that diversity is a must for economic prosperity. If you have contacts with any of Tulsa’s leaders and can arrange an informal house party or formal meeting please let us know. We hope to combine these two goals by coordinating meetings be- py~amidproject org tween Tulsa’s leaders and the leaders of LGBT organizations. With your help TOHR can achieve both of these goals this year. SueWelch Mark Bonney, Marc Frieden, M TOHR Responds to HIV Funding Cuts TOHR recently worked with community leaders in reaction to cuts in state funding of HIV testing clinics. With the help of local doctors and executive directors of HIV related organizations we believe that funding will be restored to some of the clinics facing closure, We thank the lead- John D. Cutright, MSW, LCSW Counselor & Psychotherapist 4870 S. Lewis Avenue, Suite 190 Tulsa, OK 74105 918-284-0123 �TOHR’s Fall Fund Drive has been a great success so far, with pledges and gifts stiff coming in. We are deeply grateful to the donors who have given to this special campaign, which represents nearly 30% of our year’s budget. In addition, the Winter Membership Drive has just gotten underway, with gifts of every size. We are extremely pleased to announce that TOHR is now 260 members strong--and growing! Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights is deeply grateful to those wonderful donors who contributed $100 or more to the Fall Fund Drive or joined TOHR at the Patron or higher level during the Membership Ddve~ Thank you! Wesley Allen Alison Anthony and Mark Wilson Dr. Mark Argo and David Rosebeary Jane Barnes Fred Basset[ Laura Belmonte Rev. and Mrs. Russell Bennett Kathie Fite Rabbi Marc Boone Fitzerman Dr. Mark Frost and Tim VanMeter David Garrett Kevin Gaylor and Don Lawrence Janet Geadn Mark Bonney and Philip Au Howard Brewer Gregg Smith and Kevin Burleson Dr. Greg Gray Michael Green Mark Henry Barry Hensley and Terry Baxter Jack Camden Doug Campbell Andrew Carter Robert Cisar and Kirk Holt/Cisar-Holt Inc. Carl Cliver Patrick Hobbs and John Orslak Dwight Holden and Ted Eudy Dr. Greg Holt Bobbe Hornback The Jensen/Christopher Family Joe Johnson Karl Cooke Robert Coffey and Andrew Kins!ow Greg Johnston Kenneth Joslin and Mark Linholm Dwight Kealiher Thorn Kelley and Todd Durbin Joel Cousins and Frank Medearis Barb Daily Michael R. Davis Stephen Eberle Charles Faudree Mike Keys and Ty Kazubowski George King D. Bruce Lewis Lamont Lindstrom and Devre JackSon Jul[e Littlefield John Madigan Bill and Marilyn Major Rick Martin and Daniel Schneider Martin Martinez and Daniel gurnstein George Matarazzo and Bill Ferguson Nancy and Joe McDonald Dick Miller Duane MenNe and Mike Mi!ls Tom Neal Dennis Neifl and John Bouthard Jayne Oertle Rev. Leslie and Steve Penrose Barri and Dr. Dan Plunkett Anita Randza Michael Redman Devon Rethefford Kaye Smith Marcy Smith and Sue Welsh Marcy Smith and Sue Welch Debra Smotherman Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant "For AII Your Accounting Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many special situations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 4815 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-3066 918.747.5466 CHANGES AT TOHR’S COMMUNITY CENTER Highland Plaza is undergoing a facelift, expanding and lifting the facade. Come visit and see the Center’s new look, at 5545 E. 41st Street, Tulsa. 3 �History or th Brother Outsider." The Life of Bayard Rustin February 24, 6:00 prn at the Center Come to our monthly membership potluck dinner in observation of Black History Month, and see the award winning film about Bayard Rustin, One of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s key organizers and an openly gay African American man. Rustin organized the 1963 March on Washington, one of the largest nonviolent protests ever held in the U.S. He brought Gandhi’s protest techniques to the American civil rights movement, and help mold Dr. King into an international leader. Despite these achievements, Rustin was silenced, arrested, and fired, largely beCause he was an openly gay man in a fiercely homophobic era. The film is a 2003 Sundance Film Festival Official Selection. The Tulsa showing is sponsored by TOHR GLBT History Project. Bayard Rustin with Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1956 during the bus boycott in Montgomery, AL. Associated The February potluck dinner has been moved from its usual first-Thursday slot to accommodate the showing of the film. Please bring a dish to share. Soft drinks D][SCO FUNK & JIVE: W][LD HEARTS 8ALL 5 By Sue Welch Is it the ’70s you long for? DISCO, FUNK & JIVE for Wild Hearts Ball 5 is here! Hey man, you know this gig... Soul Train, Laugh In, Gloria Gaynor and ABBA. So get down with your bad self in your best ’70’s threads and win the costume prize or just come as you are. Dig the chocolate fondue and other free hors ’d oeuvres. Gifts for the first fifty in the door! Be cool and don’t miss the Solid Gold Larn6 Dancers! For 21 and over, there will be a cash martini bar and other spirited libations. If you don’t have a 21 ID, you may groove at the soft beverage bar. Get down to funky town with your favorite retro tunes, hang loose in the Lava Lounge, take some party pics, and more!! This year we are pleased to have several local nightclubs join in the party! After doing the hustle at the Wild Hearts Ball, boogie on down to your local club favorites. Club Mavericks, HOTs, End Up, TNTs, and New Age Renegades will be offering special surprises for Wild Hearts Ball attendees so keep your party wristband on. GET DOWN, GET DOWN!!! To get you in the mood visit www.brumm.com/gaylib/disco. "Disco Music Was Gay Music," Tom Moulton’s essay about the importance and influence of disco music for gay culture in the 1970s, will take you there. "He mixed many, many of the dance and disco albums of the 1970s, and essentially defined worldwide dance music from this period on". Yes dudes, apparently we brought Disco out of the gay bar closet and turned it into pop culture for the world to love! When: Saturday, February 12th, 8 prn ’til Midnight. Where: The Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Tickets: $20 at the door or $15 advance at: GLBT Community Center, 5545 E. 41st, 918-743-4297 Burnett’s Flowers & Gifts, 4322 E. 11th, 918-834-5555 4 �UPCOMfNG EVENTS February/March 2005 February 1, 8, 15, 22. March 1, 8, 16, 22, 29 Free anonymous HIV testing at the Center, 5545 E. 41~t Street at our N.O.EE, Testing Clinic, 5;00 to 8:00pm Tuesdays. February 3. 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10. 17, 24, 31 - Crafty Girlz, TOHR’s women’s group, meets Thursdays at 7:30pm. February 4, 11, 18, 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25 - Films at the Center. Join us at 5:30pm Friday evenings for fun, film and friends at the Center, 5545 E. 41~. February S, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26 - Free anonymous HIV testing at the Center, 5545 E. 41st Street at our H.O.P.E, Testing Clinic, 4:00pm to 7:00prn Saturdays. February 22, 6:0Opm - Discussion of the Pride Store’s future at the Center. Sales have been declining for some time, and you’re invited to join board members in a discussion of whether to close it or how to revitalize it. See story on page 5, February 24, 6:00pm - Film: Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin, and potluck dinner, Official Selection, g00g Sundance Film Festi vaL Bring a dish to share. Sponsored by the Tulsa GLBT History Project. Dinner at 6, film at 7. See story on page & February 26, Saturday morning at 10:00am - Diversity Celebration All-Volunteer Meeting at the Center, Come and be a part of this year’s Diversity Celebration! Coffee and donuts, at the Center, 5545 E. 41st. March 1, 6:O0pm - Prime Timers meeting. Guys, bring your mature adult self to the Center and join Prime Timers! March 3, 6:00pm - TOHR Monthly Membership Potluck Dinner. Bayard Rustin. The Film Brother Outsider: Bring a covered dish to share! March 10, 7:OOpm - Scout Cloud lee, Oklahoma’s own Survivorcelebrity, will be Keynote Speaker at Tulsa Peace Fellowship’s Season for Nonviolence Celebration at Temple Israel, 2004 E. 23~d Place, Tulsa. Dr. Lee’s keynote address is entitled "Let Peace Reign: Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors." See story on page 1. March 16, 6:00pm - Diversity Celebration Steering Committee meeting at the Center. SUBSCRIBE TO THE eNEWS and get (approximately) weekly updates on what’s going on ~ the GLBT community in Tulsa--right ~ your ema# inbox. You’ll be up to date with national news stories, too. Subscribing is MEMBERSHIP FEEDBACK REQUESTED: Whither the Pride Store? TOHR’s Executive Committee will discuss the future of the Pride Store at 6 pm on February 22 at the Center. Sales at the store, which has been The GLBT InfoLine (918) 743-GAYS (4297) located inside the Center for several years, have been declining. The Board needs your input to decide whether to close the store or to under take its revitalization. We invite anyone with ideas or thoughts to share to attend this month’s Executive Committee meeting. It’s not only your connection to Tulsa’s nightlife, it’s your first call when you’re looking for GLBT-friendly healthcare, legal assistance, counseling, and so much more. �Focus on Supporting Organizations: All Souls Unitarian Church by Ruben Garcia /n each Torch, we will offer a supporting organization in Oklahoma the opportunity to highlight its activities on behaff of the GLBT communitJz Zf your organization is interested in submitting an article in a future Torch, please contact us at community@tohLorg. /n this edition, Rubin Garcia of the All 5ouls Unitarian Church’s GLBT History Projec Project describes this Tulsa church’s programs. Memories hosted TOHR’s monthly meetings and has supported GLBT programs ever including: ¯ Performing same sex unions; ¯ Coordinating a prom night for GLBT youth; All Souls Are Welcome All Souls Unitarian Church of Tulsa, Oklahoma, one of the largest Unitarian churches in the world, recently was recognized by the Unitarian/Universalist Association (UUA) as a Welcoming Congregation. Unitarian churches welcome all who seek a religious home free of creeds and guided by love, reason and conscience. They are committed to respecting differences and striving for understanding of the diverse experiences of their members. In 1989, after 20 years of milestones and growing pains, delegates of the ¯ Hosting Tulsa’s fffst ever Transgender Conference; ¯ Offering rehearsal and performance space for the Council Qak Men’s Chorale and the Women of Council Oak; ¯ Sponsoring RAIN Teams to serve PLWA; ¯ Participating in and promoting Tulsa’s Diversity Celebration; ¯ Cosponsoring the TOHR History Pro ject, chronicling the lives of GLBT pe~ sons in the Tulsa area. All Souls Welcoming Congregation GLBT program long term goals include: ¯ Sponsoring a local group for GLBT Unitarian Universalists, their families and friends, for support, socializing, and sharing life issues; ¯ Hosting a GLBT brunch at an area restaurant on the 2~d Sunday of each month for its members and visitors; ¯ Outreach to the GLBT community to Tulsa Pride Pioneers Bruce Goff and Adah M. Robinson 8ruce Goff (I 904-I 982) and Adah M. Robinson share credit for the design (what each contributed is still the subject of debate) of Tulsa’s spectacular art deco Boston Avenue Methodist Church in the mid 1920s. Goff had apprenticed at twelve years old to the architectural firm gregation programs among its member ¯ Tentatively p~anning a conference of churches to facilitate inclusiveness. They affirming and supporting congregations in the Tulsa area to address bar- Rush, Endacott and Rush. Robinson taught Goff art at Tulsa (Central) High School. She subsequently be came an Art Instructor at the University of Tulsa and founded Tulsa’s about the spiritual, political, and social riers to equality in the mainstream Alpha Roh Tau Civic Art Association wellbeing of GLBT persons who are o& faith community. in 1930. [n addition to architecture, Goff composed for the piano. He UUA General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to initiate Welcoming Con- are designed to educate members publicize the religious alternative offered by Unitarian UniversaIism; ten excluded from participation in GLBT project planning meetings are mainstream churches. For more infor- scheduled at the church at 12:30 on the mation on the history and vision of the 3~ Sunday of each month The staff and UUA’s Welcoming Congregation pro- members of All Souls are proud to be a gram visit the Office of BGLT Concerns port in the storm and partners in pride at www.uua.org/bgltc. with other northeastern Oklahoma or All Souls has had a !ong history with Tulsa’s GLBT community before ever becoming a Welcoming Congregation in 2004. AS early as 1981 the church taught in Chicago, Berkeley and eventually joined the University of Oklahoma’s School of Architecture ganizations supportive of the GLBT in 1942, remaining there until 1955. Nearly 150 of Goff’s designs were built in 15 states, including an art community. Visit the church any Sunday studio for Adah, located at 1119 S. at 10 or 11:30 a.m. to experience loving, liberal, life affirmB~l spirituality that is �by its chai]enges. These challenges included basic "surviving"--camping out, making friends, and competing with 17 other eager contestants--and barista Ami Cusack. Scout had not and books are available on her In- told producers about her relation- ternet website: ship when she interviewed for Survi- www.scoutcloudlee.com. Scout and vor 7. Like many of us, she finds labels~hether Gay, Lesbian, Dem- Annie are also founders of the Mag- ocrat, or Christian--confining and al non-profit established to contrib- uncomfortable. 8y Survivor Vanua- ute to global peace through play. ical Child Foundation, an education- also the physical and mental reward tu, however, Scout felt she had Later this year she and the Founda- and immunity nothing to downplay. tion will be working with the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services competitions that Scoutand the contestants must tackle. Scout ’ was mostly has a professional interest in challenge construc- throughout tion. Since 1980, the series. she and Annie, as A~though Annie Lee and Vision Us, Inc., have offered "Leadership Embassy for Ami’s partner Crissy flew to Vanuatu Excellence" trainings, serving busi- to participate in the "family reward nesses and organizations such as Ap- challenge," the show did not air the ple Computer, Ford, IBM, and the two couples’ kisses. On the other Chickasaw Nation. Vision Us trainings hand, during the Reunion Finale and challenge courses stress strategic host Jeff Probst asked Scout how pIanning, team building, interpersonal her fellow Ok~ahomans had received relations, motivation, win-win conflict, her back home after being "outed" stress management, and more: all the on the show. Scout explained that skills one needs to be a successful she has experienced nothing but survivor. In Vanuatu, Scout called on friendliness and interest back in Ok- her coaching experience to council lahoma. A large crowd of several her fellow survivors, but principally hundred, for example, turned up she called on this to coach herself to and gave her a standing ovation face daily gritty challenges of cold, when she spoke recently about her Survivor experiences at the Stillwa- hunger, and a malfunctioning knee joint replacement. ter Public Library. Scout had applied to join Survivor 7 (Pearl Islands} and although not selected was told by producers that she definitely should reapply. She did, and ended up on a dark Vanutau beach one cotd July night building the Yasur team camp with eight other women. Mark Burnett, Survivor’s Executive Producer, had framed the Vanuatu "tribal" competition as women versus men. No surprise, perhaps, the show featured nine strong, outspoken, and capable women--two lesbians among these: Scout and As successful survivor, Scout also draws on her skills as singer and author. She is ready to release her fifth CD. She has also written many books including The Circle is Sacred, co-authored with her partner Annie (Dr. Carol Ann Washburn) and Sworn to Fun: Celebrate Every Little Thing, Every Day, both published by Tulsa’s Council Oak Books. With a friend, she has also developed her own perfume she calls Integrity. For those interested, her several CDs First-Ever Test Fest Draws a Crowd HO.P.E Testing Clinic and TOHR wanted to boost the numbers of people being tested for H]V, so they threw a party! The GLBT Community Center hosted and showed films through the day. Gender illusionist Miss Bobby Page gave two delightful shows, and there were wonderful door prizes donated by Tulsa Opera and other Tulsa businesses. TOHR and H.O.P.E anticipate Teat Fest �~tulsa oklahomans DIVERSITY AT WORK for human rights DIVERSITY CELEBRATION 2005 COMMUNITY HERO AWARD NOMINATION FORM Address Name Address State City Zip Phone allied commuNty of NE Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadelsNp and unity Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) is a 501 (c)3 nonproSt orgaNzation Contributions are tax deductible as allowed by law PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918.743.4297 8 www.tohr.org �Tulsa GLBT Center Receives National Cyber Center Grant TULSA--The David Bohnett Foundation of Los Angeles, CA announced a $32,065.68 grant to Tulsa Oklaho mans for Human Rights {TOHR) to be used for equipping an expanded computer center, to be named the David Bohnett CyberCenter. The foundation was established by David Bohnett, founder of the technology company GeoCities, in 1994. By August, 1999, GeoCities was cited by Internet ranking firm, Media Metrix, as one of the top four most trafficked sites on the web. GeoCities became publicly traded on NASDAQ in August of 1998, and was subse quently acquired by Yahoo! Inc. in May 1999. Mr. Bohnett continues to serve as Chairman of the foundation, which has a specialized interest in funding CyberCenters within gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community centers nationwide. Tulsa’s GLBT Community Center, operated since 1996 by TOHR, has for a number of years offered its users a "Cyber Caf~" in which two public computers are available for unfiltered Internet access and other uses. The Bohnett grant will enable TOHR to expand the Cyber Caf~ to ten workstations, with the potential for use as a computer classroom. The Cyber Caf~ is the Center’s most popular feature, with users often waiting in line for access to computers. The new David Bohnett Cyber Center, with ten state-of-the-ar~ computers for public use, will vastly expand the capabilities of the Center. High speed Internet access, especially vid Bohnett Foundation and iBM, iBM for interactive video games, is a very will be providing the computers, popular feature for younger visitors. monitors, laser printer, and scanner Many visitors use the computers to equipment, Included in the grant is prepare r~sum~’s research sexual $10,000 in cash to be used in building entation and gender identity issues out the new CyberCenter space within on the Web, and reach out to other the GLBT Community Center, and for GLBT individuals through ]nternet various application programming chat rooms. needs. in an arrangement between the Da- It you support Non-Profils in theTulsa Area �Interview with a Board Member Kelly Rechelle Carter TORCH: Where did you grow up? Where is home for you? KC: [ grew up in a small town called Adrian Michigan. Adrian is one of those places that you can see all the bad things happening around you but, in Adrian, you can still leave your doors unlocked at night. It’s my calm in the storm. I moved to Tulsa in 1996 and ! have recently moved to Oklahoma City. TORCH: How did you get involved with TOHR? I become involved with TOHR about three years ago when a friend asked me to become a member of the Board. My main function at that time was Secretary of the Board and helping make The Diversity Celebrations happen each year. ! left TOHR after a year of service. I was overwhelmed by the amount of work and the lack of volunteers. When I was asked to join again this past September [ really had to take a hard look at myself and TOHR. ] needed to know that the people that were involved this time were in it for the long haul. [ needed to know that they had a love for our community as much as ! do and ! needed to make sure that ] was willing to give up the time it takes to make TOHR happen, i’m a member of the Board because ! believe in the possibilities of what TOHR can bring to this community. I believe by having the doors of the Community Center open we are telling the Tulsa community and the State of Oklahoma that we, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community, are here to stay. TORCH: What other organizations are you working with at the moment? [ hotd a seat as Secretary of the Board for Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) here in Tulsa. ! am also working on a project called Diversity House which is putting the framework together to create a house for homeless Gay and Lesbian youth in OKC. TORCH: You’ve help lead our annual Diversity Celebrations--can you tell us abou t some "memon)l moments "? I’ve worked on Diversity for the past two years. What remember is the complicated planning that goes into getting the job done. The long hours and the lack of sleep is what ~ remember most. Those were also some of the best times, You spend so much time with the crew you are working with that they become like fami[y. The most gratifying part of any Diversity Celebration is when the months of planning come to an end and you see 10,000 people walk onto the field with their partners, their kids, and their friends and you realize that this is what all that work was about. TORCH: And what can we expect for Diversity in the future? Over the past 25 years TOHR has seen many changes. But it has always moved forward. That’s why it’s so good that the Board changes every two years so fresh faces and new ideas can be brought to the table. TOHR is an organization that was created for the community by the community. Its success will Join TURBO! The Tulsa Rainbow Business Organization builds the GLBT family by helping our businesses grow, and by showing the greater Tulsa community that there is substantial economic clout in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. Joining TURBO is easy, and FREE] Download the membership form at www,t ur borainbow.com. �DISCO, FUNK & JIVE! WZLD HEART.~ BALL #5/ When: Saturday, February 12th, 8 pm ’til Midnight. Where: Greenwood Cultural Center, 322 N. Greenwood Tickets: $20 at the door or $15 advance at: GLBT Community Center, 5545 E. 41 st, 918-743-4297 Burnett’s Flowers & Gifts, 4322 E. 1 lth, 918-834-5555 Petal Pushers, 1660 E. 71st, 918-494-0999 Benefiting TOHR’s Pyramid Project Capital Campaign Reach thousands of NE Oklahoma’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, and allied READERS ADVERTISE IN THE TORCH! For rate card and specs See the story on page 4 REMINDER: TORCH IS NOW MAILED ONLY TO OUR MEMBERS. PLEASE ENCOURAGE YOUR FR~[ENDS TO JO[N. IF YOU PICKED UP THIS COPY, PLEASE HELP SUPPORT ~TS Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights P.O. Box 2687 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2005] TOHR Torch, February-March 2005; Volume 4, Issue 3 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February - March 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights February 2005 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/085342b7c8d4f9849f434573d83bdc4c.jpg 609731fd3b7354fe173da800c56ae096 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/b0d51370251f06c8d91194fcdfdbeee2.pdf b392b70032c9687b9c90df5d5b653225 PDF Text Text spring 2004 quarterly news / volume three / issue one tho tulsa oMahomans for human Hghts Director to Come Onboard by Spring This month, TOHR is running ads in the Tulsa Worm and The Gaily Oklahoma as well as in several national venues. We are seeking our first Executive Director. Thanks to community giving that will support the first year’s salary and benefits, we are excited to hire a fulltime professional. Our new Executive Director will guide our programming and help improve our outreach and service to the GLBT community. TOHR, with a fulltime director, will join the ranks of a handful of GLBT organizations with professional staff. Our classified ad asks that the suc- Tallking about Same-Gender For many of us, the holidays remind us of the importance of family. Federal and state legislative action this year could potentially impact the families we choose to build. Therefore, it’s important to fully understand same-gender marriage and civil unions from a legal perspective: This article refers to "Same-Gender Marriage" and not "Same-Sex Marriage" or "Gay Marriage,~ Gender and sex are not the same. When speaking of marriage, use the terms "mixedgender marriage" and "same-gender (Continued on page 3, see Same Gender Marriage) cessful candidate have a minimum of two years’ experience in development and grants management, organizational and volunteer management, and program development. Qualified candidates should also have a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Relocation to Tulsa is essential. The ad directs applicants to our website (www.TOHR.org) where a more complete job description is available. This explains that the new Executive Director will have overall responsibility for financial, programmatic and operational management of our largely volunteer organization. The Executive Director will also be a strong and visionary leader with a proven track record in management, financial management, program development and fund raising, and will help guide Board decisions. The application deadline is February 28. Soon afterwards, the Search Committee will interview top candidates and plans to make a recommendation to the Board in March. After the new Executive Director has joined us, the community as a whole will be invited to ~velcome and meet our new Director at several upcoming events. New location opens on March 2nd The Tulsa GLBT Community Center will move to 5545 East 41~t Street at the end of February. The Center reopens in the Highland Plaza shopping center at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, 2 March. The new space is centrally located in Tulsa, just east of Promenade Mall on E. 41st Street. Our volunteers are already packing up the old Center, which has operated for several years at 21 st St. and Memorial Ave. The new Center includes a large meeting space, basic kitchen facilities, accessible restrooms, and a number of smaller offices. The Pride Store will occupy one of these and -other Tulsa:area GLBT organizations and allies may eventually move into the others. TOHR has signed a two-year lease on the new Center. We also look forward to the successful completion of the Pyramid Project Capital Campaign. This will spur the Center’s final move--our relocation into our own permanently endowed space by March 2006. In the meanwhile, stop by and tour our new space. �TOHR members and friends, for human rights This is my first letter to be included in what I hope will be a monthly newsletter to our members. There have been many wonderful things happening to TOHR and to our community. Much progress has been made in educating the public on rights and benefits that many take for granted but are systematically denied to the GLBT community. This year will prove to be momentous for education in Oklahoma. We have already seen a push to amend both the U.S. Constitution and the Oklahoma Constitution in ways that "legalize" discrimination. In addition to operating the Community Center, TOHR serves to educate. TOHR will be involved in all local and state efforts to further awareness of GLBT issues. I encourage you to look for our educational statements on issues related to Same Gender Civil Unions and Civil Marriage. It is also important for us to educate ourselves and to speak with a unified voice. You’ll find an article in this newsletter that explains the appropriate terms and communication techniques to use as you discuss these important issues with others outside of the GLBT community. I want to thank all of the volunteers who give so much of their time to TOHR. I am excited about this year and our wonderful Board of Directors. Attendance at Board meetings has been extraordinary. The search for an Executive Director is ongoing and we are ready to move into our next temporary location for the Community Center, in anticipation of a permanent location, we hope in 2006, through the hard work of Pyramid Project. In January you should have received a membership application form. Please fill out the form and send your membership check to TOHR. With you we can achieve our visioN. For the Board, Mark Bonney, TOHR President published by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918-743-4297 (phone) / 918-384-0108 (fax) www.tohr.org email: community@tohr.org Office location (as of March 2, 2004) Tulsa GLBT Center 5545 East 41st Street Tulsa, OK 74135 TOHR Board of Directors Executive Board President--Mark Bonney 1st Vice President--Dr. Laura Belmonte 2nd Vice President--Lamont Lindstrom Secretary--Mike Williams Treasurer--Patrick Hobbs Assistant Treasurer--John Madigan President Emeritus--Brent Ortolani Governinq Board Director, Gender Outreach--Troy Nicholas Director, Public Relations & Events--Tim Scott Director; Board Development--Ellen Averill Director, Fundraising’Dennis Neill Director, Advocacy--Brent Ortolan Director, Programs & Facilities--Ken Youngblood Directors at Large Dwight Kealiher Janet Gearin Devon Rutherford TOHR’s Capita Campai,qn the Pyramid Project pyramidproject.org Co-Chairs Sue Welch & Brent Ortolani Committee M,embers ........ Theresa Barnard, Mark Bonney, Marc Frieden, Greg Gatewood, David Hoot, Brent Ortolani,, Marcy Smith and Tim Williams. TOHR is a 501(c)3 organization operated completely through donations and non-paid vohmteers. Contributions are taxdeductible to the tidiest extent of current United States of America tax lau’s. OPEN Tues-Fri 6:00-9:00 PM Saturday 3:00-9:00 PM 5545, E. 41st St. Inside the Tulsa GLBT Community Center (as of March 2) Page 2 The Torch, a publication of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, Inc. is published quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) with an estimated annual readership of 10,000. Subscription rates are paid contributing member dues of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). Advertising rates are: business card: $25/issue; 1/4 page: $50/ issue; 1/2 page: $75/issue and full page; $t00iissue. A 25% discounted is available with a paid annual advertising plan. The Torch is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part except by permission obtained by contacting TOHR directly. Credit must be given to TOHR. The views Of the Torch are expressed in editorial only. Views expressed in lettersm the editor and other submissions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the board of directors, contributing m~mbers or editors or leadership of TOHR. The Torch reserves the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. The Torch and/or TOHR is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors. Advertisements designed and created for publication in the Torch remain the property of TOHR. The Torch and/or TOHR cannot be responsible for claims by advertisers. The use of the name or likeness of a person or entity in the Torch in advertising or editorial content does not imply any particular sexual orientation or political affiliation. Copyright 2004, TOHR. �~a oklahomans for human rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) works to secure equality and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered (GLBT) and allied community of Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership, and unity. Same-Gender P~rriage (Contimtedfrom page 1) marriage." Why? Oklahoma defines marriage as "a personal relation arising out of a civil contract." As of Jan. 1, t997, Oklahoma prohibits marriages between persons of the same gender. In order to obtain a marriage license in Oklahoma, an application must be completed and delivered to the Court Clerk. The Court Clerk is a government official in each County whose salary is paid for by tax revenue. All marriages in Oklahoma must be "solemnized," meaning a person of authority a judge, retired judge or religious or ecclesiastical official signs the marriage license after confirming the two individuals’ public intent to enter into a marriage contract. Religious services or ceremonies are optional. Many people think of marriage as a religious ceremony. This is understandable the bulk of the wedding budget is spent planning and conducting the religious ceremony. Getting a blood test, appearing at the Court Clerk’s Office to complete the government application and paying the government license fee seem like a formality. Yet all mixed-gender couples in Oklahoma can receive the hundreds of legal and social benefits and obligations of marriage without a religious ceremony. In fact, about one in five Oklahomans skip the religious cere- The weekly GLBT Community list events and activities ernailed to you every w~ Email TO~ today at mony. Among the rights and responsibilities of marriage are: inheritance, medical care, health insurance, survivor benefits, tax-free transfers of property, alimony, child-support, payment of health related costs of the partner. Many Oklahomans still do not understand that two persons who have shared their life experience as partners for 40 years may be denied visitation in the final days of their partner’s illness. Oklahomans do not understand that sometimes we are not permitted to even go to the funerals for our deceased partners and are immediately "kicked out" onto the street, sometimes having to resort to public assistance. Same-gender couples in Oklahoma pay taxes, live in committed relationships, and deserve the same government benefits and burdens as every other citizen. Allowing same-gender couples to complete the application, pay the fee and receive the license would not permit that couple to force any individual or church to accept their union. Such a couple could not require any religious leader to perform any ceremony. The-more people think about the rights that GLBT persons do not have as a result of being denied a government license purely on the basis of gender, the more those persons will see the injustice of the current system and the more Oklahomans will be willing to allow same-gender families to have equal rights and responsibilities. TOHR has joined the Oklahoma Freedom and Equality Coalition in support of marriage rights, and Mark Bonney serves as its Media Committee co-chair. Each of us must do our part to educate and explain the issues to our family, friends and neighbors. If you would like additional copies of this newsletter or of this article, please contact TOHR or feel free to make copies. Melissa Guillet Reports On Friday, January 30th, members of the transgender community met at All Souls Unitarian Church along with several members of the church’s congregation for food, drink, singing, and fellowship. The Evening Social v~as the first of many events that weekend that were part of Tulsa’s first annual Loving Our Varied Existences Gender Conference. The LOVE Gender Conference began as an effort to help educate those of the church about transgender issues, but with the help of Troy Nicholas of TOHR/Gender Outreach and Anita Randza from All Souls, it grew to include an entire weekend of events for the transgender community. Seminars taught by A.J .Galloway, Dana Brown-Owings, Cat Turner, and Nancy McDonald covered topics ranging from Trans-Activism to a PFLAG sharing and discussion seminar. Afterwards, everyone left to change for a dinner at the Church, featuring Dianna Cicotello as keynote speaker. Those attending finished the evening at the Playmor Lounge. Here, Millie Lucas and friends gave a drag show to benefit the efforts of Gender Outreach of Oklahoma, a local support and education group for the transgendered community, to become a non-profit organization. The final day started with a discussion panel featuring A J, Dana, Cat, and Dianna, in addition to local Gender Outreach of Oklahoma members Paula Johnson and Lissa Guillet, to give the church and others attending a chance to ask the questions that were on their minds about being transgendered. Even Reverend Lavanhar gave a transgender-themed sermon teaching acceptance, and truly showed that he loved our varying existences. Tulsa GLBT Information Line 743-GAVS Page 3 �An Interview with Devon Retherford Devon Retherford, in addition to being a TOHR Director at large, is also interning with TOHR. She oversees much of the day-to-day operations of the Tulsa GLBT Center, including organizing our Center volunteers. TORCH: Where did you grow up? Where is home for you? DR: I have lived in Tulsa all of my 27 years and I now live near TU. TORCH. Tell us about your educational goals. What are you majoring in at OU Tulsa? DR: I am getting my Masters degree in Human Relations. I am considering getting a doctorate in Human Services, but I am not sure about that goal right now. TORCH." How is your TOHR internship contributing to your studies? DR: I wanted to do my internship with TOHR for personal growth rather than as an enhancement to my education. The personal growth that has happened with me through being involved with TOHR has been worth more than any education could ever give me. It has been a wonderful experience, so far. I have enjoyed meeting and working with many great people who care so much about the GLBT community. TORCH." What have you enjoyed the most, interning at the Center? DR: The people. I enjoy meeting and getting to know new people. I meet someone new almost every night at the center and 99% of them are really neat people. GLINT PAST In recent weeks, the Tulsa GLBT History Project has begun conducting oral history interviews with members of our community. We are documenting fascinating stories about the founding of TOHR, bar life in Tulsa, the city’s response to GLBT people, the AIDS epidemic, and other milestones. The interviews are recorded on a digital video camera and will be transcribed. They will be an important resource for our community, historians, and independent scholars. This semester, an OSU undergraduate is working on an independent study of coverage of GLBT issues in the Tulsa World since the late 1980s. Her research will enable the Project to build a vertical file Of all local newspaper stories. The History Project is eager to interview GLBT Tulsa~ and former Tulsans. If you or someone you know is willing to share your stories and/or loan photographs, videos, and other documents for copying and preservation, please contact Laura Behnonte at 918/906-2134. It’s your history - help us record it. Page 4 TORCH:And ,what’s been your biggest challenge? DR: The biggest challenge is getting people to volunteer and continue to be volunteers. I still need volunteers to fill slots during the week and Saturday. tt is a fun place to volunteer and meet really great people. I must thank all of the very faithful volunteers that I have now. Their work is appreciated and without them there would not be a Center. TORCH." How do you think we can improve Center services to the GLBT community? DR: Right now we are getting ready to move to our new Center. This move in itself will improve how we can serve the community. We are working on getting more programming through the Center to let the community know that we care about them and to bring more people to the new location. Currently we have added the Women’s Group, which is the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month, and we hope to add other groups as well. The Women’s Group is open to all women, straight, lesbian, bisexual, coupled, single, with children, without children, and of any age and socioeconomic status. TORCH. Tell us about the future. Where will you go from here? DR: My future is wide open right now. In May I will have completed my masters degree and be looking forward to a little time off before we launch into the Diversity Celebration. I plan to work with the Board and community to enhance all areas of TOHR’s service to the GLBT community. I see a bright future for myself and the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2004] TOHR Torch, Spring 2004; Volume 3, Issue1 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 Spring Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/a60a6d91f2ab8c1807a4f247d29a9481.jpg 99fdb538f6ad8a50a50415677354ea02 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/6975f6b4aa1347ad2d35218b9cb3e1a2.pdf 58429d2554579da67177c13d6d9751a8 PDF Text Text Volume four/~ssue one tulsa oklahomans for human rights TOHR ANNOUNCES TURBO Many of you will remember the old Rainbow Business Coalition (Rainbow Biz). It fives ! Tulsa Rainbow Business Organization (TURBO) is a groundup, new effort that brings together GLBT-owned, -managed, and -friendly businesses to serve our common commercial and community goals. Along the way, TURBO will build awareness in the mainstream community about our contributions to the Tulsa economy. TURBO is being organized by TOHR as part of its mission to advocate for the rights and quality of life of northeast Oklahoma’s GLBT community. It will initially be operated as a community service program of TOHR, led by a committee consisting of business members. The group will meet monthly, initially at the GLBT Community Center (5545 East 41st St:). There are no membership fees at this time. The first organizing meeting will be held Monday, Sept 27 from noon to 1:30 pm at the Center. If you own or manage a business and would like to participate in TtuRBO, please contact Michael Christopher at 743-4297 or mchristopher@tohr.org. Find more information at www.turborainbow.com. New TOHR Board Candidates At the September 30 Annual Membership Meeting, TOHR members will elect new board members. Get to know our new recruits... Mike Redman, Attorney -- Mike Redman grew up in Oklahoma City and is a 1988 graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Law. After law school, Mike moved to Tulsa. His primary areas of practice are employment law and unfair business litigation. He has represented the Tulsa Area United Way for several years and serves on its Board of Directors as its general counsel. Kelly Carter, Student-- Kelly says that being a Black lesbian has given her the strength to overcome obstacles. Over the past two years she taught Diversity courses for a Fortune 500 company, and in the process discovered a passion for teaching. She is returning to university to comp!ete a degree while operating a small business from her home. (continued on p. 3) OUT OK FILM FESTIVAL Philip Au Gay and lesbian movies have been unjustly demonized. They are either poorly acted, technically unsound, or horror-of-all-horrors boring. OUT OK challenges that preconception. Independent films are well performed, well made, and socially relevant to a community that is generally perceived as invisible or inconsequential. We’re here! We’re queer! And we’re on fil!! Gay and lesbian movies made by gays and lesbians for gays and lesbians. Our stories. Our voice. No compromises. OUT OK celebrates being out, being visible, and being proud. Join us for OUT OK--two weekends of celluloid fun. Opening October 14-16, Oklahoma City. Closing October 2024, Tulsa. Admission: $10.00. From thought-provoking documentaries like Tying the Knot which tackles (continued on p. 3) �Page2 Fro the President Mar4 Bonney It has been a year already since I was asked to serve on the TOHR Board. A lot has transpired over this year. We moved the Center, hired our first Executive Director, raised over $20,000 in one night from major donors, surpassed $300,000 in pledges and donations to the Pyramid Project, began the development of a superior web site, sent the TWIT out weekly, published the TORCH on a regular basis, and we recruited new board members so that we will have the largest board in recent memory. More important, ho~vever, is what our volunteers accomplished. They kept the Center open over 1000 hours, made visitors feel welcome, answered thousands of phone calls and provided information to callers, managed the Pride Store, committed their time and talents to various groups who meet at the Center, planned and coordinated the Pride Parade, Diversity Celebration Festival and Gala Dinner, held the History Project Dinner, and collected important GLBT memories for future generations. Over the past year, it is you our members and non-member attendees and supporters that have helped TOHR achieve its mission in the community. We need and want your continuing involvement during this next year, our 25~ year of human rights work in Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma. In this issue is a calendar of so many upcoming GLBT events it would be difficult to attend and support them all. Please try. Make October your LGBT month. Bring your family and friends to these events. Sign up and volunteer to help. Also noted in this issue is a list of businesses and churches that supported a recent "Pro~Marriage Rally" in Tulsa. If you know anyone at these organizations, I hope that you ask them to dialogue with members ofTOHR, PFLAG, Soulforce and other groups mad, if necessary, that they back away from supporting or patronizing these churches and businesses. Next year we have many unachieved goals to fulfill. We have already taken action to increase programming and Center use. Over the next year we plan to publish a Rainbow Directory/Pink Pages, program Pride celebration activities for TOHR’s 25~ anniversary, increase our membership by over 500 new friends, and help establish and/or revitalize new LGBT organizations such as a LGBT business association, TURBO. I am excited about the year ahead and look forward to a new board, new volunteers, and new members. TOHR does make a difference in Tulsa and GreenCountry. Be a part of the difference! for human rights pnb!~sbed by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (-I-OHR) PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74]01 918-743-4297 www.toh r.org email: community@tohr.org Office location Tulsa GLBT Community Center 5545 East 41st Street Tnlsa. OK 74135 TOHR Board of Directors Executive Board President--Mark Bonney 1st Vice President--Dr. Laura Belmonte 2nd Vice President--Lamont Lindstrom Secretary--Mike Williams Treasurer--Dwight Kealiher Assistant Treasurer--John Madigan Governing Board Director, Gender Outreach---Troy Nicholas Director, Board Development--Ken Youngblood Director, Fundraising--Dennis Neill Director, Advocacy--Laura Belmonte Director, Programs & Facilities--Ken Youngblood Directors at Lar.cle Janet Gearin Devon Rutherford Executive Director Michael Christopher TOHR’s Capital Campai~tn the Pryamid Project pyramidproject.org Chair Sue Welch Committee Members Mark Bonney, Marc Frieden, Michelle Hoffman, David Hoot, Shelly Ledford, Catheryn Mason, Marcy Smith and Tim Williams. President, TOHR , John Do Cutright, MSW, LCSW Counselor & Psychotherapist 4870 S. Lewis Avenue, Suite 190 Tulsa, OK 74105 918-284-0123 Children + Adolescents Adult + Couples TOHR is a 501(c)3 organization operated through donations and non.paid volunteers. Contributions are tax-deduclible to the fullest extent of current United States of America tax laws. The Torch, a publication of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, Inc. is published bimonthly with an estimated annual readership of 10,000, Subscription rates are paid contributing member dues of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). The Torch is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part except by permission obtained by contacting TOHR directly. Credit must be given to TOHR. The views of the Torch are expressed in editorials only. Views expressed in letters to the editor and other submissions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the board of directors, contributing members or editors or leadership of TOHR. The Torch reserves the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. The Torch and/or TOHR is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors. Advertisements designed and created for publication in the Torch remain the property of TOHR. The Torch and/or TOHR cannot be responsible for claims by advertisers. The use of the name or likeness of a person or entity in the Torch in advertising or editorial content does not imply any particular sexual orientation or political affiliation. Copyright 2004, TOHR. �Candidates (continuedfrom p, !) the current incendiary subject of gay marriage and relationship discrimination to full-frontal Antonio Sabato, Jr. in the dark comedy Testosterone. A cornucopia of diverse voices like Beautiful Boxer, the true story of a champion kick boxer whose fierceness in the ring rose with every application of lipstick and rouge. Eating Out will make you laugh with uncontrollable glee and wet with nocturual joy. Straight Jacket harkens back to the Hollywood days of yesteryear when celluloid heroes conquered women on screen and conquered studs behind--the scenes. Coming of age stories like Cowboys and Angels where self-discovery and friendship is daunting and perilous. Navigating the path of domestic relationships requires strength and a Goldfish Memory as well as a sense of humor. And more! Oklahoma deserves the best. But that begins with you. The OUT OK VIP PASS provides priority seating to all movies, free admission to the LEVEL Cocktail Party, free admission to the CABANA BOY Romp/ GAY FUEL Pump Station, free admission to The Summer Film Series-2005, Survival Kit. Oklahoma City: $50.00. Tulsa: $70.00. ALL proceeds benefit The Pyramid Project. OUT OK thanks LEVEL VODKA; SHOWTIME QUEER AS FOLK, THE L-WORD; GAY FUEL; CABANA BOY RUM; HERE! PAY-PER-VIEW; THE GAYLY OKLAHOMAN; OUT OK EVENTS. For information or to order tickets or a VIP PASS, contact pau@outok.corn or 918-682-4654, ext. 2. SEE YOU ~ THE DARK! Tulsa GLBT information Line 743=GA¥S (743-4297) Tying the Knot OUT OK will feature Jim De Seve’s timely documentmT T)’mg the Knot on Wednesday. October 20. at 6:30 pro. in the OSU-Tulsa Auditoriuna (700 N. Greenwood Ave.). The cost is $10.00 or is free for those with an OUT OK VIP Pass. Tying the Knot takes a searing look at current national debates over samegender marriage. The centerpiece of the film is the story of Stun B.. an Oklahoma rancher who loses Earl. his partner of 22 ?ears. Sam B. is plunged into a court battle with Earl’s distant relatives who dispute Sam’s rights to the ranch. A panel discussion will follow the 90 minute documental3 featuring Sam B.. his attorney Mark Hamby. and a representative from the ACLU. The discussion, which is free. will run from 8:05 to 9:15 p.m. MEMBERSHIP PO TL (_ [CKS’ ARE BACK. New-and-improved TOHR ~nomhly membership meetings will feature important speakers with hot topics as well as a 6:30 p.m. mixer--a great way to meet each other, catch up on families, and plan our responses to what is happening in the media and the co~mnunitv. Ken Youngblood and the TOHR Progrmns Committee are coordinating. Bring a potluck dish: drinks are provided. We meet at the Center (5545 E. 41st St.) the first Thursday of every month. Starting October 7, 6:30 p.m. Steve Eberle, Director of Environmental Programs, American Lung Association of Oklahoma --- For 26 years, Steve has served with Tulsa area nonprofit boards, gala committees mad planning efforts. He served as the liaison between the AIDS community and Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph’s Residence. Steve has long been a board member and on the advisory board for Tulsa Global Alliance. He co-founded the Tulsa AIDS Walk and remains on that committee, and was a founding member of the Tulsa area NAMES Project. He served as Executive Director of the Washington County SPCA and, as an educator, Eberle has taught for Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa Community College, and Tulsa Technology Center on various curricula. Steve currently oversees environmental issues and the historic restoration of the Tulsa Fire Alarm Building for the American Lung Association of Oklahoma. Kaye Smith, Retired-- Kaye is a long-time TOHR volunteer and contributor, currently serving in the Center office on database projects. Novia Stice, Convention Management, Downtown DoubleTree Hotel -- Novia is employed with the Downtown Doubletree Hotel in Convention and Catering Event Management. His partner, Paul Caplinger, is Executive Chef at the Chalkboard Restaurant (continued on p. 6) �Page 4 From tke Executive Director Michael Christopher "Use your own bestjudgmeht at all times" - The entire Nordstrom Department Stores policy manual Trust is a difficult virtue for me. Like most people, I usually tend to believe that I could get the job done better than somebody else if only I had the time. And there’s an instinct to try to make rules so that what I can’t do myself won’t stray too far from expectations. I fight that instinct. The truth is, I couldn’t possibly get everything done that needs doing at work and at home without trusting a lot of other people whose talents exceed mine in remarkably many areas. At TOHR, it means making sure the resources are in place and then trusting many volunteers, colleagues and supporters to use their best judgment as they take command of particular efforts and do what needs to be done. It works like magic. TOHR’s new Coming Out Group continues to meet each Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Center (5545 E 41~ St.). ~ Counselor ~d therapist 1oN~ D. Cutright (MSN. LCSW) leads friendly, fr~ ~d suppo~ive discussion. ALL WELCOME~ ANGELS NEEDED There’s another group of people that we have to trust. While volunteers get the work done, there are some things that only money can buy, like rent, utilities, phone, postage.., a painfully long list. So, I trust that people in the community will provide that kind of help when we need it. Just like with volunteer recruitment, we’d soon be in trouble if we didn’t work hard to recruit donors. We’re a lean organization and we can’t afford to get too sophisticated, so it may look like we’ve got a permanent hand sticking out there (okay, I do, and I am glad to see you). If fundraising were the core business of the organizations you support, you’d expect them to do a brilliant job of it and never make the mistake of asking you twice or three times when you’ve already given. But fimdraising isn’t the primary business of any charity I’d ever support, and I suspect you could say the same. I get a kick out ofjust giving something when they ask, and then turning them loose to focus on their real work. TOHR needs a printing company to donate between $5.000 and $10.000 worth of printing over the next year. including small items mad the 2b05 Pride Guide for next June. There will be plenty of lead time. no rush jobs. TOHR accomplishes its mission through com~nunications, and printed materials take our message of equal rights into important places. So, now we’re asking. I know it’s an election year and there are plenty of good places to put your money to work, but one of these days, when the homophobes start getting fired instead of us, you’ll be amazed at the return we’re getting on your money. You’d also be amazed at what it costs to run a Community Center, sponsor gatherings, put on the annual Diversity Celebration, and run an advocacy program. About half of our annual budget just covers the basics of keeping the Center running year round, serving thousands of visitors and callers on the GLBT Info\ Line. The rest is spent on Diversity Celebration and programs, including GLINT rights advocacy. When sixty conservative Tulsa faith communities camouflage a hate rally as "pro-marriage," TOHR is there the same day with the truth on the television news programs and the following morning in the newspaper. When someone is venturing out of the closet for the first time and doesn’t know how to meet anyone or how to feel safe exploring their sexuality, we get the call. When someone wants to know in indelicate detail how to minimize infection danger from oral sex because he’s going home to a wife every night, we get those calls, too. There’s so much that can be done--and is being done--when you have an organization like TOHR working in the community. It happens in ways you sometimes can’t see--in elected officials’ offices, at chamber of commerce meetings, (continued on p. 7) TOHR also badly needs extra funfishing for the room at the back of the Center where support groups meet. We would much appreciate the gift of: A sofa/loveseat combo, or sofa aM chair, contemporau in soft blues or greens: An area rug. about 6’ x 9" in soft blues or greens: End tables (2). contempora~: table lamps (2). contempora~-. Please contact Michael Christopher at mchristopher@tohr.org or 743-4297 if you can help. These tax deductible do,rations will be given full cash value in all donor recognition. �EVENTS CALENDAR September 27 - Tulsa Rainbow Business Organization (TURBO). 12 noon at (he Center. For GLBT-mvned. -managed and friendly Tulsa busmesspeople. RSVP Michael Clms(opher. mcln’is(opher<(t:tohr.org, by September 25. September 28 - TOHR & PFLAG sponsor a C,’mdidates Forum. Candidates for US Hotlse of Representatives Doug Dodd (D) mid John Sullivan (R) lmve been reviled for tiffs fonun, along with many candidates for state legislative seats, to be held at tile Center at 7:00pro. September 30 - TOHR Annual Membership Meeting 6pro at the Center. All current TOHR members ae invited to attend tl~e meeting and elect tile incoming Board of Directors. For a slate of candidates, to ulxla(e your memberslfip, or (o RVSP for (lie meeting, contact Michael Christopher. mchristol)hera,tohr,o~g. 7434297. October 2 - ()~te,s’tio~s o~ ~\ larriage, a conference on marriage equality sponsored ill parl by TOHR. at (he DoubleTree Hotel Downtown. II’s an all-day conference fealuring speakers of national prominence, and admission is oulv $10. See page 9 for delails, October 7 -.VEIl7 (no( really so new. bnt rediscovered and with a new format) TOHR Monthly Membership Potluck. Held on file first Thursday of every month, these meetings won’t waste your time. but dig right into juicy content, featuring hot speakers and topics. Bring along a favorite dish you’d like to share. October 8 - 2004 Tulsa GLBT l--Iistoo Project Lecture. Speaker: Professor MV Lee Badgett. Topic: Looking Into tl~e European Custal Ball: What Can file US Learn About Same-Gender nmrriage? Lecture at 7:00pro. All Souls Unitarian Church. $251520 TOHR Members. available at file Center, See stou on page 10. October 8 - National Boycott for Equality. Don’t spend money or use cell phones for one day to prove the impact of (he GLBT connnunig" on the econmnv. For hffornmfion, search Google for "’equality boycott." (But DO come to (he histoo project lecture!) October 1t) - National Coming Out Day Potlnck Picltic. sponsored by PFLAG and TOHR at Whiteside Park. oil 41 st between Harvard and Yale. 4:00pro to 8:00pro. Bm~g a dish to share. October 11 -PFLAG Back To School Picnic for Gay Straight Alliance members, families, school (eachers and counselors. Call PFLAG Tulsa for details. 749-4901. October 14 - Mamage Panel: The Legal Aspects of Pending Legislation. Designed to extend file work of the October 2 nmrriage cmfference and sponsored iu part by TOHR. this panel will feature experts on the law. What lmppens when Oklahoma nmkes it constitutionally forbidden to recognize a marriage from another stale’? Keep an eve on the eNEWS for details. October 14 through 24 - Out OK Film Festival. Opens October 14 through 16 in Oklahonm Cig. then m Tulsa October 20 tl~ough 24. Out OK benefits TOHR’s Pyranffd Project. and is one GREAT bargain m cinema, hlcludes the Oclober 20 6:30pro screemng of T3’ing the L)u~t. OSU-Tnlsa Auditorium. featuring a panel discussion with the man who is tile snbject of this very human documentary about legalized discrin~lation. October 20 - "I.’ving the Knot. fihn and panel discussion. 6:30pro. OSU-Tulsa Auditorium. The story of Sam. who lost his propem. as a resnlt of lffs parmer’s death. A case study in why mamage equality is crucial in the protection of our basic human rights. Admission $10. Benefits the Pymnfid Project. October 28 - Marriage Panel: Religion and Same-Gender Mamage. Designed to extend tile work of the October 2 marriage cmfference and sponsored m part by TOHR. tiffs panel will featnre experts on the religious aspects of the same-gender mamage debate. Keep an eye on the eNEWS for details. November 2 - Election day... VOTE! For GLBT-friendlmess ratings of candidates, pick up a copy of the Oklahonm Gay & Lesbian Political Caucus ~fide at the Center. November 4 - TOHR Montlfly Membership Poflnck Held the first Tlmrsda.v of ever3. monfll. Bmlg along a favorite dish you’d like to sMre. LAST CHANCE: The S~gnature Project If you haven’t gotten 3our signature sent in vet to be included in the "’Defend Marriage" ad to be published in the Tulsa World. thne is rumfing out. Email mchristopher@tohr.org for the PDF sgnamre release form to fill ont and mail in by October 5. Sponsored by PFLAG Tulsa and TOHR. Nafiona! Coming Out Day Potluck Pknk Sunday, October 1 O, 4 to 8pro at Whiteside Park, 4009 S. Pittsburg Ave. Come Ou~ and show your colors and bring a d~sh lto share! Sponsored by TOHR and PFLAG Tulsa �Page 6 Candidates (continuedj~om p. 3) They both share an educationbackground of having attended OSU’s School of Hotel and Restaurant Administration. Novia has worked with numerous nonprofit organizations’ fundraising efforts over the years. He currently also serves on the Board of Directors for the Palmer Drug Abuse Program and the Regional Aids Interfaith Network (RAIN) as well as the Golf Tournament Committee for the Tulsa chapter of the American Cancer Society. Andrew Carter Mental Health Case Manager, Family and Children Services -- Andrew received his bachelor’s degree from Langston University, Tulsa. He spent over four years as a habilitation training specialist working with persons with developmental disabilities. After graduating from college, he dedicated two years to national service with the National AIDS Fund AmeriCorps Team Tulsa. Andrew served both years at the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) and during his second year was also the team coordinator. He works part-time as a MSM Outreach Specialist for H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic. Andrew is a graduate of Leadership Tulsa Class 30. Libby Bender, Creative Director, Littlefield, lnc. -- Libby is Creative Director for one of the region’s leading advertising and public relations agencies. She has been active with numerous nonprofit organizations, and currently serves on the Tulsa Marriage Conference Steering Committee. In October she will join TOHR’s board as Director of Communications and will be responsible for advancing the organization’s publie profile, boosting utilization of the Center, and increasing conference and event attendance. Richard Hurfig, Supervisor of Computer Support, City of Tulsa Parks & Recreation -- Richard works for the City of Tulsa as the computer support supervisor for the Park & Recreation Department, managing 175 computers, five servers, and 200+ users. Rich Brew. Tulsa Women’s Tea Dance ,Sue Welch On Sunday August 29~. 200 women White of Chocolate Foumains of Tulsa gathered for a festive time at the Green- (x~avw.chocolatefoumainsoftulsa.com) wood Cultural Center. The 4a~ Tulsa Donated auction items included: VinWonaen’s Tea Dance. once again. tage pin-up calendars from the estate of proved to be a good fundraiser for longtime Tulsa residents and 45 year TOHR’s Pyrmnid Project. The Pvrmnid partners. Ollie Belle Stines and Mamie Project is TOHR’s capital campaign to Watson: signed & frmned m~ by Tulsa provide a permanem visible presence artist Allie Jensen: $100 of electrolysis for Tulsa’s GLBT Community Cemer. treatments from Sue Welch. R. E.: Art So far. over $300.000 has been raised Deco sculpture: velvet fireplace stocktoward the million dollar goal. This ings: hand-blown glass dish by acyear. the Women’s Tea Dance raised claimed Tulsa glass artisan. Sarah $4.100 for the capital campaign. Since Diggdon: spa basket from this event is privately sponsored, all of x~ax.av.baronabaskets.com, and a $400 the money raised, goes directly to the photography session from Lov’s Phocapital campaign. Thank you to the tography. following sponsors for their generosity: Jane Barnes: Laura Belmonte: Carol I. The list of exhibitors included: All Crax~ford: Barb Daib: Lana Hartig & Souls Unitarian Church. Doug Dodd Dana Hervey: Stacv D. Johi~son Insur- cmnpaign, The Gathering Place. Herance Agency: Nancy McDonald: Caro- land Sisters. Kessie Noel. Kiwanee lyn Nichols: Kaxe Smith: Marcy Smith Center. Life Resources. Lov’s Photog& Sue Welch: Gay Fuel: Cabana Boy raph3. MCC Church. Merry Makes Rum. Art!. Moodswing. Out OK film Festival. The Pvrmnid Project. Rainbow Attendees were entertained by the all Families. Sisters in Spirit Motorcycle girl band Moodswing mid a dru~mning Club. TOHR’s Pride Store. Tulsa Opgroup facilitated by the Kiwanee Cenera. Tulsa PFLAG. mid the Women of ter. The Girls Next Door calendars were Council Oak. sold and models were on hand to autograph calendars. Door prizes included We wish to thank volunteers who made eve exams by Dr. Judy Kastl. moviethe event possible! Phillip Au with Gay love?’s gift basket from Phillip Au mid Fuel & Cabana Boy Rum. Tmnmie the Out OK Film Festival. and a spa Blancett. Mark Bonney. Regina Cole. gift basket by Heather Harp Howland Barb Daily. Penny Davis & Laura Design. The winner of the luxurious Mumford. Cathy Elliot. Sarah Fitzgertrip for taro to Palm Springs was Lori ald. Carrie Flehartv & Trish Spurgin. Pax~ae of Shawnee. Food was provided Lorene Gravitt & Wanda Young. by-Tim Willimns of TW’s Catering Heather Harp Howland & Carolyn (xxax.av.twsafabcatering.com) and Russ Nichols. Lana Hartig & Dana Hervev. Michelle Hoffman. Stacv Johnson. Shelly Ledford. Mary Lincoln. Kim He earned a bachelors degree in computer science and an MBA from OSU-Tulsa. Other new board member candidates include Anita Randza and Shelly Ledford. Returning to the board for the 2005 fiscal year are Laura Belmonte, Mark Bonney, Janet Geafin, Dwight Kealiher, Lamont Lindstrom, John Madigan, Dennis Neill, Troy Nicholas, Devon Rutherford, Mike Williams, and Ken Youngblood. McAnally-. Carol Redford. JoAma Ritchey. Devon Rutherford. Marcy Smith & Sue Welch. Stacv Takacs. Kathy Williams. Tim Williams & Jonathon Brown. Robbie Wright. and the Eklesia Church. Thanks to all for a fun time that helped us move a step closer to a permanent home for the Community Center, the programs it provides & people it serves. now and for generations to come! �BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP IN TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN P~IGHTS include many nice privileges, but the one that really means something important is that you will be participating in a very meaningful way in the rights of every gay man, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered person in Tulsa to live with full citizenship and to pursue a life with equality. The levels listed below are just guidelines---an~-thing you want to contribute will be deeply appreciated. You can give the full amount today, or instruct us to bill your credit card monthly for a certain amount and for a specific number of months. If you like, you can even make your gift online at www.tohr.org.., just click the DONATE button. Membership is for one full year from the date you join. Name(s) as it (they) should appear on mail addressed to you: Mailing Address Telephone IMPORTANT: Email Address (we) w~n~ to join TOHP,.~ Q Individual $30 © Family/Household $100 (~) Patron $ I O0 " © Business/Organization $ 100 ~) Donor’s Circle $300+ $ Check enclosed, payable to TOHR My company offers a matching gift program. The proper forms are enclosed or will follow. Please bill my (our) credit card: © Visa © MasterCard ©American Express Card # I am interested in: Volunteering at the Center Volunteering for Diversity Celebration The Rights Advocacy Team Expiration Date Signature 200,000 people in northeastern Oklahoma deserve equality regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights works for legal equality and social acceptance--not just tolerance--for the gay, lesbian bisexual, transgender and allied community of northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership and unity. 4,000 callers are served each year through the Tulsa GLBT Info Line (743-GAYS). I 0,000 visitors are served through the Tulsa GLBT Community Center and annual Diversity Celebration. Hundreds attend conferences, lectures and other educational opportunities designed to build positive perceptions of the GLBT community--both in the community and among ourselves. TOHlt~ ~s worsting ~or you. �................................ Please tape your check inside and Fold Here. - ................................ Tape closed before mailing. Please tape your check inside and Fold Here. - ................................ Tape closed before mailing. From: Place Postage Here Membership Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 �Interview with a Board Member. Larnont Lindstrom Lamont Lindstrom is TOHR’s Second Vice President. He is a profes ......... sot of anthropology at the University of Tulsa. TORCH: Where didyou grow up? W’nere is hdme for you? LL: I was born in Oakland, CA and grew up in Martinez Milch, at the time, was a small town of 10,000 on the fringes of the San Francisco Bay Area. TORCH: What brought you to Tulsa? LL:I finished up my anthropological degree at the University of California, Berkeley in 1981 and had taught one year at what was then Southwestern at Memphis (now Rhodes College). In 1982, I was looking for my next job in academia and had two offers: to go to Wellington, New Zealand or to come here to Tulsa. I chose Tulsa (and that’s a long story). TORCH: And what do you think of Oklahoma? LL:It’s been.., interesting. Actually, my anthropological side finds Oklahoma fascinating. As Indian Territory, the state was for years an internal colony of the U.S. which then came into unexpected wealth. The place is full of all sorts of interesting cultural twists and turns. Tulsa has been an interesting place from which to watch and, to some extent, take part in the last 25 years of GLBT struggles and progress. I jokingly call myself a backwards Okie who went the wrong way along Route 66. My sisters and brother and their families are still out in California, and my three daughters (born Oklahomans) now spend summers with me and live the rest of the year in Hawaii. The oldest, though, has just started college in New York and I’m hoping that the next one comes to the University of Tulsa next year. TORCH: And what about experiences at TU? LL: TU is a first-rate university with an excellent anthropology faculty, which is one of the reasons that have kept me in Tulsa. It does need, however, to incorporate sexual orientation and Lamont, Elsa, Carla, & Nora gender identity in its statement on nondiscrimination--we’re working on this. I’ve been faculty advisor of the student GLBTA (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered association--that’s a mouthful of letters) since 1997. This is a small but active group of students that adds a lot to college life. This year several new "family" faculty members have come on board and I’m hoping GLBT programs and visibility will get even better. TORCH: What does an anthropologist make of GLBT issues? LL: The cross-cultural perspective is especially important as we all too often mistake our own norms to be human universals. I once wrote a newspaper column on gay culture and was able to draw on anthropological data, for example, to explore all sorts of marriage customs--including samegender marriages--that exist in many different cultures. Today’s "’normal" marriage, in fact, is a historically recent practice--and certainly not one devised by God. Abraham and those ancient Hebrews were polygynists. TORCH: And your work with TOHR? LL: Second VP is a wonderful position since it comes with no official duties! I’ve tried to make myself useful helping out on the Fundraising Committee and I’ve also edited recent issue,s of the TORCH (which is why I’m here in this column until I can chase down more interesting Board Members for you all to meet!). From the EoDo (co,,,,,,,e4ti.o,, p. 4; m correspondence with govermnent officials, and in quiet calls we make on e~nployers who fail to protect employees, a doctor who mistreats a transgendered patient, a church employ,ee who wants someone present when they come out to a pastor, a pastor who is weighing how to come out to a church board, a govermnentfi~nded agency that needs help changing a co~mnunitv’s intolerance ~yithout getting itself de-funded and everybody fired. The work and the nnpact of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human RiNats radiate far beyond its front door. TOHR’s been around for 24 years mad it’s an old battleaxe now. still swinging confidently, landing blow after blow. And we’re sharpening it up with an expanded board of directors to b~ing in more voices mad more diversity of opimon. When our new year begins on October 1~ there will be 21 people wielding the ax-almost tavice as many board members as there are when I’m writing tiffs. Beyond the board, we’re reaching out with a new Advisor, Counsel and expanding the work and membership of the Advocacy, Committee. TOHR is a growing group of people working on more and more levels in the community. Ever,, voice is needed and welcome. There’s just so much going on right now in the courts, legislatures, the media, and in our people’s lives that there’s never been a more important time to become a member, or renew 3’our support or volunteer for Tulsa Oklalmmans for Human Rights. Executive Director, TOHR GET TWIT. The weekly GLBT community list of events and activities emailed to you every week. Contact TOHR today at community@tohr.org to sign up �Page 8 Human Rights Update Mark Bonney T his year we will likely see a vote in Oklahoma designed to perpetuate discrimination against our community for years to come. I believe there are three reasons for why Oklahomans will vote on State Question 711 this November. First, the U.S. Supreme Court told Oklahomans that they can no longer arrest us in our homes for being in adult consensual relationships--for being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgendered. Some Oklahomans simply want to vote for discrimination as a way of"fighting back" at the Court for freeing us of the brand "criminal"--a brand that allowed discrimination against us because "criminals do not deserve human rights." Unfomanately, Oklahoma has an embarrassing history of discrimination and lagging behind the rest of the country in supporting diversity and recognizing the economic and social benefits of a more progressive approach to human rights. Some of our faith communities have illadvisedly stepped into the political arena and have been involved in supporting and perpetuating discrimination, as when their pastors argued that ’~the Bible says that slavery is okay" or when they once set up church schools to avoid integration. Many of these same groups are leading the fight against same-gender marriage, tragically repeating their mistakes of the past. Second, Republican strategists believe that placing the issue on the November ballot will help Republican candidates win election to the State House and the U.S. Senate where races are close. Combining this issue with rallies around the state designed to increase voter turnout from fundamentalist congregations may well work. Third, rules of the Oklahoma House and Senate were ignored in bringing this issue to a vote of the people. Joint resolutions are different from bills. Resolutions do not require the Governor’s signature but bills do. In the last session, a bill was amended to place the issue on the ballot because the time for full consideration of a resolution had expired. The Democratic leadership could have stopped the measure based upon procedural improprieties but they did not. It is rumored that the Democrat leadership had negotiated with the Republican leadership and reached an agreement that this issue would not be brought up for a vote. If this is true, then Republican leadership--and in particular Senate Minority Leader James Williamson--broke this agreement. Regardless of the outcome of the vote we must stand up and stand out. In my years of political involvement I have never met anyone fired for "coming out." I have, however, dealt with friends, relatives and employers of those struggling with coming out who want equality and fairness for the LGBT community. We are increasingly faced with the reality that we cannot sit quietly or not take sides in this battle. Some churches and religious extremists in Tulsa have declared war on the GLBT community by holding a so-called "Pro-Marriage Rally." I was there. My partner and I sat through the whole event. It is unfortunate that some of our political officials continue to support the divisive and anti-human rights message of these extremists. At the rally, Mayor LaFortune called us unAmerican and Senator Willia_mson avowed that he loved the homosexual but hated the "sin" yet he was rnd~e and would not shake the hand of Professor Laura Belmonte when previously he had appeared with her on a " talk show. The recurring theme was that "God’s Law," as they interpret it, trumps the Constitution and that such law should govern all Americans’ lives whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or non-believer. Speakers maintained that "there is no separation of church and state in the Constitution." And a final presenter advocated the glory of traditional gender roles where women have no leadership role in the home. We must be willing to resist this coopting of our political process by those with an extremist agenda that is so antihuman rights. It is ironic and tragic that one who professes marriage so strongly, State Senator WSl=liamson, is himself twice divorced and makes a living as a divorce attorney. Likewise, a business sponsor of the rally married his son’s ex-wife. I believe we can legitimately question the credibility of such individuals. Can they really lecture us that we are unfit to be married or that we would destroy the institution of marriage? I hope that you will join me in taking action. The City Council should reject Mayor LaFormne’s comment that one has to believe as he does to be a good Tulsan, a good Oklahoman, or a good American. Instead, for the sake of the future of Tulsa, let’s support diversity and publicly recognize the significant contributions that the GLBT community makes to the betterment the city. I ask you to consider whether you should patronize the businesses and churches that sponsored the rally. Advocating with our pocketbooks can be a very powerful tool. By working together and redoubling our educational efforts, we can help improve Tulsa for us all. (See the list ofsponsors of the anti-gay "pro-marriage" rally on page 9.) Genesis Ministries 2419 S. 83rd E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK Meets Sunday 11 a.m. for service Wednesday 7p.m. for Bible Study, Singing and Prayer �This Fall, Oklahomans will decide whether or not to change our state constitution to deny the benefits of marriage to any unmarried couple. State Question 711 defines marriage as only between one man and one woman and prohibits legally recognizing any same-gender marriage that takes place anywhere else. Before we vote, it is important to consider how this change will impact each and every one of us, gay and straight. It is a complex issue of rights, religion, and equality. The conference welcomes the "moveable middle"--those people who want to learn more about the issue before casting their votes. On Saturday, October 2, we are going to talk about the implications of this controversial state question in the context of rights, religion and equality. A respected group of religious and community leaders, attorneys, and legislators will lead day-long discussion of this sensitive issue at Tulsa’s Downtown Doubletree Hotel. The conference is sponsored by Community of Hope United Church of Christ, PFLAG Tulsa, Fellowship Congregational Church, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, Tulsa Interfaith Alliance, Oklahoma Freedom and Equality Coalition, United Ministries at University of Tulsa, BGLTA (Bi, Gay, Lesian, Transgendered Alliance) at the University of Tulsa, Phillips Theological Seminary, Parish Church of St. Jerome, and Soulforce of Oklahoma. Every Oklahoman should be educated on what State Question 711 really means to us as individuals and as a state. Join us on October 2, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for an enlightening experience. Registration is $10. Send email to mchristopher@tohr.org for registration materials. Please encourage your family, friends, and co-workers to attend--there may be no more effective action you can take in the struggle to preserve our constitutional freedoms this year! Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant "For AII Your Accounting Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many special situations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 4815 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-3066 918.747.5466 These organizations sponsored the August 2,t anti-gay "pro-marriage" rally at Union High School: Abbot Industries C-It-All Leak Detectors & Plumbing Clear-Tone Hearing & Laboratories Community Spirit Magazine Evans Electric Jim and Ronda Norton PACE Printing ~ain Care Assoc. of Oklahoma Air Comfort Builders Steel Association of Christian Therapists Bair Foundation Christian Home Educatots Fellowship Purne!l Financial Services Churches: Tulsa Together/Christian Ministers Alliance Warner Audio Florist on the Square Victory Christian Center Asbury United Methodist Cedar Ridge Christian Central Nazarene Christ Presbyterian Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Crossroads Christian Center Eastland Assembly of God First Christian - Owasso First Nazarene - Sand Springs Glad Tidings Assembly of God Grace Fellowship Hawest Church Immanuel Lutheran Liberty Church Open Bible Fellowship Park Plaza Church of Christ Praise Center Redeemer Covenant St. Timothy The Church at Battlecreek Vera Full Gospel Fellowship First Baptist - BA, Claremore Berean Baptist Bethany Missionary Bapfist Calvary Baptist - Broken Arrow Central Baptist Easton Heights Baptist Eastwood Baptist Glenwe~l Baptist Lynn Lane Baptist Mr. Rose Baptist Parkview Baptist GARRETT LAW OFFICE, P.C. Garrett Law Office, P.C. ~ is an association of lawyers with one colnmon goal: to serve the public interest by representing injured persons or persons with property damage who are susceptible to possible unfair treatment by insurance companies. Our practice areas are: INSURANCE DISPUTES PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH JOB-RELATED INJURIES SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PRODUCT LIABILITY SECURITIES FRAUD BANKRUPTCY Call our office for a free consultation before you commit to signing a release which could compromise the value of your claim and your legal rights. 1-888-GARRETT In Tulsa: 622-9292 Rementber - The a~Ottster works,Ibr rite illSllrallC~ COIlll)HI1)’-- WE WORK FOR YOU! ssss sss s 8s s s ss ss ssss ss s §s s §ss§§§§ssss§§ss§s ssss§§sss§s§ss§s§s§.§ §.. .... �Page 10 Professor Lee Badgett To Present TOHR’s 2004 History Project Lecture October 8 Looking into the European Crystal Ball: What Can the U.S. Learn about Same-Gender Marriage? Professor Lee Badgett will draw on her recent research in Europe on same-gender marriage to make predictions about what will happen in the U.S. She will talk about why some European countries recognize partnerships or mamage rights while others do not, and she will address one of the main issues of the same-gender marriage debate: What happens to heterosexual marriage when samegender couples marry? Lee Badger is Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She is the author ofMoney, Myths and Change: The Economic Lives ofLesbians and ~ Gay Men, and is Research Director and cofounder of the Institute i and Lesbian Strategic Studies. Professor Badgett has appeared on television in the U.S. and the U.K. and on many radio programs including NPR’s Talk of the Nation. The event is sponsored by TOHR, PFLAG Tulsa, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa, OSU Dept. of Women’s Studies and OSU Dept. of American Studies. The dinner and lecture are on October 8 at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 for TOHR members and $25 for the general public and are available at the GLBT Community Center, 5545 E. 41st St., or by calling or emailing credit card information to mchristopher@tohr.org, 918-743-4297. Find more information at www.tulsagayhistory.com. T ULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS RO. Box 2687 TULSA, OKLAHOMA 74101 Do we have your email address ? If not, then you’re missing our free eNEWS service that sends links to important stories of interest to the GLBT community every week or two. Send email to mchristopher@tohr.org with the words ENEWS SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Printed on recycled chlorine flee paper e e e e e Reach thousands of NE Oklahoma’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, and allied READERS Advertise in tl~e TORCH:" For rate card and specs, email mchristopher@tohr.org or phone 918-743-4297. The Torch offers a discoum to nonprofit organizations that have a non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. � 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 [2004] TOHR Torch, October 2004; Volume 4, Issue 1 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 October Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/780493bc99dc0092016690d81f1064c3.jpg ad975b6701680f69d7d79f82082a7a83 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/27e001c0a4121e2198a35009cf33374e.pdf 8b834c4ee446c0157b5723c07d4483f0 PDF Text Text May 2004 volume three / issue three the tulsa oklahomans for human rights TOHR President Among Same-Gender Marriage Panel Participants n April 15, approximately 60 have wrilten an excellent brief that Women’s Law Caucus, and Public Inshows how marrmge laws are used to law students and others turned terest Law Society. E~fll is a long ftme member of discriminate against same-gender conout for a panel discussion about PFLAG and of the ACLU. He reported the Federal Marriage Amendment at Paula, Oklal~oma City police officer The University of Tnisa School of Law. on a case pendnig before the Oldakoma and orddmed deacon m the Episcopal Supreme Court about a male couple Assistant Law School Dean Vicki JorCharch~ reminded everyone of the failwho had been together for 25 years, opdan introduced panelists Bill Hhdde, Paula Sopina, Mark ~onney, and Brian erating a ranch in Creek County. When ings of the law as it addresses issues of Chase, who all spoke passionately about one of the partners died. his will was not transgendered couples. Although not the negative impact such an amendment admitted to probate due to a teclmical discussed because of time [imitations, would have. Ed Groshan, speaking as an defect. Both the trial court and the Oina- Paula showed us how complicated the marriage issue becomes when two perEvangelical Christiaz~ was the o~ly per- homa Court of Appeals held that for sons who are legally marhed want to son among those ~nvited who was will- purposes of intestate suc~essinn (how ing to argue in favor of the amendment. proper~ is ddstsiboted upon the death of remain married a~er one spouse traasiThe evem was sponsored by the law a person without a will) the survivthg Marl TOHR president, spoke about school’s American Constitution Society, parmer had no rights and the estate should pass to the deceased’s distant his get somal experiences with prejudice. cousins. In an opinion that defies logic, the Court of AppeaLs also held that the fotmtaals for "whites" and "coloreds" sttrviv~g parmer could not make any "marrieds" and the "civil unions." other clahn on the prope~y (based on his contributions to its development) Ed spoke compassionatuly despite since he had had a fmnflial relationsltip DC 2004 Events Schedwith the deceased. The ACLU and Bill O ule Interview with a Board Member: Laura Bet- Fundraising Committee Report Meet author Bridget Bufford on May 22. Advance Acceptance forTransgendered, by D 1 )~L~IR ~,it T Y , ~(~’ ~ Saturday, June 5 DoubleTree Hotel in Tulsa Keynote $;)eakers John Lawrence and ~orne~ ~itchell Katine �From the President For many of us, Diversity Celebration is the one time each year when we feel a part of society. This year, Diversity Week will be longer and larger them ever offering each of us multiple oppommities for self-empowerment. In January 2000, my New Year’s re solution was to be out in all aspects of my life. I determured that I would acknowledge my sexual orientation in public setlings. As so often happens when we become willing to advance ourselves, I found myself confronted with a difficult choice. The Muskogee Phoe~Lx newspa- Get your 2004 Diversity Celebration commemorative huron at the Tulsa GLBT Center and Pride Store, 5545 E. 41st St. in Tulso. $2. for human rights Tulsa Oklah~narm for Human Rights (TOHR PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918-7434297 (phone) / 918~0108 (Pax) w~w.tohr.org �Interview with a Board Member: Laura Belmonte Laura Belmonte is associate professor of History at Oklahoma State University. She is TOHR’s f~rst vice president, chairs our Advocacy committee, and is director of our new Tulsa GLBT History Project. TORCH. Where didyou grow up? Where is homeforyou? LB: I was born in New York, but grew up outside of Atlanta. ARer attending the University of Georgia, I got my doctorate from die University of Virginia I moved to Oklaboma in 1996 and now regard Tulsa as home. TORCH: Andl~fe now in Tulsa and at OSU... has the lrar~ition been an experience? LB: Boy, was itever. The thing I have found hardest to a~cept is die tmrelen~ug assumption of sameness (everybody’s white, slraighi. RepubUca~ evaugslieal Chiisfmu, etc.) that many Oklahonums make whether in public or private. TORCH: Whytsimportantforyouto be involvedwith TOItR at this time? LB: I diimk this is a critical juncture in TOHR’s history. With our new exeeufive director and die progress of the Pyramid Project, TOHR is poised to reach tmprecedented heights at a time of vitdl national and local importance. How could I not help if I can? TORCH: What are some of the organization’s recent advocacy efforts? LB: We have continued so far unfnfitfad discussions with the City Council about amending Tulsa’s antidiscrln~mation ordinances. We met recently with the leadership of the Tulsa Worldto ensuce balnneod cover- age of GLBT issues. We have also participated very actively in several media interviews in support of samegender marriage. TORCH: Tell m" about the History Project. ~Fhot do you hope it ac- CAI.L 357-17 7 SPECIAUZ]NG IN DiVE TRNNING FOR THE NEW SCUBADIVER SPECIALJTY CLASSES ALSO AVAILABLE complishes? LB; The Hisiory Pro- www.scubachef.net r 2003. We are currenfly coaduodng oral lfistories, colleering photograpks and other pleling prima~ research in newspapers and government dooumente. G~tr aim is to trace die history of GLBT l~ople in Tulsa throughout the post-1900 era in order to demonstrate the vibrancy of our eoramuaity despite a hostile political climate. TORCH: And how can the community help with both advocacy and the His÷ tory Project? LB: We desperately need people to come out publicly in helping us make our case in the media, before public officials, and with private employers. Most Americans are fair-minded and when diey encmmter a real-life GLBT makes them realize that discrimination Check Out New Goods at Pride Store Kathy Dales Since our center relocation, die Pride Store has added more than $1,500 in merchandise. Included is a vast selection of pride jewelry, including necklaces, bracelets, rings, watches and earrings. We also have stickers, magnets, lighters, pride bears, candles, flags, greeting cards and more. Additionally, we’re offering a discount on Diversity Celebration 2003 and other T-shirts. Stop by to see what die new Pride Store has to offer, and to stock up for Diversity Celebration 2004. If you don’t £md what you’re looking for, our store volunteers ~e taking suggestions for new merchimdlse. The Pride Store is open during Community Center hours: Tuesday through Friday, 6-9 p.m., mad Saturday, 3-9 p.m. Poga 3 �Diversity Celebration 2004 Schedule of Events TORCH Advertising June 4-12 Wednesday, June 9th Panel discussion - "A Celebration of Same-Sex Marriage." Sponsored by Parents, Families & Friends ofLesbians and Gays ~FIAG) Tulsa. www.pflagtulsa.org. Thursday, June 10th "Singing With Pride: A Concert by the Council Oak Men’s Chorale," Presented by the Tulsa Ci&-County Library System. Friday, June llth Volunteer Appreciation Night Sponsored by Tulsa Oklahomtms for Human Rights (TOI~R) www.tohr.org. Where will YOU be?? Friday, June 4th Family Pride Spaghetti Dinner Sponsored by Parents, Families & Friends ofLesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Tulsa www.pflagtulsa.org. Saturday, June 5th Diversity Gala and Dinner Saturday, June 12th Tulsa Pride Parade Presented by Tulsa OMahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) in parmership with the GLBTand Allied communities www.tohr.org. 24th Annual Diversity Celebration Festival Presented by Tulsa Oldahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) in parmership with the GLBT and Allied communiHes www.tohr.org. Rate per Column Inch Quarterly Issue, cornmunity distribution $9.00 per inch * Minimum ad Monthly Issue, membership distribution $750 per inch * Discount per Ad Sunday, June 6th Interfaith Service Tuesday, June 8th Art Show & Sale Sponsored by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights" ~TOHR) www.tohr.org. Distribution yeu want rainboW. Sponsored by Tulsa Oklahomansfor Human Rights (TOttR) ,,~vw.tohr.org. Monday, June 7th Film "Family Fundamentals" Sponsored by Parents, FamClies & Friends ofLesbia~t~ and Gays (PFLAG) Tulsa. www.pflagtulsa.org. Advertising Rates Up to 4 column inches 0% 6-10 column inches 15% we gotrainbow. 11-15 column inches 25% 16-20 column inches 35% OPEN Tues-Fri 6:00-9:00 PM Saturday 3:00-9:00 PM 20-30 column inches 40% 5545 E. 41st St., Tulsa OK Inside the Tulsa GLBT Center �~tulsa oklahomans for human rights Tu~a Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) wo~s to s~cure equalil~ and social acceplance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendeted (GLBT) and bilind communily of Nodheast OkJahoma through advocacy, educa#bn, leadership, and unity. Fundraising Committee Report TOHR’s previous and current Boards of Directors have set income and expenditure goals for the organization. As indicated in pie ehmts of our projected fiscal year 20032004 budget, our lwgest expense items include the annual Diversity Celebralio~ our new Executive Director, and lease and other costs rec/uired to run the Community Center. Our best income sources currently include Diversity Celebration events, thrected donations that support the ED position, and general commtmity donations to the organization. (’Note: These charts represent projected income and expcndiiaures. Actual costs to date have included additional audit, ftmdraising, and moving expenses which are documented in monthly and annual budget reporis.) The Fundraising Cnmmittee is working this year especially to increase income from TOHR memberships and also to obtain grants from supportive local and national foundations. Over the past four months, TOHRhas submitted four grant applications. One of these requests (te Vefizon Foundation) has been dshied but three remain ~mder review. We are requesting $41,000 from the David Boimett Foundation to expand TOHR’s CyberCenter and also to ac quire recording technology to serve our new I]Jstory Project. We are also requesting $32,500 from the Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Reek and $15,000 from the Funding Exchange to help us expand our advocacy and commtmity organization efforts. These efforts include a get-out-the-vote campalg~ enhancing our wehsite and the TORCHnewsletter, and construction of a Coramtmity Resource kiosk in die new Community Center. In coming months, the Fundralsing Corarcditee wit] ideatify additional funding sources that cotdd help support TOHR operations and also beneficial new programs to serve T~sa’s GLTB eommlmity. A fimdiaising event was held at the new Community Center on March 28 at which community supporters pledged over $21,000 in operating funds for the upcoming year. We much appreciate these important con~butions that help us meet this year’s donation goals. This is a challenging yet exciting tirne for TOHR. Strong financial support is vital in order to maintain existing operations and to increase oar visibility and expand o~ community programmin~. The Ftmdmising Commiitce thanks in advance all the individuals and foundations we expect to call upon this year! EXPENSES 03-04 1~ lease, 24,000 �Letter from the Director Michael Christopher My first weeks as TOHR’s first Executive Director went by in a flash, and even in that brief time the struggle for equality has grown stronger and more vocal. Demonstrations are hitting the streets across the U.S., and misguided efforts to seize state constitutions have met with hardening resistance. What a great time to be alive! I should introduce myself. I studied music, and while in school I helped found an emergency aid organization called People’s Workshop. I had a brief career in theatre as a singer/actor/director/designer, and worked as a composer of theatrical music. I came to Tulsa and worked with Tulsa Comprehensive Cultural Plan leaders to help launch the Brady Arts District, and with a hardy band of urban pioneers we opened Tulsa Center for Contemporary Art (TuCCA). As an arts activist I staged art stunts to draw attention to the community’s cultural creatives. I still have my "Fight for Homoerotic Art" t-shirt. And then I sold out. Having learned to raise money for "the fi’inge," I decided to try doing it for mainstream causes, and worked with Life Services as its development manager. After that, now no longer a practicing artist, it was back to New York for three years to develop an arts festival, and back again to Tulsa to raise money for Tulsa Opera. Then a year to help Hospice of Green Country build its funding base, followed by two years rl]nning a software company, and two years helping build a national profile for Price Tower Arts Center. During those years I raised two daughters (I’m a proud B) before moving on to a "more unconventional" relationship (as Channel 2 described it when they interviewed me last week). Somehow it all led me here, feeling very much back home, working with the needs and the people I love. Less than two weeks after the new Center opened, the TOHR board and volunteers hosted a dinner to thank twenty-five individuals and families who have given substantial dollar gifts to TOHR. Remarkably, they dug into their pockets once again, newly pledging $21,850 toward operating costs. I didn’t have anything to do with that-board members and donors made it happen, and I was beside myself with awe. On April 17, an Open House honored our members and the many men and women who make use of the Center day by day. Our immediate cash needs secure, coming up in May is a very special event to thank the volunteers who are the heart and soul of TOHR. Unfortunately, I had to miss the Open House. I was in Dallas, learning from the Gill Foundation about a brilliant new tool in our work to establish our basic rights. A new Gay & Lesbian Fund For Tulsa has been established with assistance from the foundation to make new funds available for Tulsa charities of every stripe--as long as their non-discrimination policy includes sexual orientation. Our new allies at the Tulsa Community Foundation are helping us make it happen. Soon you’ll begin seeing the Gay & Lesbian Fund For Tulsa rising in the patron lists of this fair city’s charitable establishment. You’ll get the feeling that we’re making real progress, and you’ll be right. Now that TOHR has a full-time paid director, many new avenues open up to us. New programming possibilities. New opportunities to cooperate with other organizations. New funding resources. And, of course, we’ve got a brand new Center--bigger, more comfortable and easy to get to by both 1-44 and the BA. What a great time to be involved with TOHR! Thank you for letting me be a part of it. Michael Christopher Executive Director Page 6 �Education Needed to Advance Acceptance for Transgendered While gays and lesbians fight for greater equality, the mmsgendered seek acceptance from their GLBT peers. Millie Lucas, RN, Gender Gutreach of Oklahoma member and educator shares her story as a way... Lyingflat on my bacl~ the lights are blinding as the cart 1 am on is rolled into the operating theater One hundred and ten minutes later, I awaken to hear, "Ms Lucas, Ms Lucas. Your awrgery is over, " With a deluge ofjoy, relief and excitement, my eyes flooding with tears, l softly whisper, "7hank God] It "s all over. " As I drift back to sleep, I wonder if this action will help those around me az" much as’ it hos helpedme. Will they still call me "that thing?" Will my family and those who knew me before continue to call me by that "’boy name? " Sex reassignment surgery, or SRS, is the last hurdle m a cldminetion of often many years of the transition from one gender to the other, Millie says. "Not all choose to have their geuilals ’reitrranged’ to match their internal thelings. Some live in the opposite gender and are content to live with those genitals ~vith which they were born. It’s all a personal decision based on what makes one feel whole," she says. Millie points to society’s responsiffflity to reco~ize and accept its great dlveral~, including the transgendared coramtmity. Simple actions, like lakhlg care with pronouns, can make a tremendous difference. Addressing community members with the proper pronotms and terms of gender should be common respect and maimers," she says. "If we can learn those hortific terms that offend us alI, then don’t we yet have the intallect and capacity to learn the correct a~d dignified words to speak?" What can you do? Learn more about transgender issues. Millie recom mends www.annelawrence.com as For information about the Ioeal transgendered group, Gender Outreach of Oklahoma, contact program director, Troy Nicholas, at the TOHR center. Or visit the new hatcraet site, www.genderoufreach.org. Meet author Bridget Bufford Author Bridget Bufford will be at the Tulsa GLBT Center on Saturday, May 22rid at 7:30 pm to discuss her book MINUS ONE: A Twelve-Step Journey. Marrfage Discussion Iris own lack of personal ex~rienee with anyone who is gay or lesbian. He stated that he bel2eves continued dialogue is crucial for both sides. He supported the idea of rights for same~ender couples but maintained that Iroduction of children is the fundamental purpose of manage. He also cited Christian Coalition slipperyslope dogma that same-gender marrmge would lead to bigamy, polygamy, bestiality, and incest. Brian spoke eloquently about the legal fights derded to same-guader couples. He expressed Iris fi’astrafions with the un fawaess of paying into soial security even though his partner is not entitled to the benefits that married persons receive fi~am the system. He also reaunded us that under Oklahoma Law tmmarried same-gender par~e~s must pay te~x on the first dollar of an inheritance while married survlvo~s psy no tax on properly transfers that follow the death of their part~er. After the panel finishedits stmemerits, many m the audience asked questions and showed their suppori Kelly Kirby CPA, PG Certified Public Accountant "For Afl Your Accounting Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many specJal situations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 4815 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-3066 918.747.5466 Page7 �s~ql~!~l uetunH JO; suetuoqel~fO eslnJ. uo ~00¢ oo � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2004] TOHR Torch, May 2004; Volume 3, Issue 3 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 2004 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/d25e8bca28d5decdf8f55e069b2d1a56.jpg 2d313341bfd21cfb6def0e76b87d5cdf https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/1e18626568737ce653593ad8f86b17c8.pdf 886af50e45e5e15915d0f4777976654e PDF Text Text Volume three / issue four June 2004 the tulsa oklahomans for human rights Cherokee Nation Issues Same-Gender Marriage License According to Mark Bo~mey, TONR eqtnil treatment under the law is not goThe Cherokee Nation in May issued ing away no matter what laws or Constipresident and Oklahoma atromey, its first marriage fieense to a samegender couple. "Judges only issue ol~mJons and orders tulional Amendments are passed in as a result of a controversy or lawsuit. It Oklahoma or elsewhere," Laura added. Kathy R, ond Dawn N. celebrated appears that Dow~ has become the Kathy and Dawn shared that they their tmion with a quiet ceremaony presided by Leslie Pe~rose, pastor of Com- most activist Justice in the world by is- wish to thank TOHR and the GLBT and mtmity of Hope U.C.C. Earlier this year, suuig an ordcx without any suit having alfied connnunity for their love and support TOHR will continue to monitor the Pastor Penrose qualified to officiate been fred." ceremonies eondoeted pursuant to The Muskogee Phoenix reported that reaction of the Cherokee Nation and Cherokee law. keep you informed. one Cherokee Tribal Cotm(flor, Linda Under Cherokee law, enacted before O’Leat3’ of Delaware County stated, "The licengmg is an abomination .... statehood, man,age is genderless. One nfthe parmers is the "companion and Apparently Councilor O’Leary believes the one I live with" and the other is "my that even the Cherokee Nation should he rded as a Christian Theocracy." cooker." While the license was issued, "TOHR applauds these courageous the Chief Justice of the Appeals Tribunal, Darell Down, issued an order plac- and dedicated women," said Laura Beling a moratorium res~icbng thrthe~ monte, TOHR first ~ice-president and su~mce marriage licenses. director of advocacy. "The issue of You The REAL Activist Judges are not Liberal Commentary by Mark Bonney If the right wing accuses someone else of bad behavior you can bet they are either d(mg it themselves or are about to do it. How often heve we heard the phrase "activist Judges"? The right wing uses this phrase to discredit any legal opinion that does not conform to its narrow view of Chris- the same org~uizations that have decried other judges and juatices for upholdsng the fights of the minority by striking down unconstitutional laws. The lower comts in California hised to intervene. It took an activist Supreme Court of California to interfere with the executive’s right to determine how he or she administers his or her OWlCe and those that work reader him or her. Nonnai!y, executives are granted deference in their decisions until such time as a final trial on the merits has been held. Only an activist judge would hold otherwise. These same groups tried to stop the ............¯ �From the President It seems that every day I read a new stoW about GLBT persons fighting for for human dghts their rights. TOHR applauds all of these individuals. Our communi~j could not be ~s successfifl as we are without the support of GLBT persons, their friends ~rtd ~’flmily, at!d the many or L,Z niTations who back our cause. Dttrlng the weekend of April 30 and May 1, our commuinly had at least four wondel’fifl choices of activities sponsored by ValiOUS groups. Open Arms Youth Project sponsored a one-man show that gave the audience a hilarious inside tour of a conversion therapy retreat. Council Oak presented tmother extraordinary. concert. Soulforce and Community of Hope raised thousands of dolhars at their you want rainbow?. IDE we gotralnb . OPEN Tues-Fri 6:00-9:00 PM Saturday 3:00-9:C0 PM 5545 E. 4fst St., Tulsa OK Inside the Tulsa @LBT Center www,tohr.org �for human rights Tulsa Ok/ahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) works to secure oquali~/ antisocial acceptance for the G~y, Lesbian, Bisexual, Tmnsgendered (GLBT) and allied cornmuni~ of Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership, and uni~ Activist Judges (ConI~r~dfrom Fage ]) issumzce of marriage certificates ia Massaehuseils. They were hoping against hope that some acdvist judge would issue an order to halt the issuance critic eert~catss. Forttmately, the conservative jodges of the First Circuit Court of Appeals and of the U.S. Supreme Court bald tim] to trait true conservmive beliefs that the federal judiciau¢ should not interllere in a state’s fights issue. As you wifi recall, the Massachusetts State Supreme Court bad previously determthed it was uncoasfiintional under the Massachusetts’ State Consfitotion to deny marriage licenses to its citizens on the basis of sex. Justice Roy Moore of Alabama was removed from the bench for being activist when be refused to comply with a to the bench in a continuing stealth attack to take over the Country. After all, for them, God’s law is above man’s law so the ends justify the means. While this statement by me may seem radical, remember William Pryor’s own statement. It is their desire to take over the CUBACHE, DIVE T INING CALL IOM 7-1757 SPECIALIZING IN DiVE IRAINING FOR /HE NEW SCUBADIVER SPECIALrlY CLASSES ALSO AVAILABLE Boot Camp for Bucks Michael Christopher The Gill Foundation, a major national binder of Talsa GLBT work, hosted two days of fired-raising training in Dallas on April 16 and 17. I’ve attended many expensive fired-raising conferences over years, and this federal court order to remove the Ten one -- priced so that even the smallCommandments from the State Judicial eat orgaulzatinns could participate -Building. I have never heard of a liberal stands above them all. Gill will offer training for our board md other judge being removed or censoxed for being activist. Presidem Bush recently, boards in the fall. without Senate approval, appointed Sessions on sttategic planning, WdlJam Pryor to the Eleventh C~rcult corporate sponsorships and major Court of Appeals. To my knowledge no gifts offered sohd frameworks for acpresident has ever used a recess aption, and will begin very soon to bear pointment to place someone on the fruit for TOHI~. and the people we bench. Wiffmm Pucor, as a’domey general The opportuin~y to meet so m~ny of Ainbnma, f’ded a brief in support of of our GLBT orgaaizmion colleagues Justice Roy Moore. In a speech Pryor was the greatest highlight of the congave at a rally supporting Justice ference. The work we’re d~mg is goMoore, Pu’or stated, "Now is the time ing on all across our region, and is for all good Christians -- Catholics, Or- being done by passionate and highly thodox and Protestants -- to take back competent people. our Country mzd our Courts." Such a statement should have disqualified Pryor from consideration, and indeed it was sul~iuleta to deny him Setmts conf’~mation. The Religious Right, through President Bush. is "on a mission from God" to appoint every conceivable radical conservative activist judge and justice www.scubachef.nef Kelly Kirby CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant "For AII Your Accounting Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many special sRuations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 4815 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-3066 918.747.5466 Tulsa GLBT Information Line 743-GAYS (743-9127) �Advocacy Committee Get your Pride Guide! Sets Marriage Amendmeat Strategy J~ura Bel~onte Tl~e TOHR Advocacy ComwJitee has outlined a strategy for fighting efforts to outlaw same-gender marriagn. Tlae state pkans a Novea~ber 2004 ballot imfiafive to amend the Oldahorn constitution. This campaign promises to be one of the ugliest, most important baRles GLBT Oklahomarts have faced. TOHR will focus its efforts in the Tulsa a~a, working closely with other lo~al groups. Our activities will include voter registration, a speakers’ bateau, phone bank, direct mail, and public video and lecture forums. We welcome volunteers to assist in these endeavors and will have a table in the advoc~y tent at the Jtme 12 Diversiiy Celebration. Contact laura Bulmonte, commioee emir, at (918) 906-2134 for more iaformation. Available for Download at htt p://www.tohr.org and at these establishments: Tulsa GLBT Center Club Majestic Club Maverick End Up Club - Renegades Silver Star Toolbox YBR We~ve moved to a new location! Diversity Celebration 2004-Tulsa, OK ~ ~-- Tile Tulsa Cen er June 4-12 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights P.O. Box 2687 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2004] TOHR Torch, June 2004; Volume 3, Issue 4 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 2004 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights June 2004 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/bdb6088d1bc366521858d11bcd914536.jpg b1de3fab736189d2d0eefe64dc5551b2 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/65f70937fddc003ec7286228b1931d10.pdf 67d876921a3186405ea6fb57378dcbab PDF Text Text 2004 tulsa oMahomans for human rights TOHR’s Year End Fundrais ng Campaign Mark Bomley October marked the start of a new fiscal year for TOHR. We need your financial support to enter what will be a ~nost significant 3ear for the gay. lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. 220 Attend Vigil; Hundreds More the Streets Sometimes hate gives Tulsa a black ey~ This time we gave it back. l~libhaei Christopher, Executive Direc~or It didn’t take long after Oklahoma’s resounding defeat of GLBT marriage rights on November 2 for the hatemongers to start dancing in the streets. The GLBT Info Line rang steadily with news of people upset alter the election, some feeling afraid to go to work, some-having their cars chased; and at least otie beaten up-a woman attacked by a lesbian-hating neighbor. While dealing with all that, we got the news that FredPhelps’ group, Westboro Baptist Church, was coming back to town on SundazNovember 7 and Monday November 8, this time to picket churches that they believed didn’t do not show enough hatred toward GLBT people, and Charles Page High School in Sand Springs for not shoWing enough hatred toward its gay students. Fred Phelps’ batfie cry, "God hates fags," would be heard ~once again in the Tulsa area. I started calling our friends on the Say No ¯To Hate Coalition and members of our advocacy committee to see what could be done in response. When we told Nancy Eggen o£United Campus Ministries, she suggested a Sunday evening vigil. She swiftly organized a beautiful vigil service, and TOHR set about getting the word out. Thousands ofemails and phone calls later, the Center hosted its largest attendance ever. If you missed the vigil, you also missed a great homecoming. (And ifyou 7l send me your email address 1won ’t let you miss the next one]) People who hadn’t seen each other for years, new friends from Native American and African American communities, TOHR members of years past, and many of the new friends we (continued on p. 9) In the short period of six months since moving into our new Center and lfiring an Executiv-e Director. TOHR has substantially increased its service to the GLBT co~mnunitv. The number of calls received on the GLBT Info Line grew 300%. The number of meetings held at the Tulsa GLBT Conununitv Center doubled. Our-cooperative work with allied organizations has growu dramatically--we have_ presented the daylong Questions on Mam’i~q_e: A Con./~rence on Marriage Equalio,. hosted a month-long residency of the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force. worked with PFLAG and others to present two candidate forum events and a panel discussion on the legal implications of the Oklahoma antigay marriage amendment, coordinated the Tulsa GLBT History Project Lecture. and participated in the Say No To Hate Coalition and its hate speech task force. (contimted on p. 3) �publ~hed by PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918-743-4297 The Holidays Present Special Challenges" Every year at this time my partner and I have our annual ’"What are we going to do for the holidays?" discussion. This year, we are skipping Thanksgiving and Christmas with the family. For us, holidays are our choice. I know that for many, holidays become a time of angst because their family takes the position that we can come but only if our partner does not. Each of us has to make our own choices when faced with families who feel this way. Our ~a~ailies are in effect saying, "choose us or choose your partner." For some, this position is an absolute and will rarely change; for others it is only a test to see how "committed" we are to "being gay" or to our partners. What we should remember is that it is okay to make whatever choices we want. Whether we want to go be with our families or not is our decision and there is no reason we should feel any shame or guilt. After the events of this past year, some of us will fmd comfort in being with family; for others our families can be toxic. If your family is one that is not supportive, you should have an exit strategy. Don’t ride with others who may not want to leave when you do. IGaow when you are getting angry or depressed. If traveling long distances, make a hotel reservation for each night even if you have to cancel it. Once when visiting my sister at her invitation, my partner and I arrived only to be told that we had to sleep in different rooms. Be explicit with the ground rules before you arrive. Don’t leave things to chance. Even if you have had prior good experiences with family, be prepared this year for those family members who have been less supportive to be more vocal. Don’t expect them to be more difficult, just be prepared for how you are going to react. A New Year’s Resolution That Does Everyone Good O.ne of .the.most important New year’s Resolutions that I ever made was to be out in every aspect of my life. After the vote in Oklahoma this year, it is important to me to let as many of the three-out-of-four Oklahomans who voted for State Question 711 know that I am still here, still gay, and still deserving of equal relationship rights. For me, this will likely manifest itself in more LGBT t-shirts, buttons, etc. While Wild Oats may be a relatively safe place to stock up, I expect that I will also do some shopping at Walmart and Homeland. I urge all of us to be out in 2005. Come by the Center and get stickers for your cars, jewelry items, flags and windsocks to decorate your front porch. Let 2005 be the year that we let our PRIDE shine. \ President, TOHR email: commun[ty@tohr.or~ Office location Tulsa GLBT Conununity Center 5545 East 41st Street Tulsa. OK 74135 TOHR Board of Directors Executive Board President--Mark Bonney 1st Vice President--Dr. Laura Belmonte 2nd~/ice President--Libby Bender Secretary--Mike Williams Treasurer--Dwight Kealiher Assistant Treasurer---John Madigan Governing Board Director, Gender Outreach--Troy Nicholas Director, Board Development--Ken Youngblood Director, Fundraising--Dennis Neill Director, Programs & Facilities--Ken Youngblood Directors at Lar,qe Andrew Carter Kelly Carter Steve Eberle Janet Gearin Richard Hurtig Shelly Ledford Anita Randza Mike Redman Devon Rutherford Kaye Smith Novia Stice Executive Director Michael Christopher TOHR’s Capital Campaiqn The Pyramid Project pyramidproject.org ff~e Pyramid Pro~ Chair Sue Welch Committee Memhors Mark Bonney, Marc Frieden, Michelle Hoffman, David Hoot, Shelly Ledford, Cathe~!n Mason, Marcy Smith and Tim Williams. TOHR is a 501(c)3 ~ganization of~ratod Ihro~h donations and non-p.~ voluntenm. Cen~bu~on~ are t;~x-deductible ~o the fullest extent of current U~ Sta~ of Arne~a tax isw~ The Torch, a publicalion of Tulsa Oklahomans fo~ Human Rights, Inc. is John D. Cutrlght, MSW, LCSW Counselor &Psychotherapist’ 4870 S. Lewis Avenue, Suite 190 Tulsa, OK 74105 918-284-0123 Children + Adolescents + Adult + Couples x~tished bimanlHy wilh an estimated annual readership of 10,000. Subscription rates are paid contributing member dues of Tulsa Oldahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). Th~ Torch is protected by copyright and may not be repreduced in whale or part except by permission obt~ncd by co~acling TOHR ~reclly. Cre~t must be given to TOHR. The views of Ihe To~ch are expres~:l in editorials only. Views expreesed in lettars to Ihe edtor and other submtsdons are those of the au~or and do not nec~sorily r~ect Ihese of the board of drectors, centrib~ng members or e~tors ar leadorship of TOHR. The Torch reserves ~he right to e~t or reject any mate~t subrnilted f~r public.on. The Torch end/or TOHR is not respansit~e for damages due to typographical e~rors. Advertisaments designed and created for publisaf~an in the Torch rennin the property of TOHR. The Torch and/or TOHR cannot be respansit~e f~ d~ms by Copyright 2004, TOHR. �Fund-Raising Campaign ~.,f~vm p. 1) During the same period we presemed the mmual Diversity Celebration. expanded support group progra~mning, established the Tulsa Rainbow Business Organization (TURBO). increased Center attendance for social events, conducted a major upgrade of our computer systems, and launched the TOHR eNEWS email newsletter to rave reviews. And. with PFLAG and Tulsa Reaches Out. we sponsored a scientific study to assess the needs of the Tulsa GLBT Co~mnunity right now. It feels like we’ve done a year’s work in just a few months, but that’s exacth- the pace we need to lnaintain to take advantage of this umque moment in our history. The debate around marriage mad the overturning of all remaining sodomy laws is bringing unpredictable attention--and opportuniU, ha light of and despite recent electoral backlash, hate crimes legislatioh, employment nondiscri~nination policies. the needs of our co~mnunitv have becoine both more critically i~nportant mad more attainable. The 20-member TOHR Board of Directors and thirty dedicated volunteers of the Tulsa GLBT Coimnunitv Center ask you to consider a substantial co~mnitment of dollars in the upcoming ?ear. The momentum of this thne must be continualhfed ~{,ith effort, passion mad funds so that we will not miss this rare opportunity to advance our rights. In six months, the number of new people who have entered the fight is more than equal to the whole movement of a year ago. and TOHR is your contact with that force, y-our legs m the race. To move our community and organization forward in 2005. we are asking our contributors to consider raising their level of support this ?’ear. Please send in the donation form available in this newsletter. We are deeply grateful for your help! Estimated Revenues Oct 1.2004 - Sept 30 2005 - $160,000 Othe= M emberships, Benefits, 4% 3% Grants, 19% Di,,~rsity Ce~ebratto n, 40% Donations & Pledg e~, 30% ., Estimated Expenses p ro grams Oct&1 2004 - Seot 30 2005 - $160,000 Other, 5%. M arketing, 14% VCages & Benefits, 29% Facilities & Offic 28% Diversity Celebratio n, 24% Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant "For AII Your Accounting Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many special situations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 4815 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-3066 918.747.5466 �GARRETT LAW OFFICE, RC. TOHR Board members and officers at November annual Board retreat, All Souls Unitarian Church, led by Tulsa facilitator Barbara Bannon. Easy as Pie! Holiday Shop Online and Help the Pyramid Project Sue Welch With the Holidays upon us, The Pyramid Project wants you to shop till you drop! You’ve helped raise just over $300,000 in pledges and donations to purchase a permanent site for the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. We want to help you do even more good and it not hurt a bit. Shop online through the iGive secure network of over 550 brand name stores and give to the Pyramid Project without it costing you a penny! .In addition, if you join iGive through the How to Donate page of the Pyramid Project website, PyramidProject.org, and make a purchase within 30 days, the Pyramid Project receives an EXTRA $5.00 at NO cost to you. Here’s how it all works: iGive Members are the folks doing the shopping. Members accrue money by shopping via iGive and iGive works on the behalf of each member to direct a percentage of that member’s purchases to the Pyramid Project--that’s up to 26% of each purchase at NO cost to you! When supporters use thejoinLink on the Pyramid Project website, Pyramid Project is automatically pre-selected to benefi!! Every single supporter’s online shopping at over 550 popular stores means a donation for TOHR’s Pyramid Project! Remember, each new person who joins and shops within 30 days means a $5~0 bonus for TOHR’s Pyramid Project, so do it now! Use your Join link at PyramidProject.org. Garrett Law Office, P.C. ,is an association of lawyers with one common goal: to serve the public interest by representing injured persons or persons with property damage who are susceptible to possible unfair treatment by insurance companies. Our practice areas are: INSURANCE DISPUTES PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH JOB-RELATED INJURIES SOC~L SECURITY DISABILITY PRODUCT LIABILITY SECURITIES FRAUD BANKRI~TCY Call our office for a free consultation before you commit to signing a release which could compromise the value of your claim and your legal rights. 1-888-GARRETT HOUSE FOR RENT in one of Tulsa’s few "blue precincts," In Tulsa: $700 per month in historic Yorktown, St. John’s hospital 622-9292 area. Two bedrooms and one bath, a large kitchen, generous living room, separate dining room and glassed in back porch. Amenities include central air, washer, dryer, dishwasher and refrigerator! Leave a message for Ralph at 743-6863. Remember - The adjus’ter works,ibr flw ilISIlI’OIIC~ WE WORK FOR YOU~ sssss sss ss ssss ss ssssssssssssss sssss �UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDA E~:ember 1, 15_ Coming Out Group. Support for people making the journey out of the closet, fadlitated by John D. Cutr~jht, -~ MSW, LCSW. This is not formal counseling, but an open discussion between peers with guidance by a trained facilitator, and is very helpful in the difficult coming out process. Meets the first and third Wednesdays at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 E. 4"1st, at 7:00pro. December 7, 14, 21 - Free anonymous HIV testing at the Center, 5545 E. 41st Street at our H.O.P.E. Testing Clinic, 6:00 to 8:00pro every Tuesday except Dec. 28 December 3, 10, 17 - Films at the Center. Join us at 6:30pro Fdday evenings for movie night.., fun, film and fdends at the Center, 5545 E. 41~ December 3, 4, 7 - Council Oak Men’s Chorale and Women of Council Oak Holiday Concert, "Home is Where the Heart Is" at Tdnity Episcopal. For tickets go to www.counciloak.org. December 6 - Diversity Celebration Planning Meeting at the Tulsa GLBT Community Ceqter, 5545 E. 41st. Anyone interested in being part of this annual June pride celebration is encouraged to attend. December 13 - PFLAG/TOHR Holiday Dinner. Come and join us for the annual holiday dinner at 6:30pro at Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 South Harvard. The Council Oak Men’s Chorale and Women of Council Oak will entertain, and PFLAG will present the annual SWAN Awards. It’s a covered dish dinner, so bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share. December 17 -The dinner and lecture, GAY MARRIAGE, THE CONSTITUTION, AND AMERICAN POLITICS, features speaker Dr. Paul Finkelman, Chapman Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Tulsa, at 6:30 p.m. in Kaiser-Miller Auditorium, 1719 South Owasso, Tulsa. The cost for adults is $10.00 per person, for children 4-12, $5.00. Tots are invited to join us at $1 per meal. Dinner reservations and baby sitting arrangements may be made by calling the Synagogue at 583-7121 or dropping a note to suzanne@bnaiemunah.com. December 18 - Test Fest 2004, a day-long fair-style fun fest and free anonymous HIV testing. Door prizes, food, free sex supplies, games, and hot films on the big screen TV, with visits from very special guests. 10am to 7pm. Bring all your friends, get tested and know your status! Hosted by TOHR and H.O.P.E. Testing Services At the Center, 5545 E. 41st. December 27- PFLAG Support Meeting. Have a gay someone special in the family and need someone to talk to? This is the place. Call 749-4901 if you would like to attend. January 5, 19- Coming Out Group meets the first and third Wednesday of every month at the Ceriter, 5545 E. 41st. (See December 1 above for details~) January 6 - JUST WHAT DO WE NEED? is a presentation at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 East 41st Street at 7:00pro focusing on a large-scale needs assessment commissioned last Spring by TOHR, PFLAG and Tulsa Reaches Out, to evaluate the needs of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community in the Tulsa area. Join us for the presentation by Janice Nicklas of the Community Service Council and a discussion following. This special presentation is TOHR’s monthly membership meeting for January. Desserts and coffee wilt be served. January t0- Presentation at the PFLAG monthly meeting of the GLBT Needs Assessment by Janice Nicklas of the Community Service Council at 7:30pro, Fellowship Congregational Church, 2900 South Harvard. January 12 - Diversity Celebration Planning Meeting atthe Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 5545 E. 41st. Open to all. January 24- PFLAG Support Meeting. Have a gay s(~meone special in the family and need someone to talk tO? This is. the place. Call 7494901 if you would like to attend February 4- TOHR Members Covered Dish Dinner. Bring a dish to share and hear speakers every month on the first Thursday at the Center, 5545 E. 41st Street. IMPORTANT." To get updates on events plus links to important LGBTnews items, subscribe to the free TOHR eNEWS email newsletter by sendit~l email with the words ENEWS SUBSCRIBE h~ the subject line to mchristopher@tohr.org. Genesis Ministries. 2419 S. 83rd E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK Meets Sunday 11 a.m. for service, Wednesday 7 p. ~ for Bible St~dy, Singing and Prayer �OpenArms Youth Project in Tulsa has been serving the GLBTQ youth ages 14-2! for almost three years now. As the Center has grmvn, the youth have been the driving force behind its success and the formation of a programming schedule. The project is governed by both a youth board and an adult board of directors. The youth design the group activities and the adult board oversees grant writing and fm~draising as well as the record keeping and major growt~h activities. Since opening the t’n’st Center in May of 2002, OpeltArms relocated to a larger location in December 2003, and in February 2004 expanded to add additional Office space for computer and Internet access, after-school activities, and safe sex outreach programs. OpenArms offers training for youth to become H1V/STD peer educators and 32 youth have now been certified in the extensive training cun’iculum that was designed and written by the University of Oklahoma. OpenArms provides a variety services to youth including counseling, group meetings, social activities, mentor partners, after-school programs, HIV/STD education and other activities to help youth cope with their specific needs. OpenArms strives to reach youth where they are in their process of "coming out," providing many different levels of information based on their own requirements. OpenArms is an organization built for youth and designed by youth to reach them where they are and to fill the gaps in services that they identify in the community. OpenArms Youth Project is funded in part by the youth it serves via a cover charge for social activities and also by community donations. Contact OpenArms at 918838-7104, info@openarmsproject.org FALL FUND DRIVE 2004 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights extends heartfelt thanks to the generous donors to our Fall Fund Dm;e. Below are listed the names of those with giftsor pledges $100 or more wire have Wen us permission to acknmvledge them publicly. Thank You.t $5,000 am! above Derails Neill and Jolm Southard ~.1,000 to $4,.99.9 Mark Henq¢ Cisar Holt, Inc. Doug Campbell ¯ Kaye Smith . Michael .Williams and Lance Pillstrom $250 to $99.9 Lamont Lindstrom Duane MenNe and Mike Mills. Tom Neal Gregg Smith mad Kevin Burleson Michael Green Sl O0 to 8249 Janet Gearin kaadrew Carter D. Bruce Lewis Rev. mad Mrs. Russdl Bennett Fred Bassett tulsa glbt history projec HISTORY PROJECT Memories Fulsa has a rich liistorv of gay "’spaces"--bars mad clubs where the community could come together to relax and mingle, and to escape the everyday surveillance of mainstream society. Do you remember these old favorites of the 1940s--1970s? ** TROPICAL GARDENS ** BLUE NOTE LOUNGE ** BLUE HAVEN ** MILWAUKEE TAVERN ** BISHOPS BAR ** St. MORITZ ** LITTLE MEXICO ** THE DOGHOUSE ** SKOO-BEE-DO ** FRI-ENDS LOUNGE (a.k.a. THE FRUIT LOOP) ** TRACY’S ** THE NEW EDITION ** THE ZEBRALOUNGE ** TAJ MAHAL ** RR-tE GALA ** TIM’S PLAYROOM CLUB ** THE CLUB ** THE QUEEN OF HEARTS ** NEW YORK. NEW YORK ** THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH ** PAPILLON ** THE ZEBRA ** CARUSO’S ** ANYTHING GOES CLUB ** NEW PLANTATION CLUB ** TIM’S PLAYROOM CLUB ** ZIPPERS ~ ~ TULSA MINING COMPANY ** SEEKERS CHOICE ** OVER THE RAINBOW ** DANTES �lVi E BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP IN TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN PqGHTS include many nice privileges, but the one that really means something important is that you will be participating in a very meaningful way in the rights of every gay man, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered person in Tulsa to live with full citizenship and to pursue a life with equality. ]-he levels listed below are just guidelines--anything you want to contribute will be deeply appreciated. You can give the full amount today, or instruct us to bill your credit card monthly for a certain amount and for a specific number of months. If you like, you can even make your gift online at www.tohr.org.., just click the DONATE button. Membership is for one full year from the date you join. Name(s) as it (they) should appear on mail addressed to you: Check this box if you DO NOT want to be acknowledged by name in our publications: [] M~ling Address (we) want to join TOHR! 0 Individual $30 0 Family/Household $50 © Patron $100 © Business/Organization $ 100 © Donor’s Circle $300+ $ 0 NEVer Student or AmeriCorps Volunteer Membership $15 Telephone IMPORTANT: Ernaii Address © Check enclosed, payable to TOHR © My company offers a matching gift program. The -proper forms are enclosed or will.follow. ¯ © Please bill my (our) credit card: © Visa © MasterCard © American Express Card # 0 Volunteering at the Center 0 Volunteering for Diversity Celebration 0 The Rights Advocacy Team Expiration Date Signature 200,000 people in northeastern Oklahoma deserve equality regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights works for legal equality and social acceptance--not just tolerance---for the gay, lesbian bisexual, transgender and allied community of northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership and unity. Thousands of callers are served each year through the Tulsa GLBT Info Line (743-GAYS). I 0,000 visitors are served through the Tulsa GLBT Community Center and annual Diversity Celebration.. Hundreds attend conferences, lectures and other educational opportunities designed to build po.sitive perceptions of the GLBT community--both in the community and among ourselves. Tulsa Oldahomans for ll-~uman Rights works for you. �Please tape your check inside and fold here. Tape closed before mailing. THANK YOU! Please tape your check inside and fold here. Tape closed before mailing. Place From: Postage Here Membership Tulsa Oklahomans for Human .Rights PO Box 2687 . Tulsa, OK 74101 �220 Attend Vigil... (continuedfrom p. 1) have been making in Tulsa’s faith communities all came together for a candlelight vigil. We experienced one of those moving moments that have become all too rare in life--a moment in which we all felt the support and love of oue another. And we encouraged each other to participate in one more positive action, a Silent Sweep Against Hate at the high school after Phelps’ group had gone. Fred Phelps had eleven people in his hate-filled protest of the churches that day, and even fewer at the high school the next morning. After strongly encouraging our members to stay away from the high school protest, hoping to focus media attention away from Phelps’ people and onto our own, I met Don Satterthwaite and Vernon Jones of our sister group, Oklahoma Freedom and Equality Coalition, at the school at 7:30am. We were there to observe and to document. Vernon and I interviewed tw, o of Phelps’ people on video, then crossed the street to interview the counter-protesters. Despite our efforts to keep the crowds down, 240 people showed up in opposition to the "God Hates Fags" signs. Most were high school and college students, and there were some parents. Most expressed a deeply felt need to stand up and do something. Some didn’t feel quite satisfied yet. Silent ~eep Against Hate I spoke with the principal, Robert Franklin, to let him know that we were planning something for that afternoon when school was to let out. We wanted students to see something very positive. Someone on the Say No To Hate Coalition had reminded me of the Silent Sweep Against Hate that was held after the Ku Klux Klan had a Tulsa rally. We called the organizers of that action and got their help in plauning a new, sweep demonstration to rid Charles Page High School of homophobia. The principal was a little wary, but he knew, we were the good guys. We gathered at about 2:30, brooms in hand, on the sidewalk across the driveway from the high school’s main entrance. As the parking lot emptied, we swept the sidewalks and heard cheera of solidarity from students. Sweepers included TOHR donors, friends from the Jewish Federation and the Say No To Hate Coalition, PFLAG, several churches, Open Arms Youth Project, the University of Tulsa’s BLGTA, United Campus Ministries and students from Tulsa Community College. In all, about 75 people attended the sweep. Between the vigil, the students who stood against Phelps, mad the Sileut Sweep, we numbered about 535 people against Phelps’ meager dozen. The guest of honor? The young man whom Sand Springs high school students refused to hate: Michael Shackleford. He was there tlvoughout--from the vigil through the s~veep, and his presence encouraged all of us. Radical Inelusivity Since the first articles on a Sand Springs high school student appeared a few months ago, Washington Post correspondent Anne Hull has quietly followed the young man’s story. I’ve skipped many of the details of the vigil because Anne’s story tells it so much better than I could. (I hope you’ll read it at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn!articles/A48197- Sweeping Away IIa~e in Sand Springs 2004Novl3.html.) Of Rev. Russell Bennett’s words that inght, she writes: Bennett recited a Bible verse in which Jesus scolds the leaders of his time for worrying more about narrow morality than the bigger picture. ’Woe to you, hypocrites,’ the reverend said. ’For vou tithe mint and dill and cumin, mad have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy.’ [Michael Shackleford’s mother] Janice was quiet, listening to phrases such as ’radical inclusivity’ mad quotes by Robert F. Kennedy about the long ann that bends toward justice... As school let out [on Monday], dozens of people from Tulsa Oklahomans For Human Rights arrived With brooms. In silence, they swept the sidewalk ~vhere the Phelps protesters had been. Michael ~vas there, sweeping. A group of students walked by. One of them, a girl ~vith long, silk2~ hair and a backpack, was obviously fed up with all the protests and counter-protests. ’Leave our homos alone,’ she said. To Anne Hull and Michael Shackleford, to the students in Sand Springs, to Nancy Eggen, Russ Bennett, Cathy Elliot, Nancy McDonald, Nancy Day and everyone else who worked to pull this together on incredibly short notice, to all of the organizations and individuals who stood together against hate for two days in two towns, to the people who stayed together after the protest to go to breakfast and reimagine the future, and those who got together a few nights later to celebrate victor5; in the jaws of the election defeat-thank you. After the passage of a constitutional anaendment by which our full citizenship was revoked, after people with hate on their lips were triumphantly elected to the highest offices in our nation, we needed something wonderful to happen. Fred Phelps didn’t expect to bring us renewed hope mad strength. This time we’re glad he came. �Consider Giving Your Tax-Deductible Contributions Through the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa. You will be able to specifically direct your funds to any of the pre-screened Tulsa Area Non-Prdits, ensuring that your contributior~s are going to agencies which support diversity in their policies and outreach. Your contribution will be leveraged with other dollars, increasing our visibility and the benefit to the non-profit agencies of your choice. This Donor Advised Fund has been established with the Tulsa Community Foundation. Some 40 non-profit organizations in the Tulsa Area have added Sexual Orientation to their non-discrimination policies. Please support these progressive organizations with tax-deductible contributions in the name of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa. Some of the organizations supported this year include: All Souls Unitarian Church Community Outreach Program; Arthritis Foundation; Arts and Humanities Council; Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma; Child Abuse Network; Cc~-nmunity Action Project; Domestic Violence Intervention Services; Family & Children’s Services: Komen Race for the Cure (Breast Cancer); League of Women Voters; Life Senior Services; Light Opera of Oklahoma; Mental Health Association; National Conference of Community and Justice; Parent Child Center of Tulsa; Philbrook Art Museum; Planned Parenthood of Northeastern Oklahoma; Tulsa AIDS Walk; Tulsa CARES; Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless; Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights; Tulsa Opera; Youth Services of Tulsa. Making a difference in Tulsa while highlighting the important contributions of the Gay, Lesbian and Allied Communities. �Interview with a Board Member: Ken Youngblood ¯ is a much harder goal to accomplish mad,takes a lot of work. The reality of our community is that we are very diverse. We don’t always agree but hopefully we can all agree onat least one goal--equality and re= spect. One shining light ha TOHR’s history is the number of great activists and leaders who have started with TOHR and then started their own specialized groups to great success. TORCH: As TOHR Program Director, what can we expect in the future? KY: Our new committee is currently working on many new programs but always wants to hear from the community on what YOU want. Talk to us .We will listen. ~ Ken Youngblood chairs TOHR’s Program Committee. He is a long-time Tulsa florist and antiques dealer with an alter-ego even more famous that he is! TORCH: Where did you grow up? Where is home for you? KY: I grew up in Jay, OK, Huckleberry Capital of the world and home to the mighty, mighty Bulldogs high school football team. Jay is a very small town and our home was in the country. Actually, almost all of Jay is in the country except for a couple of blocks where the courthouse for Delaware County is located. My father was a patrol officer for Lake Eucha and was an employee of the City of Tulsa. My morn owned her own beauty salon which was on main street. In college, at Northeastem State, I became very involved in anti-Vietnam War activities. My first step into the world of social politics! I guess I was a radical then too. After graduating with degrees in music, business, and political science, I drifted around the country for a while. In 1976 1 ended up in Tulsa and have been here ever since. I love the city! It has changed over the years. TORCH: When did you first get involved with TOHR? KY: Back then it was called Oklahomans for Human Rights. There was a sister group in OKC. My first memories of that group were Christmas Parties downtown at Trinity Episcopal. Back then I felt empowered by being with other gay people. The group always made me very proud to be gay. At that time the group was more social than political and I became personally much more political and with the AIDS epidemic, TOHR started to become more political. During the mid 80s, I was always helping with fund raisers and was a regular on the Gay Hotline. I’ve been involved off and on through all these years serving as first lady during 91 and 92. What a beating!! It has to be worse than being President!! TORCH: What are some ofyour TOHR memories?? KY: To be truthful, there have been years where we have made huge strides in the face of a lot of adversity. There have been years when the Board was absolutely awful. I believe the new board has the opportunity to take the community to a higher level but it won’t be easy. Division is easy and the low road. Unification TORCH: Now tell us about PEACHES. The truth is Peaches and Ken are very different individuals. Peaches is a created character. Peaches has helped raise more money for the community than most patrons. Ask her what she thinks (she will tell you even if you don’t). TORCH: Ah’ight Peaches, so what are your opinions of TOHR and the gay communiO,? PEACHES: Thank God somebody asked! Get off 5"our ass Gay Community! I’m tired of you .just sitting home whining that nothing goes on! A lot of you don’t support jack. TOHR is working its butt off! We need )’our help! Volunteer! Pay for the electric bill or the gas bill! Stop by and talk to us! Be part of the community instead of being an outsider. TOHR can only be relevant if everybody comes together and we help each other. Smooch!!~~,~ Out TOHR s Coming ~rst ~_Support Group continues to meet the f and third Wednesday of every month at 7:00pm at the Tulsa GLBTCommunity Center 5545 E. 41st Street. ~ Counselor and therapist John D. Cutright (MSN, LCSW) leads friendly and supportive discussion. ~ ALL WELCOME! ~. TOHR is seeking insurance bids from a GLBT-owned, managed and/or -affirming insurance agent. If you would like to bid on our insurance contract, please contact Michael Christopher at rnchdstopher@tohr.org. �Monday., Dec 13 6:30pro Fellowship Congregational Church 2900 South Harvard Bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share, or just come! Entertainment by ~Council Oak Men’s Chorale! o o o Reach thousands ofNE OMahoma’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, questioning, attd allied READERS ADVERTISE IN THE TORCH! o o Tuisa.Oklahomans for Human.Rights P.O. Box 2687 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 This may be your last issue! We’ve been mailing the Torch to a large list of past members and friends through this year. But as of the next issue, we’ll be mailing only to current Members and Volunteers! If you’d like to continue receiving the Torch, please fill out and return the Membership Form inside. Thanks! ~ Printed on recycled. chlorine flee l~aper For rate card and specs email mchristopher@tohr, org or p one Mlclaael at 74~-4297 � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2004] TOHR Torch, December - January 2004; Volume 4, Issue 2 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 2004, January 2005 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights December 2004 January 2004 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/84df893dfb1cb5ced31b1a964c46d0ba.jpg 31a6f5635bc4484837165f752087463c https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/343673e98813cfa3c8b4167afc0a78d7.pdf 05fadc1418301cd46b20c4c901bd6dc3 PDF Text Text August/September 2004 Volume three / issue four tulsa oklahomans for human rights Questions on Marriage: Law, Religion, and Equallity Professor M.V. Lee Badgett to Present GLBT History Lecture Tulsa Conference on Marriage Equality TOHR is co-sponsoring and helping to organize a conference on marriage equality, convening on October 2 at the DoubleTree Hotel Downtown. The conference targets mainstream Oklahoma, especially women, to build a base of knowledgeable citizens who can take the message of marriage equality out into our families, churches, schools, and workplaces. M. V. Lee Badgett. Associate Professor of Economics at the Universit~- of Massachusetts. Amherst. will present the second mmual GLBT ’contimwd on p. 6) The conference will take place a month before the November 2 election, when Oklahomans will decide State Question 711. If passed, this state question would add a new Section 35 to Article 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution. The proposed Section defines marriage to be between one man and one woman. It prohibits giving the benefits of marriage to people who are not married, and provides that same-sex marriages in other states are not valid in Oklahoma. And it makes issuing a marriage license in violation of the Section a misdemeanor. TOHR urges all members to educate themselves, their families, friends and neighbors on the impact of State Question 711, and to watch for upcoming information on the marriage equality conference. We also ask members to support PFLAG-Tulsa’s campaign to raise funds to purchase newspaper ad space before the upcoming election. This will help get our message out to Tulsa and beyond. 2004 Diversity Celebration Rocks! Parade Marshall Chad Allen (known for his work on TV’s Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) kicked off the all-day parade and festivities on Saturday, June 12. The nine-day long celebration began on June 4 with Tulsa PFLAG’s annual spaghetti dinner. Tim Williams (TW’s AFAB Catering) provided the delicious pasta and sauces and he also contributed finger foods to TOHR’s annual Art Show and Sale, held for the first time this year at Harwelden. During the week, the Tulsa City-County Library arranged book displays and a film screening, and the Council Oak Men’s Chorale also performed to an enthusiastic audience. On Friday evening, Veterans Park Crowd (continued on p. 3) �From the President Mark_Bonney I want to thank those volunteers who committed their time and energy to making this year’s Diversity Celebration successful. Those who attended the Diversity Gala heard from John Lawrence and his attorney Mitchell Katine. We learned about the history of the U.S. Supreme Court case. No one person has had more of an impact on the freedom of gays and lesbians than John Lawrence. Because of his courage, we are no longer uncharged, unconvicted felons in the State of Oklahoma. Oklahoma’s Sodomy Statute along with those in 13 other states was struck down by the Supreme Court. We had many thousands in attendance at the Diversity Celebration Parade and Festival. There were more booths and food vendors this year than in recent years. I want to thank all those who attended as well as those who entertained. Next year TOHR will celebrate 25 years of fighting for human rights in Oklahoma. We will need many volunteers willing to help make it even more successful. You can contact the center for more information on getting involved. TOHR will be working with other Tulsa groups to inform the public of the many legal and political issues that will be decided in the nex~ few months. It is important for all of us to not only be informed this year but to discuss these issues with our family, friend and co-workers. Look in the TORCH for articles that will contain talking points to help frame a discussion on the issues important to our community. Watch for expanded programming and events this fall and winter. Our annual membership meeting will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2004. Place that date on your calendar now, and RVSP by September 24. for human rights pubh.shed by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74]0] 918-743-4297 (phone) / 918-384-O] 08 (fax) www.toh r.org email: community@tohr.org O/~ce locano. Tulsa GLBT Colmnmfity Center 5545 East 41st Street Tulsa. OK 74135 TOHR Board of Directors Executive Board President--Mark Bonney 1st Vice President--Dr. Laura Belmonte 2nd Vice President--Lamont Lindstrom Secretary--Mike Williams Treasurer--Dwight Kealiher Assistant Treasurer~John Madigan Governing Board Director, Gender Outreach--Troy Nicholas Director, Board Development--Ken Youngblood Director, Fundraising--Dennis Neill Director, Advocacy--Laura Belmonte Director, Programs & Facilities---Ken Youngblood Directors at Larqe Janet Gearin Devon Rutherford Executive Director Michael Christopher TOHR’s Capital Campaiqn the Pryamid Project pyramidproject.org President, TOHR Chair Sue Welch Committee Members Theresa Barnard, Mark Bonney, Marc Frieden, Genesis iViinistries 2419 S. 83rd E. Avenue, Tulsa, OK Greg Gatewood, David Hoot, Brent Ortolani,, Marcy Smith and Tim Williams. TOHR is a 501(c)3 organization operated completely through donations and non.paid volunteers. Contribu- tions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of current Meets Sunday 11 am for service Wednesday 7 pm for Bible Study, Singing and Prayer John D. Cutr ght, MSW, LCSW Counselor & Psychotherapist 4870 S. Le ,ds Avenue Suite 190 Tulsa, OK 74105 918-284-0123 United States of America tax laws. The Torch, a publication of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, Inc. is published bimonthly with an estimated annual readership of 10,000. Subscription rates are paid contributing member dues of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHP0. Advertising rates are: business card: $25/issue; 1/4 page: $50/issue; ]/2 page: $75/issue and full page; $100/ issue. A 25% discounted rate is available with a paid annual advertising plan. The Torch is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part except by permission obtained by contacting TOHR directly. Credit must be given to TOHR. The views of the Torch are expressed in editorial only. Views expressed in letters to the editor and other submissions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the board of directors, contributing members or editors or leadership of TOHR. The Torch re serves the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. The Torch and/or TOHR is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors. Advertisements designed and created for publication in the Torch remain the property of TOHR. The Torch and/or TOHR cannot be responsible for claims by advertisers. The use of the name or likeness of a person or entity in the Torch in advertising or editorial content does not imply any particular sexual orientation or political affiliation. Copyright 2004, TOHR. �Volunteers Needed Different and the Same is a child focused initiative tahat helps children identify, talk about, and prevent prejudice. The centerpiece of the program is a series of nine 12 - 15 minute child friendly video tapes developed by the company affiliated with the highly regarded children’s program 19Iister Rogers Neighborhood. The videos utilize a diverse group of puppets and live actors to teach lessons about differences, respect, and getting along with others. In addition, a 122 page teacher’s guide and workshop facilitator’s guide accompany each set of videos. Through the tapes, teachers, volunteers, and their students touch on themes ranging from stereotyping, speaking different languages, cross-cultural and interracial friendships, and standing up against prejudice. A trained volunteer guides the process, encouraging the participants to share their own experiences and Diversity Celebration come up with creative solutions. These lessons stay with children for a lifetime, helping them to develop into cariug and compassionate citizens. The National Conference of Coimnunitv and Justice and the Junior League of Tulsa teamed up for the initial sponsorship of the project. The Advisory board has been expanded to inchided RSVP. Aanericma Red Cross. Tulsa Public Schools. Sand Spring Public Schools. and Union Public Schools. The Different and the Same Advisory Board. chaired by Nancy McDonald and Paula Langston. is seeking vohmteers for the 2004-2005 school year. Volunteers are asked to participate in a taro hour training session. quarterly meetings, and assume responsibility for presenting the nine week program, one hour per week. in a third grade classroom. The committee attempts to place you at a school of your choice. (continuedfrom page 1) those who attended TOHR’s annual Gala heard John Lawrence and his attorney Mitchell Katine recount the history of their successful appeal to the Supreme Court, which led to the nation-wide overturning of antiquated sodomy laws. TOHR members have participated in the training and presentations of the progrmn and are enthusiastic about the opportunity to work in this program. We are hoping to expand TOHR’s involvement and co~mnitment to education. Diversity’s high point arrived on Saturday the 12th. The parade, led by Chad Allen, marched down Cherry St., heading for Veterans Park. Between 8,000 and 10,000 people attended the parade and festival, enjoying an afternoon of music and other entertainment. If you are interested or have additional questions, please call Nancy McDonald. 742-8565 or contact her at nancymcdo@aol.com. TOHR’s 25th anniversary occurs next year and we are already planning for the best and most exciting Diversity Celebration in our history. To join in, keep an eye on our website, www.tohr.org. TOHR’s Advocacy Committee met most recently on July 21. There are mare- ways you can help the committee. Some of them include: *Volunteering to be part of our emerging Speaker’s Bureau. We appear at local business, community. church, and school organizations to educate the comanunitv and to create alliances. Help show our neighbors who we are. *Volunteering to call and/or write the editors of the Ttdsa World Help us respond to the anti-gay diatribes flint appear far too often. Help us k,eep our issues in the news in a fair and balanced way. *Volunteer your artistic and/or graphic design expertise. Help us design posters, flyers, and other publications. Join us at our next monthly tneeting at 6:30 p.m.. Wednesday. )kugust 18th at the Pride Center. Contact Laura Belmonte at 295-8941 or labelmonte@hotmail.com for more information The weekly GLBT conununity list of events and activities entailed to you ever3." week. Contact TOHR today at ¢ommuait.v~tohr.org to sign up. TOHR Advocates for Your Rights Grand Marshall Chad Allen �Information @ Your Public Library Mike Williams, TOHR Secretary The fellow once said "nothing is certain but death and taxes" and I suppose that this is true. However, there’s one other certainty on which you can depend and that’s your public library! The Tulsa City-County Library System serves our customer base with a Central Library and 23 branch locations plus a Genealogy Center. The staff at TCCL is ready and able to help with everything from books to multi-media plus a host of reference services of which most people may be unaware. Did you know you could call 596-7977 and ask questions? "I need to register to vote, where might I do that?" or, "WCho is my state representative, my United States Congressman/Senator? .... Do you have information on the upcoming political candidates?" Or "I remember a song that my grandmother sang to me when I was little, or a poem she recited and here is the first line." These are just a few questions that come to a librarian on any given day; there are no stupid questions, only questions without answers. If we don’t have the answer, chances are we can refer you to someone who does. Got questions about the business world, about investments, need to have some in-depth research done for a paper or a speech? Are you curious about which public library branch is nearest you? Call 596-7977 and let us help you. Call 585-1188 Tour www.gaelicgourment.com 108 E. 18th SL Tulsa, OK Candidate Forums September 10 and 28 On September 10th and 28th. TOI-[R and PFLAG will host candidate fonuns. The fortress will be open to all parties and to t~deral and state-level candidates. Discussion will be mt~erated and candidates will be asked preprepared questions. Time penuittmg, we will open the floor for audience questions. A voter registration booth will be open. Watch for forum thue and location i!~t’ommtion. Subscribe to our fi’ee eNEWS se~wice for details on events like this: send email to mchristol)her:&tohr.org with the words StTBSCRIBE ENEWS h~ the sut~ect ILne. CArt 357-1757 SPECIALIZING IN DIVE TRAINING FOR IHE NEW SCUBADIVER SPECL~IIY CLASSES ALSO AVAI.ABLE Timothy Sean Fitzgerald On tap from the Gaelic Gourmet Lunches in the box- and in the boardroom. Milemarkers like weddings, birthdays, graduations, wakes, retirements, promotions, anniversaries -- basically anything worth celebrating. Cheese for retail (in 55 assorted selections). Hors d’oeuvre trays with something for everyone. Bread focaccias, brioche and crusty Io_aves. Covered in herbs, chockfull of fruit. We blend the butter, too. Waffle breakfasts starring our own bacon. Wine tasting with a sommelier who can expertly pair the acid in wine with the enzyme in cheese. It’s a gift. Desserts made to order. Dinner cooked, casual, catered. We’ll even serve it for you, give it that special touch. Pig roasts and other grand feasts. Farmer’s market every Saturday in season. Call him the Earl of Cherry Street. (Somebody else can be King.) Cocktail receptions because you have to eat, don’t you? "Why can’t we just have ribs and fried chicken? You can. Surprise us. We love a challenge. ~’ou get the food, you get me too. We’re inseparable’ www.scubachef.net Kelly Kirby CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant "For All Your Accottnt#~g Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many special situations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 48"15 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74"!35-3066 9"18.747.5466 �Interview with a Board Member. Dennis Neill Dennis Neiil was one of the founders of TOHR in 1980. Currently, he is back on TOHR’s Board serving as Director of Fundraising. Dennis is also involved in several new endeavors such as the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa and Tulsa Reaches Out that will help serve the needs of our community. the future. Also, since Tulsa is home for us, we want to live on an equal footing. Working with our wonderful allies in other organizations, we will make progress! We have a great base to work from. The Community, Center is one of the largest in this part of the country. We have a very diverse and strong Diversity Celebration that reaches out to thousands, And we have 24 years of service by all the wonderful volunteers who have made what we do possible. TORCH." Where did you grow up? Where is home for you? 1 DN: I grew up in Ponca City, went to college at Oklahoma State and law school at the University of Texas. I have lived in Tulsa since graduating from law school in 1977, so Tulsa is my home. TORCH: How did you first become involved with TOHR? DN: In the late 1970s, Oklahomans for Human Rights was formed in Oklahoma City to fight for equal rights for the gay and lesbian community. Socially, I knew some of those involved in this effort With others in the Tulsa community, we decided to start a chapter of OHR in Tulsa in 1980 and I served as the first president. We incorporated as our own Tulsa-based non-profit in 1985. TORCH: How has TOItR, and the challenges it responds to, changed over the years? DN: In the first years of our organization, it was important to help our members and our community be comfortable being who they were. Thus, we sponsored lots of social activities and educational programs, which ~vere very well received. We also started an important health outreach program by running free testing clinics for sexually transmitted diseases. By the mid-1980’s, the organization became more focused on some advocacy and the tremendous clmllenges of HIV and AIDS, ~vhile continuing the information line, monthly educational meetings and some sports programming. I was not very active with TOHR in the 1990s, so I am not as familiar with the services provided during that time. Today, we are serving a vital advocacy role as the media seeks to have spokespersons for issues involving the GLBT community. Also, while exciting firings are happening for the GLBT community as a whole, we still must contend with a lack of public understanding in Oklahoma of GLBT issues reunify at large who understand GLBT issues, many others remain ill-informed or very homophobic. Many business, COUUlltmi~’, m~d political leaders are simply not doing enough to encourage diversity’ and acceptance which is vital if Tulsa is going to be economically successful in TORCH: And what more needs to be done? DN: Keep up the fight, increase support for TOHR and other progressive organizations, and be willing to speak out whenever possible. and contributions and with a hostile and rather homophobic political environment. TOHR’s Community Center and CyberCafe are very important to a large number of our community members and our allies. TOHR serves as the center of operations for a significant pan of the GLBT community in the Tulsa area. TORCH: What other projects and organizations are you working with at the moment? DN: The newly formed Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa. Through this entity, we are channeling our charitable giving $$ to Tulsa non-profits which practice real diversity in their organizations by including sexual orientation protection in their nondiscrimination policies. We believe the dollar branding can have a positive impact in the Tulsa area. I am also working with many others on "Tulsa Reaches Out," a plan with the Tulsa Community Foundation to raise $100,000 local dollars and $100,000 from an outside challenge grant to be used to fund certain programs that will serve the needs of the GLBT community. TORCH: Based on your experience in the community, is Tulsa changing? DN: Not as much as many of us would like and not at the pace that other parts of the country are experiencing. While I believe we have more people in the corn- BUILDING BRIDGES: Gay and Lesbian Catholics and the Church WHEN: Saturday. August 14. 9:00am to 3:00pro. WHERE: Tulsa GLBT Couumufitv Center. 5545 E. 41st Street. There is a compassionate group of Catholics reaching out to the GLBT conmmmtv. The gay-positive group New Ways Ministry is working with priests, religious educators and parents against a long history of institutionalized intolerance. Tiffs work is extremely challenging. and TOHR applauds the efforts of Francis DeBernardo aM Brother Tereuce Cant. CFC. welcomm~z them to the Center to present tacit workshop. Catholics fi:om all over Northeastern Oklahoma are invited to atten& especially spiritual and educational leaders. The day-long workshop is co-sponsored by TOHR. $55 at the door or $45 pre-registere& To preregister visit the Center at 5545 E. 41st. Tulsa GLBT Information Line 743=GAYS (743-9127) �(continuedfrom p. 1) History Project lecture. The lecture will take place on Friday, October 8 at All Souls Unitarian Church. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6:00 p.m., followed by buffet dinner and lecture at 7:00 p.m. Badger will speak on the international history of same-gender marriage, the topic of her current research. Her recent publications include the Slate commentary "Prenuptial Jitters: Did Gay Marriage Destroy Heterosexual Marriage in Scandinavia?" She is the author of Money, Myths, and Change: The Economic Lives ofLesbians and Gay Men and is also Research Director and cofounder of the Institute for Gay and Lesbian Strategic Studies. Important: RSVP at 743-4297 The Advocate magazine named her one of"Our Best and Brightest Activists" for her ground-breaking research that debunks the myth of gay affluence. Out magazine also named TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PO Box 2687 TULSA, OK 74101 Do we have your emaii address? If not, then you’re missing our free eNEWS service that sends links to impOrtant stodes of interest to the GLBT community every week or two. Send email to mchristopher@tohr.org with the words ENEWS SUBSCRIBE in the subject line. Printed on recycled. chlorhae flee paper her one of the "Out 100" for her advoeacy mad research. Badgett has appeared on television in the U.S. and U.K. and on many radio shows including NPR’s Talk of the Nation. She is an accomplished mad lively speaker and frequently addresses audiences across the country. In addition to the University of Massachusetts, Badgett has taught at Yale and the University of Maryland. She lives in Northampton with her parmer and their two dogs where she gardens, hikes, and plays soccer and the guitar. NEW Coming Out Group TOHR’s new Coming Out Group will meet Wednesdays at 7:00 pro. beginning on September 8th at the Center (5545 E. 41st). Counselor and psychotherapist Jolm D. CutriN~t (MSW. LCSW) will lead friendly and supportive discussion. ALL WELCOME! � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2004] TOHR Torch, August-September 2004; Volume 3, Issue 4 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 August - September Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights August September 2004 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/93a2b516b2cb7f633175440172a5e86f.jpg fb9aed01aa036fb5b1742a8caf7a25d3 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/c661e08772aa4d0e5e3fd29c860dda9b.pdf 26bf2103ea5d5a0d64b21e583cbde6c3 PDF Text Text April 2005 Volume four / Issue four oklahomans for human rights Celebrate DIVERSITY 20051 Kelly Carter Each year TOHR brings a week of Diversity Celebration to Tulsa and to the State of Oklahoma. Our goal is to bring people together to celebrate wbo and what we are. It’s a week that wi[I be filled with the laughter of children playing in the "KID ZONE", with volleyball games in the park, great music coming from the stage, good food and the harmony of a community united. In 1997, TOHR hosted the first-ever Tulsa gay pride march with 60 participants. Today, Diversity has grown to a week filled with events and we have the second largest gay pfide parade and the [m-gest gay pride festival in the state of Oklahoma. In an effort to make Diversity 2005 bigger and better than even, Open am~s Youth Project (OYP), Parents and Friends of Lesbians and gays (PFLAG) and Tulsa Oklabomarts for Human Rights (TOHR), the three leading GLBT organization in Northeast Oklahoma, are working together to sponsor a week of exciting events. (cant onp 8) David Bohnett CyberCenter GRAND OPENING: 20 April Thanks to the generosity oftbe David BohneR Foundation, Tulsa Oklahomm~s for Human Rights is constructing a new CyberCenter at the GLBT Community Center. The CyberCenter’s Grand Opening will take place on April 20, 5:00-7:00 p.m. The David Bohnett CyberCenter will be equipped with state-of-the-art computers to enable access to the Intornet and to provide software training. This new facility will help bridge the ’digital divide’ by giving access to technologies and resources to those that may not have them (cant onp. 4) Oklahoma Legislature = Anti-Mom Lamont Lindstrom Anne Magro and Heather Finstuen (pictured above with their six-year old twin daughters) came to Tulsa last month to attend a reception for Lambda Legal’s Executive Director Kevin Cathcart, hosted by Lambda Legal Board Member (and TOHR supporter) Mona Pittinger. Anne and Heather moved to Norman after Anne accepted a position in the University of Oklahoma’s School of Accomtting. Heather, who has worked in publishing, is cun’ently a student in OU’s College of Law. Since the family moved to Oklahoma, they bare enjoyed friendly neighbors and co-workers but they also have had to confront our state’s stubborn homophobia. Together for I3 years, both are rooms to their daughters Heather legally adopting the children after Anne gave birth to the twins, when the coupled lived in New Jersey. In May, 2004, the Oklahoma State Legislature burried to pass a law that withdrew state recognition of adoption of children by same-sex parents elsewhere in the U.S. Legislators responded to Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s opinion that Oklahoma was obligated to recognize such (co,it on p 4) out-of-state adoption decrees and to issue amended birtb �From the President www.tohr.org Dear TOHR Members and Supporters, So many wonderful things are happening at TOHR as you will read throughout this TORCH. TOHR is known in Madison, Wisconsin. 1 have been invited to appear on a panel at an Indian Law conference at the University of Wisco~sin Law School on April I, 2005. The panel will discuss the case of Kathy and Dawn who are litigating with Todd Hembree, a Cherokee Nation member, who filed suit to "void" their marriage certificate. I was invited as the President of TOHR. On behalf of the Board, I want to acknowledge the dedication of Toby Jenkins (see article in this issue) t’or his work in programlning the Palm Sunday Service. The service was wonderful. We had over 150 in attendance and the offaring raised almost $500.00 for TOHR. The Board wishes also to thank the many spiritual leaders who participated. We look forward to the upcoming Pride Interfaith Service that will expand upon the Palm Sunday Service by bringing leaders from many faith communities together. TOHR Board of Directors Executive Board Presiden~Mark Bonney 1 st Vice Presiden~Dr Laura Belmonte Secretary--Mike Williams Treasurer--Dwight Kealiher Assistant Treasurer--John Madigan As you are aware, Diversity Celebration planning is continuing. Time is running out to participate. This year PFLAG and OpenArms Youth Project have joined together with TOHR to organize the parade and a week-long series of diversity festival events. If you want to volunteer please attend upcoming volunteer meetings. Refer to the calendar of events to find out the dates oftbe meetings. The Cybercenter grand opening is set for April 20th. We now have at least ten workstations with Internet access and MS Office 2003. Sof~are suggestions are appreciated. L Word~atch par~ nights bare been a success and TIVO is available. Let Greg Gatewood, the Center Director, know what you would like to have taped. lf~our group has not met at the Center in some time or if you have a new group, consider booking the Center for your meetings. Contact the Center Director for information oll availability. Center Director Greg Gatewood TOHR’s Capital Campaiqn The Pyramid Project pyramidproject org Overall TOHR’s Comnmnity Center is a vibrant place with many happenings and events. Come down and enjoy. Mark Bonney Chair Sue Welch President, TOHR David Hoot, S hel[y Marcy Smith and Tim wirliams John D. Cutright, MSW, LCSW Counselor & Psychotherapist 4870 S. Lewis Avenue Suite 190 T-l a, OK 74105 918-284-0123 Children Adolescents * Adult Couples �Pyramid Project HOME TOUR May 15th The L Word On the Center’s Big Screen Sue Welch You won’t want to miss the May 15th home tour that we have planned. The tour features the home built by the inventor of the parking meter, a home owned by a lesbian couple of 45 years which has been highlighted on HGTV’s Restore America, the Castle of Terwilleger Heights that has a secret room used during the Prohibition Era, and the home of well-known Tulsa designer and author, Charles Faudree. These Beautiful Tulsa homes will welcome and delight you! Check TOHR’s eNEWS for further details. (You can subscribe to eNEWS marling list by emailing center~b~TOHR.o rg.) Over 250 people attended February’s Wild Hearts Ball. The ball, sponsored by Level Vodka, Out~K Film Festival, Club Maverick, TNT’s, HOT’s, and the End Up Club, raised over $5000 for the Pyramid Project. To date, over $335,000 capital campaign contributions and pledges have been raised in support of TOHR’s future homebase. A building search committee expects to begin work later this year. Come join your fi’iends at the Tulsa GLBT Communi!3 Center each Sunday to see Showtime popular series, the "L Word," Doors open at 8:30 p.m. The show starts at 9:00 p.m. TOHR FUNDRAISERS @ PLAYMOR & MAVERICK GREG GATEWOOD IS TOHR’S NEW CENTER DIRECTOR The TOHR Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Greg Gatewood has been hired to be the Community Center’s fidl-time Director. This hiring comes after a decision to restructure the job responsibilities after TOHR’s Executive Director resigned in early February. "We are pleased to have engaged the services of Greg," stated Mark Bonney. "Greg has an eight year history of service to the GLBT Community and TOHR. He brings a wealth of experience to tbe organization and the operations of the Community Center. Greg is heavily involved in Diversity Celebration 2005, serves as the First VicePresident of PFLAG, and gas recently been assisting the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa. He will hit the ground running. A big welcome from all of us, Greg." Everyone is welcome to come down to the Communit3, Center to meet Greg and to see the exciting new Bohnett CyberCenter that opens on April 20th. Join hosts ~ Tippie Walker and Marc Dodson at the Playmot (1737 S. Memorial) on Saturday, APRIL 9 at 10:30 p.m. for a TOHR fundraiser: Sooner State Live, The T-Town Rodeo will be underway and the crowd ready to pmV. TOHR’s own Peaches Lennox will be there "fleecing wallets from the audience and backstage." A second fundraiser will take place on May 20, from 9:30 to I 1:00 p.m., at the Club Maverick (822 S. Sheridan). Watch TOHR’s eNEWS for further information. Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant "For AII Your Accounting Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many special situations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 4815 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-3066 918.747.5466 743-GAYS �otherwise. The CyberCenter is available to the public for research, skillbuilding, and personal recreational use. The CyberCenter contains: GARRETT LAW OFFICE, P.C. Garrett Law Office~ P.C. is an association of lawyers with one common goal: to serve the public interest by representing injured persons or persons with property damage who are susceptible to possible unfair treatment by insurance companies. Our practice areas are: INSURANCE DISPUTES PERSONAL INJURY WRONGFUL DEATH JOB-RELATED INJURIES SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY PRODUCT LIABILITY SECURITIES FRAUD BANKRUPTCY Call our office for a free consultation before you commit to signing a release which could compromise the value of your claim and your legal rights. 1-888-GARRETT In Tulsa: 622-9292 Remember - The adjuster works for the insurance company- 10 IBM workstations ~vith fiat panel displays--all with Internet access and Microsoft Office Suite; ® Network attached IBM high-end laser printer; ® Flat bed scanner; ® Wireless hub, allowing internet access for laptop users. In addition, one workstation has a full suite of publishing/photoediting tools; and others are equipped with the latest in gaming software. Tile CyberCenter is arranged to facilitate instructional usage. From time to time, TOHR will sponsor educational classes on matters such as: General Introduction to the Internet and Email; Using Microsoft Office; Using Microsoft Outlook; Internet Basics; Using Photoshop and Pagemaker (Publishing); annd Digital Photo and Video tips and tricks. Educational classes will generally last 1 ½ hours each. The cost for each class will generally be $8 for TOHR members, $10 for non-members, plus materials costs. Other organizations may arrange to rent the CyberCenter for their usage and training for $30 per hour, plus materials costs. The David Bohnett Foundation was founded by David Bohnett, designer of GeoCities, which later became a part of Yahoo.com. David is determined to improve our society through social activism. He recognizes the importance of the internet in creating that change. He want to ensure that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community are connected and using the immense potential of the web. TOHR is very appreciative of being selected for the installation of the 20 th CyberCenter ill the U.S. Come to the Grand Opening and get online! WE WORK FOR YOU! Bumper sticker seen in Tulsa: Focus on Your Own Damn Family! certificates listing Gay or Lesbian parents. The law decrees that Oklahoma "shall not recognize an adoption by more than one individual of the same sex from any other state or foreign jurisdiction." But in addition to preventing future Oklahoma recognition of adoptions occurring in other states or nations, the law could also be interpreted to nullify existing adoptions whenever families come into our state. Anne and Heather’s neighbors recognize that they are their children’s mothers, but will the State of Oklahoma? The law threatens families and endangers parents’ relations with their children. With the help of Lambda Legal, Anne and Heather have joined together with a number of other parents and children and sued to overturn this hurtful law. Brian Chase, Lambda Legal Staff Attorney, has criticized State legislators "who disapprove of gay people and lashed out by passing a law that punishes children for having gay or lesbian parents." The law should be found unconstitutional and in violation of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection, and the Full Faith and Credit clause of the U.S. constitution. Anne and Heather have won their first round in federal court. The State filed a motion to dismiss the suit under the 1 lt~ amendment and lost. It has, however, taken this loss to the 10ta Circuit Court Court of Appeals in Denver. Anne and Heather’s family will be caught in the courts for some time to come. TOHR members can help by talking to friends and neighbors to help them understand that strong Oklahoma families come in all shapes and sizes. TOHR supporters might also attend PFLAG’s Lobbying Day at the State Capital on April 6 (see back cover for details) and buttonhole legislators urging them to rescind this attack on Oklahoma’s families and children. �UPCOMING TOHR EVENTS CALENDAR April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 -- Movie Nights at the Center. Join us at 6:30 for fun, film, and fi’iends at the Center. April 2- Diversity Celebration Volunteer Meeting. 10 a.m. at tbe Center April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 -- H.O.P.E. Free Anonymous HIV Testing. 4:0~-7:00 p.m. at the Center. April 3, 10, 17, 24 -- The L Word. Watch Pal~y! Join a crowd of Pans to watch The L Word at the Center. 8:30 p.m. April 2, 9-- Queer as Folk. Or join FOLK fans to watch Season Four on the Center’s big screen, 9:00 p.m. April 5, 12, 19, 26 -- H.O.P.E. Free Anonymous HIV Testing. 6:00--8:00 p.m. at the Center. April 6, 13, 20, 27 -- Gender Outreach Oklahoma Drop-in Days. Meet at the Center at 7:00 p.m. April 8-10 -- T-Town Rodeo. Check out Soouer State Rodeo Assn.’s website w~w.soonerstaterodeo.com April 9-- TOHR Fundraiser @ Playmor. Join hosts Tippie Walker and Marc Dodson and rodeo fans at 10:30 p.m. April 14, 28 -- Women’s Group. 7:00 p.m. at the Center April 16 -- Gender Outreach Oklahoma, General Meeting. 7:00 p.m. at the Center. April 20 -- CyberCenter Grand Opening. Come down to celebrate the opening of the David Bohnet~ CyberCenter, at the Community Center, 5-7 p.m. May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29-- The L Word. Watch Party! Join a crowd of I~ans to watch The L Word at the Center, 8:30 p.m. May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 -- H.O.P.E. Free Anonymous HIV Testing. 6:00--8:00 p.m. at the Center. May 4, 11, 18, 25 -- Gender Outreach Oklahoma Drop-in Days. Meet at the Center at 7:00 p.m. May 6, 13, 20, 27 -- Movie Nights at the Center. Join us at 6:30 for fun, fihn, and friends at the Center May 12, 26 -- Women’s Group. 7:00 p.m. at the Center May 15 Tulsa Home Tour, in support of the Pyramid Project. May 20 -- TOHR Fundraiser @ Mavericks. 9:30--11:00 pro. Check eNEWS for more information. May 21 Gender Outreach Oklahoma, General Meeting. 7:00 p.m. at the Center. ’ affirming congregations who ~ came together for a Pahn Sunday interdenominational ser~ vice. A special offering was taken to support TOHR, its / Center, and its prograras that serve the GLBT comrnunity of ~ northeast Oklahoma. 743-GAYS �Focus on Supporting Organizations: Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG TULSA) In eacb Torcb, we offer a supporting organization in Oklahoma rite opportunity to highligbt its activities on behalf of tbe GLBT communi~F, lfyour organization is interested in submitting an article in a future Torch, please contact us at communiO@~tobr.org. In tbis edition, Nancy McDonaM of PFLAG’s Tulsa Chapter describes the history and mission of this important and supportive organization. In 1972, Morton Manf~rd was physi~ cally ariacked at a gay rights demonstration in New York. It just happen to be the Stonewall Bar. MorO’s parents, Jeanne and Jules Manford, saw the attack on a local newscast and witnessed the failure of the police to intervene, Their outrage turned them into activists. The concept of PFLAG began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford lnarched with her gay son in New York’s first PRIDE Day Parade. During and after the parade many g~y men and lesbians ran up to Jeanne and begged her to talk to their parents. Jeanne decided to begin a support group. Approximately 20 people attended the first formal meeting held in March 1973 at a local church. In the next years, through word of mouth and in response to communit3, need, similar groups sprung up around the country, offering "safe havens" and mutual support for parents with gay and lesbian cbildren. Following the 1979 National March for Gay and Lesbian Rights, representatives from these support groups met for tbe first time in Washington, DC and in !981, members decided to launch a national organization. The first PFLAG office was established in Los Angeles under founding President Adele Start’. In 1982, the Federation of Parents and Friends (PFLAG), then comprising some 20 groups, incorporated in California and was declared a nonprofit organization. In 1990, fo[Iowinga period of enormous growth, PFLAG hired an Executive Director, added family to its name, and became a membersbip based organization. PFLAG Tulsa was organized as a Chapter in I987. The Metropolitan Community Church hosted a group of interested people to ascertain interest in organizing a Chapter. Three Tulsa Families decided to formally organize the Tulsa Chapter and there bas been steady growth in membership. We affiliated with the National organization in 1988 and were the 27th Chapter to be organized. There are now 500 Chapters in the United States. The vision of the organization is, "We, the parents, families m~d friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual and trangender persons, celebrate diversily and envision a society that embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and gender identifies. Only with respect, digni~ and equaliW for all will we reach our full poten- tia[ as human beings, individually and collectively." PFLAG welcomes the participation and suppol~ of all who share in, and hope to realize, this viOur mission is to promote the health and well being of GLBT persons, their families and fi’iends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill in,brined public, and advocacy to end discrimination and secure equal civil rights. PFLAG provides an opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. The Tulsa chapter offers support groups for parents, family members, and friends who learn they have a child, sibling, relative or friend who is GLBT as well as GLBT persons who are considering coming out to their families. Members are actively engaged in educafion of self, family, fi-iends and the community at large. They make presentations to schools, community groups, nonprofit organizations and civic clubs plus provide information to any person or group requesting this, Tbey hold monthly educational meetings, The chapter is actively engaged in advocacy and has participated in lobbying days at the State Capitol, speaking before committees at the Legislature, working for safe schools, meeting with editorial boards, State Representatives, State Senators, CiW Council members, etc. We welcome anyone to join the organization and ceriainly encourage parents to participate. PFLAG is the bridge between the gay and straight communities and opens doors to conversation and action. PFLAG’s Helpline number is (918) 749-490 I, and its email address is pflagtulsa@hotmail.com. �Palm Sunday Service Toby Jenkins Pahn Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week in Christianity, the days leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus and His resurrection. Newspapers are full of announcements publicizing special events and services to cornrent interpretations. Lost among the publicity of services for Yulsa’s religious community was one rather historic and unique evem for those who identify themselves as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and their friends and families. The LGBT community held a Joint Palm Sunday Service for affirming and inclusive churches, a first time event they hope to recreate annually. SCANDALS! Homophobic society regularly suffers scandals and sex panics, and Tulsa has been no exception. The case of Billy James Hargis (1925-2004) was one of the most lurid of these. Hargis rose to fame as leader of the Christian Crusade and American Christian College, once located on S. Sheridan Ave. Hargis gained a national reputation, while working as a pastor in Sapulpa in the 1950s, for preaching the perils of communism and its godless allies that had infiltrated government, business, unions, Hollywood, and the mainline Protestant churches. He ran with this message onto TV and radio. But Hargis is even more famous as the first televangelist to be burned by Gay sex. His organization, in 1968, had published is the School House the Proper Place to Teach Raw Sex? But in 1974, according to Time magazine. Hargis officiated at the wedding of two of his students who discovered that both had lost their virginity to him. Three young men in the college’s choir (All-American Kids) next revealed that Hargis had sexually abused them for several years. Hargis resigned from the College which went bankrupt, its campus later purchased by OU’s College of Medicine. Buddhist temples, synagogues, almost every branch of the Christian faith include gay believers. The Diversity Interfaith Service has always been one of the pillars of Pride Week. a week of celebration and honor for the LGBT community, so it was not difficult to assemble several pastors, ministers and churches for an afternoon of worship. With 23 churches represented, Diversity Christian Fellowship International hosted the afternoon in their newly remodeled sanetuary. Dr. Mark Bighley. organist for Bethany Lutheran Church, played the processional piece "Glory, Laud, and Honor." Reverend Rad~brd Rader, pastor of College Hill Presbyterian, led the Invocation with a Biblical reference to Elijah’s lament of solitude and discovery of other like churches. Andre Martin, Music Minister at Unity Church of Christianity, set the tone of the service as he sang "In This Very Room" before Mark Bonney, president of Tulsa Oklahoman’s for Human Rights, graciously greeted the participants while recognizing the comfort that so many find within their own faith and individual ministers and pastors. Reverend Culliver Brool~nan, minister of Unity Churcb of Christianity, read a passage from the Hebrew Scriptures, followed by the Voices Praise Team from College Hill Presbyterian Church who led the service in a contemporary direction, CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! The Tulsa GLBT Community Center is looking for a few good people to oin the ranks of Tulsa’s freest voluneers: Center volunteers respond to the GLBT In fok?me, talkmg with people who need every imaginable kthd of information. Volunteers run the Center, operate the Pride Store, and help people with the CyberCaf& We provide training, a wonderful environment �Kelly Carter, Sheldon, and friends, Diversity Parade 2004 prompting hands clapping and being raised in worship. John Mercer, chairperson of the Deacon Board at Fellowship Congregational Church UCC, read a passage from Psahns. Chaz Gaut, pianist at Unity Church of Christianity, played the offertory hymn, "We Shall Behold Him" as ushers collected an offering designated for the continued work of TOHR, with Reverend Cathy Elliot, Pastor of Metropolitan Christian Church United, blessing it. Reverend Barney McLaughlin. minister at Bethany Christian Church, read a passage from the Epistle to the Philippians and Paul Allen, worship leader at Metropolitan Community Church United, sang "Written in Red" which introduced the Gospel reading by Reverend Alice Jones, pastor of Genesis Ministries, depicting Jesus entering Jerusalem. Reverend Leslie Penrose, pastor of Community of Hope UCC, took the historic account mid weaved a modemday reflection of how Jesus’ disciples loved the parade atmosphere of the triumphal entry but the work of the cross was still ahead. "We too love the parade of Palm Sunday, but there is still so much work that is ahead of us," said Penrose. She praised significant accomplishments within the I~st 30 years saying, "At this time, we associate Gay with Marriage and not Gay with AIDS. Diversity 2005 will feature an even bigger parade, more live entertainment by our local stars, more gaines and fun for the kids, and more activities for youth. Even though these three groups are pulling together there is much still to do. Volunteers, sponsors, and colnmunity chairs are needed to help make the day a success. The next volunteer planning meeting takes place April 2 at 10:00 a.m. atthe GLBT community center. For more information about the 2005 Diversity Celebration, please contact Greg Gatewood at the GLBT Community center (918-749-GAYS) or Kelly Carter at kcarter@cox.net. Family Pride Spaghetti Dinner PFLAG Tulsa Friday, June 3 7:00 PM; Location TBA Interfaith Service Sunday June 5th Time TBA; Location TBA Respect for All PFLAG Tulsa Monday. June 6 Time TBA; Location TBA ART Show & Sale TOHR Tuesday, June 7 Time TBA; Location TBA COMC Concert Tulsa City-County Lib~w Thursday, June 9 Time TBA; Location TBA Diversi& Gala TOHR Friday. June 10 Time TBA Vista Room Gilcrease Museum Tulsa GLBT PRIDE Parade Tulsa GLBT & Allied community Saturday, June I 1 11:00am; Streets of Tulsa Tulsa Pride & Diversigv Festival Tulsa GLBT & Allied community Saturday, June I 1 12:00-5:00 PM; Veterans Park (¢ont on p 9) We gather for weddings now and not so many funerals as we used to do." Her words brought tears of joy and affirmation to many as she remembered how 15 years ago MCC and its pastors were the only ones welcom- DIVERSITY CELEBRATION 2005 June 3 - June 11 Calendar of Events 1985 2005 �Interview with a Board Member." Christina Elder Christina Elder was elected last month to f!ll an empO~ chair on TOHR’s Board of Directors. Christina is also TOHR’s new Vohmteer Coordinator. TORCH." Where did you grow up? Where is’ homeJbr you? CE: I moved to Tulsa when I was 8 so this is definitely where I call home. TORCH." How did you become involved with TOHR? CE: I started volunteering with TOHR in October of 2004 when I answered a cry for volunteers through an online support group. I jumped right in and began helping organize TOHR’s public communications, sending emails and making phone calls. I also suggested a number of changes I thought would beneficial to the organization. In February, I received a call asking me to take over as volunteer coordinator and in March I was elected to the TOHR board. TORCH." How is’ it coordinating TOHR’s volunteers? CE: Honestly, I haven’t had to do much at this point. I have scheduled some training dates this Spring. I am also signing up new volunteers who are excited about what TOHR is doing in our community. I think the biggest advantage of my position is the opportunity to meet new, amazing people. The hardest part so far: Convincing people that change is a good thing. CE: In addition to regular volunteer hours needed to keep the Center open, Tulsa’s Diversity Celebration is coming up this June 4-11. Everyday of that week will offer new and exciting ways to take part in the celebrations. There is something for everyone, everyday. Whether you like parties and parades or greeting and cleaning, I have something planned for you! TORCH." And are there new ways in which people can vohmteer to help TOHR serve the community? ing the LGBT community and thanked them for their years of solitary service. Reverend Penrose used a timeline to describe how churches began to open up and new ministries were founded to minister to the spiritual needs of the community, stating "we were challenged to create a new world." Reverend Chuck Breckenridge of Diversity Christian Fellowship International presided over the communion portion of the service with the very touching words: "we say with Jesus, we have been waiting for you," as the congregation joined each other at the open communion table. Mark Watkins, Minister of Liturgical Worship and the Arts at Fellowship Congregational Church UCC, directed their choir in two musical selections, with Victor Evans, Minister of Music at Community of Hope UCC, accompanying them. Bishop Rick Hotlingsworth, founder of The Parish Church of Saint Jerome thanked everyone for their attendance and participation and gave the final benediction and blessing. Justin Schroeder, Young Adult Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church was unable to attend due to prior commitments but sent word of support to the united effort of all Tulsa inclusive churches. Reach thousands of NE Oklahoma’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendereg questioning, and allied READERS As the large crowd dismissed, an observer could be reminded of the oftused gay anthem "We Are Family." ADVERTISE IN THE TORCH! For rate card and specs. ernail community@tohr.org or phone Greg Gatewood at 6298680. The weekly GLBT community list of events and activities emailed to you every week. Contact TOHR today at community@tohr.org to sign up �PFLAG LOBBYING DAY 6 April 2005 P-FLAG’s Lobbying Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, April 6tho A carpool will be leaving from Fellowship Congregational at 7:30 a.m. and the event is in the Capital Rotunda from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This is an important opportunity to make ourselves seen and heard. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights RO. Box 2687 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101 � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2005] Torch, April 2005; Volume 4, Issue 4 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2004 April Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights April 2004 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/556e123be3f967746cef3f5fed4df54a.jpg be10718676f541a4718fc207de6d00b9 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/2725c34f47c7fb3bb8cb01eba62ad725.pdf bd45785255f8e4e1b3d7d05637913daa PDF Text Text the tulsa oklahomans rich ts quarterly news/ volume one/issue four Tulsa ’s the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender d community! Arr James C. to s Films, Art and the There’s 2003 On & World �Know the Past.,,Change the Future! A Short History of Oklahoma’s Sodomy Law TOHR recently started the Tulsa GLBT History Project. This is the first ofa continuing series of short articles on gay and lesbian history in Oklahoma. For more information andfor a list of sources for this arn’cle, see the History Project’s web page on www. tohr.org. The Historical Backdrop Earl)’ versions of sodomy laws first appeared in English ecclesiastical courts in the thirteenth century. Later, King Henry. VIII ~ified "bugger3.," laws in 1533 as part of his ongoing battle to wrest power from the Church. Unlike today, those laws generally only punished anal sex between men. The laws did not distinguish between consensual and non-consensual sex. Although only sporadically enforced, the penalty for sodomy was usually death. England’s laws were repealed by Queen Mary I but later re-enacted by Queen Elizabeth I. In the seventeenth centuo’, the American Colonies began importing these laws across the Atlantic. Fueled by religious bias and the need for population gro,s~, newly formed states and territories in the U.S., including the Territory of Oklahoma, adopted sodomy laws as part of their criminal codes. In 1890, the Tern’tory of Oklahoma codified its "Crime Against Nature" law with a penalty of up to ten years in prison. Perhaps as an earl,v recognition that some persons claimed to be inherently attracted to persons of the same gender, the law prohibited a defendant from raising a defense that he had a "morbid propensity" to commit sodom3’. Twenty-seven years after the law was first adopted in Oklahoma, the first published court opinion in the 1917 case ofln re DeFord set out the justifications for the law while expanding it to prohibit oral sex. One justification appears to be based on the court’s mispercepfion of the history of sodomy laws - the unchallenged, yet inaccurate, belief that sodom), had been prohibited since "Old Testament" times. The cour~ underscored this misperception of history with the moral and ethical objections to sodomy, although as one commentator noted, without the vitriol typically spouted in court opinions from other states at that time. These justifications for a prohibition against sodomy were fuanly rooted in "natural law"- a belief derived from a universal conception of human nature and an all-encompassing divine justice. This belief remains the philosophical cornerstone of today’s supporters of sodom), laws. (Continued on page 7, see "Sodomy as a Mental Illness ") The first Rainbow "Pride" Flag was designed in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a San Francisco artist, who created the flag in response to a local activist’s call for the need of a GLBT and allied community symbol. Using the five-striped "Hag of the Race" as his inspiration, Baker designed a flag with eight stripes. Baker dyed and sewed the material for the first flag himself - in the true spirit of Bets3., Ross. The design may have been influenced by flags with multicolored stripes used by various causes and organizations in the San Francisco area in the 1960’s. Tbe Rainbow Flag originally had eight stripes (from top to bottom: hot pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sun, green for serenity with mature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony and violet for spirit). Handmade versions of this flag were flown in the 1978 Gay Freedom Day Parade. After the November 1978 assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and openly gay Supervisor Harvey Milk and the subsequent lenient sentence given to their killer, former Supervisor Dan White, the Rainbow Flag began to be used in San Francisco as a general symbol of the gay community. San Francisco based Paramount Flag Co. began selling seven-striped (top to bottom: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet) flags from its Polk Street store which was located in a large ~e published by. Tulsa Oklahomans for Huma~n Rights (TOHR) PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918-743-4297 (phone) / 918-38443108 (fax) tohr.org ernail: eommunib,@tohr.org EdRor Greg Gatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr.org Writers and Contributors Greg Gatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr.org Ken-), Lewis ........................... klev4s@tohr.org 3rent Ortolani ...................... bortolani@tohr.org <)ffiee location Tulsa GLBT Commurtib’ Center ~i~[~ 2114 S Memorial Tulsa, OK 74129 TOH~ Board ~ Directors ~ ~uls~ President Brent Ortolan .................. bortolani@tohr.org 1st Vice President Vacant .................................................. 2nd Vice President Ellen Averill ..................... Secretary Eelly Carter ...................... Treasurer £at Hobbs ........................... phobbs@to~r.o[8 President Emeritus ~ry Lev4s ......................... New~s@toSr, o~g Member..at-Large Director of Board Development Michel]e Noffm~ ............ Director of Development Jaso~ Cards;lia ................. jca~slia@to~r.o~ Director of Diversity W~I Bmer....................... Director of Gender Outreach Troy NicNau~ .................. u~ck~aus@to]~.o~ Director of Marketing G-r61~ Gate,wood .............. ~,atewood@to~’mo~ gay neighborhood. When Baker approached Paramount to make flags for the 1979 Ga~, Freedom Day Parade, Paramount informed Baker that fabric for hot pink was not available for mass production and Baker dropped the hot pink stripe. Baker also asked Paramount to make vertical banners that would be split and displayed from the angular double bars of the old-style lamp posts on Market Street. Baker and Paramount’s’ Vice President Ken Hughes agreed to drop the hot pink and turquoise stripes and replace the indigo stripe with royal blue - resulting in the three stripes on one side of the lamp post and three on the other. Soon the six colors were incorporated into a six-striped version that became popularized and that, today, is recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers. Director of Diversity Wi! Bru~er ........................ ~bruaer@to~.or~ Director of Facilities Ray Cl~ ....................... TOHR’s (:apital the Pyramid Project pyramidprojcct.or~ Sue Welch & Brent Ortolani Committee Members Theresa Bamard, Mark Bonney, Mare Frieden, Greg Gatewoed, David Hoot, Brent Ortolani,, Marcy Smith and Tim Williams. TOHR is a 501(c)3 organizat~bn operated complete~, through donations and non.paid volunteers. Contributions are tax. deductible to the fitllest extent of owrent United States of America tax laws. Tt~ Torch, a publisa~ of Tu!sa Oktah4xraw~ for Human RishL% published quw~ty (F~I, Wm~. Spring and Summer) with an ~inutt~d m,raal re~aip of 10,0~0, Sut~-ri~ion r~t~ ,z~ paid rnemb~ du~ of TuL~ Oklahomam for Human R~ ~OHR). Advertising rates ~re: business ~z’d: $25Awa~; 114 pa~: $50~’i~ue; 1~ p86e: $75,; issue w~l full p~g~; $100,’insue, A 25% ~xi na~ is available v, ith roW’ no{ be reproduced in whole or part ~ ~, tx~missic~ ob’ain~ by ¢ora~ TOHR directly, Cre~t mua b~ 8ivea to TOHR. Tn~ views of the Tt~a me e,,qxe-~ed in -.ditoria! enty. Vi~ eq~te~d in leV.~rs to the ~litor and other sabmix~ions ~t~ rhone of the ram’-mr md do net or editors or leademhip of TOHP,. Th~ Torch reser~’es th~ right to edh or r~j~t w,-y ~ nubmitted f~ publicali4x The Torch and/or TOHR is d~ni~r~d ~;A =~ted for public.ion in th~ Torch remain th~ prop~ty of TOH~ Th~ To,oh m~,’or TOHR ~wa~t b~ re,potage fc~ claim, by ~lvmli~r~. Th~ use of,J-,~ mine or 1""Axn¢~ of n p~,-xm or ~atity in th~ Torch in ~ or editerial ee~mmt d~ ne~ imply may �Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) works to secure legal equality and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered (GLBT) and allied community of Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership, and unity. uman rlgn[s Ambassador James C. Hormel, former U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, will serve as keynote speaker at the 2003 Diversity Gala to be held on Friday, June 13, at the historic Mayo Hotel. The evening begins with a reception and silent auction at 7:00 PM followed by dinner, remarks by Hormel and entertainment by COMC at 8:00 PM. Valet parking will be provided at the main entrance on Fifth Street. Reservations may be made by calling TOHR at (918) 743-4297. Peace Through Pride M Diversity Celebration 2003 Tulsa, Oklahoma "Peace Through Pride." A historic event occurred in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn of New York City. A small, diverse group of individuals, tired of discrimination and harassment, began a global struggle for legal equality and social acceptance. "Diversity Creates Beauty." The qualities of Life, Healing, Sun, Serenity, Harmony and Spirit were introduced to the world in the form of a flag in 1978. Inspired by the "Flag of the Race" the Rainbow "Pride" Flag is instantly recognized as a symbol of community. Today, those historic events and themes are observed with "Diversity Celebration 2003 - Peace Through Pride...Diversi(y Creates Beauty," Tulsa’s 23~ Annual Celebration of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender (GLBT) & allied community. Pride with a purpose, "Diversity Celebration 2003" unites the diverse Northeast Oklahoma community and educates all on legal equality and social acceptance for, while celebrating the GLBT allied community. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), in partnership with the GLBT allied community, presents ten days and nights of eleven diverse events for the Northeast Oklahoma and surrounding areas "Uniting, Educating and Celebrating." Tues-Fri 6:00-9:00 PM Saturda PM r U.S. Ambassador James C. Hormel to headline 2003 Diversity Gala Hormel, pictured above, has devoted his life to the advocacy of basic. human rights, social justice and the well being of all individuals. In more than 30 years of working with top business, government and academic leaders, he has sought to create, fund and initiate major programs addressing these concerns and to involve others in public service. He is recognized nationally for his ability to bring together people of different backgrounds and perspectives to form bridgebuilding coalitions based upon shared values and mutual interests. (Continued on page 7 - see "Ambassador Hormel") Pride with a purpose. Tulsa’s annual celebration of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender (GLBT) and allied community is not just a party - it’s Pride with a purpose! UNITY of the GLBT and allied community through events emphasizing diversity regardless of sexua! orientation and/or gender identity. EDUCATING the general public on important GLBT issues while reaching out to those forced in the closet. CELEBRATE the accomplishments and adversity overcome by the GLBT allied community since the summer of’69 - Stonewall. Legal Equality and Social Acceptance. 2114 S Memorial, Inside The Tulsa GLBT Community Kitchen 918-582-8608 ~ 24kr. Page 918-745-8608 the Supper Club 640 N Denver �Thursday; June 5 7:00 PM Aaronson Auditorium Tulsa Central Library 400 Civic Center Free & open to the public The film will be followed by a panel of Holocaust scholars discussing the ’other’ victims of the Holocaust. Co-sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Tulsa andfimded through a private donation. By the 1920’s, Berlin had become known as a homosexual Ede~ where gay men and lesbians lived relatively open lives amidst an exciting subculture of artists and intellectuals. With the coming to power of the Nazis, all this changed: Between 1933 and 1945 100,000 men were arrested for homosexualit3: under Paragraph 175, the sodomy provision of the German penal code dating back to : 187t. Some were imprisoned, others were sent to concentration camps. Of the latter, only about 4,000 survived. Today, fewer than ten of these men are known to be living. Five of them have now come forward to tell their stories for the first time in this powerful new film narrated by Rupert Everett. Saturday; June 7 12:00-5:00 PM Padsh of SL Jerome 205 W King Free & open to the public Sponsored by the original Red Ribbon RevTte Foundation in conjunction with the American Red Cross The Food & Drug Administration restricts any person who has engaged in sexual activity with a male who has engaged in sexual activit), with another male from donating to the general blood supply. In their honor and with dignit2,,’, a group of women have organized a continuing blood drive. "Blood Sisters" are paired with a "Blood Brother." The women will be donating blood while their "Blood Brothers" wilt accompany them to and during the donation process. AWAKEH|HG$ Women of Council Oak (WCO) concert Saturday; June 7 8:00 PM College Hill Presbyterian Church - 712 S Columbia $12 / adult Sponsored by Vocal Pride Foundation, Inc. "Awakenings" will be the ftrst of the inaugural season "Beginning Our Journey" of the Women of Council Oak (WCO). The evening promises to be very special time as these d~ performers begin their journey in~ excellence here in Tulsa. Seat~at 7:30 PM with NO reserved sea~ket information, please call 74~ W’ww" council°ak’°rg" ........... "BflfER$1T? CREATES BEAUT’ " ART E H|BI T & $|LEHT P.UCT|OH Tuesday; June 10 6:00-9:00 PM .Emerson Hall All Souls Unitarian Church 2952 S Peoda Free & open to the public Sponsored by Tulsa Oktahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) This popular event highlights works from nearly 50 of O -klahoma’s best knms~a and up and coming artists. The popular silent auction gives you a chance to bid on a diverse crosssection of unique items from across the nation. Diversity Celebration 2003 presented by tulsa oklahomans for human rights publicity and general support Pride Guide production $2,500 �J 1520 E ~Full 1525 E 1419 E 1 ~Dine at these restaurants during Diversity Celebration 2003 and support your community. With this coupon, participating restaurants will donate 10% of the week’s pre-tax proceeds to the 2003 Tulsa Pride Parade, Saturday, June 14. �American Idol top-ten finalist, Jim Verraros has been named the Tulsa Pride Parade Grand Marshal and national headliner at Diversity Festival 2003. Verraros doesn’t let his growing fame of one of America’s top voices silence his stances on legal equali~" and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender (GLBT) & allied community. Despite pressure from society to conform in order to sell records and social stereot)9ing that face ma~v publicly gay ancklesbian individuals in today’s competitive work arena, Jim is out of the closet as a talented artist who happens to be a gay, young adult. Jim stands behind GLBT civi! rights and activism - fighting for fair and equal treatment in the wor"kforce and in life. Verraros was featured in the Advocate (Jan. ’03) and was named one of OUT magazines most interesting gay men of 2002. A top-ten finalist on one of the nations hit-shows, American Idol, Jim has appeared in NBC, E!, and FOX Television while being featured on Chicago radio and the cover of TV Guide. Jim will perform at the 2003 Diversity Gala at Tulsa’s historic Mayo Hotel on Friday, June 13th. The next day, Saturday, June 14, Jim will ser~’e as the Grand Marshal of the 5th Annual Tulsa Pride Parade and finish the day as the national headliner for Diversi~, Festival 2003. �Community Calendar. Special Events. Advocacy. GLBT History. it’s here Your onli ,i . Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) & Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG) Tulsa are sponsoring a signature ad, shown at right, to appear in the Tulsa VVorld during June 2003. INCLUDE ALL THE PEOPLE Please read, sign & the form below to o the hundreds of ~klahomans supporting legal equality & social acceptance As a valued member of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender (GLBT) & allied community, we ask you to add your name to the growing list of Oklahomans & Americans supporting legal equality & social acceptance. Signature Agreement Visit the Tulsa GLBT Community Center or call 743-GAYS (4297) for more information TOGETHER, WITH PFLAG & TOHP~ WE THE PEOPLE: Call on the City of Tulsa to enact Human Right Ordinances to ensure Tulsa is a welc0ndng and safe place for all, ~1 on the auth0dties in all Tulsa area ~001 di~ to mum tory ~1 provides asale environment c0nduch/e to Im’ning for all student~ 2114 S ME~RI~ My signature below authorizes you to Include my name with those of hundreds of other individuals and groups, in an advertisement to be published in the Tulsa World during June 2003. I represent that I am at least 18 years of age (or, if I am under 18, that my signature is accompanied by that of a custodial parent or guardian) and that I have read the proposed text of the ad reproduced on this form. I understand that minor changes in the text may be necessary prior to publication. I further understand that the other information on this form will NO] be published or otherwise disseminated, but may be used by PFLAG Tulsa or TOHR to verify my assent and to contact me in the future concerning other PFLAG and/or TOHR programs or Pdnted name (as it should appear in the ad) Call on our friends, fa~es, colleagues and neighbors to ~d( to dismanL~ every vestige of hatted and discdmina~0n in our !~s and society, Home Street Address: Home Phone Number:. Personal e-mail address: ~mAyS F~E ~L ~ ~e Loun~ Signature: S~TU~DAYS SHOPI ~e Gof ~t~t~a ¯ for human righfs ok!ahornans Suggested donation: $15.00 Additional donations welcomed and appreciated. PFLAG Tulsa and TOHR are 501(c)3 non-profit organizations. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest exlent of current law. PLAYt FREE Pool BulleYn Boards Please return no later than June 1, 2003 to: PFLAG Tulsa PO Bo:~ 52800 Tulsa, OK 74152 �Wednesday; June 11 7:00 PM Aaronson Auditorium Tulsa Central Library 400 Civic Center Free & open to the public Co-sponsored by PFLAG Tulsa andfimded through a private donation. DADDY & PAPA explores the growing phenomenon of gay fatherhood and its impact on American culture. Through the stories of four different families, DADDY & PAPA delves into some of the particular challenges facing gay men who decide to become dads. From surrogaey and interracial adoption, to the complexities of gay divorce, to the battle for full legal status as parents, DADDY & PAPA presents a reve~ing look at some of the gay fathers who are breaking new ground in the ever~changing landscape of the American familyl Thd film will be followed by a discussion regarding adoption by GLBT individuals and couples in the state of Oklahoma. Council Oak Men’s Chorale (COMC) concert Thursday; June 12 7:00 PM Aaronson Auditorium - Tulsa Central Library 400 Civic Center Free & open to the public , Sponsored by the Tulsa City-County Librar) System. Always a crowd pleaser, the Council Oak Men’s Chorale (COMC) is back for the 3~d consecutive free evening of"Singing with ,P,,ride." Seating is limited with past concerts standing room only. You 11 want to get there early to get the best seat to hear the voices of the COMC. Saturday; June 14 11: 00 AM 15/Utica to Veterans Park Free & open to the public Presented by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) in partnership with the GLBT allied community. The 5th Annual Tulsa Pride Parade promises to be the largest yet with imaginative floats, precision drill team units, marchers representing the diversity and pride of Oklaho,,m,a and of course, the longest Rainbow Saturday; June 14 12:00 - 8:00 PM Veterans Park - 1875 S Boulder Free & open to the public Presented by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) in partnership with the GLBT allied community. Tulsa’s 23m annual Festival is an all day celebration with something for everyone. The Festival Mall holds over 50 vendors giving you to learn about or purchase nearly everything under the rainbow. flag in the Midx~est region - 120 feet in length! Thousands of participants and spectators make the Tulsa Pride Parade an event not to be missed in Tulsa! Staging - 9:00 AM at 15t~ Street & Utica ® Route - Parade will travel west on 15m to Boston Avenue; South on Boston to 18m Street; West on 18m to Veterans Park "Parade Participant Vehicle" - The Parade Participant Vehicle will take regular round trips from Veterans Park to 15th & Utica prior to the start of the Parade. Those in the parade are strongly encouraged to park near Veterans Park and ride the vehicle to the staging area. Registration - Guidelines, registration forms and more information available at w~’.tohr.org or ~v,timscottonline.com. $75 / entry ® o The Festival Food Court has all ),our favorites, along with the beverages to wash them down. tD’s are required to purchase alcoholic beverages. Entertainment featuring local bands, female impersonators, drag kings and talented individual performers will fill the main Festival stage all day. The Kids Zone wil! be open for children of all families and filled with games, face-painting, story-telling and more. Veterans Park will be filled with thousands - all celebrating the diversib’ of Oklahoma and the GLBT allied commtmity. Registration Guidelines, registration forms and more information available at xs-ww.tohr.org and www.timscottonline.com $150-175 / booth registration of L $500 $500 $250 $250 r0me $250 Thank You for your support. sponsors as of 5/15/03 �Stonewafl Riots solidified the GLB T civil fights movement (PlanetOut) Among gay organizations today, there’s everything from the Stonewall Democratic Club to the Stonewall Chorale; there’s even a bottled water called Stonewall. The word has taken on m)~hic proportions in lesbian and gay culture. But its widespread appropriation doesn’t dilute the importance of what happened in the summer of 1969 in New York City. The event is still a hot topic ofdehate in gay circles, with much disagreement about what actually precipitated the violence and who took part in it. One legend holds that Judy Garland’s funeral, held June 27 in Manhattan, fanned the flames of gay rage. Other versions of the story claim that dozens of sequined drag queens and a mysterious, unidentified butch lesbian were at the forefront of the street rebellion. But a few facts seem certain. Stonewall...the word has taken In the early, morning hours of on mythic proportions in gay & June 28, 1969, the police raided the lesbian culture...but it doesn’t Stonewall Inn, a dingy, Mafia-rtm "private club" on Christopher Street dilute the importance of what in Greenwich Village with a prehappened in the summer of ’69 dominantly gay clientele. The charge was illegal sale of alcohol. It was the second time that week the bar had been targeted by the police, and other gay bars had also been raided in prior weeks. Police officers lined up the Stonewalt’s 200 patrons to check identification. Most were free to leave, but the staff, as well as three drag queens and two male-to-female transsexuals, were detained. Eyewitnesses recalled that the scene outside the bar was at first camp), and festive. Patrons were joined by" tourists and passers-by, and everyone cheered when a gay person emerged from the bar, dismissed by the police. But when a pad~’ wagon arrived and the police loaded the bar’s staff and the three drag queens inside, the crowd on the street grew surly. One person threw a rock through a window, and eventually garbage cans, bottles, and even a parking meter were used to assault the building. Someone set a fire with lighter fluid. By newspaper accounts, 13 people were arrested and three police officers sustained minor injuries in the confrontation. Even more significant, though, was what happened later in the summer. At the end of July, gay activists circulated copies of a flyer calling for a mass "homosexual liberation meeting." The headline of the flyer read, "Do you think homosexuals are revolting? You bet your sweet ass we are!" The alliance that formed from the meeting held on Jul), 24 adopted the name Ga.v Liberation Front (GLF); among its demands were not only an end to police harassment, but job protection for gay employees, the repeal of sodom), laws, and local and national anti-discrimination laws. Soon, numerous other organizations and a host of gay liberation publications emerged, first in New York and then across the counto’. Estimates suggest that, at the time of the riots, there were a few dozen gny organizations in the United States. Within a few years, the number had risen to more than 400. (text: www.planetout.com, photos: www.unc.edu) 844 Diverse best describes the restaurant selection along Tulsa’s Cherry Street. More than likely, one of your favorites or a new place you’ve been wondering about is located on 15th Street. The week of June 8-14, you’ll be able to dine up and down 15th and show your support for diversity and pride with the 2003 Cherry Street Parade of Restaurants - Sunday, June 8th through Saturday, June 14. The Full Moon Care, Atomic Burrito and Quizno’s, all on 15th Street between Peoria & Utica, will be donating 10% of the weeks pre-tax proceeds to the Tulsa Pride Parade (accompanied with required coupon), Simply give the coupon to your server or cashier when dining at any of the participating restaurants. Coupons are available at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center. Print off your own available at www.tohr.org and www. timscottonline.com TOHA thanks Atomic Burrito, Full Moon Care and Quizno’s for supporting Diversity Celebration 2003. Please support them as they support the NE Oklahoma GLBT allied community. PRIDE PARTNERS Name I Partners Name (if applicable) I I I INDIV!DUAL~ $3o+ (individuals) Address Day phone Evening phone E-mail Date I/we wish to join Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) as: 0 Advocates 0 Educators Q Check enclosed, payable to TOHR 0 Unifiers 0 Leaders © Send more info on the Equality Fund 0 My company offers a matching gift program. The proper forms are enclosed. (See your personnel office for forms) 0 Please bill my/our credit card: 0 AMEX 0 Visa Account Number Q Mastercard Exp. Date Signature Please retum to: TOHR; PO Box 2687; Tulsa, OK 7’4101 0 To remain anonymous HOUSE. HOLDS $50+ (households) COMMUNITY $75+ (organizations) LEADERS $125+ annually as a leader, you also are a member of the Center Friends circle It costs over $4,000 for street closures and police barricades for the Tulsa Pride Parade - and that’s only for the Parade! The Festival’s budget -just the Festival exceeds $12,000! Expenses for the Interfaith Service, Art Exhibit & Silent Auction, Pride Parade and Festival are nearly $20,000! It’s all accomplished by volunteers and donations. Please do ):our part to UNIFY, EDUCATE & CELEBRATE and become a "Pride Partner." Simply’ fill out the form to the teR and send to: TOHR, PO Box 2687, Tulsa, OK 74101. When you become a Pride Partner, you’ll also enjoy membership rights in TOHR. Note: Pride Partners are not sponsors of "Diversib, Celebration 2003" �(Continuedfivm page 3) (Continuedfrom page 2) Featured guest speaker: 2003 Diversity Gale Sodomy As A Mental llness The emergence of the field of psycholo~’ combined with the recognition flaat some persons were at~acted to others of the same gender created a new era of re-thinking how to treat Hormel is the fomader and Chairman of ~nvic~dS~mv’ Okl~oma, like a few other stat~ in ~e 1930S,~d~enact~ laws ~at ~llowed persons of ~domv and o~er ~mes to ~ st~liz~ the belief ~at ’mentN il~s" Equidex, Inc., a San Francisco-based firm ¯ at caused ~ns ~mmit s~omy was i~ited. In 1942, ~e U.S. Supreme Co~ sm~ck that manages his and his family’s investdo~ these laws as ~nsfimtionN. ments and philanthropic activities. He is an After World War II,, a new concepo ...the ..,~,nnh/s~el fion of sexuNity ~olded. AlUM alumnus of Swarthmore College, where he COUFt tO ~Ct gO Kinsey’s work, Sex’ualiO, in the Human has been a member of the Board of ManagMale, ~onlv ca!l~ ~e Kimev Re~a. ~d o~er police raids...to stop ers since 1988, and where he has estabwor~ reve~ ~he widespread sam~-sex sexual practices the emergence of a lished a faculty chair in social justice. He of men. At ~e s~e time, Am~e~ ~cieb, reded to received his J.D. from the University of fiod s~ial, sex~l and gend~ roles. As a reset, OklaGS~ & Lesbian Chicago Law School, where he subsehoma co~ s~l~ ~ou~out ~e 195~ wi~ver- communi~... quently was Assistant Dean and Dean of gent ~pds~ ~ ~e ~e ~omy law to stop ~ spread of ~ Students. homosexu~i~, and to fred a more hm~e mea~ of dealing Hormel served as United States Ambaswith pe~ who ~gaged in ~my. sador to Luxembourg from June 1999 to h 1951, O~oma’s Co~ of Cfi~al Ap~a~ ~me ~e o~y state co~ to react to December 2000. He was alternate represenpolice raids on Wash~n, D.C.’s gay and l~bi~ ~i~,. Shock~ by ~e she~ nmb~ tative of the U.S. delegation to the 51st of gays md lesbi~s rev~l~ ~ ~e se~ationat~fic b~t seller, Washington Confiden~al, O~oma’s Co~ of Cri~ Ap~als a~ a new justification to e~or~ Okl~oma’s United Nations General Assembly in 1996. omy law: to stop the emergence of a gay and lesbian community in Oklahoma "if Sodom and He also was a member of the U.S. delegaGomorrah is to be forestalled." tion to the 51 st U.N. Human Rights ComIn contrast, the same court later recognized that a defendant’s desire to be sexually intimission, which met in Geneva in early mate with another man was unchangeable and that prison offered a poor solution to this 1995. Also in 1995, and again in 1997, he "problem." The court repeatedly admonished the Oklahoma legislature to enact laws that served on the Western States Regional Sewould allow persons who have sex with members of the same gender to receive psychological lection Panel for tahe President’s Commistreatment. These entreaties fell on deaf ears, and Oklahoma’s "crimes Against Nature" law sion on White House Fellowships. In remained substantially unchanged until ! 986. !995, he participated in the President’s (Continued on page 8..,see "Women and Sodom~v ") Conference on the Pacific Rim, and the following year, he was a member of San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown’s Economic Summit. of Governors of the San Francisco SymAchievement Award in 2001. During the last 15 years, Hormel has phony, Board of Trustees of The San FranHormel’s dedication to public service been instrumental in developing resources cisco Foundation, and Board of Directors also is reflected in hi~s political activities. for organizations serving people affected of People For the American Way. In 1992, he was a member &the Democby HIV and AIDS, substance abuse, and In 1995, he received the Silver Spur ratic Platform Committee and a Clinton breast cancer. He has served as a member Award for Civic Leadership from the San delegate to the Democratic National Conof the board of directors of The American Francisco Planning and Urban Research vention in New York. In 1996, he reFoundation for AIDS Research and the HuAssociation and the Tiffany Award in recturned as a delegate to the Democratic man Rights Campaign Foundation. He was ognition of his philanthropic achievement. National Convention in Chicago. a founding director of the City Club of San In 1996, the National Society of FundraisHormel has five children, fourteen Francisco, a club created to bring together ing Executives named him Outstanding grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. community leaders of diverse backgrounds. Philanthropist. The Human Rights CamHe lives in San Francisco with his partner Currently, he is a member of the Board paign honored him with the Lifetime Timothy C. Wu. PFLAG Tulsa Join our network of friends learning nonviolence from Gandhi and King, seeking justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons. PC Box 52800 Tulsa, OK 74 Phone: 918-452-2761 or 918 -481-8870 SP~IILIAL www.SoulforceInOklahoma.org Join PFLA G Tulsa; the 2nd Monday of each month PFLAG for @ 6:30 PM, General Meeting; 7:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church, 29th & Harvard ~ ,~ Info@SoulforcelnOklahommorg Email us at pflagtulsa@hotmail.com �Whether it’s "Diversity Celebration 2003," or operating the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, volunteers for Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) - Make It Happen! When you volunteer for the upcoming "Diversity Celebration 2003" not only will you have fun - you get FREE stuffl A visor - take your pick of a rainbow of colors. FREE food & beverage tickets at the Festival (limited amount). o A commemorative writing pen o FREE souvenir button! All you need to do is contact Tamara, Diversity Celebration 2003 volunteer coordinator, at tamaralynn84@yahoo.com or TOHR at community@tohr.org or 918.743GAYS (4297) for more information. Volunteer & Make It Happen! The Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Trm’asgender (GLBT) History Project, a program of TOHR, is working to preserve the history of the GLBT community in Oklahoma. The committee is looking for your old photographs, videos and other records of GLBT life in Tulsa and the NE Oklahoma area. You may drop off these records in the TOHR office in the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S. Memorial, during operating hours (Tues-Fri; 6-9 PM and Saturday; 3-9 PM). The committee can either accept original items or make a copy of the materials and return the originals to you. If needed, we can pick up the records fi-om you. Just leave a message at 743-4297 or history@tohr.org. For more information about the Tulsa GLBT History Project, please go to the TOHR website: www.tohr.org. (Continuedfrom page 7) Women and Sodomy Unlike the vast majorib’ of states, Oklahoma has defined sodomy to include sexual relations between women. In the 1943 case of State v. LeFavour, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals defined the word "mankind" in the sodom), statute to include sex between two men or between two women. Eight years later, the same court saw the large "Lesbian" community in Washington, D.C. as reason to vigilantly enforce the sodom), law. Finally’, in t971, the court officially found in a tersely worded opinion that "crimes against nature" could be committed by two women. The criminalization of lesbian sex remains valid today. Sodomy Law As A Political Tool At~ the partial invalidation of Oklahoma’s "Crime Against Nature" taw in 1986, socially conser;ative Oklahoma legislators began using this rarely enforced law to stop and even reverse social gains made by lesbians and gays since the 1960s. In 1986, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals in State v. Post struck down the law to the extent it was used against persons of the opposite gender who engaged in oral or anal sex. The court specifically declined to extend this ruling to gays and lesbians. Since then, Oklahoma legislators have amended the law more than five times even though the law is rarely enforced. In fact, from 1999 until 2002, the legislature and governor increased the penalty from ten years to twenty ),ears in prison - the same penalty applied to persons convicted of forcible rape, Oklahoma’s law has become legal justification for fir’mg gay and lesbian teachers, administrators and school personnel, nursing home workers and others. These Oklahomans and other gays and lesbians are therefore required to choose between their livelihoods and their ability to be open about who they are. As a result, gays and lesbians in Oklahoma are deterred from seeking political and social change. With a decision expected in June of this year, the U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether Texas’ sodomy law is unconstitutional under the due process clause or the fourteenth amendment’s equal protection clause. Because of the similarities between the taws of Oklahoma and Texas, many view this as the best opportuni~" to eventually invalidate Oklahoma’s "Crimes Against Nature" law. T A series focusing on groups and organizations meedng and/or provtdtng services at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) CommuniO, Center. HIV Outreach, Prevention & Education provides much needed se ice for NE OK HIV/AIDS d~s not ~ri~te aga~t race, ~lor, ~x, sexual orientation, e~no~c s~, m~ml or p~l s~tus...nei~er d~s HIV Ougeach, Prevention and ~ueafion (H.O. P.E.) Off~g a safe and ~o~able envko~t at ~eir main testing cl~ic, 3503 E A~al, H.O,P.E. ~rgets ~e popdafions of: m~ hav~g sex wi~ men; thek female sex pa~ers; ~jecfion ~g ~ers; ~eir sex p~ers ~d N~risk women. EyeD,one is wel~me ~d en~ag~ to get tes~d at ~e ma~ tes~g cl~ic or any of~e ~~" ou~each tes~g si~. H.O.P.E. is a not-f~-profit agency offing F~E ANON~OUS H~ TEST~G, Noup sup~ ou~ch ~ eo~" s~, ~ndo~ md s~ ~x supplies ~d is ~e only OSDH approvM t~g site for cNl&en ~d~ ¯ e age of gvelve in ~e 9!8 ~ c~e (~ p~l co~t). H~O.P.E. N~ pm~6d~ edu~ional pr~fio~, prev~fion s~plies ~d lit~a~e to ~cial sm’i~ agenci~ ~d ~ clients a~ut how to pr~ect ~elves ~om HW/AIDS md o~er Sex~l Tr~mi~ I~ections. Free ~d ~on~o~ H~ tes~, ~ well as ~e ~pd~ "$20 for 20 m~u~ resdts" ~e available at: H.O.P.E. Test~g CliNc 3503 E A~al Place d~ng ~e day by ap~in~ent or Monday & ~sday; 6-8 PM ~d ~e Tulsa GLBT Co~i~" Cent~ 2114 S Memorial Tuesdays: 6-8 PM Sat~ays: 4-7 PM For more ~o~ation on tes~g, pr~,~tion ~d ~ueafion s~sio~, please contact H.O,P.E. at 918.834-TEST. � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2003] TOHR Torch, Summer 2003; Volume 1, Issue 4 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Summer 2003 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Summer 2004 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/253ff3f99b4753c6317aff6d37956eb0.jpg 5ea6156d8f2cee132376720a991f8739 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/1895385a756253c69b9f6e54b20acfae.pdf 07c951fd9fbd703212b085e9936f1154 PDF Text Text Tulsa’s Gay, Lesbian, Bi: Transgender and allied community CELEBRATION! June 8 - June 14 EVENT LISTING, Page 4 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights works for legal equality and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Transgender (GLBT) and allied community of NE Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership and unity. Where Do They Stand On GLBT Issues? Page 7 tulsa oklahomans SPRING 2003 for human rights quarterly news / volume one /issue three An Executive Director Next Step for TOHR will be achieved with your help Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) has made great strides in recent years: o Working for legal equality and social ac- ® ceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and allied community. Operating the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center while raising alraost a quarter of the funds needed to acquire a permanent home for the community center through TOHRs Capital Campaign, the Pyramid Project. This success is due to the generosity of those who have supported the TOHR operating fund and the capital campaign. So far, TOHR’s capital campaign, the Pyramid Project, has raised more than $245,000 toward the $1 million goal of acquiring a permanent facility for the community center and establishing an endowment to ensure its operation well into the future. The next step for TOHR is the addition of a full-time executive director. "In the coming months, we will be asking members of the GLBT community to help us realize this goal," said Brent Ortolani, president of TOHR and vice chair of the capital campaign. "The presence of paid staff will allow TOHR to reach new levels of success in several areas - in the professional management of the organization, operational efficiency of the community center, and fundraising assistance for both the operating fund and capital campaign." In addition, a full-time executive director will provide TOHR and the GLBT community with greater visibility in the Tulsa area. TOHR has established a goal of raising $45,000 by Sept. 30 to fund the staff position. "This amount will provide us with one year’s worth of salary and benefits for a full-time executive director," Ortolani said. After employment, many executive directors play a major role in obtaining continuing funding for their positions. (Continued on page 8 - see "the NEXT STEP’) tile TRUTH... and nothing HeartSong Leaders to Appear in Tulsa Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) and Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG - Tulsa) are co-sponsoring an evening with Marc Adams, author of "The Preacher’s Son" and co-founder of HeartSong on Monday, March 10; 7:00 PM at Fellowship Congregational Church, 29th & Harvard. Marc and his parmer, Todd Tuttle, started HeartSong to provide truthful information and support to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and allied persons who have attended, are attending, employed by or associated with religious educational institutions through support, education and advocacy. HeartSong offers help and hope to GLBT students of religiously based educational institutions which do not permit GLBT students to fully express themselves socially, emotional, romantically and spiritually. The evening is free and open to the public. Lambda Legal Attorney to Headline April 14 Event The regional director of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund - which successfully petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case that may overturn state sodomy laws, including Oklahoma’s - wil! headline a Town Hall Meeting co-sponsored by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) and Parents, Family and friends of Lesbians And Gays (PFLAG - Tulsa) on Monday, April 14, at Fellowship Congregational Church in Tulsa. Lee Taft, Lambda regional director in Dallas, will discuss the case of Lawrence and Garner v. Texas. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to hear the case and issue a ruling later this June. The Town Hall Meeting, which is free and open to the public, will be held at 7:30 p.m. at Fellowship Congregational Church, 29th and Harvard. A reception will precede the meeting at 7:00 p.m. The Texas case has the potential to overtum the 1986 precedent of Bowers v. Hardwick, which ruled that Georgia and other states had the right to criminalize sodomy on grounds of public morality. (Continued on page 4 - see "’TOWN MEETING ") �The TOHR Board of Directors would like to thank each and every member of the Equality Fund and all Contributing members for supporting the wofl{ of TOHR through advocacy, education, leadership and unity. Equality Fund donors provide a home for the GLBT community - the Tulsa GLBT Community Center - a home for all GLBT and allied individuals and organizations. Equality Fund donors help secure legal equafity and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender& allied community of Northeast Oklahoma. published by ,u,saok, Ua ity Fund ~ securing tomorrow’s equafity today LEADERSHIP COUNCIL $1,200+ annually $100+ monthly Anonymous Mark Argo & David Rosebeary Mark Bonney & Philipe Au Dan Bumstein & Martin Martinez Larry David the Gill Foundation Kerry Lewis Joe and Nancy McDonald Rick Martin & Daniel Schneider Dennis Neill & John Southard Brent Ortolani & Steve Aberson J.J. Stogsdill & Alan Oktay Kaye Smith Sue Welch & Marcy Smith Van Wilde Williams Companies SUSTAINING COUNCIL $600+ annually $50+ monthly Karl Cocke’ Anna Dodwell & Connie McCarley Cathy Elliot Barbara & Bruce Langhus Boofy Flint Seay Cynthia Quick & Vicky Brown Tim Wi!liams 25125 $300+ annually $25+ monthly Kelly Carter Blake Rider Dick Miller Jonathan Stanley CENTER FRIENDS $120+ annually $10+ monthly Anonymous George Baremore Teresa Bamard & Tamara Thompson Fred Bassett Paul Betow Tulsa Oldahomans for Human Rights ffOHR) PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918-743-4297 (phone) / 918-384-0108 (fax) tohr.org email: community@tohr.org Editor Greg Gatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr.org Writers and Contributors Greg Gatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr.org Kerry Lewis ........................... klewis@tohr.org Michelle Hoffman ............... mhoffman@tohr.org ~Brent Ortolani ...................... bortolani@tohr.org Office location Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial Tulsa, OK 74129 TOHR Board of Directors ~ ~tulsa oklahomans Executive Committee - Greg Davis Consulting, Inc. Dr. Vicki Duke & Diana Baxter Michael Eslick & John Myers Melissa Fell & Travis Anderson George Matarazzo & Bill Ferguson Sue Minshall & Carla Hinkle Cathy Rousseau D.A. Smotherman CONTRIBUTING M EM B ERS $30+ annually Johna Abbott L.B. Amos Elise & Arthur Anderson Anonymous Anonymous Ellen Averill Shelton Baker Bradley BurdetteBanks Wil Bruner Mary Bundy & Kay Rowland Doug Campbell John Cannon, III Ray Chance John Cutright & Harry Cramton Rick Ducey Carrie Fleharty & Trish Spurgin Erich Fillmore Jim Firth Rick Foltner Greg Gatewood Don Glass & Femando Este’ Thorn Golden Brad Gordon Bret Guillet Elizabeth A Harris & Deborah A Jansen Gregg Hillier Patrick Hobbs & John Orsulak Michelle Hoffman & Heather Harp Rick Hollingsworth & John Voegele John Hueste Melissa Johnson Greg Johnston Peg Jones Terry Jordan George A Justice Jr. Dwight Kealiher & Mike Tedrick Casey Kidd & Mark Archer Carey Kilpatdck & Royal Ward Lindy Kroenert Robert Lair Lamont Lindstrom & Devre Jackson Karen Mahaffey Russ McCarty John McConnell Laurie McCormick Liz McNamara Gerald Miller Barbara Mitchell Marilyn & Charles Murphy Tom Neal David Nickell Robert Odle Nancy O’Neil Chuck Parsons Chuck Pearce & Gary Meadows the Purser Family Jim Queen & Rueben Garcia Melissa Renee Keith Rickman John Rudy Rick Snyder Tracey Stanart Clark Taylor Ron Toulouse Shelly Urbonas Jack Waggoner Mary Waidner Fred Welch Karen Weldin & Susanne Bain Lauren Whitman & Shelley Curtis Kathleen G Williams Murrell B. Wilmoth Martin Wing Craig Wood & Bob Inglish Sharmilee Worley for human rights President Brent Ortolani ..................bortolani@tohr.org 1st Vice President Thom Golden .................... tgolden@tohr.org 2nd Vice President Ellen Averill ..................... eaverill@tohr.org Secretary Kelly Carter ...................... wbruner@tohr.org Treasurer Pat Hobbs ........................... phobbs@tohr.org President Emeritus Kerry Lewis ......................... klewis@tohr.org Members-at-Large Director of Board Development Michelle Hoffman ............ mhoffman@tohr.org Director of Development Jason Caniglia ................. .jcaniglia@tohr.org Director of Diversity Wil Bruner....................... wbrtmer@tohr.org Director of Gender Outreach Melissa Renee ..................... mrenee@tohr.org Director of Marketing Greg Gatewood .............. ggatewood@tohr.org Director of Diversity Wil Bruner........................ wbruner@tohr.org Director of Volunteers Ray Chance ....................... rchance@tohr.org TOHR’s Capital Campaign the Pyramid Project pyramidproject.org Please accept our apologizes if your name is not listed as a donor or contributing member and it should. We are currently installing a new database system. Please notify TOHR at 743-4297 to report discrepancies and/or additions. Thank you for your support of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). Co-Chairs Brent Ortolani, Kerry Lewis the Pyramid Project and Sue Welch Committee Members Theresa Bamard, Mark Bonney, Marc Frieden, Greg Gatewood, David Hoot, Rick Martin, Brent Ortolani, Marcy Smith and Tim Williams. TOHR is a 501(c)3 organization operated completely through donations and non-paid volunteers. Contributions are taxdeductible to the fullest extent of current United States of America tar laws. The Torch, a publication of Tulsa Okl~mans for Human Rights, Inc. is published quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring a~l Sunroof) with an estimated annual readership of I0,000. Subscription rates are paid con~buting member dues ofTuisa OVdahernans for Human Righ~ (TOHR). Adveriising rates are: business card: $25/issue; 114 page: S50/i~sue; 1/2 page: $75/issue and full page; $100~issue. A 25% discounted rate is available with a paid annual edveiXising plan. The Torch is protected by copyright and may not he reproduced in whele or part except by lx:mussinn obtained by contacting TOHR directly. Credit must be given to TOHR, The vinw~ of the Torch are expressed in editorial only. Views expressed in letters to the editor and other subraiesiom are those oftbe author and do not necessarily zeflect those of the beanl of directors, contributing members or editors or leadership of TOHR. The Torch reserves the right to edit or reject any material submitted for publication. The Torch and!or TOHR is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors. Advertisements designed arm created for publication in the Torch remain the prope~y of TOHIL The Torch and!or TOHR catw~t be responsible for claitm by advertisers. The use of the name or likeness of a person or entity in fl~ Torch in advertising or editorial content does not imply any ~cular sexual orientation or political affiliation. Copyright �Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) works to secure legal equafity and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered (GLB T) and allied community of Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership, and unity. for numan ngnrs Advoca TOHR Advocacy Committee works with Human Rights Commission to encourage Mayor to Review Pro-Gay Report The City of Tulsa’s Human Rights Commission recently voted to encourage Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune to review the Report and Recommendations of its Committee on Sexual Orientation Discrimination issued in 1994. The Human Rights Commission voted 7-1 with one abstention on Feb. 18, 2003 to encourage the Mayor to review the report, which recommended that the Tulsa City Council amend the city’s non-discrimination ordinances to include sexual orientation. Sections 104, 105, and 110 of the City’s human rights ordinances prohibit discrimination in housing, public accommodations, and employment among city contractors. Several characteristics of persons are currently protected, including race, disability, and religion. The motion to encourage the Mayor to review the report was made by Tommy Chesbro, a member of the Human Rights Cornmission and TOHR’s Advocacy Committee. In February 1994, the Committee on Sexual Orientation Discrimination submitted its report and recommendations after months of research, data-gathering, and public forums across Tulsa. The report was approved by the Human Rights Commission and forwarded to the office of Mayor Susan Savage. Mayor Savage did not forward the report to the City Council for action. "Since then, no further action was taken until this recent Human Rights Commission vote," said Brent Ortolani, chair of TOHR’s Advocacy Committee. "Our hope is that this action by the Human Rights Commission will help strengthen our efforts to encourage Mayor LaFortune to review the report and submit it to the City Council for possible action this year." Nancy McDonald and Marty Newman, along with Ortolani, spoke at the Human Rights Commission meeting before the vote was taken. Commissioner Chesbro also discussed the report. Members of the original Committee on Sexual Orientation Discrimination included Nancy McDonald, Sandy J. Hill, Terry Luce, Kelly Kirby (past TOHR president), Bill Morrison, Dennis Neill (TOHR cofounder), Rev. Leslie Penrose, Jill Tarbell, and Terrye Williams. Committee CoChairs were William Hinkle and Barbara Longwith. In the next issue of the Torch: how you can help. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) joined hundreds of Tulsans in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. The Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender (GLBT) and allied community was well represented. While sometimes receiving stares or hearing remarks...participation in the MLK Parade is important by demonstrating the GLBT allied community is an ally to others who face discrimination. You’re invited to join Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) and Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians And Gays (PFLAG Tulsa) as we welcome Lee Taft, Regional Director of Lambda Legal discuss LAWRENCE vs. TEXAS, The landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that could overturn Oklahoma’s anti-gay sodomy laws. MONDAY, APRIL Fellowship Congregational Church / 29th & Ha vard tulsa oklahomans for human rights �SUNDAYS College Hill Presbyterian Church School 9:30 AM Worship 11:00 AM Community of Hope Worship 6:00 PM Diversity Christian Fellowship Worship 11:00 AM & 6:00 PM Tulsa’s Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender & allied community Celebration Sunday June 8, 2003 19HTERF |TH SERV|CE venue & time TBA Tuesday June 10, 2003 EKHNB|T & $1 LEHT AUCT OH Friday June 13, 2003 i |VERS|TY GJ |A 209;3 Mayo Hotel Downtown Tulsa Saturday June 14, 2003 TULSP PR|DE PARAB : 15th & Utica to Veterans Park TULSP. GLBT FESTIVP.L Veterans Park 1875 S Boulder for more information, to volunteer or to register for the parade and/or festival, email: community@tohr.org or call TOHR at 743-GAYS (4297) Fellowship Congregational Church Church school @ 9:30 Worship 10:30 AM Harmony Church Worship & Children’s Church 11:00 AM MCC United Worship 11:00 AM St. Jerome’s Holy Eucharist 11:00 AM MONDAYS Council Oak Men’s Chorale (COMC) and Women of Council Oak Rehearsal 6:50 PM All Souls Unitarian Church Anonymous HIV Testing H.O.P.E. Clinic 6:00-8:00 PM Lambda League 7:00 PM bowling Riverlanes TQHR’s Capita| Cam - 1st MONDAY PFLAG Muskogee General Meeting 6:00 PM Muskogee Public Library WEDNESDAYS Lavender Luncheons sponsored by PFLAG Tulsa Luby’s, 15th & Boston Avenue 12:00 PM 2nd MONDAY PFLAG 101 PFLAG Tulsa 6:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church 29th & Harvard Diversity Christian Fellowship Worship 7:00 PM 2nd MONDAY PFLAG Tulsh General meeting with program 7:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church 29th & Harvard 4th MONDAY PFLAG Tulsa Support Session 6:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church 29th & Harvard TUESDAYS AA Community of Hope 7:30 PM Book Study Group "How to Know God" 7:30 PM Harmony Church 9022 E 31 st Street 2ND TUESDAY Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) Driver Training 1:00 - 4:00 PM Lambda AA Community of Hope 7:00 PM 2nd THURSDAYS HIV/AIDS Support Group Tristesse Center 6:30 PM SATURDAYS Lambda AA CUUC / COH 5:30 PM Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Community of Hope 11:00 PM 2nd SATURDAY Dignity / Integrity Worship 5:00 PM St. Dunstan’s If your organization would like to be listed (or provide current information) in "’the TORCH" calendar and/or "This Week In Tulsa," please contact TOHR at community@tohr. org or ggatewood@tohr.org. Thank you. TOWN HALL MEETING April 14, 2003 (Continuedfrom page 1) the Today, Oklahoma is one of only four states that specifically criminalizes same-sex sodomy (along ect TOHR’s Capital the Pyramid Project, has a purpose of raising funds to purchase and sustain a permanent, visible presence and with Texas, Kansas, and Missouri.) The Arkansas Supreme Court overturned that state’s same-sex sodomy law last year. "Since the day the U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear the case, there’s been tremendous amount of interest and energy from safe and affirming home for the Tulsa Gay, Les- LGBT people and straight allies nationwide who bian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center. The TOHR Board of Directors and Pyramid Project steering committee would like to thank the GLBT allied community for contributing want to seize this historic moment with us" said Taft, who is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Sodomy laws are used to justify discrimination over $200,000 to date. gay people, in refusing custody or visitation for gay parents, and even in intimidating gay people out of exercising their free speech rights. That’s 1/5 of the goal! While we work on the goal for a permanent home, the existing Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S Memorial, serves the purpose. You’re invited to visit the center and discover the difference you can make. against lesbians and gay men people in every day life; they’re invoked in denying employment to For more information, contact TOHR at 743GAYS (4297) or PFLAG Tulsa at 749-4901. �gay, lesbian, bi & transgender center ~ program of tulsa oklahomans for human fights 2114 S MEMORIAL OP£1/ Tuesday-Friday 3:00-9:00 PM Saturday TUESDAYS Diversity Celebration 2003! CyberCafe ’ Planning sessions: March 18, April 15, May 20; 7:00 PM Primetimers Board meeting; 1st Tuesday; 6:00 PM Primetimers Membership meeting; 1st Tuesday; 7:00 PM TOHR Board meeting; 2nd Tuesday; 6:00 PM H.O.P.E. Anonymous HIV Testing; 6:00-8:00 PM WEDNESDAYS Soulforce in Oklahoma; 1st and 3rd Wednesday; 6:30 PM Gender Outreach OKDrop-in Day; 7:00 PM THURSDAYS You Want Rainbow? Get Some. TOHR Pride Store. We Got Rainbow. Tues-Fri.; 6:00-9:00 PM FRIDAYS Find Out What’s Happening in Tulsa this WeekemL Call 743.GAYS (4297)...the Tulsa GLBT Info Line SATURDAYS H.O.P.E. Anonymous HIV Testing; 4:00-7:00 PM Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association (T.U.L.S.A) Board meeting; 1st Saturday; 4:00 PM T. U.L.S.A. General Meeting General meeting; 1st Saturday; 5:00 PM Gay Veterans ofAmerica (GVA) Board meeting; 2nd Saturday; 5:00 PM GVA General Meeting; 2nd Saturday; 5:00 PM Gender Outreach OKMeeting; 2nd Saturday; 7:00 PM Community Rooms Please contact TOHR at 743-4297 or community@tohr.org ifyour organization or group would like to meet at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender Community Center. OMEOUT/ to the Center LF.ARH/ Rainbow Library OPE# 6:00-9:00 PM Tuesday-Friday 3:00-9:00 PM Saturday TOHR SHOP! We Got Rainbow! PLAY! FREE Pool Community Bulletin Boards HIV Testing ~,~ for human rights oklahomans �A* Y ~A :Y ABVOCACY IN ACTION TULSA OKLAHOMANS for HUMAN RIGHTS PC BOX 2687 TULSA, OK 74101 TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER 2114 S MEMORIAL 918.743.4297 CIMARRON ALLIANCE GROUP PO BOX 18794 OKC, OK 73154 405310.9599 HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN 1107 E 19th TULSA, OK 74120 918.582.4673 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS METROPOLITAN TULSA 3336 E 32nd STREET SUITE 234 TULSA, OK 74135-4442 NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN (N.O.W.) PO BOX 692057 TULSA, OK ;7413:4 918.365.5658 OKLAHOMA NARAL PO BOX 9165 TULSA, OK 918.365.5658 PARENTS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS of LESBIANS & GA YS (PFLAG)-TULSA PC BOX 52800 TULSA, OK 74152 918.749.4901 SAYNO TO HATE COALITION A VOLUNTEER ORG DEDI CATED TO PRESERVING THE DIGNITY AND FUNDA MENTAL FREEDOMS OF ALL PEOPLE SOULFORCE IN OKLAHOMA RT. 4 BOX 3534 STIGLER, OK 74462 918.587.3248 (SUE) or 918.452.2761 (KAREN) TULSA OKLAHOMANS for HUMAN RIGHTS (TOHR) PO BOX 2687 TULSA, OK 74101 918.743.4297 :L~ _BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E PINE STREET TULSA, OK 918.836.8700 CW’s 1737 S MEMORIAL DRIVE TULSA, OK 74112 918.610.5323 HEADS & TAILS 7944 E 21st STREET TULSA, OK 74145 NEW AGE RENEGADES 1649 S MAIN STREET TULSA, OK 74119 918.585.3405 PLA Y-MOR LOUNGE 424 S MEMORIAL DRIVE TULSA~ OK 74112 918.838.9792 SCHA TZI’s 2619 S MEMORIAL DRIVE TULSA, OK 74112 918.280.1316 SILVER STAR SALOON 1565 S SHERIDAN ROAD TULSA, OK 74112 918.834.4234 TNT’s 2114 S MEMORIAL DRIVE TULSA, OK 74145 918360.0856 TOOL BOX II 1338 E 3RD STREET TULSA, OK 74120 918.584.1308 YELLOW BRICK ROAD PUB 2630 E 15TH STREET TULSA, OK 74104 918.293.o3o4 MENTAL HEALTH ASS’N IN TULSA 1870 S BOULDER TULSA, OK 74119 918.585.1213 TRISTESSE CENTER 1709 S BALTIMORE TULSA, OK 918.587.1200 CALL THE TULSA GLBT INFORMATION LINE AT 918.743.4297 FOR PRIVATE COUNSELORS & THERAPISTS g b~ET~ : Y~ LEt~ :~ DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INTERVENTION SERVICES, INC. 1419 E 15th STREET TULSA, OK 74120 918.585.3143 TULSA POLICE DEPARTMENT 918.595.2824 OR 911 F~A~ :~AL CALL THE TULSA GLBT INFORMATION LINE AT 918.743.4297 FOR PRIVATE FINANCIAL SERVICES/ACCOUNTANTS "~L~ T Y. ~- " BISEXUAL, LESBIAN, GAY TRANS ALLIANCE OF TU Bdan-Cortex@utulsa.edu COUNCIL OAK MEN’S CHORALE PO BOX 1062 TULSA, OK 74104-1062 918.748.3888 OK SPOKES CLUB PC BOX 9165 TULSA, OK 74157 PARENTS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS of LESBIANS & GAYS (PFLA G)- TULSA PC BOX 52800 TULSA, OK 74152 918.749A901 SOONER STATE RODEO ASSW PO BOX 471463 TULSA, OK 74147-1463 SOULFORCE IN OKLAHOMA RT. 4 BOX 3544 STIGLER, OK 74462 918.587.3248 OR TCC GAY & LESBIAN ASSOCIATION OF STUDENTS 918.595.7632 TULSA AREA PRIMETIMERS PO BOX 52118 TULSA, OK 74152-0118 918.582.6557 TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER 2114 S MEMORIAL MAIL: PO BOX 2687 TULSA, OK 74101 918.743.4297 TULSA OKLAHOMANS for HUMAN RIGHTS (TOHR) PO BOX 2687 TULSA, OK 74101 918.743.4297 TULSA UNIFORM & LEATHER SEEKERS ASSOCIATION (T.U.L.S.AJ PO BOX 33076 TULSA, OK 74102 918.299.6866 EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION (EEOC) 405.231.4911 OKLAHOMA CORPORTATION COMMISSION CONSUMER DIVISION 405.521.2331 OKLAHOMA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AIDS CARE COORDINA TQRS~TULSA 918.428.0366 H~AL TH INDIAN HEALTH CARE RESOURCE CENTER 550 S PEORIA TULSA, OK 74119 918.582.7725 MORTON HEALTH CENTER 603 E PINE STREET TULSA, OK 74106 918.587.2171 ¯ PLANNED PARENTHOOD 1007 S PEORIA AVENUE TULSA, OK 74129 918.587.1101 RYAN WHITE TITLE IIIB MEDICAL CLINIC OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVER SITY COLLEGE OF MEDI CINE TULSA CITY/COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT 4616 E 15th STREET TULSA, OK 74112 918.744.1000 CALL THE TULSA GLBT INFORMATION ONE AT 918.743.4297 FOR PRIVATE PHYSICIANS H~L~ CDC NATIONAL PREVENTION NETWORK 800.458.5231 CRISIS HELPLINE 918.836.4357 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 918.585.3143 GLBT INFORMATION LINE 918.743.4297 MAYOR’S ACTION LINE 918.596.2100 NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE 800.342.AIDS NATIVE AMERICAN AIDS LINE 800.283.AIDS OKLAHOMA AIDS HOTLINE 800.535.AIDS 918.742.5904 PFLAG HELPLINE 918.749.4901 STD HOTLINE 800.227.8922 H~V/A~. " AIDS COALITION OF TULSA 1430 S BOULDER AVENUE TULSA, OK 74119 918.585.5551 AIDS WALK TULSA 16 E 16th STREET TULSA, OK 74119 918.749.6956 HIV OUTREACH, PREVENTION & EDUCATION (H.O.P.E.) 3503 E ADMIRAL TULSA, OK 74115 918.834.8378 INTERFAITH AIDS MINISTRIES PO BOX 691438 TULSA, OK 74169 " 918.438.2437 NAMES PROJECT - TULSA 3507 E ADMIRAL PLACE TULSA, OK 74115 918.748.3111 OSU- COM OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVER SITY COLLEGE OF MEDI CINE REGIONAL AIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK (RAIN) 221 S NOGALES TULSA, OK 74127 918.834.4195 TULSA C.A.R.E.S. 3508 E ADMIRAL TULSA, OK 74115 918.834.4194 LE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU) 800.875.8516 (PiN # 8516) LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND (LLDEF) 120 WALL STREET SUITE 1500 NY, NY 10005-3904 212.809.0055 UNIVERSITY OF TULSA LEGAL CLINC 408 S HARVARD AVENUE TULSA, OK 74112 918.584.2752 CALL THE TULSA GLBT INFORMATION LINE AT 918.743.4297 FOR PRIVATE ATTORNEYS ~ EF.. " t~AL - EY.YI :E- " PERMANENT HAIR REMOVAL B.A. ELECTROLOGY 918.455.9050 HOPE UNITARIAN CHURCH 8432 S SHERIDAN ROAD TULSA, OK 74133 918.481.0999 MCC UNITED 1623 N MAPLEWOOD PO BOX 581702 TULSA, OK 74158-1702 918.838.17175 SOULFORCE IN OKLAHOMA RT, 4 BOX 3544 STIGLER, OK 74462 918.587.3248 OR ST. AIDAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4045 N CINCINNATI TULSA, OK 74104 918.425.7882 ST. DUNSTAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 5635 E 71ST STREET TULSA, OK 74104 918.492.7140 ST. JEROME EVANGELICAL ANGLICAN CHURCH IN AMERICA 205 W KING TULSA, OK 74106-5156 918.582-3088 TALEQUAH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH 918.456,7900 ~.ETA~L CIMARRON ALLIANCE 405.810.9599 DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS 3930 E 31st STREET TULSA, OK 74135 918.742.2457 REPUBLICAN HEADQUARTERS 7947 E 50th STREET TULSA, OK 74145 918.627.5702 LAMBDA BOWLING LEAGUE MONDAYS AT RIVERLANES LABOR-MEMORIAL DAYS NANCY McDONALD RAINBOW LIBRARY TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER 2114 S MEMORIAL 918.743.4297 ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH 2952 S PEORIA AVENUE TULSA, OK 74114 918.743.2362 CHURCH OF THE RES TORA TION 1314 S GREENWOOD TULSA, OK 74104 918.587.1314 COMMUNITY OF HOPE UCC 2545 S YALE AVENUE TULSA, OK 74114-6300 918.585.1800 COLLEGE HILL PRESBYTERIAN 712 S COLLEGE TULSA, OK 918.592.5800 DIGNITY/INTEGRITY OF TULSA PO BOX 701475 TULSA, OK 74170-1475 918.355.3140 DIVERSITY CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP 5820 E HASKELL PLACE TULSA, OK 74158 918.835.1887 FELLOWSHIP CONGREGATION CHURCH 2900 S HARVARD AVENUE TULSA, OK 74114 918.747.7777 HARMONY CHURCH 9022 E 31ST TULSA, OK 918.665.0607 THE TOHR PRIDE STORE IN THE TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER M-F: 6-9 PM SAT: 12-9 PM 2114 S MEMORIAL DRIVE 918.743.4297 NANCY McDONALD RAINBOW LIBRARY TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER 2114 S MEMORIAL NATIVE AMERICAN MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP 550 S PEORIA TULSA, OK 74119 918.582.7225 PFLAG - TULSA PC BOX 52800 TULSA, OK 74152 918.749.4901 TULSA GAY, LESBIAN, BI & TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER 2114 S MEMORIAL MAIL: PO BOX 2687 TULSA, OK 74101 918.743.4297 TULSA GLBT INFORMATION LINE 918.743.4297 TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER 2114 S MEMORIAL TULSA OKLAHOMANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PC BOX 2687 TULSA, OK 74101 918.743.4297 TULSA YOUTH DISCOVERY DIVERSITY (TYDD) YOUTH SERVICES OF TULSA 302 S CHEYENNE AVENUE SUITE 114 TULSA, OK 74103 918.582.0061 �Where Do They Stand? m ss th#s Oklahoma Democratic Resolutions Where Do They Stand on GLBT Issues? HUMAN RIGHTS The Oklahoma Democratic Party respects and upholds the civil, human and equal rights of every person. o The Oklahoma Democratic Party affirms the role of government at all levels in providing education and protection of the basic civil and human rights of every person regardless of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sexual nature or orientation, religion, creed, disability, employment, civil service or political affiliation, and of which may be actual or perceived; and, The Oklahoma Democratic Party supports the passage of hate crime laws and the improved reporting and monitoring of hate crimes with appropriate legislation necessary to enforce the protection of the basic civil, human, and .equal rights of every person without exception. e The Oklahoma Democratic Party supports the reproductive freedom of every woman, which means that every woman has the right to decide for herself when to bear children, and commits to the correction of economic and social factors that contribute to unintended pregnancies. The Democratic Party of Oklahoma recognizes that while the citizens of our state have benefited from a ’tough on crime’ approach to law enforcement and prosecution, our judicial system must be equally diligent in preventing the conviction and execution of innocent persons. The Democratic Party of Oklahoma supports a two-year moratorium on the death penalty to evaluate the effectiveness of our own system of justice to do no harm to the innocent, and to provide DNA testing, and other appropriate forensic testing, for all capital punishment cases at state expense to make certain that no innocent person is wrongly convicted and put to death. The above are excerpts f!’om resolutions of the Oklahoma Democrats. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) does not endorse a political position. TOHR wishes to educate the GLBT allied community of the NE Oklahoma area. This Week In Tulsa Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights weekly community calendar and information program sent to you via email. email us to get TWIT community@tohr.org SA TURDA Y, MARCH 8 Red Ribbon Gala Southem Hills Country Club 6:30 PM $150/person Tulsa CARES annual fundraiser SUNDAY, MARCH 9 Margaret Cho’s "REVOLUTION" Tour 7:30 PM Brady Theatre, 105 W Brady Street ~ $35 - $50.50 MONDAY, MARCH 10 HeartSong in Tulsa 7:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church 29th & Harvard FREE Co-sponsored by TOHR & PFLAG SA TURDA Y, MARCH 15 Sooner State Rodeo Association (SSRA) Proudly Presents Our Play Day For Cowboys, Cowgirls, City Slickers and Kids! Saturday, March 15th 2003 Indoor Arena and Registrations Open 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM Events begin 11:00 A. M. Till Whenever! No Admittance fee - FREE! Entry fee $6.00 per person per event Scheduled Events are as follows: Barrels, Flags, Rescue Race, Goat Dressing, Poles, Dummy Roping, Sack Race, Calf Scramble, Snack Bar 3 miles North of Pawhuska on State Hwy 99 on the West side of road S.S.R.A. Banners will be posted at the entrance. www.s00nerstater0deo.c0m MONDAY, APRIL 14 Legal Equality Now! - A Town Hall Meeting 7:00 PM Fellowship Congregational Church 29th & Harvard Co-sponsored by TOHR & PFLAG Tulsa THURSDA Y, APRIL 24 Bingo Night 7:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial Sponsored by Generations Connection PFLAG Muskogee 3531 E 93rd Street South Muskogee, OK 74403 Join our network of friends learning nonviolence from Gandhi and King, seeking justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and Join PFLAG Muskogee; the Ist Monday of each month 6:00 PM Muskogee Pubfic Library; 800 W Okmulgee Avenue Email us at PFLA G4Muskogee@aol. com Phone: 918-452-2761 or 918 -481-8870 �(Continuedfrom page 1) The executive director will play a key role in attracting foundation and corporate support for both the TOHR operating fund and Pyramd Project capital campaign, said Sue Welch, chair of the Pyramid Project capital campaign. "This is the next step in acquiring and operating a permanent GLBT Community Center in Tulsa," Welch said. Last fall, TOHR developed and adopted a strategic plan to help the organization reach new heights, including the addition of an executive director. Carol Barbieto, Ph.D., a nationally recognized expert in nonprofit management and leadership, provided board development training, facilitated the development of the strategic plan, and helped TOHR develop a plan for adding the position of executive director. "Foundations and corporations will evaluate the leadership and management of TOHR. They will want to see a well-developed, engaged governing board with a good mix of skills and representation. They will also look at the adequacy of management and program staffing," said Barbeito, who is president of CLOB & Associates of Littleton, Colo. "In my opinion, they should be impressed with the dedicated board but will also be concerned with the over-extension of the board members who are also acting in place of staff. The presence of an executive director who is well qualified will signal that TOHR is maturing and becoming a well-managed, professional nonprofit corporation. This will go a long way to creating the confidence that foundation and corporate grant-makers need to invest in TOHR." TOHR has been successful in carrying out approximately 60 to 70 percent of the goals and objectives in the strategic plan, Ortolani said. "We have implemented professional financial management practices, developed a variety of policies and procedures governing all areas of the organization, and increased key efficiencies regarding the management of the present community center." The next step is to add the position of executive director to ensure that the goals of equality and a permanent GLBT community center in Tulsa are reached. A series focusing on groups and organizations meeting at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center. During his early years as an attorney in South Africa, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a Hindu, was deeply moved by the teachings of Jesus, Tolstoy and Ruskin. "The Sermon on the Mount," Gandhi said, "went straight to my heart." Determined to translate those principles into practice, Gandhi developed satyagraha (tntth or soul force) - a plan of action for the development of inner lives and the nonviolent transformation of society. While a seminary student, Martin Luther King Jr. discovered Gandhi’s soul force principles. "While the Montgomery boycott was going on," King wrote, "India’s Gandhi was the guiding light for our technique of nonviolent social change..." For more information on TOHR’s strategic goals, please feel free to contact any member of the TOHR board ofdirectors. TOHR Board of Directors Executive Committee President Brent Ortolani ............... bortolani@tohr.org 1st Vice President Thorn Golden ................. tgo]den@tohr.org 2nd Vice President Co-Director of Volunteers Ellen Averill .................. eaverill@tohr.org Secretary Kelly Carter ..................... kcarter@tohr.org Treasurer Pat Hobbs ........................ phobbs@tohr.org President Emeritus Kerry Lewis ...................... klewis@tohr.org Members-at-Large Director of Board Development Michelle Hoffman ........ mhoffman@tohr.org Director of Development Jason Caniglia ............ jcaniglia@tohr.org Director of Diversity Wi] Bruner .................... wbmner@tohr.org Director of Marketing Greg Gatewood ........... ggatewood@tohr.org Co-Director of Volunteers Ray Chance .................... rchance@tohr.org YOU want rainbow? TOHR Tuesday-Friday 6:00-9:00 PM Saturday 3:00-9:00 PM 2114 S Memorial, inside the Tulsa GLBT Community Center In October 1999, 200 Soulforce delegates from across the country traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia, to meet with the Rev. Jerry Falwell and 200 delegates from his church and university. It was during that weekend that Rev. Jimmy Creech, one of the 200 Soulforce delegates, used the term "spiritual nonviolence." The term soon was adopted by Soulforce as the name of its nonviolence campaign. Across the country, local groups gather to study soul force principles to prepare themselves for actions against injustice in their own communities and ready themselves for participation in national Soulforce events. Soulforce in Oklahoma, the local group of Soulforce Inc., has recently held nonvioi~t demonstrations in Oklahoma City as well as participating in "Faithful Dissenters" program that encourages GLBT people and their allies to stop giving tithes and offerings (or portions thereof) until the false teachings end. Soulforce in Oklahoma meets at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, 2114 S Memorial, on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month at 6:30 PM. For more information, visit www. soulforceinoklahoma.org. � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2003] TOHR Torch, Spring 2003; Volume 1, Issue 3 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2003 Spring Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Spring 2003 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/f086fd46b0f5946b12eccd0cdef3221c.jpg a0f29f7b77282d32f9963459a044dfdf https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/7e3745efc11306c899d6e92a97cd2350.pdf c046cb483cd13dc9cb1570ed8c020eb0 PDF Text Text gay, lesbian, center Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights works for equality and social acceptmnce for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Transgender (GLBT) and allied community of Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership and unity. National Coming Out Day Saturday, October 11 ,tulsa oklahomans FALL 2003 for human rights quarterly news / volume two / issue one Your chance to speak out on the organization is Tuesday, October 7th - Tulsa GLB T Community Center It’s been an exciting year for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and allied community of NE Oklahoma and Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). Looking at the past year and toward the future will be the focus of the TOHR annual meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Communit3.’ Center. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S Memorial, has recently undergone a transformation to better serve the GLBT & allied communi~:. You’re invited to review and comment on .the improvements during a reception and open house beginning at 6:00 PM and stay for the meeting and program, beginning at 7:00 PM A State of the Organization presentation by outgoing President Brent Ortolan and theelection of the 2004 Board of Directors, see page 3 for nominee biographies, highlight the meeting. For more information on Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights and/or the annual meeting please call 918.743.4297 or visit www.tohr.org. American Sign Language classes offered this fall Always wanted to communicate with the deaf?. Now you have a chance to through an exciting new commtmity outreach activity,. The Communication Service for the Deaf of Oklahoma (CSD of Oklahoma) and Tulsa Oklahomans for Htnnan Rights (TOHR) are sponsoring Beginner American Sign Language (ASL) Classes at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S Memorial, beginning October 16th. Classes will be held every Thursday and run for 8 weeks. A tuition fee of $40/student and a $20 book "How to Speak With Your Hands" fee for a tota! of $60/individual, payable to CSD of Oklahoma, is required. To enroll, stop by the Communication Sen, ice of the Deaf at 8519 E 1 lth Street from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM or the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S Memorial. Enrollment deadline is Friday, October 10th and is limited to t6 students per class. CSD of Oklahoma will also coordinate "Deaf Night" from 8:00-9:00 PM after the fourth week of classes. Deaf or hearing impaired individuals are invited to attend these gatherings to further teach ASL to those in the classes as well as to enjoy the company of all in the community, at the Tulsa GLBT Commtmity Center. Celebrate Coming Out with FallSpeakers Dinner, Friday, October 10, 2003 The Intemational Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) Finals highlight a busy fall for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender (GLBT) and allied community of NE Oklahoma. See the back cover for a listing of fall events. Tulsa GLBT Information Line The Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) History Project presents Dr. Leisa Meyer as the featured speaker at the FallSpeakers Dinner on Friday, October 10, 2003 at All Souls Unitarian Church 2952 S Peoria. Dr. Meyer is the Director of Women’s Studies and an associate professor of history at William & Mary College, Williamsburg, VA. She is the chair of the American Historical Association’s Committee on Gay & Lesbian History. Her boo’ks include Creadng G.1. Jane: Sexuality and Power in the gEomen’s Army during Igorld gear H (1996) and Talldng Sex: A H~story of Sexuality in America since g/orld Igar 11 (forthcoming 2005). She is also an associate editor for the (Continued on page 5 - see GLBT History) �After years of living in denial, the man had fmally accepted he was Gay. He left his job as an associate pastor at a large church, told his wife and boss he wa~s gay and drove to his hometown - Tulsa, He arrived in Tulsa and stayed with friends from college (all graduates of Rhema Bible College), wondering about the next step and searching for answers. He called the Tulsa GLBT Information Line, 743-GAYS, the next morning and talked to a volunteer - who happened to be there during the day. That afternoon, he came to the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Trausgender (GLBT) Community Center and stayed for over 4 hours. He felt free and honest about his life for the first time, What might he expect in his future? Would his family ignore him? Would he ever see his children again? Were there others like him? As he left the Center and thanked the volunteer, he said "You’ll never know how coming here has helped. It saved me." Memorial That is one of the reasons the Tulsa GLBT Community Center exists. Thousands of individuals call the Tulsa GLBT Information Line, housed in the center, searching for answers. Young adults come through the doors wondering if they will ever be accepted by their family and friends. Others of all ages step through the doors in the lifelong process of coming out. Still more find a community they never knew existed. Families and friends of GLBT individuals learn their loved one is part of a community that cares. Community organizations have a place to call home and meet - educating those in and a part of the GLBT & allied community. The very presence of the Tulsa GLBT Community Center educates the general population on the issues of equality and social acceptance - the mission of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights has operated the Tulsa GLBT Community since 1996 and is Oklahoma’s oldest GLBT organization having been in existence since 1980. Through advocacy, education, leadership and unity, TOHR provides the 6LBT & allied community a place to call home - the Tulsa GLBT Community Center - and a voice to educate Oklahoma on equality and social acceptance. You are TOH1L You can provide, through your volunteer time or membership/contribution, a home for the community and a place for all - gay or straight - to feel comfortable and be themselves. Advocacy and educational programs can continue to demonstrate to all Oklahomans GLBT individuals deserve the same basic rights, equality and acceptance most people enjoy. Be a part of TOHR (member/donor form on page 7). You’ll be doing your part for equali~’ and social acceptance. You could be saving a life. gay, lesbian, --bi & transgender center TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER WEEKLY SCHEDULE TUESDAY o GLBT Center & Pride Store Open 6:00-9:00 PM Free HIV Testing by H.O.P.E. 6:00-8:00 PM ® Tulsa Area Primetimers Board Mtg 1st Tuesday; 6:00 PM ® Tulsa Area Primetimers Meeting 1st Tuesday; 7:00 PM ® Advocates in Action 1st Tuesday; 7:00 PM o TOHR Board Meeting 2nd Tuesday; 6:00 PM WEDNESDAY GLBT Center & Pride Store Open 6:00-9:00 PM ® Gender Outreach OK Drop-In Day 7:00 PM Gender Outreach OK Movie Night 2nd Wednesday; 6:30 PM ® Tulsa GLBT History Project 2nd Wednesday; 7:00 PM THURSDAY GLBT Center & Pride Store Open 6:00-9:00 PM ® American Sign Language Classes 8 ~eek class begins October 16 6:00 PM FRIDAY s GLBT Center & Pride Store Open 6:00-9:00 PM SA TURD A Y s GLBT Center & Pride Store Open 3:00-9:00 PM Free HIV Testing by H.O.P.E. 4:00-7:00 PM Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association (T.U.L.S.A.) Board Meeting 1st Saturday; 4:00 PM T.U.L.S.A. Member Meeting 1st Saturday; 5:00 PM s Gender Outreach Ok Meeting 2rid Saturday; 6:00 PM published by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918-743-4297 (phone) / 918-384-0108 (fax) tohr.org email: community@tohr.org Editor Greg Gatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr.org Writers and Contributors {2rreg Oatewood ................. ggatev¢ood@tohr.org Kerry Lewis ........................... klewis@tohr, org Brent Ortolan ...................... bortolani@ohr.org Office location Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2t 14 S Memorial Tulsa, .......... -- ~tulsa oklahomans /Ul’lK Board el ulrectors for human rights President Brent Ortolani .................. bortolani@tohr, org 1 st Vice President Vacant .................................................. 2nd Vice President Ellen Averill ..................... eaverill@tohr, org Secretary Vacant Treasurer Pat Hobbs ........................... phobbs@tohr.org President Emeritus Ken3, Lewis ......................... ldev~4s@tohr.org Mombor,,,-at.Largo Director of Board Development Miehelle Hoffman ............ mhoffizmn@tohr.org Director of Gender Outreach Troy Nicklaus .................. t~rficklaus@tohr.org Director of Marketing Greg Oatewood .............. ggatewood@tohr.org TOHR’s Capital Camloaian the P3"ramid Project pyramidproject.org Co-Chairs Sue Welch & Brent Ortolani ~/$~,,maa ~o,t~t Committee Members Theresa Bernard, Mark Benney, Marc Frieden Crreg Gatewood, David Hoot, Brent Ortolani. Marcy Smith and Tim Williams. 7~)HR is a 501 (c)3 organization operated complete~, through donations and non-paid volunteers. Contributions ar~ tardeductiblt~ to the j~lte~t extent of current United States of America tar laws. ~ Torch, a publication of Tul~ Oklahoraana for Human Rights, Inc. is publi~h~ quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring and Smamer) with an ~limated amaual r~eder~hip of 10,099. Subseriptina r~tes are paid contributing member dues of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human RighB (TOHR). Advarfldng rale~ are: buain~ card: $25,,’iasue; 1/4 page: $50iis~ue; 1~2 page: $751is~ae and full page; $100/isnue. A 25% discounted ra|e is available with a paid annual advertising plan, Tbe Torch is prot~ted by cop)fight and may not be rein’educed in vdraie or part except by l~a’nlssion obtained by contacting TOHR dir~tly. Credit must be given 1o TOH1L The viewa of the Torch ar~ expren~ed in editorial only. Views ~xpr~.d in !¢ttera to the edltor and other subraindom are these of the author and do rot rmee~sarily rdle~t tho~e of tl~ board of dlt’~tor~ contributing ramthera or editors or lcaderddp of TOHR. The To~h resea’ve~ the right to edit or l~j¢¢t any material ~ubafitted for publleatinn. TI~ Torch at~or TOHR ls not r~txm~le for damages due to typollon in the Torch renmia ~ protxn~’ of TOHtL TI~ Torch ar’d0’or TOHR caunot b~ responsible for claims by adverli,~ra. TI~ tt~ of flue ma~ or lik~a~a of a person or antli)’ in tbe Torch ia advertising or l~itieal ~fftliatlon. cor~t 2oo3, TOnR, �Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) works to secure equality and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered (GLBT) and allied community of Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership, and unity. TOHR 2004 BOARD of DIRECTORS NOMINEES The Board Development Committee of Tulsa Oklahomaus for Human Rights (TOHR), comprised of Michele Hoffman, Greg Johnston,, Kerr3; Lewis and Brent Ortolani, presented the 2004 Board of Directors nominees recently. The following Oklahomans are nominated to serve or continue to serve on the TOHR Board of Directors. Nominees denoted by an * below will be voted on by the general membership at the Annual Meeting on Tuesday, October 7 at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center. The public is invited. Ellen Averill Current TOHR Secretar3, Internal Communications Manager Williams Companies Cornmuni~. sen;ice/activities: International Association of Business Communicators, Tulsa Press Club, Habitat for Humanity Robert Babcock* Admission Counselor The University of Tulsa B.A. University of Arkansas Community service/activities: Trinity Episcopal Church, Cormnunity of Hope, Council Oak Men’s Chorale, United Campus Ministries, Frontrunners/Frontwalkers Laura Belmonte* Associate Professor of History Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Ph.D. Universib, of Virginia Communib’ service/activities: OSU Women’s Film Festival, All Souls Unitarian Church, OSU American Studies Program, Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender (GLBT) History Project William P~[ark Bonn ey * Attorney at Law J.D. University of Oklahoma Community service!activities: TOHR Pyramid Project, Cimarron Alliance Group, PFLAG of Muskogee Brad Gordon* HIV Prevention Specialist; HIV Outreach, Education & Prevention (H.O.P.E.) Data Entry Coordinator; Ryan White Clinic B.A. Political Science Oklahoma State University, Stillwater Legal assistant program graduate University of Tulsa Masters in Public Administration current student University of Oklahoma, Tulsa Community service/activities: H.O.P.E., National AIDS Fund Americorps, TOHR, Diversity Celebration 2000 & 2001. Patrick Hobbs Current TOHR Treasurer Financial Manager~enefits Administrator Long Term Care Authority B.B.A. Southern Methodist University Community service/activities: Community theatre and performing oats Lamont Lindstrom* Professor of Anthropology The University of Tulsa Ph.D. University of California at Berkeley Community service/activities: Society of Gay and Lesbian Anthropologists, advisor of Tulsa Universities BLGTA (Bi, Lesbian, Gay & Transgender Association). (Continued on page 5 - see Board Nominees) YOU want ’ainl!ow. OPEN Tues-Fri 6:00-9:00 PM Saturday 3:00-9:00 PM 2114 S Memorial Inside the Tulsa GLBT Community Center Tulsa Frontrunners/Frontwalkers hit the streets for the community Do you like to jog or ~valk? Then, the Tulsa Frontmnners/Frontwalkers is the group you need to join! Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) has formed the Tulsa chapter of the Frontrunners/Frontwalkers for the community. A part of the international association of Frontrunners (~’w.fronlrunners.org), the Tulsa chapter is one of many across the world. Each chapter organizes a regular series of walks and/ or runs in their city. Most members are from the Ga,v, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender commnnity and their family and friends. Wellbehaved pets are also welcome! The Tulsa Fronmmners/Frontwalkers participated as a group recently in the "Race for the Cure" and will be participating in "Run the River," the 1 lth annual Tulsa AIDS Walk/Run. Tulsa FrontnmnersfFrontwalkers provide a great opporttmity to meet people, get some exercise and share camaraderie. You do not have to be a TOHR member to join and there will be minimal or no dues. The following walks/jogs are currently sponsored by the_group and are followed by dinner/ breakfast at various restaurants for those interested. Tuesday; 6:30 PM Thursday; 7:00 AM Saturday; 8:00 AM All jogs/walks begin in the Tulsa River Parks with participants meeting at the 29th Street Pedestrian Bridge. If you are interested or wish to receive more information, visit the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S Memorial or feel free to conta£t TOHR. Phone: 918.743.4297 Email: frontrunners@tohr.org Web: www.tohr.org Mai!: TOHR Attn: Frontrunners~rontwalkers PO Box 2687 Tulsa OK 74101. In the meantime, stay health3,! �2 month m Tulsa Area Primetimers Member Meeting 7:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center MONDAYS H.O.P.E. Walk-In Clinic FREE HIV Testing ~ H.O.P.E. Clinic ~ 6:00-8:00 PM 2114 S Memorial 3503 E Admiral ~,t~ Advocates in Action Tulsa Lambda Le%~w TOHR Advocacy group 6:30 PM 7:00 PM Riverlanes Bowling Center Tulsa GLBT 8711 S Lewis Community Center Council Oak Men’s Chorale / 2! 14 S Memorial Women of Council Oak WEDNESDAYS Rehearsals 6:50 PM PFLAG Tulsa All Souls Unitarian Church Lavender Luncheons 2952 S Peoria Open to all 11:30 AM Lamda AA The Supper Club 7:00 PM 640 N Denver Community of Hope 2545 S Yale Karaoke 8:00 PM The PlayMor 1737 S Memorial ~ t st MONDAY PFLAG 101 6:30 PM Fellowship Congregational 2900 S Harvard PFLAG Meeting & Program 7:30 PM Fellowship Congregational 2900 S Harvard 4th MONDAY PFLAG Support Session 6:30 PM Fellowship Congregational 2900 S Harvard TUE~SDAYS Tulsa GLBT Comanmnlty Center Open 6:00-9:00 PM 2114 S Memorial FREE HIV Testing 6:00-8:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Commurtity Center 2114 S Memorial Tulsa Frontrunners/ Frontwalkers 6:30 PM Meet at the 29th Street Bridge on Riverside Book Study Group "How to Know God" 7:30 PM Harmony Church 9022 E 31st Street Catia Lee Love Show 11:00 PM Renegades @ 17th & Main 1st TUESDAY Tulsa Area Primetimers Board Meeting 6:00 PM Tulsa GLBT 2114 S Memorial Tulsa GLBT Community Center Open 6:00-9:00 PM 2114 S Memorial Evening Worship 6:00 PM Diversity Christian Fellowship 5820 E Haskell Place Gender Outreach OK Drop-In Day 7:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial Lamda AA 7:00 PM Community of Hope 2545 S Yale Karaoke 8:00 PM - ? The PlayMor 1737 S Memorial Karaoke 9:00 PM-2:00 AM TNT’s 2114 S Memorial Karaoke 9:00 PM Heads-n-Tails 7944 E 21st The Silver Starlets 11:00 PM Silver Star 1565 S Sheridan Open Mic Night Tool Box 1338 E 3rd Street 2nd WEDNESDAY Gender Outreach OK Movie Night Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial Tulsa GLBT History Project 7:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial ~ oklahomans for human rights U °TY CALEN THURSDAYS ~ATURDAYS ~tlsa Frontrunners/ Frontwalkers 7:00 AM Meet at the 29th Street Bridge on Riverside Tulsa Frot~trunners/ Frontwalkers 8:00 AM Meet at the 29th Street Bridge on Riverside Tulsa GLBT Community Center Open 6:00-9:00 P~I~I 2114 S Memorial Tulsa GLBT Community Center Open 3:00-9:00 PM 2114 S Memorial H.O.P.E. Walk-In Clinic FREE HIV Testing H.O,P.E. Clinic 6:00-8:00 PM 3503 E Admiral FREE HIV Testing 4:00-7:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community (~enter 2114 S Memorial ASL Classes 6:00-8:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Conmaunity Center 2114 S Memorial Lamda AA 5:30 PM Community of Hope 2545 S Yale Youth discussion group 6:30 PM Openarms Youth Center 1060G S Ivlingo DeafNight 8:00-9:00 PM beginning Nov. 13th. Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial Ultimate Weapons Narcotics Anonymous 6YA) 8:00 PM Parish Church of St. Jerome 205 W King Karaoke 9:00 PM Heads-n-Tails 7944 E 21st Male Dancers 11:00 PM Silver Star 1565 S Sheridan FRIDAYS Tulsa GLBT Community Center Open 6:00-9:00 PM 2114 S Memorial -Friday Evening Service 7:00 PM C~agregation B’nai Emunah 1719 S Owasso Shabbot Eve Service 8:00 PM Temple Israel 2004 E 22nd Place Fellowship Congregational Church UCC 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Worship 2900 S Harvard Harmony Church of Religious Science 10:00 AM Study Group 11:00 AM Celebration 9022 E 31st Street Parish of St. Jerome 11:00 AM Holy Eucharist 205 W King Danch~g & Entertainment 7:00 PM - 12:00 AM 1014: Josie & Company 10/11: Dance w/DJ Tim 10/18: GYP Youth 10/25: Goth Night 11/1: Pajama Party 1 I/8: Dating Game 11/15: Hollywood Carpet Nite 11/22: Newlywed Game Art Exhibit 1st week of Nov. Openarms Youth Center 1060G S Mingo Special Entertainment 11:00 PM Renegades !7th & Main MCC United 11:00 AM Worship 1623 Maplewood Unity Center of Tulsa 9:30 AM Quest Class 11:00 AM Service 1830 S Boston Avenue Unity Church of Christianity 9:00 AIvI Service 11:00 AM Service 3355 S Jamestown Avenue Karaoke 9:00 PM Heads-n-Tails 7944 E 21 st Karaoke Theme Nite & Show Tool Box 1338 E 3rd 9:00 PM Renegades !7th & Main Karaoke 9:00 PM Yellow Brick Road Pub 2630 E 15th Girls Night Out 10:00 PM The PlayMor 1737 S Memorial 1st SATURDAY Sunday at the Star 11:00 PM Silver Star 1565 S Sheridan T. U.L.S~. Board Meeting 4:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial T.U.L.SoA. GeneralMeeting 5:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial SUNDAYS Diva Rmate Tool Box 1338 E 3rd 1st & 3rd SUNDAYS, Soulforce in Oklahoma 3:00-5:00 PM C~ -- Community of Hope UCC 2565 S Yale 2nd FRIDAY All Souls Unitarian Ctmrch 8:45-! 1:00 AM Child Care 9:00 AM Adult Education 10:00 AM Church School 10:00 AM Adult Worship 2942 S Peoria HIV~dlDS Support Group 6:30 PM Tritesse Center 1709 S Baltimore College Hills Presbyterian Church 10:00 AM Worship 700 S Columbia Retro Night Tool Box 1338 E 3rd Street Diversity Christiw~ Fellowship Inten,ational 9:45 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship 5820 E Haskell Place Community ofHope UCC 6:00 PM Worship 2545 S Yale Have a GLBT & allied community related regular happening or spedal event going on? Get in it the TWIT - "This Week In Tulsa," emailed every week and the quarterly Community Calendar. Please contact Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) by email at eommunity@tohr.org or by phone at 9!8.743.4297. �TOHR 2004 Board Nominees (Continuedfrom page 3) John Madlgan * Community service/activities: Tulsa Primetimers, TOHR Pyramid Project, Area Dennis Neill* Senior Vice President, Technology & Administrative Sen;ices Sanason, Inc. B.A. Political Science Oklahoma State University, Stillwater J.D, University of Texas Community sen’ice/activities: Past president of Youth Services of Tulsa, ACLU of Oklahoma and TOHR. Board service of Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, Tulsa Human Rights Commission and AIDS Support Program Troy NichoIas Current TOHR At Large Board member Homemaker Computer, automotive technolo~’ background Community sen’ice/activities: Chair of Gender Outreach OK Brent Ortolani Current TOHR President Director of Marketing & Public Relations Rogers State University B.S. The University 6f Kansas Community service/activities: Public Relations Socieb" of America, St. Francis Hospice, TOHR P.~:amid Project Tim Scott Frieze* Facilities Engineer / Business Administrator The Boeing Company Barton School of Business Community service/activities: Boeing Diversity Council, Boeing Employees Association, Facilities Engineering & Community Relations webmaster, Diversity Celebration 2003. Mike Williams* Subject Librarian, History & Geography Tulsa City-County Library M.A. History, University of Tulsa MLS University of Oklahoma Community sen’ice/activities: retired Naval Reserves, 10 yrs active duty; Vietnam Veteran, U.S.S. Enterprise CVA (N)-65 1969-70 Ken Youngblood* O~aaer Ken’s Flowers B.A. Northeastern State University Community service/activities: Youth Services of Tulsa, TOHR P.vramid Project, Tulsa CARES, Tulsa Opera, Tulsa Ballet, Jewish Federation of Tulsa, Tulsa Jazz Hall of Fame, Philbrook Museum of Art, Gilcrease Museum, Meals on Wheels, Human Rights Cm’npaign and Goodwill Industries (Continuedfrom page t) Encyclopedia of Lesbian, Ga.v, Bisexual 7)*ansgender History and Culture. Dr. MeTers presentation, "The Poliacs of Intimacy: Why Gay, Lesbian, Bise,m¢al dr Transgender Histom~ Matters," inaugurates an annual series presented by the Tulsa GLBT History Project. Founded in 2003, the project aims to document, preserve and interpret the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Tulsa and surrounding communities. The project is sponsored by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), Oklahoma’s oldest GLBT organization. A Donors’ Reception will begin at 6:00 PM followed by dinner and Dr. MeTer’s presentation at 7:00 PM. Dinner and program tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Donor tickets are $50. Tickets are available at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, 2114 S Memorial (918.743.4297); Cisar-Holt, Inc., 1607 E 15th Street and The Supper Club, 640 N Denver; or by mail at: History Project, 2221 S Rockford, Tulsa, OK 74114. For more information or to hold tickets at the door, please call 918.743.4354. Know Your Past... Change Your Future Named One of the Top 3 New Tulsa Restaurants Friday & Saturday; 4:30 PM - 10:00 PM Sunday Brunch; 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM ¯ Lunch M-F; 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM 640 N Denver 582-8260 PFLAG Tulsa PO Box 52800 Tulsa, OK 74 Join PFLAG Tulsa; the 2nd Monday of each month PFLAG ~01 @ 6:30 PM, General Meeting; 7:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church, 29th & Harvard Email us at pflagtulsa@hotmaiL com �Please contact Tulsa Oktahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) at 918.743.4297 or community@tohr.org to add your business or organization to the Torchlistings. tulsa oklahomans -- for human rights ADVOCACY dDVOCITE.~ IN AC770N Tuha Oklabomans for Hmnen Rights PO Box 2687 Tulsa, Ok 74101 918.743,4297 C1MARRONALLIAA’CE GROUP PO Box 18794 OKC, OK 73154 405,810.9599 HUMAN RIGHTS CIMPIlGN ! 107 E 19th Tulsa, OK 74120 918.582.4673 LEAGUE OF WOMEN PDTERS 31ETROPOLITAN IZ,’LS.4 3336 E 32rid STREET SUITE 234 TULSA, OK 74135-4442 NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOIIIEN 7V, O, IV..) PO BOX 692057 Tulsa, OK 74134 918.365.5658 OKLAHO~IA NARAL PO Box 9165 Tulsa, OK 918.365.5658 PARENT;g, E43HLIF~ & FRIEND,~ ofLF~BL4A~ & PO Box 52800 TULSA, OK 74152 918.749.490I SAY NO TO HATE COALITION A voltmtee’r organization dedicated to pr.scrving the dignity and fondem~tal free~ of all people. SOULFORCE IN OKL4HOMA RT. 4 Box 3534 Stigler, OK 74462 918.587.3248 or 91&452.2761 TULqA OKL4HOM,L’~TI For ttUMAN RIGHTS tTOHR} PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918.743.4297 CLUBS BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E Pine Tulsa, OK 918.836.8700 HEAD~ & TAH.S 7944 E 21~ Strut Tulsa, OK 74145 NEW AGE RENEGADES 1649 S l~Jn Stre~ Tulsa, OK 74119 918,585.3405 PLA Y-MOR 1737 S Mcraorial Drive Tulsa, OK 74112 918.838,9792 SILVER S~IR SALOON 1565 S Sherid,m Road Tu~a, OK 74112 918.834.4234 2114 S Memorial Drive Tulsa, OK 74145 918.660,0856 TOOL BOX II 1338 E 3rd Slreet TUI~ OK 7412O 918.584.1308 YELLOW BRICK ROAD PUB 2630 E 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74104 918,293.0304 DOMESTIC IqOLENCE 1A’TERVE~TION SERVICES, INC 1419 E 15th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918.585.3143 TUI2gA POLICE DEPAR731E[vT 918.595.2824 OR 911 GLBT ORGANIZATIONS BISEXUAL, LESBIA 34 TRANS ALUANCE OF 7U c/o Riverlanes Bowling Center 8711 S L~wis Talsa, OK OK SPOKES CLUB PO Box 9165 TuL~, OK 74157 OPENAPJdS YOUTH PROJECT 1060G S 1~f~o Tulsa, OK 74129 PARENTS, FAMILIES & FRIENDS ofLESRIANS & GAYS (PFLA G~. TUI~A PO Box 52800 Tuisz, OK 74152 918.749,4901 SOONER STA T~ RODEO PO BOX 471463 TLrLSA~. OK 74147-1463 SOULFORCE IN OKLAH03£4 RT. 4 Box 3544 Stigler, OK 74462 918.587,3248 TCC GAY & LESBIAN ASSOCIATION OF STUDEaNTS 918.595,7632 TULIgA ARF-4 PRIMETI3IERS PO Box 521t 8 Tulsa, OK 74152-0118 918.582.6557 TULSA GLBT ¢OMML"NITY CENTER 2114 8 Memorial Mail: PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918.743,4297 HUMAN RIGH’I~ tTOHRI PO BOX 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918.743.4297 TULSA UI~TFOK,I! & LF~1HER PO Box 33076 Tulza, OK 74102 918.299.6866 1007 S PEOPdA AVENUE TULSA OK 74129 918,587,1101 RYAN WIIITE 17TLE !ttB MEDIC4L CLI,~,7C Oklahoma Sta~ University College of Medicine TErLSA CI’IT/CO~WT}" HEAL DEE4R73IEATF 4616 E 15th Street TuNa, OK 74112 918.744.1000 TUI~4 GLBT INFOIL~tA TION LINE 918.743.GAYS (4297) for GLBT f6endly physicians HELPLINES CDC I~MTIO:YAL PREI/ENTION NETWORK 800.458,523! CRISIS HELPLINE 918,836,4357 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE 918.585.3143 GLBT INFO IL~tA TION UNE 918.743,4297 3£IFOR’S ACTION LINE 918.596.2100 NATIONAL AIDS HOTLINE 800.342..MDS A[ITIVE AMERICAN AIDS LINE 800.283,AIDS OKLAHOMA AIDS HOTLINE 800,535.AIDS 918.742.5904 PFLA G HEL PI.INE 9!8.749,4901 $17D HOTLiNE 800,227.8922 HIV / AIDS ,lIDS COALITION OF TULSA 1430 S Bouider Ave. Tt~a, OK 74119 918.585.5551 AIDS WALK TULSA 16 E 16th St~’et Tulsa, OK 74119 918,749.6956 HIV OUTREACH, PREVENTION & EDUGATION(H..O.P,1£) 3503 E Admiral TuBa, OK 74115 918.834,8378 L~TERFAITH AIDS PO BOX 691438 TULSA, OK 74169 918.438.2437 NAME~ PROJECT - TULSA 205 W King Tulsa, OK 74115 918.748.3111 OSU-COM Oklahoma Slate Univerdty REGIONAL ,,lIDS INTI£P.FA1TH NETWORK (RAI~) 221 S Nogale~ TuBa, OK 74127 918.834,4195 1ULSA C,A.RE.S, 3508 E Admiral Place Tulsa, OK 74115 918.834.4194 LEGAL MENTAL HEALTtt ASS’N .. GA Y Bfian-Cortex@utuha.edu COUNCIL OAK MEN’S CHORALE (C03tC) & II"O,~,IEN OF COUNCIL OAK OVCO) PO BoX 1062 Tulsa, OK 74104-1062 918.748,3888 LA3tBDA LEAGUE COUNSELING 1870 S Boulder Tulsa, OK 74119 918.585,1213 TRISTESSE 1709 S Baltimore Tul~ OK 918,587.1200 TULSA GLBT INFORMATION LINE 74343AY8 (4297) for GLBT friendly coonsebrs ~d therapists. PLINNED PARENTt!OOD DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HEALTHCARE INDIANHEALTH C4RE RESOURCE CEIVFER 550 S Peoria Tuha, OK 74119 918,582,7725 MORTON" HEALTH CENTER 603 E ~ Street Tulsa, OK 74106 918.587,2171 AMERICAN CIt"IL LIBERTIES UI~7OA" (ACL ~) 800,875.8516 (PIN # 8516) LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUC~TION FUND (I.LDEF) 120 Wall Street Suite 1500 NY, NY 10005-3904 212,809.0055 UNIVEP~FI]" OF TUL~4 408 S Harvard Avenue Tu~a, OK 74112 918.584.2752 TULSA GLBT INFOI~LA TION LINE 918,743,GAYS (4297) for GLBT friendly attor~ya PERSONAL SERVICES PERMANENTHAIR REMOVAl. B.A. ELECTP.OLOGY 918,455.9050 POLITICAL CIMARRON ALLIANCE 405.810.9599 DEMOCR.ITIC ttEADQUARTERS 3930 E 31st Streel Tulsa, OK 74135 918.742.2457 REPUBLICAN HIL4 D QUA R TERS 7947 E 50th Street Tulsa, OK 74145 918.627,5702 RECREATION GLBT VOLLEYBALL Mondays at 71st/Riverside Sand Corms Memoriul Day - Labor Day LAMBDA LEAGUE c/o Pdverlanes Bowling Center 8711 S Labor D~y - Memorial Day 299-9494 or 251-4526 NANCY 3IeDOIVA~D P.AINBO~ IdBRARV_ Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial 918.743.4297 TULSA DART LEA GUE Contact any of the Tulsa area GLBT nightclubs for information RELIGIOUS ALL SOULS UNITARL4N CHURCH 2952 S peoria Avenue Tulsa, OK 74114 918.743.2362 B’NAI EMUNAH 1719 S Tui~a, OK 74120 918.5837121 CHURCH OF THE RESTORATION 1314 S Oreenwood Tulsa, OK 74104 918.587.1314 COMMUNITY OF HOPE UCC 2545 S x.’Me Aventm Tulsa, OK 74114-6300 918.585.1800 COLLEGE HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 712 S College Tulsa, OK 918.592.5800 DIGP,TIY/INTEGRITY OF TULSA PO Box 701475 Tulsa, OK 74170-1475 918.355.3140 DIVEP~ITY CHRISTIAN FELLOtP*dIHP INTERNATIONAL 5820 E t~kell Pla~ TuBa, OK 74158 918.835.1887 FELLOg~HIP CONGREGATION CHURCH 2900 S Harvard Avenue Tulsa, OK 74114 918.747.7777 HARMONF CHURCH of RELIGIOUS SCIENCE 9022 E 31st Tulsa, OK 918.665.0607 HOPE UNITARIAN CHURCH 8432 S Sheridan Road Tulsa, OK 74133 918.48 L0999 Mc"C UN/TED 1623 N Maple,wood PO Box 581702 Talsa, OK 74158-1702 918.838.17175 SOULFORCE IN OKLIHOMA RT. 4 Box 3544 Stigl~, OK 74462 918.587.3248 ST. A1DAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4045 N Cincinnati Tulsa, OK 74104 918.425.7882 ST. DUNSTAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH 5635 E 71st Street TuLsa, OK 74104 918.492.7140 PARISH ofSZ JERO.~tE EVANGELICAL ANGLICAN CHURCH LN AAIERICA 205 W King Tulsa, OK 74106-5156 918.582-3088 TALEQU:~r UNITARIAN UNIt/EP~dLIST CIIURCH 918.456.7900 TE#IPLE ISRAEL 2004 E 22nd Place Tulsa, OK 74114 918.747.1309 RESTAURANTS THE SUPPER CLUB 640 N D~nver Tulsa, OK 74106 918.582.8260 THE WHITE LION PUB 6927 S Canton Tulsa, OK 741 918.491-6533 RETAIL THE PRIDE STORE Inside the Tulsa GLBT Community Center Tues-Ffi: 6:00-9:00 PM Saturdays: 3:00-9:00 PM 2114 S Memorial Drive 918.743.4297 SUPPORT NANCY 3IcDONALD RAINBOW LIBRAR~ TULSA GLBT COMMUNH’Y CENTER 2114 S !vlE/vIORIAL NATIVE A3tERICAN MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP 550 S Peoria Tulsa, OK 74119 918.582.7225 PFLAG- TULSA PO Box 52800 Tulsa, OK 74152 918.749.4901 TU~qA GAY. LESBIAN, BI & TRAi~GENDER COMMUNII~ 2114 $ Memorial Mail: PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918.743.4297 TUL,~4 GLBT INFORM~ TION LINF~ 918.743.GAYS (4297) Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial TULSA OKIAHOMANS for HUMAN I~rGHIS PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918,743.4297 TULSA YOUTH DISCOVERING DIVERSIlY (lYDD) Youth SerAces of Tulsa 302 S CTaeyetme Aveaue Suite 114 114 Tulsa, OK 74103 918,582.0061 �Peace Through Pride Diversity Celebration 2003 Tulsa, Oklahoma The 2003 version of Tulsa’s amaual Pride events - Diversity Celebration 2003 - exceeded expectations and set records for participants and attendees. Presented by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, Diversity Celebration 2003 kicked off this past June 5th with Paragraph 175 and culminated with the Pride Parade and Festival on June 14th. Attendance for the week exceeded 15,000. Special thanks go to the sponsors of the week including: The Tulsa Bus Plant, Gayly Oklal~oman, Vocal Pride Foundation, Inc., HRC Tulsa, PFLAG Tulsa, All Souls Unitarian Church and the Parish of St. Jerome. Major Inkind sponsors included BudLight, KHITS 106.9, LDF (Coors/ Miller), Tim Scott Online and ID Lubricants. Thanks also to the sponsors of the various events including the Jewish Federation of Tulsa, the Tulsa City-County Librau’ System, PFLAG Tulsa, Red Ribbon Revue Foundation, Vocal Pride Foundation, Inc., Various NE OK faith commtmities, TW’s/AFAB Catering and Floral Concepts. Thank you to all the participants and attendees of all the events. You helped to make Tulsa’s 23rd annual Pride celebration one of, if not the, best. Thanks also to all on the Diversity Celebration 2003 committee and a!I the volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure a successfu! celebration for Tulsa and NE Oklahoma. The 2004 committee certainly has big shoes to fill Mm’k your calendars for June 2004 as the Tulsa Pride Parade and Festival are scheduled for Saturday; June 12, 2004. TULSA A MISSION OF EQUALITY & ACCEPTANCE Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) works for equality and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) & allied community of NE Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership and tmity. TOHR operates the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center holds the Pride Store, the None5, McDonald 1Lainbo~v Library, the CyberCenter, free ~ which HIV Testing, COmmunity organization meeting space and the community living room; is the presenting sponsor of Tulsa’s annual pride events - Diversity Celebration; sponsorS the Tulsa GLBT Histo~’ Project; sponsors the Tulsa Frontrurmers~Frontwalkers; spOnsors "’Advocates in Action" - working with Tulsa leaders oft GLBT issues; is conducting a capital campaign, the Pyramid Project, for the Tulsa GLBT Community Center and is Oklahoma’s oldest GLBT & allied community organization. Your support through membership, donations and!or by volunteering goes directly to support these activities, TOHR is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-exempt accordiag to current U.S. tax law. your community be a part of ~ ~lsq oktahomans for human dghts NAME DATE PARTNER’S NAME (if applicable) ADDRESS CITY STATE.__ZIP PHONE E-MAIL, .Y...OU DESERVE EQUALITY & ACCEPTANCE EDUCATION LEVEL (student): $15.00/year ............................... [] 2004 QUALITY LEVEL (individual): $30.O0/year ................................. [] UNITY LEVEL (household): $50.O0/year ................................... [] Kelly Kirby, CPA, PC Certified Public Accountant "For All Your Accounting Needs" Gay men and lesbians face many special situations, whether single or as couples. We are proud to serve this community. 48~ 5 South Harvard, Suite 424 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74135-3066 918.747.5466 ADVOCATE LEVEL (organizational): $75.00/year ............. .~ ........ [] LEADERSHIP LEVEL (sustaining) $125.00/year .......... ~: ............. [] [] ENROLL ME IN ’the EQUALITY FUND’. monthly reminders for the amount of: $. Please send me [] I WANT TO MAKE A ONE TIME PLEDGE in the amount of $. [] I WANT TO VOLUNTEER. Please contact me ASAP so 1 can help in the fight for equality. Volunteers are needed for a variety of opportunities. METHOD QF PAYMENT (please select one) CHECK [] VISA [] MASTERCARO [] AMEX [] ACCOUNT #: EXPIRATION DATE: SIGNATURE: Join our network of friends learning nonviolence from Gandhi and King, seeking justice for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons. Phone: 918-452-2761 Y CAN WE CALL YOU? ~[]i PLEASE SEND CORRESPONDENCE IN CONFIDENTIAL ENVELOPE ~o~ or 918 --481-8870 SPIRITUAl. VIOLENCE Please return to: TULSA OKLAHOMANS for HUMAN RIGHTS PO Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 YOU MAY PRINT MY NAME IN PUBLICATIONS Ni [][]1! c] c] I! CONTACT ME ABOUT VOLUNTEERING www.SoulforceInOklahoma.org ;, ~"’~ In fo@S oulforceInOklahonrm.org’:~.,~°~L~ "~’~’~~,~.=~.o~ TOHR use: data ~ email ~ �PlayMor, 1737 S Memorial. More information, including weekend packages and contestant entry forms, are available at ~.’w.tulsaleather.com or by calling at 918.582.0303. 1 fth Annual Tulsa AIDS Walk/Run Sunday; October 5, 2003 Veterans Park 18th & Boulder Registration: 1:00 PM 5K Run on Riverside Drive: 2:00 PM 2 mile Walk on RiverParks trail: 2:10 PM Pre-registration forms available at the Communi~’ Service Council, 16~ & Main, BordersMidto~ (21°t & the BA Expressway), Wild Oats Community, Market at 41’t and Peoria or the Body Shop in Woodland Hills Mall (71~ and Memorial). Sponsors of the event include Urban Tulsa Weekly, Starbucks, Gilead Sciences and Roche Industries. For details, call Kate Neary-Pounds at 834-8378 or Rebecca Howard at 596-7961. Inaugural Tulsa GLBT History Project Dinner Friday; October 10, 2003 All Souls Unitarian Church 2952 S Peoria The Tulsa GLBT History. Project presents Dr. Leisa Me3,er of William & Mar3’ College in the inaugural Fallspeakers series. See related story on page 1. Email histo~’@tohr.org or call 743.4354 for information and reservations. October 17, 18 & 19, 2003 A weekend full of activities await the ~vomen of the community at the Tulsa Womyn’s Alliance inaugural retreat. Camping, boating, swimming, volleyball, campfire singing, the Womyn’s Drumming Circle and much more are planned beginning Friday evening, rtmning through Saturday and ending Sunday. Plen~’ of sites remain for camping, but registration will soon dose, so visit www. dykedivine.com for more information and to register for the retreat. OML 15 Celebration The PlayMor Club 1737 S Memorial Friday and Saturday October 17 & 18, 2003 Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association present the OML 15 Celebration Weekend events include the Friday night bar crawl, KCLU workshops on Saturday, the OML Diviner Saturday" and the big event - the OML 15 Contest beginning promptly at 10:00 PM at the Expo Square 21st & Yale Saturday and Sunday October 25 & 26, 2003 The Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association (OGRA) is proud to be hosting the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA) Finals right here in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Thousands are expected to attend and participate in Tulsa as it’s the first time the IGRA Finals will be held in a major Midwest city accessible from all areas of the country. The new and much praised Livestock Arena at Expo Square, 21st & Yale, will be the site of two days of rodeo regulars such as Bull Riding, Bareback Bronc Riding and Barrel Racing among others, as well as Steer Decorating, Goat Dressing and the crowd pleasing Wild Drag Race. Activities and events kick off daily at 9:00 AM with Grand Entry at Noon. Saturday’s Grand Entry is expected to be a highlight of the weekend as many of IGRA’s 22 member organizations are expected to participate. The weekends host hotel, Holiday Inn Select, 5000 E Skelly Drive (I-44 & Yale), will be the site of a nightly IGRA royalty show. IGRA Royalty will be selected on Thursday & Friday prior to the start of rodeo competition. Daily admission to Saturday’s and Sunday’s rodeo competition is $15/individual. Visit OGRA at x~vw.okgayrodeo.com, email ’era at ograrodeo@hotmail.eom or call the rodeo hotline at 405.947.2351 ext 100 for more information. See you at the Rodeo! Wranglers not required, but strongly encouraged... :) OUT-OK Take |g Oklahoma International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival November 12-15, 2003 AMC Southroads & TU OUT-OK returns for the second year of films including The Gift, which documents the controversial act of"bug chasing." 4 days of films are planned in Tulsa. A VIP Pass for $80 gets you into all the film,s plus the pre and post show parties. Visit ~"w.out-ok.com for more information and to secure your VIP pass. Proceeds benefit Tulsa Oklahomans for Hman Rights (TOHR) capital campaign, the Pyramid Project. A series focusing on groups and organizations meeting and/or providing services at the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Communi~’ Center, 2114 S MemoriaL Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association, T.U.L.S.A., is a place for people interested in leather, uniform and Levi lifestyles to meet and socialize. However, T.U.L,S.A. is more than just a social club as the3, sponsor events and activities that promote the leather lifestyle community to others in a positive manner tbxough visibility, fundraising, social, and educational endeavors. T.U.L.S.A. has been and continues to be a leader in the leather community in Oklahoma, raising the levels of education and awareness for all. After a successful Oklahoma Mr. Leather (OML) 2003 Contest, T.U.LS.A. is currently planning the Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2004 Contest slated for October 17-19, 2003. Serving a multitude of purposes, OML allows T.U.LS.A. to: Promote the association locally and to the region in a positive manner. ® Increase awareness of the association, as well as other organizations important to T.U.L.S.A, ® Bring people interested in leather, uniform, and Levi lifes~les together in a fun and celebratoD’ event. Raise critical funding for the contest, as well as charitable organizations. As an added bonus, T.U.L.S.A. gets to participate in the annual International Mr. Leather (IML) contest by sending its OML winner to compete in IML. T.U.LS.A. is proud to have sponsored several OML winners that went on to IML. T.U.L.S.A. membership meetings are the first Saturday of every month at 5:00 PM at the Tulsa GLBT Communit3; Center. Those interested in learning more about the leather lifestyle are invited. Visit www.t~saleather.com for more informarion on T.U.L.S.A. � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2003] TOHR Torch, Fall 2003; Volume 2, Issue1 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2003 Fall Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Fall 2003 TOHR Torch https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/ac23ba31796b46ee2166951c2ba3c6a3.jpg e8329343ea528a78ee88aae20dc111fb https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/28af9f1d11201bbf6e99130582669d51.pdf 817b5298a483ee35e240294945319831 PDF Text Text Tulsa GLBT Community Center offers FREE pool every, weeknight! 6-9 PM 2114 S Memorial Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights has worked for equality for the Gay, Lesbian, Bi and Transgender (GLBT) community of NE Oklahoma for 22 years. See page 3for related story GLBT parent group provides support and activities for adults and their children, tulsa oklahomans FALL 2002 for human rights quarterly news / volume one /issue one TOHR is educating Tulsa city leaders on important GLB T issues and encouraging them to take actions to improve You may have never thought the Tulsa State Fair would have "Gay Days" - and officially you’re fight, but there’s no better way to make it "Gab’ Days" than with these two concerts! "Gay Days" at the Tulsa State Fair are: SUNDAY; SEPTEMBER 29 - the Village People will be performing on the Oklahoma stage at 7:00 PM. (Continued on page 6, see GAY DA YS) 6 years old and growing, the Tulsa GLBT Community Center provides something for everyone. The Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, a program of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), provides not only a visibl~, physical presence of & for the Tulsa/NE Oklahoma GLBT community it also, and importantly so, provides leaders and role models, allies and mentors, partnerships and friends - for the entire GLBT community. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center exists to form commou ground - not only between the GLBT and non-glbt communities but also for the GLBT community itself. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center is the one place in tm~aa that accepts everyone - young adults to seniors and everyone in between. Thousands come through the doors of the Tulsa GLBT Community Center on an annual basis. Here are a few of the reasons why: Young adults who feel isolated have a place More than 200 cities and tm~ns across the U.S. include sexual orientation and/or gender identity in their emplo),anent and housing non-discrimination ordinances. Tulsa is not one of them. That’s why TOHR has placed a renewed emphasis on education and advocacy on behalf of its members and the GLBT community.. TOHR recently established a new Advocacy Comrnittee. The committee’s first order of business: to determine which employers in the Tulsa area include sexual orientation and/or gender identity in their employment non-discrimination policies or offer domestic partnership benefits to their employees. But perhaps more importantly, the committee also plans to discover which major Tulsa employers have not adopted such policies. "The good news is that many companies with branches in Tulsa have policies protecting the GLBT community,," said Brent Ortolani, committee chair. "We plan to fmd out why they decided to adopt those policies and how they were able to gain management approval, then apply what we’ve (Continued on page 7, see EadPHASIS ONADVOCACY) gay, lesbian, center 1~4 S MEMORIAL a program of tulsa oklahomans for human tights to feet they belong while having positive GLBT role models. Community organizations have a place to meet and call home. Countless individuals use the center as a gathering or meeting point for friends and allies. TOHR is helping to build a communib" free of boundaries set out of differences or apprehension. The Tulsa GLBT Community Center is one of the best ways to build that community by providing a home for all in the communiW. All in the community are welcome and encouraged to use and support the Tulsa GLBT Community Center - forming common ground while building a stronger GLBT community. Visltom to the Tulsa GLBT Communl~, Center consider checldng out a bcok from the Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library (abram) while (below) TOHR President Brent Ortolani practice~ his akills Free �The TOHR Board of Directors would like to thank each end every member of the Equality Fund end ell Contributing members for supporting the work of TOHR through advocacy, education, leadership and unity. Equality Fund donors provide a home for the GLBT community - the Tulsa GLBT Community Center - a home for all GLBT and allied individuals and organizations. Equality Fund donors help secure legal equality and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Trensgender & allied community of Northeast Oklahoma. ~e punished by tulsa Fund ~uring tofnorrow’s equality today LEADERSHIP COUNCIL $1,200+ annually / $100+ monthly Anonymous Mark Argo & David Rosebeary Mark Bormey & Philipe Au Dan Burnstein & Martin Martinez Larry." David the Gilt Foundation Kerr3.’ Lewis Joe & Nancy, McDonald Rick Martin & Daniel Sclmeider Dermis Neill & John Southard Brant Ortolani & Steve Aberson J.J. Stogsdill & Alan Oktay Kaye Smith Sue Welch & Marc)’ Smith Van Wilde Williams Companies SUSTAINING COUNCIL $600+ annually / $50+ monthly Karl Cooke Anna Dodwell & Connie McCarley Barbara & Bruce Langhus Boot¯ Flint Sea)’ Cynthia Quick & Vick3’ Brown Tim Williams 25125 Progress is being made in the struggle for equality for $300+ annually/S25+ monthly Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Trensgender (GLB7) individuals, Tulsa Ok/ahomens for Human Rights Blake Rider (TOHR) has been fighting for equality end offering Jonathan Stanley support to Tulsa and Oklahoma’s GLBT community, CENTER FRIENDS their fami~ end friends for more than 20 years. As Tulsa end Oklahoma supports equsiity, it grows as a $120+ annually/$10+ monthly city and state, improves the weft-being of a significant George Baremore portion of its population and increases its attractiveTeresa Bernard & Tamara Thompson ness to business and younger generations, Fred Bassett Greg Davis Consulting, Inc. Michael Eslick & John Myers Melissa Fell & Yravis Anderson D.A. Smotherman TOHR CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS $30+ annually Carey Kilpatrick & L.B. Amos Jim Queen & Please accept our Elise & Arthur Anderson Royal Ward Rueben Garcia apologizes if your Lindy Kroenert Anonymous Melissa Renee name is not listed Lament Lindstrom & Shelton Baker Keith Rickman as a donor or conDevre Jackson Bradley Burdette-Banks John Rudy tributing member Russ McCart7 Rick Snyder Wil Bruner and it should. We John McConnell A. Patricia Spurgin & Ray Chance are currently inLaurie McCormick Carrie Fleharty Rick Ducey stalling a new dataLiz McNamara Clark Taylor Erich Fillmore base system. Gerald Miller Shelly Urbonas Jim Firth Please notig, Barbara Mitchell Rick Fortner Ma~" Waidner TOHR at 743-4297 Tom Neal Greg Gatewood Fred Welch to report discrepDavid Nickell Lauren Whitman & Bret Guillet ancies and/or addiRobert Odle Gregg Hillier Shelley Cm~is tions. Thank you Nancy O’Neil Michelle Hoffman & Murrell B. Wilmoth for you support of Chuck Parsons Martin Wing Heather Harp Tulsa Oklahomans Chuck Pearce & Rick Hollingsworth & Sharmilee Worley for Human Rights Gary Meadows John Voegele (TOHR). the Purser Family Greg Johnston Peg Jones Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) PC Box 2687 Tulsa, OK 74101 918-743-4297 (phone) / 918-384-0108 (fax) tohr.org email: community@tohr.org Editor Greg Oatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr,org Writers and Contributors Greg Gatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr.org Ker~’ Lewis ........................... klewis@tohr.org ~lMichelle Hoffman ............... mhoffrnan@lohr.org Brant Ortolani ...................... bortolani@tohr, org Office location Tulsa GLBT Comrnunity Center 2114 S Memorial Tulsa, OK 74129 TOHR Board of Directors~ ~tulsa oklahomans for human rights President Brent Orto]ani ...................... borto]ani@tohr.org 1st Vice President, Open 2nd Vice President, Open Secretary Wil Bruner ........................... wbruner@tohr.org Treasurer (acting) Kerry Lewis ............................ klewis@tohr.org President Emeritus Kerry Lewis ............................ klewis@tohr.org Director of Fundraising!Event Greg Gatewood ................. ggatewood@tohr.org Director of Board Development Michelle Hoffman ............... mhoffman@tohr.org Director of Volunteers Ray Chance .......................... rohance@tohr.org Director of Gender Outreach Melissa Renee ........................ mrenee@tohr.org TOHR’s Capita! Campaign the Pyramid Project pyramidprojeet.org Co-Chairs Kerry Lewis & Sue Welch Committee Members Theresa Bernard, Mark Bonney, Mare Frieden. Greg Gatewood, David Hoot, Rick Martin, Brent Ortolani, Daniel Schneider, Marcy Smith and Tim Williams TOHR is a 501(c)3 organization operated con~pletely through donations attd wt-paid volunteers, Contributions are tax-deductible to the fidlest ~rtent of U.S. tax lwa: The Torch, a publication of Tulsa Oklahomans for Httman Rights, Ine. is published quarterly (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) with an estimated annual readership of 10,000. Subscription rates are paid ~ontributing member dues of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). Advertising rates are: business ear& $25/issue; I/4 page: $50/’issue; 1."2 page: $75/ issue and full page; $100iissue, A 25% discounted rate is available with a paid annual advertising plan. The Torch is proteoted by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or part except by permission obtained by contacting TOHR directly, Credit must be given to TOHR. The views of the Torah are expressed in editorial only, Views expressed in letters to the editor and other submissions are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the board of directors, contributing members or editors or leadership of TOHR. The Torch reserves the right to edit or reject any mat~al submitted for mblieatien. The Torch ~nd/or TOHR is not responsible for damages due to typographical errors, Advertisements designed and created for publication in the Torch remain the property of TOH1L The Torch and!or TOHR cannot b~ responsible for claims by advertisers. The use of the ~e or likeness of a per=on or entity in the Tor~h in advertising or editorial content does not imply any particular sex’osl orientation or politlcel affiliation. Cop3,rigl~t 2002, TOHR. �Tulsa OMahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) works to secure legal equality and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered (GLBT) and allied community in Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership, and unity. for numan rights Strategic planning provides roadmap for TOHR in 2003 Summer was a busy and productive time for the Board of Directors of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR). After a highly successfully Diversity Celebration in J~e, which featured the largest Pride Parade ~d DiversiB, Festival ever, ~e Board of Directors t~ed to more serious issues: a strategic pla~mg and budget~g process for the next fiscal ye~ and major revisions of the organization’s byWe hope you enjoy this first is- laws. One of the nation’s top non-profit managesue of the Torch - TOHR’s new quarterly newsletter for the en- ment consultants, Dr. Carol Barbeito, president of CLB Associates of Denver, Colo., led the tire GLBT community in North- strategic planning mad budgeting process. Dureast Oklahoma. The Torch is a ing a three-day visit to Tulsa, Dr. Barbeito conrenewed effort to communicate ducted a board retreat and presided over meetings of the TOHR Strategic Planning Council with you and receive your feed- and Human Resources Committee. Dr. Barback concerning TOHR and is a beito’s leadership was partially under~vritten companion to the Pyramid Pro- by the Gill Foundation (and your generous donations!) ject News, our newsletter focusDuring the retreat, we reviewed and revised ing on the progress of the the TOHR mission statement (stated above). In addition, members of the board presented deTOHR capital campaign. tailed status reports on each component of the organization (governance, financial management, programming, and others.) After the retreat, the board spent the rest of the summer developing goals and objectives for incorporation into TOHR’s first comprehensive Annual Plan. The new 2003 Annual Plan with accompanying budget was approved by the board of directors at its monthly meeting in September. The result: a well-planned and detailed roadmap for 2003. The Annual Plan calls for the development of operating policies and procedures, strict budget discipline (with reserve funds), annual audited financial statements, enhancement of board and committee personnel, fundraising plans and goals, and a new emphasis on advocacy on behalf of our communitT. The overall intent of the plan is to strengthen the organization and secure its future in Tulsa. In addition to the Annual Plan, the board designated broad, long-range goals through 2005. (Continued on page 7, see PRODUCTIVE SUMMER) TOHR has 22 years of experience to lead the way Tulsa is an extremely giving and caring community. But there is one diverse element of our socie~, that must struggle for acceptance. True equally, reelusive for mains Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) individuals in the Tulsa/NE Oklahoma area. Many still live their lives in secrecy and fear. Young adults and adults alike must cope daily in a world that largely does not understand or accept a ve~" basic part of who they are. Fortunately, progress is being made. For more than 20 years, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), has been fighting for equality and offering support to Tulsa’s GLBT community, their families and friends. As Tulsa supports equality, it grows as a city, im- proves the well-being of a significant portion of its population and increases its attractiveness to business and younger generations. TOHR works for legal equally’ and social acceptance for the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) and allied community in Northeast Oklahoma through advocacy, education, leadership and uni~,. TOHR relies on you as a member of the GLBT allied community to be a part of the social change that is the mission of TOHR. Equality Fund donors and Contributing Members play a vital role in achieving the mission. Donors and members provide the necessal3, funds to operate mission related programs that w i 11 e v e nt u a 11 y achieve the mission. Thank you for your support of TOHR. Michelle Hoffman, Director of Board Development, revises TOHR by-lan~ at one of two Cyber Caf~ n~rkatations in the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian~ Bi & Tranagender (GLBT) Community Center. 2114 ~ Memorial The Cyber Caf~ is in high demand eveo, night at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center & | PBO! EB TOHR members approve major by-law revision Mention the word "bylaws" and most people will quickly nod off. But a well-planned and executed set of bylaws is the backbone of an organization - and the ke,v to its successful and smooth operation. Last spring, the TOHR board of directors began re-examining the organization’s bylaws in an attempt to guide its grm~ with a clear set of operational guidelines. After several months of hard work, the board presented the revised bylaws to members at the monthly membership meeting in August. At that meeting, members presented several new amendments to the bylaws and voted 20-1 for their approval. "We were gratified to see the tremendous interest in the bylaws on the part of our members," said Michelle Hoffman, the member of TOHR’s board of directors who led the bylaw revision process. "It showed us they really care about the organization and its future." The changes to the bylaws were fairly substantial, Hoffman said. "Basically, the revisions took TOHR from an association to a corporate model, The revisions put the board in a much better position to make important decisions and take timely action. They also better prepare the organization to operate a major capital fundraising campaign, provide needed services to the com_munity, and eventually maintain a milliondollar facility and endowrnent." (Cont#med on page 7, see NEW & ~#PROVED) �tulsa oklahomans for human dghts SUNDA Y SEPTEMBER t5 Women’s T-Dance "Celebrating the Diversity of Women" benefiting TOHR’s Capital Campaign the Pyramid Project 3:00 - 7:00 PM Greenwood Cultural Center MONDA Y SEPTEMBER 16 TPD Race Relations Committee meeting Tulsa GLBT Community Center 12:00 PM 2114 S Memorial Drive SEPTEMBER 18-22 U.S. Conference on AIDS SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 2! Feast with Friends "Just Desserts" benefiting the Names Project - Tulsa 7:30 PM University of Tulsa Allen Chapman Activity Center MONDAY SEPTEMBER 23 Say No to Hate Coalition meeting 3:45 PM Fellowship Congregational Church 2900 S Harvard TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24 Diversity Celebration 2002 planning mtg. 6:00 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial OCTOBER - DATE TBA TL~SA CARES "Women with HIV Fall Retreat" Location & Time TBA TUESDAY OCTOBER 1 Strategies for Prevention of Harassment Against Children based on race, religion, gender, ability, sexual orientation and image. FREE workshop for Administrator, Counselors and Teachers. American Red Cross 10151 E llth Street THURSDAY & FRIDAY; OCTOBER 3 & 4 State HIV Conference OKC, OK THURSDAY-SUNDAY OCTOBER 3-6 10th Annua! New Genre Festival Nightingale Theatre 1416 E 4th Street SATURDAY OCTOBER 5 10th Annual Tulsa AIDS Walk 9:00 AM Veterans Park 18t~ & Boulder Call 749-6956 for more information SATURDAY OCTOBER 5 the Tiara Part3’ wearing of Tiara’s strongly encouraged benefiting HRC Tulsa 8:00 PM 10:00 PM judging 4107 S New Haven $25 rain donation at the door TUESDAY OCTOBER 8 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) Annual Meeting 7:30 PM Tulsa GLBT Community Center 2114 S Memorial Drive FRIDAY OCTOBER 11 National Coming Out Day What can you do Come Out! THURSDAY OCTOBER 17 Oklahoma Mr. Leather 2003 Kick-off party Play-Mor Lounge FRIDAY OCTOBER 18 OML 2003 Bar tour around to~a & Uniform Ball Silver Star 1565 S Sheridan Road SATURDAY OCTOBER 19 OML 2003 OML 2003 Contest & Black & Blue Ball CW’S 1729 S Memorial Drive SUNDAY OCTOBER 20 OML 2003 Victory Brunch CW’S 1729 S Memorial Drive SAT / FRI / SAT OCTOBER 19, 25 & 27 Tulsa Opera’s La Boheme Chapman Music Hall Tulsa PAC 918-587-4811 for tickets TUESDAY OCTOBER 29 TEAM OK-USA leaves for the Gay Games in Sydney, Australia THURSDAY OCTOBER 31 HALLOWEEN 2002! TUESDAy NOVEMBER 5 Election Day - Vote! MONDAY NOVEMEBER 11 Veterans Day THURS / I~RI / SAT NOV. 22 / 23 / 24 OUT-OK Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival Location & time TBA benefiting TOHR’s Capital Campaign the Pyramid Project MONDAYS Council Oak Men’s Chorale (COMC) and Women of Council Oak Rehearsal 6:50 PM All Souls Unitarian Church Anonymous HIV Testing; H.O.P.E. Clinic 6:00-8:00 PM Lambda League 7:00 PM bowling Riverlanes SUNDAY NOVEMBER 24 "An Evening of Giving" benefiting non- profit agencies & H.O.P.E. Promenade Mall 41st & Yale Call 834-8378 for tickets ($5) Everv sinole week in the Tulsa GLBT, allied comrnuni,~, SUNDAYS Communib’ of Hope Worship 6:00 PM Community Unitarian Universalist Congregation Worship 11:00 AM Diversity Christian Fellowship Worship 11:00 AM & 6:00 PM Fellowship Congregational Church Church school; 9:30 & Worship 10:30 AM MCC United Worship ll:00AM St. Jerome’s Holy Eucharist ll:00AM 2nd MONDAY PFLAG 101 6:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church PFLAG General meeting with program 7:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church Please accept our apologizes if your event or regularly scheduled activity is not listed in this issue of the Torch. GLBT and GLBT friendly organizations are invited to submit their events and regularly scheduled acti~Sties for publication. The deadline for the Winter issue of the Torch is Friday, November 1, 2002. Organizations are encouraged to use the insert included in this mailing. �4th MONDAY PFLAG Support Session 6:30 PM Fellowship Congregational Church _TUESDAYS Community of Hope 7:30 PM Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) Driver Training 1:00 - 4:00 PM RAIN Office 221 S Nogales WEDNESDAYS Diversity Christian Fellowship Worship 7:00 PM Lambda AA 7:00 PM Unit3., Center THURSDAYS Emotions Anonymous Community of Hope 7:00 PM 3rd THURSDAY Gay Veterans of America 7:00 PM Unib’ Center SATURDAYS Alcoholics Anonymous Community of Hope 7:30 PM Lambda AA Unity Center 5:30 PM Narcotics Anon.~auous Community of Hope 11:00 PM 2nd SATURDAY Dignity / Integrib, Worship 5:00 PM St, Dunstan’s CALENDAR OF THE DIVERSITY CELEBRATION 2003 Tulsa’s Celebration of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender and Allied Community presented by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights in partnership with organizations and bus#~esses creating legal equali,ty and social acceptance for the GLBT and allied communiO, CELEBRATE, SAVE LIVES & EDUCATEI Have fun and help make it happen! DO YOU HAVE AN OP1NION ON WHO SHOULD BE THE GRAND MARSHAL(S) ? We want to hear from you, Do you have ideas? Give of yourself and help make Diversity Celebration 2003 another success! email TOHR at community@tohr.org or call 918.743.4297 and become a part of Oklahoma’s largest pride event Diversi O, Celebration 2003! center ~ S MEMORIAL tulsa oklahornans a program of for human rights TULSA GLBT COMMUNITY CENTER / THE TOHR PRIDE STORE ,2I~4 S MEMORIAL / OPEN: 6-9 PM M-F & 12-9 PM SATURDAYR_ SUNDAYS. o Tulsa Area Primetimers; 2nd Sunday; 4:00 PM * ® ~ Sooner State Rodeo Association (SSRA); 2nd Sunday; 4:00 PM Driller Bears: 3rd Sunday every other month; 2:00 PM Genesis Ministries; every Sunday; 10:30 AM MONDAYS Soulforce in Oklahonut; 1 st & 3rd; 6:00 PM TUESDAYS ~ Primetimers Board meeting; ]st Tuesday; ?:00 PM o TOHR Board meeting; 2nd Tuesday; 6:00 PM ~ H.O.P.E. AnonymousHIVTesting; 6:00-8:00 PM WEDNESDAYS Gender Outreach OK Drop-in Day; 7:00 PM ~ Rainbow Families; 1 st & 3rd Wednesdays; 7:00 PM THURSDAYS ® Generations Connection; 1st & 3rd Thurs; 7:00 PM ~ TOHR’s Capital Campaign; the t~yramid Project, Steering Committee Mtgs; call 743-4297 for dates and times ® Center Cinema; movies for everyone; 3rd Thursday; 7:00 PM Bride of Frankenstein in Oct. / Planes, Trains & Automobiles in Nov. and A Christmas Story in December. FRIDAYS o Lesbian Connection Women’s Movie Night; 7:00 PM SATURDAY,S Tulsa Uniform & Leather Seekers Association (T.U.L.S.A). Board meeting; 1st Saturday; 4:00 PM * T.U.L.S.A. general meeting; tst Saturday; 5:00 PM * ~ H.O.P.E. AnonymousHIVTesting; 4:00-7:00 PM Gender Outreach OK Meeting; 2rid Saturday; 7:00 PM Please contact TOHR at 743-4297 or communiO~@tohr.org ifyour organization or group would like to meet in the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. Feast with Friends to be held Sept. 21 Elton John AIDS Foundation helps out The Tulsa Area Chapter of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will hold it’s annual Feast with Friends Fundraiser on Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 PM. "Just Desserts" will take place at the University of Tulsa’s Allen Chapman Activity Center in the Great Hall. A lavish dessert buffet, as well as a silent auction, awaits guest and patrons. This event is free and open to the public with donations accepted at the door. Proceeds will continue the work of HIV prevention education in the Tulsa Public Schools. In the last year, the Tulsa Chapter has reached over 4,000 Tulsa area students with face to face displays of the Quilt and HIV/AIDS prevention education. For ~e past ~ne ye~s, ~e T~sa AIDS Walk has brou~t toge~er ~o~ of people ~ raise mon~, and aw~eness for HW and AIDS. Join ~e 10~ ~ual Tulsa AIDS Walk ~ Vetoes P~k, Octo~r 5~ at 9:00 AM. A~ ~e Walk stick ~o~d for cl~g ~emonies ~d enjoy local music, g~d f~d ~d friends. Honor lov~ ones liv~g wi~ HIV/AIDS or who have p~s~ away by tang pm ~ o~ Tree of Remembr~ce. T~s is yo~ oppo~W to make a ~ff~ence ~ ~e fight for life. You c~ pick up yo~ Spo~or sh~t at Se Tdsa Gay, ~sbi~, Bi & Tr~gender (GLBT) Co~iW Cent~, 2114 S Memori~. ~natiom will be ~cre~ by 50% wi~ match~g doll~ ~ou~ ~e g~erosity of ~e Elan Jo~ AIDS Fo~dation. Call 749-6956 for more i~o. �Tulsa GLBT & HIV/AIDS community wod,, s together to reach out with care. According to estimates, one in ten Tulsa Hispanic males are HIV positive - a high number. Tulsa GLBT & HIV/AIDS community leaders recently met to begin discussions on possible avenues of education, prevention and support for those affected with HIV/AIDS and GLBT issues within the Hispanic community. TOHR Board member Greg Gatewood attended the meeting. As a result, TOHR is now beginning the process of translation of educational and marketing materials in a continuing effort to reach Hispanic individuals who are Gay, Lesbian, Bi or Transgender~ TOHR will also continue to work with HIV/ AIDS organizations to provide free anonymous testing at the Tulsa GLBT Commtmity Center. September meeting at Tulsa GLBT Community Center The September Tulsa Police Department Race Relations Committee meeting was held at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. The TPD Race Relations Committee deals with minority issues including sexual orientation. TOt-IR Board member, Kerry Lewis, secured the meeting location with the committee in an effort to educate the TPD on GLBT issues. TOHR Board members gave a short educational presentation to committee members on the GLBT community as well as suggestions on possible ways to work together. The TPD Race Relations Committee includes the TPD Chief and Deputy Chief, officers dealing with hate crimes and representatives of minority communities including AfricanAmerican, Hispanic, Asian and GLBT groups. the Pyramid Project TOHR’s Capital Campaign, the Pyramid Project, has a purpose of raising funds to purchase and sustain a permanent, visible presence and safe and affn-ming home for the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender Community Center. The campaign is well on the way to it’s goal. The TOHR Board of Directors and Pb’Tamid Project steering committee would like to thank the GLBT allied community for contributing over $200,000 to date. That’s 1/5 of the goal! , While we work on the goal for a permanent home, the existing Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S Memorial, serves the purpose. You’re invited to visit the center and discover the difference you can make immediately with your time or contribution to the Equality Fund, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights - a mission for you! TOHR’s mission of legal equality and social acceptance through advocacy, education, leadership and unity is for you - a member of the GLBT allied community. TOHR works for the entire community through it’s many mission oriented programs, all funded through donations and completely volunteer based, with no part-time or full-time paid staff. TOHR programs for the community are: o .Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Communi .ty Center - 2114 S Memorial. Six years old and thefocalpoint for the GLBT community. See pages 1 and 5 for more information. o Diversity Celebration - Tulsa’s annual celebration of the G~, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender and allied community. Presented by TOHR to celebrate, save lives and educate - something for everyone. ~, Tulsa GLBT Information Line - 918-743-4297 is the number for information, referrals and more. ~ TQHR Pride Store - Located in the Center, the store is the place in Tulsa for pride merchandise. ~ _Nancy. McDonald Rainbow Libr&~ - Located in the Center with over 3,500 rifles for check-out. ~ _Queer CyberCafe - Located in the Center -free internet access for all in the community. Diversity Celebration 2002: Tulsa’s celebration of the GLB T allied community was a success thanks to you. Three expressed purposes sum up Tulsa’s annual celebration of the Gay, Lesbian, Bi, Transgender (GLBT) & Allied community Diversity Celebration. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) presents Oklahoma’s largest pride events to celebrate, save lives and educate. The events celebrate and uni~, the GLBT allied community. Progress has been made in the struggle for equality. This is the rime of year we remember how it all started - and what more we must do to achieve equality. Diversity Celebration saves lives by reaching out to those within the GLBT eommunity - but forced in the closet due to societal pressures. Friends, family, religious institutions mad government sometimes try to convince closeted individuals they are less than equal. Diversity Celebration shows those in the closet they don’t have to live in fear. Most importantly, the week of events educates the public on the need for equality regard- ~ Advocates in Action - working for legal equality with the leaders of Tulsa. ® Rainbow Families - a TOHR Partner Program for GLBT individuals and couples with children. o Generations Connection - a TOHR Partner Program for seniors. See page 8 for more information. ® ~nd Sunda_~ - a TOHR Partner Program for GLBT young adults with an emphasis on advocacy. less of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. People fear what they don’t know. Diversity Celebration educates those who fear and hate by demonstrating that ~vhile we all may be different - we all want and deserve the same thing equality Diversity Celebration 2002 celebrated, saved lives and educated thanks to the dedication and hard work of the steering committee, sponsors, and the community.. An estimated 7,500 individuals participated in the various events - proof the events accomplished the purposes of celebrating, saving lives and educating. Space does not permit a list of everyone involved - but please know your fmancial resources, hours of volunteer work and yes, your sacrifices, are worthwhile and greatly appreciated. Without any of you, it simply would not get done. Thank you. Greg Gatewood Chair, Diversity Celebration 2002 and for the TOHR Board ofDirectors (Continuedfront page 1) Gay Days at the Fair FRIDAY; OCTOBER 4 Joan Jett and the Blackhearts play the Oklahoma Stage at 7:00 & 9:00 PM. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) encourages all in the GLBT allied community to go out to the fair and support the first "Gay Days" at the Tulsa State Fair. If you haven’t been to the fair in a while, then get out and "come out" - you’ll have a great time and the people watching is fantastic. (not an opinion, but simply a fac0 The TOHR Pride Store in the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bi & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, 2114 S Memorial, is the place to get your T-shirt, bracelet, necklace, cap, etc. before you head out to "G~’ Days" at the fair. See you at the TOHR Pride Store and then the Tulsa State Fair for "Gay Days" Saturday, September 29th and Friday, October 4th. �(Continued from page 3) (Continuedfrom page 3) Productive summer leads to roadmap for FY2003 The board also completed the substantial task of revising the organization’s bylaws. The revised bylaws were approved by the TOHR membership in August. In short, the new bylaws changed the organization’s method of operation from an association to a corporate model, and established a new fiscal year that begins on October 1st. (See story on new bylaws on page 3). Finally, we hope you enjoy tiffs first issue of the Torch - TOHR’s new quarterly newsletter for the entire GLBT community in northeast Oklahoma. The Torch is a renewed effort to communicate with you and receive your feedback concerning TOHR and is a companion to the P3wamid Project News, our newsletter focusing on the progress of the TOHR capital campaign. TOHR Board ofDirectors (Contim~edfrom page 1) Emphasis on Advocacy learned to encourage other major Tulsa employers to follow suit." And what about equal rights and legal protection for our communib’ within the City of Yulsa’s ordinances regarding discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations? "That’s another matter altogether," Ortolani said. "We would like to help educate members of the Cib" Council and the mayor’s office on important GLBT issues and eventually, encourage them to take action." In August, members of the Advocacy Committee met with top aides of Tulsa Mayor Bill LaFortune, the leadership of the Tulsa Housing Authority, and the administrations of several area universities to discuss equal rights and protection for GLBT citizens. Unless changes are made, America’s 59tu largest city (in terms of media markets) will be surpassed by dozens of much smaller communities that have chosen to extend equal rights and protection to GLBT citizens. New & Improved by-laws approved Here’s a summao’ of some of the major bylaw changes: The organization’s new fiscal year wi!! begin on October 1st. There will be two groups of members: 1) Board Members and 2) Contributing Members, Contributing Members will vote on changes in membership dues and bylaw revisions affecting membership fights. All other decisions will be made by the Board of Directors. ® Nominations for members of the Board of Directors will be submitted to Contributing Members by the Board Development Committee 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting (first Tuesday in October). ~ Nominations for the members of the Board of Directors may be submitted by Contributing Members at least 14 days prior to the Annual Meeting by a petition to the SecretaD’ that is signed by at least 10 members. ~ Nominations for Board Members may not be made from the floor at the Annual Meeting. ~ All members will vote on nominations for the Board of Directors at the Annual Mtg. Officers will be elected by the Board of Directors at the first board meeting after the Annual Meeting. (Contributing members are those who have paid annual dues.) Other bylaw revisions addressed standing committees, entering into contracts, indemnification, and conflict of interest. Full-text copies of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) revised bylaws are available free of charge at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center at 2114 Memorial Drive. TOHR Annual Meeting 7:00 PM / Tuesday, October 8 Tulsa GLBT Community Center PFLA G Muskogee 3531 E 93rd Street South Muskogee, OK 74403 Join PFLAG Muskogee; the Ist Monday of each month 6:00 PM Muskogee Public Library; 800 W Okmulgee Avenue Email us at PFLAG4Muskogee@aoLcom National Coming Out Day is an international event which gives gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GTBT) people the opportuni~" to "come out" to others about their sexuali~’. It also provides a means of increasing the visibilit?; of gay people. The first National Coming Out Day was held on October 11, 1988. This date was chosen for the annual event in commemoration of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It also marks the anniversa~, of the first visit of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to Washington, D. C. Many communities and college campuses sponsor activities such as dances, film festivals, workshops, literature booths, and rallies on National Coming Out Day Tulsans can do their part in this years National Coming Out Day. Simply stop by the TOHR Pride Store, located in the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S Memorial and pick up a bumper sticker or T-shirt. Then slap that sticker on your car or wear that T-shirt. Come outl It’s what you should do. Period. �TOHR Board of Directors to be presented and elected Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) will hold its annual meeting to elect the incoming Board of Directors on: October 8, 2002 7:30 PM .Tulsa GLBT Commu.nity Center 21!4 S Memorial The Board Development Committee presents t he following nominees to the 2003 & 2004 TOHR Board of Directors: Ellen Averill Ellen works for the Public Relations department of Williams Companies. Jason Caniglia Jason is Director of Development for the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, Stillwater, OK. Kelly Carter Cindy is a Quality Control Inspector with a Transportation Company in Broken Arrow, OK. Thom Golden Thorn is the managing editor of Oklahoma Magazine. Pat Hobbs Pat is Chief Financial Officer of Long Term Care Authority, Tulsa, OK. The following individuals currently serve as TOHR Board members and will remain for 2003. ,Ray Chance Ray is a Technical Assistant with American Airlines, Tulsa, OK. Greq Gatewood Greg is a Tulsa, OK based free-lance graphic and residential designer, Michelle Hoffman Miche!le is Executive Director of the Center for Health Care Concepts, Tulsa, OK. Kerrg Lewis President Emeritus Kerr), serves as legal counsel for TOHR and is a partner of Rhodes, Heimonymous, Jones, Tucker &Gable, Tulsa, OK. Brent Ortolani Brent is Director of Public Relations of Rogers State Universit3.’ (RSU), Claremore, OK. Melissa Renee Melissa is a Tulsa, OK based commercial pilot with American Airlines. Nominations to the TOHR Board of Directors may be made by Contributing members (individuals with paid dues)at least 14 days prior to the annual meeting by a petition to the Secretar3, that is signed by 10 contributing members in support of the nomination. Please see the article on page 3, New and Improved, for additional election processes. You are invited to the TOHR annual meeting. The TOHR annual meeting will be held Tuesday, October 8, 2002 at the Tulsa Gay’, Lesbian, Bi, & Transgender (GLBT) Community Center, 2114 S Me~ modal at 7:30 PM. Generations Connection, .a TOHR Partner Program, address issues of the elderly GLB T community ® At least one to three million Americans over 65 years of age are gay, lesbian, or bisexual The number and proportion of GLBT elders will increase significantly over the next few decades, along with the overall elder population. By 2030, one in five Americans will be 65 or older. Roughly four million will be GLB. About five percent of elder women, and four percent of elder men, have never married in their lifetime. It is likely that man3’ of them are gay or lesbian and that many GLBT people are not counted I this statistic because the)," had been legally married to an opposite-sex partner at some point in their life. National voter exit polls in 1998 report that 8.3 percent of the GLB elec. torate is 65 years and older. The population estimates above do not include transgender people because there are no national date available on transgender people in the U.S.. 0L U NTE E R President George W. Bush has encouraged all Americans to make a difference in the next few years and volunteer in your community. The GLBT a!lied community sometimes does not get along with current administration, however, this is an area where W. and everyone should agree. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) is a volunteer based non-profit organization. There are no part-time or full-time paid employees. All TOHR programs for the community rely on the community’ to secure lega! equali~’ and social acceptance. Here’s a few examples of how you can do your part and be a part Tulsa’s largest GLBT organization. Advocates in Actior~: TOHR is working with city and local officials and businesses in order to obtain the mission of legal equality and social acceptance. S__t0re & More: Do you have retail experience? Like to help people? The TOHR Pride Store can use your expertise. Volunteers operate the store and answer the Tulsa GLBT Information Line and get a 10% discount off purchases! We work with your schedule to use your valuable time wisely. Bar-Fly-R: Spread the word on TOHR programs and upcoming activities and events - and have some fun while doing it. Diversig, Celebration 2003: Tulsa’s annual celebration of the GLBT allied commtmib’ is nearly a year long process. Get involved with Oklahoma’s largest pride event - you’ll be glad you did! Simply stop by the Tulsa GLBT Community Center, 2114 S !vlemorial, today, or call 743.4297 or email us at community@tohr.org to fred out how you can help. You’ll be giving back to your eommnni~" - and helping to secure legal equality, and social acceptance. Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) is addressing these issues with "Generations Connections." The group was formerly known as GLBT Aging Generations, and is a TOHR partner program. Generations Connection is for individuals of all ages concerned with issues of aging GLBT generations. The group meetings are the 1 st and 3rd Thursdays at of the month at 7:00 PM at the Tulsa GLBT Community Center. The evening will feature a discussion about the needs of aging generations and the future course of action for this TOHR Partner Program designed to assist them. Refreshments and coffee will be served with donations accepted. For additional information, call the Tulsa GLBT Information Line at 918-743-4297 or Ms. Clare at 587-4669. � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Microsoft Publisher 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 [2002] Fall TOHR Torch Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Fall 2002 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Fall 2002 TOHR Reporter https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/223e8a8df29d4fb3cd0e03068bc14662.jpg a3574c4caef71265b9e6c1594323c5af https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/ce0aec9e7d909557cfae104bfbaddf1e.pdf a99c3c69803af02a8929b310ede4684f PDF Text Text ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 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 <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Paper Physical Dimensions The actual physical size of the original image 92 pages 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 [1976] Sexual Preference Study, Community Relations Commission, City of Tulsa, November 1976 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Community Relations Commission, City of Tulsa Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Prepared and Written by Victoria A. Meyers Community Relations Commission - Gloria Caldwell - Chair, Jim Boswell, Lanny Endicott, Barbara Geffen, Wyonia Bailey, Clayton Walker, Clyde Wyant, Morey Villareal, Director Gerald Parker, Sylvester Gibson, Norman Johnson, Jayne Reed, Bill Doenges, Robert Tips, Charles Swett Description An account of the resource On March 19, 1976, Mr. John Faires, of the Tulsa Gay Community Caucus, appeared before the city's Board of Commissioners to speak on the matter of gay civil rights. Mr. Faires said "on behalf of the gay population of Tulsa (we) respectfully ask that the Tulsa City Commission adopt a Municipal Ordinance which will guarantee the rights of all homosexuals in this municipality so that fear and repression will no longer enslave the minds of one of the largest minorities in this community. As we look back to the past, we find it hard to understand the hatred and injustice which affected other minorities within the country. Why should a person be forced into a role of second or third class citizenship because of his color, religion or economic standing? In the same way, how can any rational, educated person Justify oppression and hatred of a person because his natural orientation allows that person to love an 1ndiv1dual of his own sex. Gentlemen, we ask for no special treatment. What we do ask ls equality - Just as other minorities have been guaranteed their Just rights, those of Jobs, housing, public accommodations, it still remains out of reach of the open or 'suspected' homosexual, . The Board of Commissioners in a four to one vote moved to refer the matter to the Community Relations Commission for investigation and report. On April 19, 1976, Mr. Faires appeared before the Community Relations Commission (CRC). The CRC voted to conduct a detailed study to determine whether or not an ordinance should be recommended to the City Commission. It was suggested that the investigation be in conjunction with the Tulsa Gay Community Caucus and should gather concrete data that would be useful to CRC, the City Commission and the public at large, The motion passed unanimously. Barbara Geffen Bill Doenges Charles Swett Clayton Walker Clyde Wyant Community Relations Commission Community Relations Commission - Gloria Caldwell - Chair Director Gerald Parker Jayne Reed Jim Boswell John Faires Lanny Endicott Meyers Morey Villareal Norman Johnson Robert Tips Sexual Preference Study Sylvester Gibson Victoria A Wyonia Bailey https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/508bf5f796046a4c4026bd2d0fcfa767.pdf c44ea54b52200b9f2bbea8819e1c5e7e PDF Text Text FINAL REPORT AND RECOMilENDATIONS SEXUAL ORIENTATION TASK FORCE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION CITY OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA JANUARY, 1973 by Billie Edwards Sentell Fox Wally Hargrave Charles Johnson Robert Ritz Terrence Luce, Chairperson �ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The SEXUAL ORIENTATION TASK FORCE wishes to express its gra titude to the following persons and groups for their assistance in helping the TASK FORCE fulfill its objectives: numerous members of local gay organizations and individual members of the gay community, Commissioner Michael Kerpan, and several members of the DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS: Jerry Parker, Judy Hille, Cheryl Mays, Sheila Terry, Judith Kraines, Pam Johnson, and Larry McConnell, Mr. McConnell served as liaison between the Department of Human Rights, the Human Rights Commission and the Task Force. INTRODUCTION In April of 1977, the HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION established the SEXUAL ORIENTATION TASK FORCE in order to determine how to implement the policy (see Appendix) of the TULSA CITY COMMISSION, with respect to non-discrimination based upon one’s sexual orientation. Luce agreed to serve as chairperson of the TASK FORCE, Terry He was given the freedom to select as members those individuals who could operate both freely and objectively in the Task Force’s attempt to recommend procedures and policies for protecting the rights of homo sexual persons. Members of the TASK FORCE came from such diverse areas as business, psychology, psychiatry, the gay community, educa tional institutions, and the HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION. The initial activity of the TASK FORCE was to determine its objectives, activities which would be conducted to fulfill these objectives, and performance indicators to indicate when such objec tives had been fulfilled (see Appendix). Reflecting the activities of the TASK FORCE detailed in the ’’Objectives" statement, the following activities were engaged in by the Task Force members: The major activity engaged in by the Task Force was educational in nature. Numerous public and private speaking engagements were I �held with diverse community groups, most frequently with church groups, These interactions were felt to be enormously successful in disseminating information about the ’’Sexual Preference Study” of the DEPAHTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, dispelling myths which abound with respect to homosexuality, and in permitting citizens to express their fears and confusions with respect to issues of homosexuality. In every such encounter, the reception was overwhelmingly positive. The typical response to the presentations (which always included gay members on the panel) was an ovation, followed by handshakes with panel members and sincere congratulations on the educational effort. In no instance was there any manifestation of hostility by even a single person, There are additional speaking engagements planned up to the end of February, 1978, with more anticipated beyond that date. A prototype public policy statement was developed and was sent to approximately 15 diverse organizations for their endorsement. These organizations were public agencies, church groups, business groups, and professional groups. This public policy statement (see Appendix) asked for public endorsement of the TULSA CITY COMMISSION’S policy statement of non-discrimination based upon sexual orientation. At present, only two organizations have en dorsed the public policy statement. The remaining organizations have either tabled the request, or have voted not to consider the request. In instance did any organization reject the endorsement statement. The Task Force feels that there was considerable reluctance on the part of these several or_gani.zations to appear to be ’’first" in adopting a policy of non-discrimination against homosexual persons. While such reluctance in today’s political and social milieu is understandable, it is important to note, as stated above, there were no rejections of the policy statement. In addition to the public and private discussion groups de scribed above, TASK FORCE members heavily utilized the local media. There were several television appearances on both commercial and public TV, numerous radio appearances, and considerable coverage in �•the local newspapers, The Task Force feels indebted to the local media for their ready availability to report our efforts, and for the generally accurate and sensitive manner in which issues were reported, Throughout the life of the TASK FORCK, members compiled numerous and varied resource materials on issues of homosexuality, contacting universities, national gay groups, conducting computer searches and obtaining updated information regarding legislation throughout the nation which deals with issues of homosexuality. A major educational effort, not directly related to the TASK FORCE, but an outgrowth of it, was the development of a proposal to produce a series of four video-tapes dealing with issues of homosexuality, with each tape addressing the unique interests of a particular target group (clergy, educators-PTA-parents, law enforcement, and business persons), This proposal will be submitted within the next two weeks to one or more potential funding organizations. series, There will be multiple sponsorship for the educational with sponsors including the DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS, City of Tulsa. However, other sponsors may be added within the next two weeks. There have been several informal meetings with selected per sonnel from CITY departments, in order to assess their understanding of the implications of the TULSA CITY COMMISSION policy statement regarding treatment of homosexual persons. It was learned that those persons contacted have felt under no obligation to take any action as a result of the City Commission's policy, and apparently have taken no action v/ith respect to treatment of homosexual persons employed by the CITY OF TULSA. It should be noted here that the City Commissioner's policy statement is not an ordinance and has no legal standing or enforcement powers associated with it. Instead, the policy statement is a position statement only. On two separate occassions, the DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS was contacted by members of the gay community who alleged police harassment at gay clubs. Members of the TASK FORCE and of the DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS held meetings with COMMISSIONER KERPAN, POLICE. AND �FIRE COMMISSIONER, in order to determine what had occurred in these incidents and to attempt to resolve the problem situations, In both instances, Commissioner Kerpan was keenly interested in the matters brought before him, made specific committments about certain police practices, and did indeed fulfill his committments to us. The Task Force feels that Commissioner Kerpan should be lauded for his honesty and for his forthright efforts to protect the civil rights of Tulsa citizens. Finally, it came to the attention of the TASK FORCE that a film was being shown to Tulsa Public School children depicting homo sexuality in a totally inaccurate light. Members of the Task Force and the DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RIGHTS viewed the film, and found that, indeed, the portrayal of homosexuality was totally at odds with reality, and was essentially a series of dramatized fabrications of reality with respect to homosexuality, Action has been taken to formally request that such totally false material not be used in the Tulsa Public Schools. CO?JCLUSIONS There is abysmal ignorance, with myths abounding, on the part of the general public with respect to issues of homosexuality. One might characterize the state of knowledge of much of the public with respect to homosexuality as that which characterized the beliefs about the earth a few hundred years ago: "The world is flat, and if you travel far enough out to sea, you will fall off". However, despite such unawareness and misinformation, citizens are most recept ive to objective presentations of factual material, and to dis passionate discussions of the many sensitive issues involved in dealing with homosexuality. As stated above, there is little recognition of the Tulsa City Commission's policy statement on homosexuality, and no action taken as a function of this policy. The local media are interested in issues of homosexuality, provide ready access to their resources, and do, in fact, assist �in our educational eflorts. The Task Force feels that the current milieu may be described as supportive of civil rights of homosexual persons, but with wide spread antagonism towards the possibility of coercive measures to protect the civil rights of homosexual persons. The following recommendations represent the unanimous thinking of the Task Force members v/ho are listed on the coversheet of this report. �RECOMMENDATIONS TO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, CITY OF TULSA RECOMMENDED: Recognizing that a continuing educational need exists on the topic of sexual orientation, the Human Rights Commission should establish or identify resources which provide educa tional programs and materials. RECOMMENDED, that homosexual persons be recognized as a legitimate minority group in Tulsa, with a related need for special representation on the Human Rights Commission; that the Human Rights Commission seek out and recommend for membership some community person (s) who has/have shown active concern for the fair and quitable treatment of homo sexual persons. RECOMMENDED, that Section 102 of the City of Tulsa's Personnel Policy, providing for nondiscrimination in employment, be expanded to include sexual orientation as a protected category; that implementation of this proposed expansion of Section 102 of the City's Personnel Policy be promoted through informa tion and awareness programs prepared especially for and presented to appropriate City staff. Section 102, Equal Opportunity Employment. Policy for the City of Tulsa provides that there shall be no discrimination against any individual because of race, color, sex, age, religion, political beliefs (except as defined in Section 402), national origin or ancestry in any manner involving employment, including recruitment, advertising, appointment, lay off, termination of employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, compensation, training and selection for training or any other terms, conditions or privilege of employment. RECOMMENDED, that the present City policy affirming the rights of homosexual persons to be free from discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations be implemented throughout the community by emphasizing strategies for voluntary compliance rather than enforcement. Information and awareness programs should be prepared and presented to any groups requesting such programs; however, businesses and firms which have contracts with the City should be actively encouraged to use the programs. RECOMMENDED, that the rights of homosexual persons in the City of Tulsa to be free from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations be promoted through strategies for voluntary compliance with the existing policy rather than through passage �#’ and enforcement of a nondiscrimination ordinance; that the status of nondiscrimination against homosexual persons in the City of Tulsa be evaluated at some future date, to determine if voluntary compliance has been effective. If progress has been inadequate, passage of a nondiscrimina tion ordinance, with related enforcement powers should then be considered. RECOMMENDED, that the life of the Sexual Orientation Task Force be extended for a period of one year from the present date, in order to continue its educational efforts and other activities and to monitor progress made toward achieving the above recommen dations. RECOMMENDED, that Dr. Charles Johnson be appointed as the next chairman of the Sexual Orientation Task Force. �Passed 4 yea - 1 no by Board of Commission January^!, 1977 It is the flT^T^onviction-and policy of the City of Tulsa that all persons should have equal oppor tunity with respect to employment, housing and public accommodations and that no individual be discriminated against on grounds other than those related to the legitimate requirements associated with the opportunity which he or she seeks. Dis crimination against individuals or groups based upon their sexual orientation will be considered contrary to this policy and not in the best interests of the City of Tulsa. (City of Tulsa policy on discrimination against homosexuals) �♦ - January 18, 1977 HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - RECOMMENDATION FOR POLICY STATEMENT; Gloria Caldwell, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission requested that the City commission adopt a policy statement to-wit: ‘*It is the firm conviction and policy of the City of Tulsa that all persons should have equal opportunity with respect to employment, housing and public accommodations and that no individual be discriminated against on grounds other than those related to the legitimate requirements associated with the opportunity which he or she seeks. Discrimination against indi viduals or groups based upon their •nuai will be considered contrary to this policy and not in the best interests of the City of Tulsa." She also submitted form of Resolution which vould declare essentially the same policy for implementation by the City Commission. The Human Rights Commission asks that one or the other be adopted. Mr. Parker said the Human Rights Commission not only adopted a motion to recommend that this Commission adopt this policy statement or the Resolution, but took steps to establish a task force to hold meetings with all interested groups. Following consideration and discussion, it was moved by commissioner Eagleton, seconded by Commissioner Franden that the policy statement as recommended by the Human Rights Commission be adopted. Commissioner Thomas moved to amend the motion and the policy leaving out the words "firm conviction and" in first line, and eliminate the last sentence beginning with the word "Discrimination... and ending with"City of Tulsa". There being no second to the motion to amend. Mayor LaFortune declared same dead. Thereupon, the roll was called on the original motion to adopt the policy statement as recommended: Roll call: Franden Kerpan Eagleton yea Mayor yeas 4 yea yea yea noes 1 Carried. absent 0 � 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 <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data paper 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 [1978] Final Report and Recommendations - Jan 1978 - Sexual Orientation Task Force, Human Rights Commission, City of Tulsa Subject The topic of the resource Need for education and non-discrimination policies Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa Human Rights Commission Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Billie Edwards, Sentell Fox, Wally Hargrave, Charles Johnson, Robert Ritz, Terrance Luce, Chairperson Billie Edwards Charles Johnson Human Rights Commission Robert Ritz Sentell Fox Sexual Orientation Task Force Terrance Luce Wally Hargrave https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/8f60521af059665532a0b338d0261863.pdf aaa4343ddb5107f77209e82a76034f79 PDF Text Text (s <•>( ,^0o I ^ c:c^ A'As ^v’—^ ^ck ft C'p ^c^a A£-^( Recognition of guests, Extended Family, Michelle Hoffinan’s tireless work on the video. Rene Potter, our dear friend from Tucson, coming to join us and provide this wonderful entertainment. For 27 years, OkEq has been here, working for equality, being a community supporter, providing outreach and services. For an organization which has grown from an annual budget of a few thousand dollars to one with a budget of a few hundred thousand dollars, one constant has been there, an absolute reliance on dedicated volunteers and board and recently a few loyal staff who work day m and day out for our important mission. I can only accept this very gracious gesture of OkEq by recognizing that every step ofthe way, what we have done has been a team effort sharing in our successes and dealing with our losses. We could not have done our important work without our allies and friends in the community. And the partners who provide the support throughout the ups and downs. Thank you John. We now have a center the entire community can be proud of. This new home is here today and will be �here tomorrow. And for tomorrow’s generation. Most importantly, programs and services are offered to address a great need in education, advocacy and support. Services and space together imder one roof means that OkEq provides a beacon of acceptance in a nation, state and city which have yet to fully deal with their past and current biases. Without us, fighting on the frontier, where we would be? Where would the next generation find the voice for what is right? We should all have a renewed sense of hope for equality because ofrecent developments to which mmiy in this room have contributed and to which all of us support. Let us continue our efforts, together Thank you so much,I will never forget the true meaning ofthis night-teamwork for equality! � Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. 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 [2007] Gala Lifetime Achievement Award, Dennis Neill Acceptance Speech Subject The topic of the resource Lifetime Achievement Award Description An account of the resource Theme - A Night In the City Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 9, 2007, DoubleTree Warren Place 2007 Gala A Night in The City Dennis Neill Lifetime Achievement Award Renee Potter https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/2cdd35eb7f78f00e0d8237f7c7bb0053.pdf 864c4b636ffa7c26725295d8879318cb PDF Text Text ������������� Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. 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 [2007] Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Grand Opening Announcement and Events Subject The topic of the resource Grand Opening of Equality Center Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2007 - January and February Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Equality Center Equality Center Opening Grand Opening OkEq Equality Center 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 PDF Text Text Jimmy Flowers Story Subject Jimmy Flowers Description 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 Julie Tucker-Trainum, Youth Services of Tulsa Date Interview was conducted in 1999 or 2000 Original Format VHS Duration 1 hour 20 minutes [00:00:00] Julie Trainum: And we're here to talk to a fellow by the name of Jimmy Flowers, and Jimmy is 41. He told me his age, so I hope he doesn't mind me telling the tape. And all the things that you're seeing on these tables are things that Jimmy has gathered up over the years, specifically about the gay movement. And all of these things are very, very telling, but probably the best person that can tell is Jimmy himself. And he's been real interested in talking with us and with the young people to let them know what he went through and the things that he saw. [00:00:36] Julie Trainum: So, Jimmy, how are you? [00:00:38] Jimmy Flowers: Well, so far so good. [00:00:40] Julie Trainum: So far so good? [00:00:41] Jimmy Flowers: Yeah. [00:00:41] Julie Trainum: Can you begin a little bit with your history and saying what happened with you when you were a youngster? You can maybe talk specifically about when you first understood that you were gay and what happened with your family. [00:00:59] Jimmy Flowers: Well, number one, I've always known that I was gay. Number two, I was about 11 years old, and what happened was that I was kissing a guy underneath the staircase. He was 14 and I was 11, just kissing. And then my father, of course, he was the supervisor of the building. And I didn't realize he was home, and he caught me underneath the staircase, kissing the guy. He dragged me by the hair and sort of beat me, slapped me around, saying it wasn't natural, it was disgusting, it was a sin, and everything like that. [00:01:45] Jimmy Flowers: And my mother started yelling at me and, you know. Then took me to the school psychiatrist. This is going back to 1966. [00:01:54] Julie Trainum: And you were about 11 at the time? [00:01:56] Jimmy Flowers: I was about 11. I can't remember exactly every date or detail, but I was about 11, 11 and a half maybe. And what happened was that they thought at that time that if you were gay or lesbian, if they catch you at an early age that you would become a heterosexual. And so they put me in a mental institution for almost two and a half, three years. And in that time, they tried to come to us that we were sick, 1 �that it wasn't natural, that we were sinners of God. And they also, some of the things they did was very disgusting. [00:02:40] Jimmy Flowers: They forced us to be in the same room with another lesbian young woman. We were both nude. They thought if we saw each other's body that we would be attracted to each other. But unfortunately it didn't work that way. And then they showed us pictures of videotapes of men and women having sex. [00:03:04] Julie Trainum: And this is still when you were a youngster? [00:03:08] Jimmy Flowers: Oh yes. They thought if we saw the actual lovemaking of heterosexuals making love, intercourse, that it would change us to become heterosexuals. We were constantly pumped in our heads that we were not gay. At that time, we didn't know the word gay. We used the word fancy because it wasn't offensive to us. We didn't like the word homosexual. We didn't like the word homo or faggot or queer or bull dyke or lesbians. So therefore we used the word fancy because it wasn't too offensive. Then, in this time, they showed the male tenants, which was the guard. [00:04:00] Jimmy Flowers: Forgive me if I get a little bit emotional because some of the things that happened in the mental institution, you wouldn't believe unless you saw it yourself. I was given Thorazine and child treatment to become straight. And I kept on saying I was born gay. It's a little bit hard to explain because I like the word gay. I said I was born to be a fancy. And they brought a priest in since they thought I was on the religious side. They brought a priest in. And the priest said to me, and I'll never forget it. [00:04:48] Jimmy Flowers: He said, you are a sinner of God and it's wrong. It's not natural. It's against nature. And I just kept on saying I was born this way. [00:04:57] Jimmy Flowers: And then he slapped me, and I got a little bit angry, and I took Grant's collar from his neck, he was a Roman Catholic priest, and I said how dare you call yourself a man of God, if you are. That's pretty courageous for a youngster. I was about 11, 11 and a half, 12 maybe. And some gays and some young lesbians, they thought they were safe, and they committed suicide because they could not change. [00:05:32] Jimmy Flowers: And they made a stand up while they took a 14 year old lesbian young woman, and laid her down while the male attendants, she wanted to shoot me, while the male attendants forced us to watch while they were having intercourse with her. They thought by us watching, all the gay males we lined up, and the young gay females lined up on each side. They thought that they would make us to be straight, and they were constantly crinkling into our ears that we were sick. [00:06:31] Jimmy Flowers: So there was a lot of reason for young gay and lesbian kids to not come out, and to not say, and not let other people know because of the possibility that this would happen. So anyway, the young lesbian woman, a few months later, I don't want to go into every single detail because it would take hours and hours. The young lesbian woman, she was pregnant, and she committed suicide in her own room, and she hung herself. And I discovered her because we were friends. They had the females on one side, and the males on the other. [00:07:20] Jimmy Flowers: And I was the one that found her, and I will never forget that. Then there was a gay, we started a hunger strike in the mental institution, which was called Primory and King's Park State Hospital. And then there was another one called King's County. And during that time, there was this gay psychiatrist and gay therapist that was helping us getting out of the place. Of course, we had to lie and say we were straight, and that we enjoyed having sex with women, and the women enjoyed having sex with men. [00:08:06] Jimmy Flowers: And I promised myself, once I get out of that place, that I would never lie again. And I haven't lied since then, and I'm not going to now, and I never will until the day I die. Let's go ahead and cut there for a second. After I got out, it was about 1968. Did you go back to your parents? Yes, I went back to my family. And things were still, I had to pretend that I had a girlfriend, and then went to high school. During that time I was put away, I didn't have no school at all. And then I was kicked out of high school for trying to start a gay movement. [00:08:52] Jimmy Flowers: And that was back in 69, but we didn't call it a gay movement, we called it the Pansy Movement. Now I can laugh at it, but then it was serious. Was that in Brooklyn? No, at that time we lived in the Bronx, Bronx, New York. Then my mother and father, they found out I was still gay, they kicked me out 2 �of the house. I was about 14 and a half years old, or 14 or 14 and a half. I roamed the streets, lived from one person to the next. [00:09:25] Jimmy Flowers: And then there was hundreds, literally hundreds of young lesbians and young gay men that was actually kicked out of the streets for being gay. Because their family couldn't deal with it. And, um... [00:09:43] Jimmy Flowers: Then there was Spanish in society, and they wanted us to be good little boys and girls and not to kiss in public or to hold hands in public. They were using the word flaunting our gayness. And then we were all young. There was lesbians, there was gay blacks, there was gay Puerto Ricans, there was gay religious lesbians from all walks of life that was kicked out in the streets because of being gay. [00:10:17] Julie Trainum: It's a real diverse crowd out there. Real diverse. [00:10:21] Jimmy Flowers: Yes. The young gay blacks was considered a disgrace to their race if they were gay. A lesbian woman wasn't a real woman. They used slogans like, oh, what you need is a good man. And they used to use the word revise to the gay men that what you really need was a good woman. And we used to sock it back to them. I said, no. What you need is a good woman, and what we need is a good man. And so one guy, I remember one guy would say, you're not a real man. I said, how do you know? I said, did you have one? Of course, I'm a man's man. [00:11:10] Jimmy Flowers: And so therefore, if you haven't had a man, then you're not a man. And the lesbians used to sock it to them on their level too. Well, you're not a real woman until you have a woman, you know. [00:11:24] Julie Trainum: So a lot of the young people who were kind of on the street had to make up their own philosophy of living. [00:11:31] Jimmy Flowers: Right. [00:11:31] Julie Trainum: And philosophy of being gay and what that felt like. [00:11:34] Jimmy Flowers: Right. I'm not ashamed of it. I had to do some hustling to be able to hustle, and I was a go-go boy at the Stonewall. [00:11:45] Julie Trainum: What does that mean, go-go boy? [00:11:47] Jimmy Flowers: A go-go boy dancer. I should have brought my uniform, but they called me the gay midnight cowboy. That was part of my act. I had a black cowboy hat, purple shirt with white fringes, purple hot pants with silver sequins and cowboy boots. And of course, I was on the platform, and that's how I made to put food in my stomach. And at that time, I had to hustle because who was going to give a 14-and-ahalf-year-old person, young person, a full-time job or housing? And a lot of young lesbians and young gays had to do that. [00:12:26] Jimmy Flowers: But we protected each other, and we stood in a group. And we also protected the old ones that were taking us in, and we were not abused. We were not forced to have sex with them. As a matter of fact, there used to be a joke about me because I felt guilty for taking money for sex. So while they were sleeping, I used to get out and clean their apartments. So there used to be a joke going around saying, take the redhead because you get two for the price of one. Then came the raids of the bars constantly. Now we're getting into 69. [00:13:13] Julie Trainum: And this is in Brooklyn? [00:13:15] Jimmy Flowers: No, Manhattan. Greenwich Village. Then we started arguing with the police. There were entrapments of police undercover. There were police officers undercover taking license plates, numbers of cars that was in the neighborhood because they presumed that everybody in that section of the neighborhood were all gay, all lesbians. They were raiding the lesbian bars constantly, and the gay bars. We wasn't allowed to hold hands in our own bars. We wasn't allowed to sit close together, more than 12 feet. [00:13:56] Jimmy Flowers: And plainclothes cops used to come in and make sure that we did not do these things or slow dance together. There was also the gay rich was being blackmailed by plainclothes cops. 3 �[00:14:12] Julie Trainum: The gay, say that again. [00:14:12] Jimmy Flowers: The gay rich. [00:14:14] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:14:14] Jimmy Flowers: Because they had money. [00:14:16] Julie Trainum: I see. [00:14:16] Jimmy Flowers: And if they were caught in the section and the plainclothes cops caught them in that area, they just assumed that they were automatically gay and they would call up their boss and tell him that they were gay and they wouldn't have a job, they'd be fired. [00:14:29] Julie Trainum: I see. [00:14:29] Jimmy Flowers: And then at that time, there was lesbians that were beaten up, gay men that was found in the Hudson River that was dead. With their thing cut off, found in the Hudson River. And then at that time, we had signs on the bars that said, enter in your own grips, you may be arrested. Some lesbians was raped by male undercover cops. [00:14:58] Jimmy Flowers: Years later, we found out those license plates that they had, which was over 100,000 license plates they had, was going to the FBI. What license plates were those? Lesbians and gays and people that was parked in the Greenwich Village area. [00:15:17] Julie Trainum: Okay, so they would take that information, the cars parked in the village area and send it to the FBI? Right. [00:15:24] Jimmy Flowers: At that time, that's what they did, and they called it a scare tactic. [00:15:30] Julie Trainum: Scare tactic. [00:15:31] Jimmy Flowers: Yes, to keep gays and lesbians away from getting together and uniting. [00:15:39] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:15:39] Jimmy Flowers: At that time, we started having arguments with Mattachine Society. [00:15:46] Julie Trainum: Tell us a little bit about what that organization is. [00:15:49] Jimmy Flowers: Well, Mattachine Society started after World War II, about 1945, and they did a lot of things. They did help out a lot of people through courts, and they helped try to get a gay rights bill passed, a lesbian gay rights bill passed, secretly behind the scenes. [00:16:12] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:16:12] Jimmy Flowers: They believed and dressed in ties and suits, and women, lesbian women, had to wear high heels and dresses and be very conservative. [00:16:24] Julie Trainum: What was their theory behind this dress and doing things behind the scenes? [00:16:28] Jimmy Flowers: Well, their theory figured that not let the public, the religious groups, or the straight community know what was going on in the world. They wanted to try to pass the bill of rights for lesbians and gays secretly behind the scenes, behind the doors. [00:16:49] Julie Trainum: So as to not make waves? [00:16:51] Jimmy Flowers: Right, not to make waves, and Mattachine Society were the older people at that time. Remember, the ones that lived on the streets, the homeless, lesbians and gays, and young gays, we were all young, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 years of age, 19, 20, some was even 13, and the youngest was 12 and a half years old, believe it or not. And then the older ones that was part of Mattachine, they were in their 30s, 40s, 50s, 4 �and 60s, and they used to come out at us for holding hands in public. Don't do that, the cops will get you arrested. [00:17:40] Julie Trainum: Okay, so that was the beginning of some of those arguments you were saying? [00:17:43] Jimmy Flowers: Yes. [00:17:43] Julie Trainum: So they did not like the fact that you were much more out in your appearance? [00:17:49] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:17:49] Jimmy Flowers: They said you ruined everything that we were trying to accomplish, and we turned around and we said, well, this is 1969, and you've had since 1945 to do something, and it's time for a change, and the change is now. Well, the cops came and raided the Stonewall, and 200 of us took to the streets. Yes, there was drag queens there, there was lesbians, there was gay blacks, gay Puerto Ricans, but we were not all drag queens, let me just make that very clear. We were from all walks of life, all colors. [00:18:29] Julie Trainum: Has that been something that they've tried to state over and over, that it was just the drag queens that rioted? [00:18:36] Jimmy Flowers: Yes. [00:18:37] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:18:37] Jimmy Flowers: Even, I got to admit, even the gay press keeps on saying drag queens. It just didn't happen like that. What has happened to be to Stonewall was incidents of the raiding of bars, being put away for being gay, entrapments, license plates being taken, beating up of lesbians and gays, dead bodies of gay males being found in the Hudson River, harassment, blackmail of the gay rich because they paid off the cops because they were afraid to lose their jobs. Lesbians were being raped by plainclothes cops, beaten up, and they were forced to fight back. [00:19:25] Julie Trainum: So people, in a sense, have had their fill of the harassment and the hatred, so that when that particular bar was raided... [00:19:35] Jimmy Flowers: It wasn't just that particular bar. [00:19:37] Julie Trainum: Was it not? [00:19:38] Jimmy Flowers: It started... See, all the bars in that area was being raided like every weekend. [00:19:44] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:19:44] Jimmy Flowers: But, the Stonewall, we're the ones that came out of the Stonewall and we said, enough is enough, we're going to take the streets now. [00:19:57] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:19:58] Jimmy Flowers: And that was the word gay. And we started using the word gay. A lot of people, even some of the gay people themselves, don't like to use the word gay. They don't use the word homosexual. Well, we name ourselves gay. [00:20:13] Jimmy Flowers: Homosexuality, faggot, queer, fruit, homo, pansy, bull dyke, lesbian, all those names were labeled on us by society. The word gay, we took as being proud. And the word lesbian, as proud as being a lesbian woman. So then, then we start taking into the streets. And we started turning over police cars and we started dancing in the streets and we started yelling out gay rights now. And I remember this big black guy, about six foot four, something like that, kicked up a paddy wagon and turned it over. [00:20:59] Jimmy Flowers: And three lesbians pulled over the paddy wagons and the best fighters, I gotta admit, was the drag queens and the lesbians. And, but people like me too was there too. We were, I was the one that was underneath the paddy wagon as they were pulling the gays and lesbians into the paddy wagon, I was underneath the paddy wagon punching the cops between the legs. And then as they were going out, the lesbians, 5 �gays were running out of the paddy wagons. Jim, you were back there when I was a little girl. Well, you know, at that time, you did what you had to do. [00:21:41] Jimmy Flowers: And about how old were you at the time then? I was about 14 and a half years old, 15 years old. And there were some other gay youth there as well? And that's that one thing we all had in common. We were all young and we were all gay and lesbians. Let's stop there for just a second, okay? Yeah, all right. [00:22:03] Jimmy Flowers: As I was saying before, when they were dragging in the lesbians and gays, I was underneath the paddy wagon punching below the belt of the police officers and the lesbians and gays would run out of the paddy wagon while the cops were going out, you know? Okay, great. And then we started marching in the streets, yelling out gay rights now and this and that. And they would throw gas bombs at us and we had handkerchiefs we wrapped around our faces and we threw it back at the cops. And we was turning over the paddy wagon to the police cars. [00:22:44] Jimmy Flowers: We marched to the 10th precinct, which was the Greenwich Village Police Station. And we marched around there, started singing We Shall Overcome. And then we started marching towards out of the gay ghetto. And that's when everything started beginning. We started marching up 6th Avenue. They knew that we was gonna be on 5th Avenue to St. Patrick's because see, on 5th Avenue was St. Patrick's Cathedral and sinners of God wasn't allowed to be on 5th Avenue. [00:23:16] Julie Trainum: Bless you. [00:23:18] Jimmy Flowers: And so anyway, we started marching on 6th Avenue but we had a plan. And we all ran arm to arm, black, white, young and old. Some of us, most of us was young. And we started doing the can-can. And as we started kicking the lesbians and gays, drag queens, blacks and whites, and yes, even some atheists and Christians, we started doing the can-can and started saying gay rights now, lesbian power now. And as we kicked, the police officers backed away. They took one step back and then we started taking advantage of it. Each night, the crowd grew larger. [00:24:08] Jimmy Flowers: And as we was doing the can-can down the street of 6th Avenue, the cops, they have never faced this situation before. They were scared to death of us. That night, the crowds grew to about 1,000. And we started rowing. And then when we got to 45th Street, cut off on to 5th Avenue, the cops had the barricade of police cars and the lesbians and the gay men and the drag queens and the transvestites. And we just pushed the cars off the streets and just pushed them onto the sidewalks. And then we went right on to 5th Avenue and we started marching up. [00:25:00] Jimmy Flowers: Then they had another barricade. And then we started marching towards St. Patrick's. And as we was doing the kicking in the air and singing all sorts of things, and unite, we stand, fight back now, the cops were backing up and backing up and the crowd just grew larger and larger. [00:25:24] Jimmy Flowers: That night was 1,000 and we started holding hands and marching around St. Patrick's Day, and we started singing We Shall Overcome, and we did it all night long. And then people started saying that homosexuals is taking over the country. There was headlines in the newspapers and everything, it was on the news, and then we started protesting at City Hall. The first protest at City Hall was 1970 for the gay rights. Only 40 people showed up at that time. As the year went by, the crowd at City Hall grew larger and larger and larger. [00:26:17] Jimmy Flowers: The gay and lesbian community started uniting. At one point around 1973, the politicians and the religious groups, the Orthodox Jewish community and the Catholics saying, well there's really nothing about lesbians in the Bible, it's okay to be a lesbian. And what they were trying to do is split us apart and to make us weak, because unity there is strength. So I say to the young ones today, don't let politicians or anybody split y'all up because of politics, because we are in it together and there must be unity. [00:27:06] Jimmy Flowers: Then we started marching towards politicians and we started having sit-ins and we started having sit-ins to go into the City Hall chambers and about 100 of us or 200 of us, and we started singing We Shall Overcome each and every time there was a lesbian gay rights hearing. And then we started having the Lesbian Gay Parade, which was 1970. The very first one was 1970, and we marched from Greenwich Village to Central Park, which by the way was only 9,000 people. Excellent about that. [00:27:48] Julie Trainum: Has there been one every year then? 6 �[00:27:50] Jimmy Flowers: Yes, every one, and last year, the 25th anniversary, lesbians gays from all over the world came. There was people from Switzerland, lesbians and gays from Russia, there was lesbians and gays from Puerto Rico, from Cuba, there was lesbians and gays from Texas and Oklahoma, there was lesbians and gays from Kansas City, Philadelphia, you name it, they were all there. Gays and lesbians from Alaska. [00:28:28] Julie Trainum: How many do you think, in your opinion, were actually in attendance? [00:28:32] Jimmy Flowers: Well, later on when you see the pictures up close. The newspaper says 100,000, but the newspapers always lie when it comes to lesbians and gays marching in the streets. I estimate there was close to one million lesbians and gays, and parents of gays, and friends of gays, and lesbians and gays themselves from all walks of life, from all over the world, was marching because we had three avenues. [00:29:02] Jimmy Flowers: Excuse me, I think it's important at this point to recognize that Jimmy was honored as one of the 15 only survivors from the original Stonewall Uprising, and he was honored this past year during the 20th anniversary as one of those 15,... Oklahoma in that. [00:29:25] Julie Trainum: How many Oklahomans were also in that group? Were you the only one? [00:29:31] Jimmy Flowers: I was the only one. [00:29:33] Julie Trainum: Well, we're proud of you. Let's go ahead at this point and... [00:29:36] Jimmy Flowers: But I wasn't born in Oklahoma. [00:29:38] Julie Trainum: I understand, but we have you now. We'll go ahead and stop the film for a second so that we can get up and take a look. And what we're going to do right now is take a look at some of the mementos that Jimmy has brought. We have an array of t-shirts here, and we're going to listen a little bit about what each one... [00:29:56] Julie Trainum: Where each one came from and so on and anything else that Jimmy can tell us about it. So you want to start over there with the Lambda? [00:30:04] Jimmy Flowers: Okay. The Lambda was the first gay t-shirt that lesbians and gays wore as a symbol of lesbian gay power. There was a little bit of confusion about the Lambda bit because it stood for gay males, but there was a little confusion about that too as well. [00:30:23] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:30:24] Jimmy Flowers: So this was the first lesbian gay t-shirt even though there was some confusion. This one here was about Reagan's time where two guys and we took his slogan and we said breathe my lips and there's two guys kissing. Also we started using slogans like cruise men not missiles. Then there was the gay independent democrats. We started registering people to vote and I have myself registered in New York City over 10,000 lesbians and gay voters, all democrats. [00:31:03] Julie Trainum: So you helped to get people signed up to register to vote? [00:31:05] Jimmy Flowers: Oh yes I did. [00:31:06] Julie Trainum: Excellent. [00:31:07] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:31:08] Jimmy Flowers: This is the t-shirt of the coalition. This was the original lesbian gay flag which I designed it and a lesbian woman made the flag. [00:31:20] Julie Trainum: Cool. [00:31:21] Jimmy Flowers: It was June 1st, 1976. That was the symbol, the first original lesbian gay flag. It stands for unity. This here was the first march on Washington D.C. national wise. There was other marches besides that. There was Madison Society had a group in 1966 marching in front of the White House, but this 7 �was the first national march on Washington with Harvey Milk's name. Then later on, this picture here of me, 1976, I had a t-shirt that said I'm a gay American. And that there came out in one of the gay newspapers. [00:32:10] Julie Trainum: Great. [00:32:11] Jimmy Flowers: This here, later on, there was words mixed up so we started using, we realized that some lesbians wanted to be called lesbians and some wanted to be called gay. So to make everybody happy, we decided to use the word gay and lesbian independent democrats. [00:32:31] Julie Trainum: Great. [00:32:33] Jimmy Flowers: And then here was the first picture of the first protest march at City Hall in 1970. Then comes the American Cypriot Union book around 1975. Then I got a letter from the White House, from Jimmy Carter, from the assistants. And then around 1980, I had a discrimination case against Victor Gonthown, DC-37 in New York, which sexual orientation was passed on AFCIO Union, which they took my case on, which I'm very proud of that. [00:33:18] Julie Trainum: Okay, let me just get kind of a pan shot of some of these things and a view of all the goodies that we have. [00:33:24] Jimmy Flowers: Well, this one, this one here was taken in 1976, I'm a gay American. This one here with the lesbian gay flag, the original one, in front of St. Patrick's Day, saying that we are children of God too. This one here was the first print of the original lesbian gay flag which stands for unity. [00:33:53] Julie Trainum: I like that theme a lot. I like that theme. [00:33:57] Jimmy Flowers: Then here's a pamphlet that we tried to pass in New York City. I was kicked out of a restaurant for wearing a gay t-shirt and they took my case to the human rights, which I won the first gay case in human rights back in 1978. And finally won on paper. [00:34:26] Julie Trainum: Can you tell us a little bit about the Stonewall sash that you're wearing? [00:34:31] Jimmy Flowers: Well, around 1979, Ed Murphy, one of the people in Stonewall, he was a door bouncer at the Stonewall, gave all of these banners to all the Stonewall people that was there. And I've had it since 19... [00:34:49] Jimmy Flowers: 78 something. It was purple and gold, but now it's turning into pink and gold. [00:35:04] Julie Trainum: Tell us a little about your hat. [00:35:05] Jimmy Flowers: Well, my hat has got all the buttons on it about AIDS, be safe, about lesbian and gay rights, civil rights. I'll have a talk and take it off and show you. Boycott homophobia, remember the quilt, silent equals death, stop AIDS, fight back, act up. This is the newest one, Stonewall 25, keep on marching. This symbol of AIDS awareness and over here it says gay rights are civil rights. [00:35:50] Julie Trainum: I love that one. Okay, we need to go ahead and end up this portion. [00:35:55] Jimmy Flowers: Okay. [00:35:56] Julie Trainum: And so what I will do real quick is to, these are pictures of the 25th anniversary of Stonewall. [00:36:03] Jimmy Flowers: Right here. [00:36:04] Julie Trainum: That we're taking in June of this year and some fabulous buttons. [00:36:07] Jimmy Flowers: This one here is I Am All of Us, Harvey Milk. That was printed in 1979. This one here was the first gay button and this was the second one, 1970 and 1970. And then all the other buttons came afterwards. And then we even had a button, boyfriend wanted no experience necessary. Homophobia is a social disease. Then we had this Harvey Milk riot which I will explain later what really happened on that day. 8 �And then we had the pink triangle which gays and lesbians were forced to wear during World War II as in the prisons. [00:36:58] Jimmy Flowers: The gay Jewish, I don't have here a button, but if you was gay and Jewish you wore a yellow and pink star. This one here to sign to the born again Christians. [00:37:10] Julie Trainum: Born again gay. [00:37:11] Jimmy Flowers: Born again gay. [00:37:12] Julie Trainum: Very nice. [00:37:12] Jimmy Flowers: And then there's the teddy bear here with the symbol of the male symbol of gay men. And then we have here of a cat with the lesbian symbol here on the cat. And then we had over here the pink triangle, fight for lesbian gay liberation. And then there was Gay Teachers Unite which came out about 1972. [00:37:38] Julie Trainum: Wow, that's great. We're going to go ahead and end up today's segment. And in a few days we'll get back together and take another look at the remaining memorabilia and finish up Jimmy's story. Hi Jimmy, this is December the 19th and we're back to complete hopefully our session on some of the gay history that you're very familiar with. I think we left off beginning to talk about Stonewall 25 that happened here just last June of 1994. Go ahead if you would and give us your view of what happened last June and what you saw and just go from there. [00:38:19] Jimmy Flowers: Well, number one, it was really beautiful. I found the George Segal statue was put up in the park which was two women and two men holding an armed arm in the park. [00:38:33] Julie Trainum: Was he the sculptor? [00:38:34] Jimmy Flowers: He was George Segal, yeah. It went through the United States and then ended up at Sheridan Square which is in Greenwich Village. And I was part of that. A lot of people was at that time in 1977 when they built the statues of two men and two women holding hands in the park. The Italians got upset and the religious right got upset. Left? [00:39:07] Julie Trainum: Right. [00:39:07] Jimmy Flowers: Right. And they got upset all about the statues. But all there is is that two women is holding arm to arm sitting on the park bench and two guys standing up holding each other with love. Well, I was glad to see that because I collected over 15,000 signatures for those statues. Wow. But I wasn't the only one. Let me put that very clear. I wasn't the only person that was doing it. [00:39:40] Julie Trainum: When did you do this project? [00:39:42] Jimmy Flowers: This was 1977-78. [00:39:44] Julie Trainum: And so you now saw them in the... [00:39:47] Jimmy Flowers: I saw them in the park at Sheridan Square which I was very proud of. [00:39:51] Jimmy Flowers: Finally they got it there. [00:39:54] Jimmy Flowers: Through court battles. They called it freedom of speech. When you show affection towards the same sex. So we used the expression freedom of speech. [00:40:06] Jimmy Flowers: Also, on the day of the parade, which was beautiful, they took up 5th Avenue, 6th Avenue, and also 1st Avenue from the United Nations building. From the United Nations building, there was lesbians and gays from all over the world. From Japan, from China, from Russia, from Italy, from Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Philadelphia, California, Boston, Connecticut, Africa. There was lesbians and gays from Switzerland, Italy, you name it, they were there. [00:40:51] Julie Trainum: Sounds like that was the place to get a pen pal. 9 �[00:40:53] Jimmy Flowers: It was beautiful. And the Stonewall led the whole parade, all 18 of us, that was led from the original Stonewall veterans, they called us. I didn't know I was a veteran until the 25th. But, also, from all over the world, over 25,000 ACT UP members marched up 5th Avenue, in front of St. Patrick's Metro, and passed there. And they assembled there, and they started singing, We Shall Overcome. And, of course, then they started marching again. [00:41:31] Jimmy Flowers: On 6th Avenue, over 66,000 lesbians from all over the country, in the United States, and parts of the other world, marched up 6th Avenue to Central Park. We arrived at the park about approximately 11.30am. At 6.30pm, they were still coming into the park, and the parade has not ended. The parade ended coming into the park around 9pm. So, the newspapers always lie about how many numbers there is, especially when it comes to lesbians and gays marching. The newspaper says 100,000, but that's in the pig's eye. It's a lie. [00:42:24] Jimmy Flowers: So, anyway, I, X-Men, and so did a lot of lesbians and gays that was there. XMen, there was 1 million lesbians and gays. We also had straights and gays, women for gay rights, we had parents for gay rights, we had grandmothers marching for gay rights. We had a few members from Mattachine Society that was in it for 36 years, marched too as well. There was about 5 people, I remember, from Mattachine, and they were carrying a sign, 36 years, of 2 women and 1 gay man. That was, as I can remember, from Mattachine Society that was marching. [00:43:16] Julie Trainum: So, that's 36 years of trying to fight for gay rights? [00:43:19] Jimmy Flowers: Oh, that's for gay rights. Okay. From up to last year. Okay. But, there was other gay movements before then. In 1920, Oscar Wilde in England, the case of Oscar Wilde, which by the way, the gay rights bill over there was passed about 45, 40 years ago. And, of course, I can turn around to the religious groups and tell them that see, England did not fall apart. And, the reason, one of the reasons why Queen Elizabeth I, there was no law against lesbianism, but there was laws against gay men. [00:44:06] Jimmy Flowers: Because Queen Elizabeth I believed that women don't do such things. So, therefore, there was no law against being a lesbian, only against being a gay male. Because men do do those types of things. Right. Okay. That's what they said. And, we all know that's a lie. Also, going back, now we're going to go back to 1970, 73. [00:44:37] Julie Trainum: Okay. [00:44:37] Jimmy Flowers: 1970 was the Gay Activist Alliance. After we did the Stonewall, we started realizing we must stop fighting in the streets. And, start protesting peacefully and ordinarily matter. [00:44:48] Jimmy Flowers: We did, sometimes we had kiss-ins, holding hands, walking the streets, but by groups. Sometimes two or three hundred would have a kiss-in on the steps of St. Patrick's or on the steps of City Hall to show the public that here we are, we're not going to hide our affection, our love, and our tenderness to be towards each other. Because, see, gay is not just sex, as most people think that it is. Being a lesbian or being gay is not sex, it's the way of life, it's the way of love, it's the way you were born, it's the way you are. [00:45:31] Jimmy Flowers: And we are human beings and children of God just as well as anybody else. There's been Michelangelo that was gay, Jonathan and David, Einstein, and I can go down the list, which will take hours. [00:45:44] Julie Trainum: One of my favorite posters, have you seen it, is depicting all of the people, so many of the people, down through history. And it's just crowded with faces, it's really nice to see. [00:45:59] Jimmy Flowers: I love that poster. [00:45:59] Julie Trainum: Creative, talented. Very much so. [00:46:02] Jimmy Flowers: And also there was Jim Levin, Jim Levin was the gay lawyer who went around mostly towards me because I always seemed to get into trouble. Mostly because of the mouth. Not that I just stood up for what I believed in, but I got my first job in 1971 as a construction worker working on highways cleaning. And the other guys, they had black power on their helmet, kiss me I'm Italian, kiss me I'm Italian. So what I did on my hard hat, helmet, is put gay power on my helmet. 10 �[00:46:43] Jimmy Flowers: But that was totally a different story when it came to the union, D.C. 37, Victor Garfield. And then they tried to make separate bathrooms. A gay men's bathroom and a gay straight men's bathroom. And I fought that because to me that's discrimination, that's like a war fountain for whites and a war fountain for blacks. And to me that is discrimination. So anyway, also in their locker rooms, in their lockers, they had pictures of nude women. So what I did, to be myself, I put up a picture of a nude man on my locker inside my locker. [00:47:28] Jimmy Flowers: And of course that was totally a different story. At that time I had a boyfriend I was going to study with for two years. And their wives and their girlfriends came and picked up the guys from work and they hugged and kissed. You know, hello. So my boyfriend came up and we hugged and he kissed me. And brother, let me tell you, hell just broke loose. So they tried to fire me. And I went to the human rights, filed a complaint, went to D.C. 37 and filed a complaint with Victor Garfield to hit the union. The big cheese there. [00:48:13] Jimmy Flowers: And he says, we're going too far for lesbian gay rights. I said, what do you mean too far? We just want equal rights just like anybody else. And he says, well you're just going too far. And I said, no we're not. So Jim Levin was my lawyer again after a couple of cases I had. Because every time I hear or see something wrong I speak up. Then came the gay rights bill. Mostly that got me into a lot of trouble. Because I always speak up when I see or hear something wrong. Then came 1973, I believe. [00:48:55] Jimmy Flowers: The mental psychiatrists and therapists from all over the country came to New York and they were having a conference. And their discussion was, what are we going to do about these homosexuals in America? And at that time, the gay movement was just beginning to get on its high pit. [00:49:18] Julie Trainum: So it wasn't what can we do for the gay community, it was what are we going to do about? [00:49:22] Jimmy Flowers: About. About, alright. About the homosexuals in America. Mostly, they were concerned mostly of gay males. Don't ask me why, that's the way they did it. So we had a plan to have lesbians and gays to march together outside of the conference building. Which was held on 34th Street, Madison Square Garden. [00:49:49] Jimmy Flowers: And we, as we were protesting outside, about five to six hundred lesbians and gay therapists and psychiatrists came out of the closet at that time, at the conference, and the rest of the people that were inside, the so-called straight people, the heads that were saying what we were going to do about these homosexuals in America, that they're going too far, and that there decided, when they came out, psychiatrists and therapists came out, which shocked the living heck out of them, they decided then and there that it was not an illness, it was not a sickness. [00:50:38] Jimmy Flowers: This, I believe, was back in 1973. I'm not exactly sure on the exact date, but it's about there. So mental illness is not social disease or mental disease or mental order or anything like that, what they thought in the old days. And we're surely not sinners of God, we're children of God as well as anybody else. And also, and then we started protesting the city council people. The first one was 1970, with 30 people. Each year, the crowd grew bigger and bigger. [00:51:21] Julie Trainum: What types of issues did you bring before the council? [00:51:23] Jimmy Flowers: Equal rights in housing, jobs, unemployment, public accommodations, and we tried to put in marriages, lesbian and gay marriages, but that didn't go through. But we got jobs, housing, public accommodations in those orders. [00:51:44] Julie Trainum: How long did that take? That took from 1970 to 1986. [00:51:46] Jimmy Flowers: And that's in New York City? [00:51:53] Julie Trainum: That's in New York City. [00:51:55] Jimmy Flowers: And each year, the protests marched because we kept on insisting. So every six months, we were at City Hall protesting, and each time, the crowd grew larger and larger and larger. In 1986, we started registering, around 1980, we started registering lesbians and gays. We went to the bars, we went to the bathhouses, we went to the backroom bars, we went to the piers, we went wherever lesbians and gays went, we went there. 11 �[00:52:27] Julie Trainum: Registering at the bar? [00:52:29] Jimmy Flowers: Yes. And I, myself, registered over 10,000 lesbians and gays through the bars, through the backrooms, through the lesbian bars. And by the way, I was the first gay male to enter a lesbian and gay bar. Because at that time, lesbians wanted to keep to themselves because a lot of straight guys used to come in and harass them all the time, and it was a lot of trouble. [00:52:57] Jimmy Flowers: So Betty Santora, Eleanor Cooper, they were part of the group, and they said, Look, he's here trying to get signatures and register people to vote, and he's here for your cause as well as for ours. We're supposed to be together and be united. So I was the first male that ever went to a lesbian bar. [00:53:18] Julie Trainum: How'd that feel? [00:53:19] Jimmy Flowers: I felt terrific. You know, most likely, I got along with lesbians better than I did with gay males. I don't know why, but it just happens. There was a joke going around about me, that I was a lesbian trapped in a gay man's body. [00:53:37] Julie Trainum: Did you find that a compliment or not a compliment? [00:53:42] Jimmy Flowers: Well, at the time, I felt both. It was a compliment and it was an insult. But now I think it's a compliment. Then around 19, we started protesting the White House. 1971, we started putting paths. About 100 of us started marching to Washington on foot. [00:54:13] Julie Trainum: You thought you would tell Mr. Nixon a thing or two? [00:54:15] Jimmy Flowers: We thought we would, yeah. [00:54:16] Julie Trainum: How'd that go? [00:54:18] Jimmy Flowers: Well, as we passed each state, the crowd grew larger and larger. When we got to Washington, D.C., finally, it took about almost a week or so. We had rain and everything, and through the sun and everything. And people, as we were walking, with signs and paths on them, the crowd grew to 1,000. [00:54:43] Jimmy Flowers: from 100 from New York and then as we went to Washington they grew to 1,000. But I also got to say, too, there was other protest march back in 1966 by a group of about 25 to 30 lesbians and gay males from Mattachine Society. It wasn't the first march, but it wasn't a national march. The first national march on Washington from the country, the United States, was 1979, then again 1987, and then 1990, a few years later. [00:55:29] Julie Trainum: Early 90s. [00:55:30] Jimmy Flowers: Early 90s. [00:55:31] Julie Trainum: Sure. [00:55:33] Jimmy Flowers: The first one was sensational. We had the first march on Washington was over 500,000 lesbians and gays. The second one was over 50,000 lesbians and gays. Then they estimate the last one that we had was close to over a million lesbians and gays in Washington, even though the newspaper says 50,000 marched. Some said 40,000. Some of the media said 30,000, but if you saw the march yourself and you saw the crowd, you would know that there was five times more than that. [00:56:17] Julie Trainum: I was there. There was a million, believe me. [00:56:19] Julie Trainum: Have you been seeing more gay young people in the marches and parades? Jimmy, did you want to go ahead and continue with what was happening there in the late 70s and 80s? [00:56:31] Jimmy Flowers: Well, around 1976, Anita Bryant started a campaign against lesbians and gay rights, not only in one state in Florida, which passed an anti-gay lesbian rights bill, but then she started campaigning throughout the country. A lot of lesbians and gays, even movie stars and actors, got upset with her because most of her people that was working with her were gay people. That's number one. Number two, she 12 �was actually slapping people in the face that we wasn't human, we wasn't children of God, and we wasn't Americans and everything like that. [00:57:14] Jimmy Flowers: She was trying to get the religious groups to come out and say we are not. But I must say, and I also was one of the people that threw a fruit pie in her face. I was upset, I was angry, and I am American, a gay one, I'm proud of it. The Constitution of the United States says we the people, not we the blacks, not we the straights, not we the women, not we the lesbians and gays, but we the people. And even politicians forget what the Constitution says. And we have to remember that, that we are the people as well. [00:58:00] Jimmy Flowers: And we are just as human beings as anybody else. Because if you cut my wrist, I will bleed red blood just like anyone else. And I also believe that I was born gay, not made. Also, I would like to say that to black youth of America, that be proud of being gay. Don't be ashamed. Because in the 70s, if you was gay and black, their own race said that they were a disgrace to their race because they were black. But that's not true. Be proud to be gay, be proud to be black, and be proud to be Christian and gay or lesbians. [00:58:45] Jimmy Flowers: We must stand in unity and don't let politicians or religion try to split us up. Like, for instance, at City Hall, and I also heard it here at City Hall in Oklahoma, that, oh well, there's nothing against lesbians in the Bible. But they also forget Joan of Arc was burned to the stake because she was a lesbian. And they also forget about that, that's the Roman Catholics. There's a lot of things that in the Bible you can also prove. [00:59:19] Jimmy Flowers: If you put 20 people in the room, and each one of them read the Bible, you will find you get 20 different opinions of what the Bible says. So therefore, should we put a woman down because she's wearing a red dress? That's in the Bible. You know, they said, thy shall not kill. But yet, the Orthodox Jewish people, back in 1986, asked for the death penalty for being gay. Even the gay community, the Jewish gay community, got upset. And all, at the same time, in City Hall, we all stood up. [01:00:01] Jimmy Flowers: Black gays, Jewish gays, Christian gays, gay atheists, we all stood up and we yelled out, Hai Hitler to them. [01:00:10] Jimmy Flowers: That was the most insulting thing to them. They all got up, all the Orthodox Jewish community walked up and out of City Hall. And we applauded and we yelled out hallelujah, you know. [01:00:25] Julie Trainum: What are some of the things that you see that divide the gay community? [01:00:30] Jimmy Flowers: Well, number one, the money bed should not divide the community. The poor, middle class, and the rich. We must work together. Young, old, woman, man, black, and white. There must be unity. Because in numbers there is strength. Martin Luther King said one thing, In unity we have strength, divided we will fall. That's what Martin Luther King said. And we have to remember those words. Because so far what I have seen, we are divided now. But we have to start getting together. [01:01:12] Jimmy Flowers: Because sometimes I feel like I'm reliving the 70s and the 80s all over again right here in Oklahoma. I say to the youth of America, stand up, be proud, and don't let people push you down because you're simply a lesbian or gay or bisexual. Be proud of what you are. Because it's not just sex, it's a wave of life, and it's a wave of human sexuality. I believe that if human sexuality is taught at an early age, you will not have all this hang up about sex, about divorce, about women and men, about gay and lesbians and bisexuality. [01:02:00] Jimmy Flowers: I don't feel that there will be so much uptightness if people and children are taught at an early age about human sexuality and let them be themselves as they grow up. But be taught the right way. Some of us, we learned the hard way. And I must say, we may have all different ways of doing things, we may have all different ideas, we may have all different faiths. But when we step outside and protest peacefully, hand in hand, number one, we must be in unity and we must be in numbers. That's 65 people marching. [01:02:50] Jimmy Flowers: Because politicians, when they look out that window, they say, oh it's only 65, because they're thinking of voters. But if they see 200, 300, 5,000, or 10,000, or even 1 million people out there, they're going to wake up and they say, oh, voters, we better shape up or we're going to get shipped out. So therefore, I say, register the vote when you're 18. Put your money where your mouth is and tell it like it is. Go out there and be peaceful. March peaceful. Have kiss-ins, because there's no law against kissing of the same sex. 13 �[01:03:34] Jimmy Flowers: There is no law against people of two women holding hands, or two men holding hands. So we can easily have kiss-ins, walk hand in hand, surrounding city hall, singing We Shall Overcome. That would get them more anything. They would wake up. That's what we should be doing. And also to educate society that we're here to stay and we're not going away. Lesbians and gays have been here for the longest time. And since the time began, we're going to be here now, until the end of time. [01:04:13] Julie Trainum: Because gay young people, and actually any young person, has a whole lot more to face these days than we did 20 years ago or so, what types of messages would you give kids today when they look at their health and safety? [01:04:29] Jimmy Flowers: Well, number one, be safe. Use condoms. There's different ways of making love without sexual intercourse. That goes for male or female. There's touching, there's feeling, there's holding, there's caressing. There's more ways of making love without intercourse. And if you do have it, get a checkup. Play safe. Use condoms. Or don't use condoms, but be safe with sass. And have checkups. That's what I would say to the youth of America. [01:05:07] Jimmy Flowers: to play safe and also tell the government there must be a cure of AIDS now. Not tomorrow, not ten years from now, but now. Over 40 or 50 million people throughout the world have AIDS. And every day the numbers are growing and growing. And mostly now the young heterosexual community are getting them. And we have to reach out towards them. But just because you're HIV does not make you less of a woman, just because you're HIV does not make you less of a man, or gay, or straight, or black, or white. Be proud of those issues. Be proud of being black. [01:05:59] Jimmy Flowers: Don't let no one say, well, you're HIV now. Now keep silence, because silence to me equals death. It's time to act up peacefully and out there to march and let the politicians know that we are here and we're not going to take it no more. Did you participate in the AIDS walk this past year? Yes, I did. Can you tell us about that? Well, I carried the sign. I got to admit, the crowd was much bigger in Oklahoma than last year. Last year there was only 65 and I was sort of a little bit upset about it. [01:06:37] Jimmy Flowers: And I got a little emotional and a little angry and I went back to those groups and I told them, shame, shame on you for not being at the walk. This year we had close to 150 or 200 people. What I hear in Oklahoma, that was great. But I like to see next year 1,000 people out there marching. Lesbians and gays. Straight people. Parents of gays. [01:07:05] Jimmy Flowers: And even Christians can get AIDS. Yeah, I just wanted to mention that because sometimes they say they're Christian and there was one guy, I won't mention no names, he was going with a woman every day and then all of a sudden with another woman and I told him, I tried to get him condoms and I gave him brochures and he said, well his minister told him it was a gay disease. And I said, no it is not a gay disease. It's a human disease. And which our own government has lied about it. The blood banks have lied about it. [01:07:45] Jimmy Flowers: The Christians tried to put the blame on the gay, that it was God's punishment to gay people. AIDS is man-made. Two scientists already came out and made a statement that in 1969 they developed AIDS as German warfare. Now this was on television because I watch a lot of talk shows. There's also, they were experiment on green monkeys. And in Africa, their food supplies is green monkeys that they eat because of lack of food. Throughout the country, in Africa alone, 10 million plus has AIDS. Mostly heterosexuals. In this country it hit the gay population. [01:08:37] Jimmy Flowers: Yes, that's true at first. But in other parts of the world, Russia, Japan, China, Switzerland, Germany, East Germany, West Germany, also Africa, all the other countries it hit the heterosexuals. But somehow the gays get the blame for it. Don't ask me why, I don't know why. But it's time now to come out and not to do it violently, but peacefully protest by numbers. I've been asked that question quite a lot. And my answer is, no, I will not do anything differently. [01:09:30] Jimmy Flowers: Because I believe very strongly that I was born gay, not made, and I also believe in God, and I also believe in Jesus. And I believe in a God of love, not a God of hate. I also believe that Jesus preached love in the Ten Commandments, if you looked at it. It does not say, thy shall not be a homosexual. Which in 1976, some of the religious groups wanted to bring Eleventh Commandment on the Ten Commandments. And I was doing the Neal O'Brien situation. Which, by the way, I was one of the people that threw a fruit pie at the Neal O'Brien's face. 14 �[01:10:22] Jimmy Flowers: And she forgave me. [01:10:25] Julie Trainum: How do you know she forgave you? [01:10:27] Jimmy Flowers: Because she said it on television that she forgives me. [01:10:30] Julie Trainum: I'm glad you brought that up again because a lot of the younger people may not remember who Anita O'Brien is. [01:10:35] Jimmy Flowers: Well, Anita O'Brien was the one that was doing the commercials, and she was a singer, and a blogger. [01:10:43] Julie Trainum: But before that, wasn't she like a Miss America or some type like that? [01:10:47] Jimmy Flowers: She came in second place. [01:10:49] Julie Trainum: Okay, well it makes her like this all-American type, and people are going to maybe listen to her. And so then she went into entertainment. [01:10:56] Jimmy Flowers: Well, I can say this. We're all Americans here. No matter what color, what background, if you're a woman, if you're a man, young, old, black and white, of race. We're all Americans here. But if you really want to get down to the nitty gritty, the only Americans here that's true Americans is the American Indians. I mean, let's face it. You know, white men brought the diseases over from Europe. [01:11:26] Jimmy Flowers: If these diseases, if they would think, if you think about this, number one, if the government could spend $2.3 billion on one bomb that would destroy countries and life, human life, from all walks of life. Why can't they spend, and we've got enough weapons and bombs and airplanes to destroy this world 20 times over, if not more. It is now time to put an end to all diseases and put the money together and have all the scientists throughout the world in this country. And I'm not just talking about AIDS. I'm talking about diabetes. [01:12:11] Jimmy Flowers: I'm talking about heart trouble or cancer and liver problems. If they will find and put their money to save human life instead of destroying human life, I'll bet you, ten to one, we will be much happier. Because in the Constitution of the United States too, it says, life, liberty, and presumed happiness. And so far, I really haven't seen much of that. And I'm sure a lot of others haven't either. [01:12:43] Julie Trainum: But... [01:12:43] Julie Trainum: Okay, let me stop there for a second. [01:12:45] Julie Trainum: Stand by, stand by. We're looking at some of the things that Jimmy brought with him. Just kind of show real quick a few of these items. And let's go back over here to the purple outfit. Tell us what this is and when you wore it. [01:13:04] Jimmy Flowers: Okay. This was part of my go-go outfit. I was a go-go boy. [01:13:09] Julie Trainum: What is that again? You're a dancer. [01:13:09] Julie Trainum: And I also was a go-go boy at [01:13:11] Jimmy Flowers: the Gay Activist Alliance of New York City in the firehouse of GAA and at the Stonewall and at the Church of the Beloved Disciples, which was the first gay church in 1970 to raise money for the Church of the Beloved Disciples. [01:13:41] Julie Trainum: Okay. [01:13:42] Jimmy Flowers: And also, at that time, they called them hot pants. And that was part... I had black boots and a black cowboy hat and with the saccadone lights. That was part of my outfit. [01:13:55] Julie Trainum: Okay, great. And let's go back over here to this T-shirt here. This is really neat. 15 �[01:14:02] Jimmy Flowers: Well, I was the marshal of the... In 1983, one of the marshals, which is one of the grand marshals of the... You were chosen to be one of the persons that was involved in Stonewall and they called you a grand marshal. [01:14:28] Julie Trainum: Okay. [01:14:29] Jimmy Flowers: And this is the T-shirt from the 25th anniversary of Stonewall, which Stonewall would include all lesbians and gays from all over the world. [01:14:40] Julie Trainum: Okay. [01:14:40] Jimmy Flowers: And marched on the United Nations building to show that we want lesbian and gay rights throughout the world. [01:14:49] Julie Trainum: Okay. [01:14:50] Julie Trainum: And was this the Marshall T-shirt you were studying? [01:14:54] Julie Trainum: Yeah. [01:14:54] Jimmy Flowers: Which was 1983. [01:14:57] Julie Trainum: That's great. Okay. [01:15:01] Julie Trainum: And this banner? [01:15:02] Jimmy Flowers: That's the Stonewall banner which was given to me by Ed Murphy in late 70s. We all got one. As you see it's turning pink, but it was purple and gold. Lavender and purple and white is the lesbian and gay colors. [01:15:21] Julie Trainum: Okay. Great. Let's move over here and take a look at some of these buttons you have here. [01:15:28] Jimmy Flowers: Well, this shows you here in New York City in 1988. This was in the 80s. The gay 90s are coming. This here is the P flag. [01:15:42] Jimmy Flowers: This was the symbol for gay black of Africans, America, Americans. [01:15:50] Jimmy Flowers: This was the button on March of 87 to the White House. And this button here was printed in 1971, gay love, it's the real thing. This here was printed in 1970, I'm a man's man. This here is lesbian gay vote 89. And this was the first march in 1979 on Washington, National March. This is a button that says I support lesbian gay rights. This button here is the quilt, the names of the project. And this here says fight for lesbian gay rights, liberation. And you see the fist in the air means power to the people. [01:16:43] Julie Trainum: You told me one time how many buttons you actually collected when you had all of them. Do you remember how many? [01:16:48] Jimmy Flowers: Oh, I remember how many. Yes, definitely. Before I left New York in 89, I donated over 2,000 lesbian gay buttons to the Lesbian Gay Community Center. I also donated over 1,500 lesbian gay books that was printed from the 50s and 60s to the Lesbian Gay Community Center and the original lesbian gay flag. [01:17:14] Julie Trainum: What I'd like to do is just to get you to summarize, if you would, some of the ideas that you have about what you'd like to see happen in Tulsa. [01:17:25] Jimmy Flowers: Well, number one, I'd like to see Oklahoma wake up and smell the flowers. And also to see more unity instead of more divided. The hungry power should stop the dividing of lesbians and gays and young gays and older gays and black gays and lesbian black gays. What I am seeing now is what I feel like sometimes I'm reliving the 70s and the 80s all over again. What I'd like to see is more unity among all of us. The young, the old, the black, the white, and even some of the straight people in the community to get involved. 16 �[01:18:14] Jimmy Flowers: And also get the politicians to wake up and realize that we are here, we're not going away, we're going to be out there marching. But I insist, let's march peacefully, no violence. We must do it in unity. Once we step outside of the door, we must show numbers, unity, and strength. And let the politicians and the media and the Christians know that we mean business. That we are Americans and we're human beings and we are children of God. And we're just like anybody else. [01:19:04] Jimmy Flowers: We come from poor to black to rich, middle class, upper class, or lower class, and even homeless people. There are homeless people out there who has HIV and AIDS and they're not hardly getting no help at all. There's people from all over here that we have to educate the politicians that it's not a gay disease. It's a human disease and we must put a stop to it now. I say to the gay youth, come out, be proud, and be careful, and play safe. Show affection, be yourselves, and start marching. [01:19:54] Julie Trainum: Thanks, Jim. 17 � 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 <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> 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/038cb18c43eb249d44fbe5b3f10ee212.jpeg 5ad18d8052bc96b96df473d0fda123a6 https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/fcdaa5c7f217b645c599e95b69270044.pdf 7added536cc48d16adc1e5567435c58c PDF Text Text Early Home for LGBTQ Movement in Tulsa From Vernon Jones on Facebook 10/4/19From Vernon Jones on Facebook 10/4/19 The home base of Tulsa's gay equal rights activist organizations was crushed into rubble and the rubble removed during the 50th Anniversary Year of Stonewall. I owned the structure during the 1970s. Tulsa Gay Alliance(TGA) was one of the many gay activist organizations that sprang up from coast to coast within a year after the Stonewall Riots in New York City June 28,1969. The house was the home base for all the gay activists' organizations for most of the decade of the 1970s including TGA,Tulsa's Gay Awareness Program (GAP), GAP's newsletter GAP RAP, and the Tulsa Caucus. Initial meetings of Tulsa Metropolitan Church (MCC)were also held there to provide those who needed a more friendly Christian faith church. Gay activism was out-of-the-question for most Tulsa gay men In 1969. They feared being outed and facing life-changing outcomes of total rejection by family,friends and employers. But five gay men gathered secretly for the first time in a small meeting room on the 3rd floor of the Tulsa City-County Main Library. Names, identification, or phone numbers were not exchanged for fear that Tulsa police might learn who the activists were. Meetings then moved to 1629 South Cincinnati.. The address of the building that police eventually labeled "a nest of queers". The rich gay rights history associated with the house is as interesting as some of the activists themselves were. One of Tulsa's activists had been a homeless teenager who was thrown out by his parents for being gay. He survived as a dishwasher and go-go boy at Stonewall Inn when the riots broke out. Two of the activists had been committed to mental institutions by their families because they were gay. One activist had been an emergency room nurse. Another was an honorably discharged veteran after serving In a highly classified career field. One was a black activist who singularly dared to publicly raise the issue of being gay to Tulsa's African American community. One had a law enforcement background. Another later became an ordained Priest-Pastor at Tulsa's St. Jeromes Angelican Church. President Herbert Walker Bush appointed one of the activists to be 28th recipient of the President's "1,000 Points of Light" award and medallion. Another activist received a Letter of Commendation from President Bill Clinton for his previous activism for equal gay rights Most of the activists had been abandoned by their families and churches. All the activists were as common as any except all were deeply committed to securing equal rights for themselves and others. 1 �The first activist group of TGA failed to enlist less than a dozen Tulsa gays and lesbians to join the effort to seek their equal rights. Being outed was too dangerous In the "City of Churches" and living in such anti-gay political and law enforcement environment. Dallas gays were not as shy as Tulsans were in 1972.They asked me and my companion as TGA organizers to lead Dallas' first and only gay "March" through the main downtown streets of the city. In 1974 the GAP RAP newsletter broke a story that Associated Press picked up. Newspapers around the country published their own articles about the Tulsa story. Tulsa local government recoiled from all the bad press. But, GAP and its GAP RAP had finally managed to get the attention and concern the group sought about the need for local government to address the abuse and discrimination Tulsa gays were experiencing from police and others. GAP's sister activist group of the Tulsa Caucus followed through with their part. Their appeals to Tulsa Human Rights Commission secured that Commission's attention. A Special Task Force was created by the Commission that included gay activists. Assertions of the Special Task Force eventually resulted in the Mayor declaring an Executive Order(EO). The EO prohibited discrimination of gays by businesses that had any relationship with the City such as licensing, approvals, agreements, etc. The EO was rescinded by the next Mayor James Inhofe after encouraged by the "Orange Juice Lady" Tulsa native Anita Bryant. Tulsa law enforcement's retaliation toward gay activists was harsh. The house of gay activists might have accurately been labeled a "nest of queers". The queer activist's certainly 'hatched' their plans there. I was the activists who was falsely labeled as being associated with "organized crime" and targeted by the RICO Act(racketeering). But, the accusations were debunked by an IRS investigation. The entire contents of the Tulsa Caucus were striped by unknown persons. I and my partner experienced relentless police harassment likely Intended to intimidate or drive us out of the city. We were stopped, detained, and harassed repeatedly for no valid reason. The stops were so numerous they became was a subject of jokes to police dispatchers. The black activist(my partner) was the easiest target by police He was arrested 3 times. One arrest resulted in a ten day work assignment. Another bogus charge was dismissed in court. The third was ruled as "Unconstitutional" by the Oklahoma Supreme Court and dismissed. My employer attempted to fire me due to my sexual orientation and activism. My partner and I began to receive frequent threats of violence. A night-time brick enclosed in a sack of burning substance crashed through one of the house's windows seriously jeopardizing the lives of the sleeping residents. The house that became the home base of gay activists in the historic Maplewood District had been built in the early 1900s during the oil boom. Due to the dryness and flammability of the near 70 year old wooden structure, the terrorist's act would have 2 �burned to the ground within minutes. It would have likely trapped residents on the second story if the fire had not been detected immediately. I vacated all the activists "nesters" and renters. I then sold the property at a loss to end Its being a serious endangerment to residents because it was the home base of the activist's groups. The "nest of queers" had its own interesting history that preceded the struggle for gay equal rights. There was a weird, weird, sense of strange quality about the house. Residents and visitors alike believed "spirits" were present. Others claimed they witnessed unexplained and unnerving sights. There were suspicions expressed by persons who were not in a position to know things that proved accurate after being investigated. There was evidence that a murder may have occurred on the property years previously. Two persons who were known to have been present in the house multiple times before they were In fact actually murdered elsewhere. Gay Tulsans had valid reasons for not wanting to be outed in the 1970s. But significant advances associated with the house at 1629 South Cincinnati Avenue in Tulsa began making a difference. Gay Tulsans began to regain their courage. The new decade presented new challenges. Gays began to revel -- RECKLESSLY -- in their new sense of emerging freedoms. The 1980's decade was the one of HIV and AIDS. But new and effective support organizations in Tulsa were created and dealt with It. The "nest of queers" Is now gone. But the details of its rich history, secrets, and personal knowledge of the details of events and activists who contributed so much to help secure equal rights for Tulsa's LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities still resides In the hundreds and hundreds of hours of notes, audio, video, and printed records I preserved over the years and written about in my book. The home base of Tulsa's gay equal rights activist organizations was crushed into rubble and the rubble removed during the 50th Anniversary Year of Stonewall. I owned the structure during the 1970s. Tulsa Gay Alliance(TGA) was one of the many gay activist organizations that sprang up from coast to coast within a year after the Stonewall Riots in New York City June 28,1969. The house was the home base for all the gay activists' organizations for most of the decade of the 1970s including TGA,Tulsa's Gay Awareness Program (GAP), GAP's newsletter GAP RAP, and the Tulsa Caucus. Initial meetings of Tulsa Metropolitan Church(MCC)were also held there to provide those who needed a more friendly Christian faith church. Gay activism was out-of-the-question for most Tulsa gay men in 1969. They feared being outed and facing life-changing outcomes of total rejection by family,friends and employers. But five gay men gathered secretly for the first time in a small meeting room on the 3rd floor of the Tulsa City-County Main Library. Names, identification, or phone numbers were not exchanged for fear that Tulsa police might learn who the activists were. Meetings then moved to 1629 South Cincinnati.. The address of the building that police eventually labeled "a nest of queers". The rich gay rights history associated with the house is as interesting as some of the activists themselves were. 3 �One of Tulsa's activists had been a homeless teenager who was thrown out by his parents for being gay. He survived as a dishwasher and go-go boy at Stonewall Inn when the riots broke out. Two of the activists had been committed to mental Institutions by their families because they were gay. One activist had been an emergency room nurse. Another was an honorably discharged veteran after serving in a highly classified career field. One was a black activist who singularly dared to publicly raise the issue of being gay to Tulsa's African American community. One had a law enforcement background. Another later became an ordained Priest-Pastor at Tulsa's St. Jeromes Angelican Church. President Herbert Walker Bush appointed one of the activists to be 28th recipient of the President's "1,000 Points of Light" award and medallion. Another activist received a Letter of Commendation from President Bill Clinton for his previous activism for equal gay rights Most of the activists had been abandoned by their families and churches. All the activists were as common as any except all were deeply committed to securing equal rights for themselves and others. The first activist group of TGA failed to enlist less than a dozen Tulsa gays and lesbians to join the effort to seek their equal rights. Being outed was too dangerous in the "City of Churches" and living In such anti-gay political and law enforcement environment. Dallas gays were not as shy as Tulsans were In 1972.They asked me and my companion as TGA organizers to lead Dallas' first and only gay "March" through the main downtown streets of the city. In 1974 the GAP RAP newsletter broke a story that Associated Press picked up. Newspapers around the country published their own articles about the Tulsa story. Tulsa local government recoiled from all the bad press. But, GAP and Its GAP RAP had finally managed to get the attention and concern the group sought about the need for local government to address the abuse and discrimination Tulsa gays were experiencing from police and others. GAP's sister activist group of the Tulsa Caucus followed through with their part. Their appeals to Tulsa Human Rights Commission secured that Commission's attention. A Special Task Force was created by the Commission that included gay activists. Assertions of the Special Task Force eventually resulted In the Mayor declaring an Executive Order (EO). The EO prohibited discrimination of gays by businesses that had any relationship with the City such as licensing, approvals, agreements, etc. The EO was rescinded by the next Mayor James Inhofe after encouraged by the "Orange Juice Lady" Tulsa native Anita Bryant. Tulsa law enforcement's retaliation toward gay activists was harsh. 4 �The house of gay activists might have accurately been labeled a "nest of queers". The queer activist's certainly 'hatched' their plans there. I was the activists who was falsely labeled as being associated with "organized crime" and targeted by the RICO Act (racketeering). But, the accusations were debunked by an IRS investigation. The entire contents of the Tulsa Caucus were striped by unknown persons. I and my partner experienced relentless police harassment likely intended to intimidate or drive us out of the city. We were stopped, detained, and harassed repeatedly for no valid reason. The stops were so numerous they became was a subject of jokes to police dispatchers. The black activist(my partner) was the easiest target by police He was arrested 3 times. One arrest resulted in a ten day work assignment. Another bogus charge was dismissed In court. The third was ruled as "Unconstitutional" by the Oklahoma Supreme Court and dismissed. My employer attempted to fire me due to my sexual orientation and activism. My partner and I began to receive frequent threats of violence. A night-time brick enclosed in a sack of burning substance crashed through one of the house's windows seriously jeopardizing the lives of the sleeping residents. The house that became the home base of gay activists in the historic Maplewood District had been built in the early 1900s during the oil boom. Due to the dryness and flammability of the near 70 year old wooden structure, the terrorist's act would have burned to the ground within minutes. It would have likely trapped residents on the second story if the fire had not been detected immediately. I vacated all the activists "nesters" and renters. I then sold the property at a loss to end its being a serious endangerment to residents because it was the home base of the activist's groups. The "nest of queers" had its own interesting history that preceded the struggle for gay equal rights. There was a weird, weird, sense of strange quality about the house. Residents and visitors alike believed "spirits" were present. Others claimed they witnessed unexplained and unnerving sights. There were suspicions expressed by persons who were not in a position to know things that proved accurate after being investigated. There was evidence that a murder may have occurred on the property years previously. Two persons who were known to have been present in the house multiple times before they were in fact actually murdered elsewhere. Gay Tulsans had valid reasons for not wanting to be outed in the 1970s. But significant advances associated with the house at 1629 South Cincinnati Avenue in Tulsa began making a difference. Gay Tulsans began to regain their courage. The new decade presented new challenges. Gays began to revel - RECKLESSLY - in their new sense of emerging freedoms. The 1980's decade was the one of HIV and AIDS. But new and effective support organizations in Tulsa were created and dealt with it. 5 �The "nest of queers" is now gone. But the details of its rich history, secrets, and personal knowledge of the details of events and activists who contributed so much to help secure equal rights for Tulsa's LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS communities still resides in the hundreds and hundreds of hours of notes, audio, video, and printed records I preserved,over the years and written about in my book. f .» t A V \ txi.k 1. : J • A 6 � 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 <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. 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 [2019] Home of Early LGBTQ Movement in Tulsa Description An account of the resource Posted by Vernon Jones on Facebook November 4, 2019 Tulsa Gay Alliance Tulsa Gay Awareness Program Tulsa Gay Caucus Vernon Jones https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/82c9bde7fc1405437f839caf5fe15330.jpg f159bc7815b49e677f69f2980326b23c https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/f59e3ec865be443e9998aa87e67e2a10.pdf 7b404330d41ba274da7953374520d6b9 PDF Text Text Helping Donors Assist Tulsa Area Nonprofits That Are Committed to Diversity Every day, the LGBT community and its allies support causes and organizations in Tulsa that affect everyone's quality of life. Because there has been no way of identifying money coming from these committed community members, this philanthropy has been, to some extent, "invisible." In 2003, a group of Tulsa, Oklahoma citizens formed the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa as a donor-advised fund of the Tulsa Community Foundation. The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa is committed to making visible the philanthropic contributions of the LGBT and allied community to Tulsa. The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa will consolidate and brand money given locally by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community and their allies. These funds and certain matching funds from the Gill Foundation will provide an important source of grants to issues we all care about; helping children and the aged, eliminating disease, feeding the homeless and promoting equal opportunity for everyone. It will also provide incentive for organizations to examine and update their employment practices to ensure that they provide equal opportunity to all, regardless of their sexual orientation. Organizations that receive grants from the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa must have an employment nondiscrimination policy that includes sexual orientation and must recognize the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa as the grant source. This effort is modeled after the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, a fund of the Gill Foundation, which since 1996 has given millions of dollars to nonprofits on behalf of the gay and lesbian community in Colorado. We are proud to be an affiliated program with the Gill Foundation and very much appreciate their willingness to provide matching dollars, which will increase the giving ability of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa. If you are interested in making a tax-deductible contribution to the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa, please see our website at www.gayandlesbianfund.org (click on Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa or contact the Tulsa Community Foundation, (918) 494-8823. If your nonprofit is interested in applying for funds or wishes to have assistance on revising your policies and procedures to include sexual orientation in order to be eligible to receive funding, please contact us at tulsa@gayandlesbianfund.org. You may also call the Tulsa Community Foundation at (918) 494-8823 and they can help direct you to more information. The mission of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa is to support effective Tulsa nonprofits which practice diversity in their policies and workplace while building public awareness of the contributions that the LGBT community and their friends, family and other allies make to improve the quality of life in the Tulsa area. �How can you make a positive impact through the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa? • Create Positive Visibility Are the words “gay & lesbian” being heard openly in Tulsa? Having members of our community hear the words “gay and lesbian” in a positive and non-politicized context can be an effective means of normalizing and building awareness. To create positive visibility consider… ü Sponsorship of highly visible events, particularly ones that provide donor recognition visibility to moderate and conservative members of the community. ü Underwriting of public television or radio programs. This is the #1 source of name recognition for the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado. • Increase Equitable Employment Policies By requiring that nonprofits have an employment non-discrimination policy that includes sexual orientation, funding provides an incentive for Tulsa nonprofits to adopt more equitable and inclusive policies. It is also important education, as many mistakenly think that current laws protect gay men and lesbians from employment discrimination. To increase equitable employment policies consider… ü Support for key Tulsa area nonprofits that do not currently have equitable employment policies ü Support for large Tulsa nonprofit organizations with a significant number of employees. ü Support for local chapters of national nonprofit organizations that can contribute to momentum for national policy change. ü Support for nonprofits whose boards of directors include prominent business owners and leaders. • Build Social Justice Alliances The Tulsa LGBT community shares social justice concerns with other marginalized groups. What a great way to support and remind those communities of our shared challenges and to build those relationships. It is easier to ask for support of LGBT families and civil rights when we are reaching out to support other communities and their civil rights. And, as we promote justice for other populations, we raise the commitment of the whole community to equality for everyone. To build social justice alliances consider… ü Support for nonprofits serving People of Color, women, and the disabled. ü Support for programs advancing social justice and civic participation for allied constituents. • Challenge Public Perceptions and Stereotypes What do gay men and lesbians care about? By visibly supporting valued mainstream nonprofits, the community is challenged to recognize that we all care about the same things. Particularly when those contributions go to organizations that clash with negative stereotypes, it can provide a “learning moment”. To challenge public perceptions and stereotypes consider… ü Support for nonprofits or issues that are considered moderate or conservative. ü Support that directly contradicts negative stereotypes, such as supporting organizations serving children, families and the faith community. �• Leverage Community Allies Seeing well-known and well-respected Tulsa nonprofits and their leaders modeling comfort and appreciation for their gay and lesbian donors can be very influential. Community partners give a “seal of approval” with their acknowledgment of support from the Gay & Lesbian Fund. There is a sense that “If the American Red Cross and Boys & Girls Club feel comfortable accepting and acknowledging contributions from the gay and lesbian community, it must be OK.” To leverage community allies consider… ü Support for nonprofits that are influential and well respected in the Tulsa community. ü Support for nonprofits that are considered “mainstream” and not typically associated with gay issues. ü Support that provides donor recognition opportunities linking your Gay & Lesbian Fund with influential allies and leaders, such as an on-stage “thanks” from organizational leaders where they will model their comfort and support in front of community members. • Influence Specific Issues When specific gay and lesbian issues are in the news and before the Tulsa public, Gay & Lesbian Fund support can focus attention and influence attitudes on these issues. Positive exposure to LGBT contributions can influence public perception, opinion and support. To influence specific issues consider… ü Support for Tulsa nonprofits strengthening marriage and families ü Support for Tulsa nonprofits promoting employment equality. ü Support for organizations or events that expose policy makers to LGBT support. ü Support for issues of concern and debate in Tulsa. • Build a Sense of Reciprocity While LGBT donors give up to 50% of their charitable dollars to non-LGBT programs that benefit the whole community, few straight donors contribute to LGBT organizations. Are there significant and influential donors in your community who might be influenced to contribute to LGBT causes if the contributions of the LGBT community to their causes were made visible? Would organizations like your local United Way include LGBT organizations or programs if they were aware of the valuable contributions LGBT donors are making to their fundraising? To build a sense of reciprocity consider… ü Support for causes and nonprofits valued by Tulsa donors who might reciprocate by supporting LGBT causes and organizations. ü Support for Tulsa events or organizations that contribute to multiple causes, when LGBT organizations or causes are included. • Enhance the quality of life in your community Underlying all the work of the Gay & Lesbian Fund is the commitment of LGBT donors to making a positive contribution for everyone in their community. These strategies should compliment sound philanthropic decision-making and considerations regarding the financial and administrative stability of nonprofits and their ability to achieve concrete positive results on issues of importance. �� https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/b278a1996d6bfedcc1b37101a80f4644.pdf a8c82c073e001794f5d9fde0e0210c7d PDF Text Text GnL Brochure 2006 11/8/06 10:24 AM Page 1 Make your contributions count twice Our goals Making a difference in Tulsa while highlighting the important contributions of the Gay, Lesbian and Allied Communities • Create positive visibility • Increase equitable employment policies • Build social justice alliances • Challenge public perceptions • Leverage community allies • Influence specific issues • Build a sense of reciprocity • Enhance our quality of life For more information: www.gayandlesbianfundfortulsa.org Email: info@gayandlesbianfundfortulsa.org Or call the Tulsa Community Foundation 918-494-8823 © Copyright 2006. Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10.04 Making a difference in Tulsa while highlighting the important contributions of the Gay, Lesbian and Allied Communities �GnL Brochure 2006 11/8/06 10:24 AM Page 2 Support Tulsa non-profit organizations while promoting equality and inclusiveness The gay, lesbian and allied communities, along with their family and friends, are generous contributors to and supporters of the Tulsa community. Their efforts to improve the quality of life for Tulsa’s citizens include supporting non-profit organizations that are focused on eliminating diseases, helping our youth and our seniors citizens, feeding the homeless, and improving the arts. However, these significant contributions are often overlooked or go unrecognized. The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa (GLFT) was formed to increase the visibility of gay and lesbian philanthropy and promote equality and inclusiveness in the Tulsa community. By consolidating and branding tax-deductible contributions we can leverage and direct them to Tulsa non-profit organizations that embrace diversity through their outreach programs and promote equality in the workplace. Organizations receiving grants through the GLFT are required to have a non-discrimination policy which includes sexual orientation and credit the GLFT as the grant source. If you support quality non-profits in the Tulsa area, consider giving your tax-deductible contri-butions through the GLFT. You will be able to specifically direct your funds to any of the pre-screened Tulsa Area Non-Profits, ensuring that your contributions are going to agencies which support diversity in their policies and outreach. Your donation may be matched at a certain level by other financial sources which means a larger contribution to your designated agency. Make donation payable to: Tulsa Community Foundation/ Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa. ❑ Enclosed check for $ ❑ Pledge amount for $ ❑ Monthly ❑ Quarterly ❑ Annually ❑ Please designate my gift to benefit non-profit non-profit ❑ I understand contributions are given in the name of the “Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa.” I would like individual recognition. ❑ Please send me more information. Name Street Address A good number of non-profit organizations in the Tulsa Area have added Sexual Orientation to their non-discrimination policies. Please support these progressive organizations with tax-deductible contributions in the name of the GLFT. Just clip and fill out the donation slip on the next panel. Thank you for helping us make Tulsa a better place for everyone! City State Zip Phone eMail Send completed form with donation to: Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa c/o Tulsa Community Foundation 7020 S. Yale, Suite 220 Tulsa, OK 74136 � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/9b29596622803181e7245397f33f1529.pdf 107b76759bbe709024fb2c018d913e29 PDF Text Text Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2004 by Dennis Neill ��������� https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/7c3d3d3305927e2260f16bac30efcbf8.pdf 521c4cfab4a6a350d4da8f5df412086a PDF Text Text Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa – Grants Funded 2004-2009 Last Updated: November 3, 2009 All Souls Unitarian Church Community Outreach Programs Alzheimer’s Association of OK and AR American Red Cross – Tulsa Chapter Arthritis Foundation Arts & Humanities Council Big Brothers & Sisters of Green Country, Inc. Campfire USA, Green Country Council Child Abuse Network Clarehouse College Hill Presbyterian Church Community Action Project Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Community Service Council Diversity Arts Association Domestic Violence Intervention Service Emergency Infant Services, Inc. Family & Children's Services Fellowship Congregational Church Gilcrease Museum Association Girl Scouts of Magic Empire Council Greenwood Jazz and Blues Festival HOPE Testing Clinic Iron Gate at Trinity Komen Foundation - Race for the Cure League of Women Voters LIFE Senior Services Light Opera of Oklahoma Maple Ridge Park Endowment Fund Mental Health Association of Tulsa Midwestern Theater (Nightingale Theater) National Conference of Community and Justice Oklahoma Center for Community & Justice Oklahoma State University Foundation Oklahomans for Equality Open Arms Youth Project Parent Child Center of Tulsa Parents, Family, Friends of Lesbians and Gays Philbrook Museum of Art Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma Preservation Oklahoma Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network Resonance, Center for Women Route 66 Marathon Retired Senior Volunteer Program 12 & 12 Tulsa AIDS Walk Tulsa Area United Way Tulsa CARES Tulsa Community AIDS Partnership Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless �Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Tulsa Global Alliance Tulsa Historical Society Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Opera Tulsa Reaches Out Tulsa Street School Tulsa University – BLGTA Student Organization Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Visiting Nurse Association of Tulsa Vocal Pride Foundation YWCA Youth Services of Tulsa � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/7bd1861a55870d4fc14ae88937aa5f82.pdf 1fcd4e36807c42c14ae5dd48ba6259d1 PDF Text Text Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa Employment Non-Discrimination Policy Requirements and Samples Nonprofits eligible to receive funding through the Gay and Lesbian fund for Tulsa must provide a copy of their official employment non-discrimination policy that includes “sexual orientation” (required) and “gender identity and expression” (recommended). The required wording may be inserted into your existing employment non-discrimination policy, or a sample policy is provided below. Sample Employment Non-Discrimination Policy [Organization’s name] provides equal employment opportunity. [Organization’s name] does not discriminate against any individual in the terms or conditions of employment on the basis of race, color, nation or ethnic origin, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, physical or mental disability, marital or family status, military or veterans status, or any other basis made unlawful by applicable federal, state, or local laws or regulations. This policy applies to all aspects of the application process and employment relationships, including recruitment, application, hiring, compensation, benefits, training, job assignments, transfers, performance evaluation, promotions, layoffs and terminations. This policy also applies to relationships with outside vendors and customers, use of contractors and consultants, volunteers and clients, and in dealing with the general public. The following examples are sufficient to document the official employment non-discrimination policy of your organization. 1. Copy of policy text is in organization's by-laws, employee manual, or other official source. Please include copy of relevant page(s), highlight the policy text and reference the source and date of passage. 2. Policy text on organization's letterhead, signed and dated by Chair of the Board of Directors 3. Policy text on organization’s letterhead with statement of approval, such as "unanimously approved by Board of Directors on month, day, 20xx." 4. Minutes of Board of Directors meeting during which the policy was approved. (Be sure the complete text of the policy is included in minutes, or attach complete policy.) � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/efefbe23be9a2a2c50cd31ebfb458d6b.pdf a5537980804d9ec41253ffbab37708a5 PDF Text Text Frequently Asked Questions - Non-Discrimination Policy Requirement The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa requires organizations to have an employment nondiscrimination policy that specifically includes “sexual orientation” (required) and “gender identity and expression” (recommended) in order to be eligible for funding. This will help to explain why we have such a requirement and why it is necessary to include this specific language. Q: Why does the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa require an employment nondiscrimination policy? A: The founders and donors of the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa include gay men, lesbians, their families and allies. We have made the decision not to provide funds to organizations who do not extend employment protection to their gay and lesbian employees. It also allows us to educate local nonprofits and the public on the need and importance of employment protection for this group of employees. Q: Why do we need a formal policy? Isn’t it enough that we don’t practice discrimination based on sexual orientation? Q: Why does our non-discrimination policy need to specifically list “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression”? A: Many people are surprised to learn that gay men and lesbians are not protected by current federal employment non-discrimination laws. While a few states have passed their own employment protections, in 36 states including Oklahoma, it is legal to deny employment or to fire an employee based only on their sexual orientation. Only 9 states provide employment protection based on gender identity and expression. The Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1968 established nine protected classes: race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, and familial status. The 1990 Americans with Disability Act extended protection to persons with physical or mental disabilities and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 added age to the list of protected classes. The only legal protection available to gay, lesbian and transgender employees is for employers to specifically list “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” in their employment non-discrimination policies. Q: Can’t we just pass a policy stating that we don’t discriminate against anyone? Do we have to include a long list of all the groups that the non-discrimination policy applies to? A: Although this is an appealing notion, a general policy stating that you do not discriminate has no legal significance. �The term “discrimination” is often misunderstood. A dictionary defines “discrimination” as “to draw distinctions, distinguish from or between.” In this ordinary sense, all organizations discriminate, because all organizations need to draw important and valid distinctions between current and potential employees based on their qualifications, skills and performance. We all might agree that it is appropriate for a child-serving organization to discriminate, i.e.: draw valid distinctions in hiring, against persons with substance abuse or criminal histories. In a legal sense, discrimination has a different meaning. “Discrimination” in law refers to drawing invalid distinctions based on established legal classes. The case above, in which the organization might refuse to hire, or fire an employee, based on substance abuse is not “discrimination” in the legal sense, because substance abuse is an appropriate distinction for purposes of employment. In the same way, under current law, employment decisions based on sexual orientation or gender identity and expression are not legally “discrimination” because these are not established by law as protected classes. It is perfectly legal to fire an individual based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Only by specifying “sexual orientation” and “gender identity and expression” in the employment policy, can organizations extend legal protection to all their employees. Over 3,000 organizations, including 88% of Fortune 500 companies have taken this step to ensure equal employment opportunities for all their employees. � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/2d6757b03dfa71c15e256fbf70ce3904.pdf 6a78f2698efa7daa39e01b827db549f5 PDF Text Text March 20, 2004 Dear Tulsa Community Donor Recently, four of us in Tulsa (Nancy McDonald, Mona Pittenger, Doug Campbell, and Dennis Neill) established the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa with the Tulsa Community Foundation. As more fully explained in the attached copy of our Web site (www.gayandlesbianfund.org/tulsa), our mission is “to support effective Tulsa area nonprofits which practice diversity in their policies and workplace while building public awareness of the contributions that the LGBT community and their friends, family and other allies make to improve the quality of life in the Tulsa area.” Our goal is not to ask you to contribute more to Tulsa area non-profits, but to consider directing some of your charitable giving thru the Fund, with the following benefits: • • • Branding dollars as coming from the LGBT community and their allies Encouraging non-profits to include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies and procedures. Enhancing the level of local giving with the possibility of matching some of our giving with dollars from the Gill Foundation of Colorado. The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa has been working to encourage non-profits to add Sexual Orientation to their non-discrimination policies. To date, some 35 Tulsa area non-profits have indicated that they have such policies or are working to do so. We have already sponsored events with 5 non-profits. The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa has been recognized in their programs and other appropriate publicity. We hope to support many other non-profits through grants for events, programs and capital campaigns. To do so, we need you to consider re-channeling some of your giving through the Fund. This will allow us to encourage non-profits to recognize diversity and maximize the dollars available through the Gill Foundation matching program. To learn more about the purpose of this Fund and the benefits to the local non-profit community and you, we would like to invite you to a casual continental breakfast on March 31st. Our special guest will be Jan Brennan, Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado which is affiliated with the Gill Foundation. She will explain the enormous success of this fund over the last 5 years in the Colorado nonprofit funding area and we will discuss the local Fund and answer questions. Date: Wednesday, March 31 Time: 8 am Place: 2nd Floor of the Ambassador Hotel, 14th and Main, Tulsa – Continental Breakfast To RSVP: Please call Dennis Neill, 743-4354, email dneill@cox.net or Tulsa@gayandlesbianfund.org We hope you can join us on March 31. Also, if you know of others who may be interested in this program, please feel free to contact us and we will make sure and extend an invitation. Sincerely, Nancy McDonald, Mona Pittenger, Doug Campbell, Dennis Neill � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/2395228fb9640a3506e2e8e51357e210.pdf fdc3c3759eff1b688118986b9745c8b4 PDF Text Text The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa Cordially invites you for Wine and Cheese Thursday, October 28, 2004 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Harwelden 2210 South Main Hosts: Joe and Nancy McDonald, Dennis Neill, Mona Pittenger, Doug Campbell, Kelly Kirby and Charles Johnston. Please join us to thank the individuals who have made taxdeductible contributions through the Fund this first year. With the additional support of the Gill Foundation, we have provided grants totaling nearly $100,000 to twenty-four non-profits in the Tulsa community that support diversity in their workplace. If you have not yet contributed to your favorite non-profits through the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa, come learn how the Fund is making a difference in the Tulsa Community and how YOU can be a part of this exciting partnership with the Gill Foundation and the Tulsa Community Foundation. Regrets: Nancy McDonald - 742-8565 � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/63648a70c80ef2093a0e680af10c418f.pdf 9e0af04c3ffa788b79b30b19372a2b34 PDF Text Text �������� https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/15214bdb678ddf47535e0abf37fd1054.pdf 0c354ea76e62488b4c9578b75076eca2 PDF Text Text GNL.OperaAD.F 10/16/07 3:59 PM Page 1 Congratulations toTulsa Opera for 60Years of World-Class Entertainment. The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa provides grants to support the efforts of nonprofits in our community which embrace diversity in their workplace and outreach. With tax-deductible contributions provided by a cross-section of our donor community, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa highlights the contributions made by gay men, lesbians, their family and friends to the Tulsa Community. Making a Difference in Tulsa while highlighting the important contributions of the Gay, Lesbian and Allied Communities. For more information: www.gayandlesbianfundfortulsa.org Email: info@gayandlesbianfundfortulsa.org Or call the Tulsa Community Foundation, 918-494-8823. � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/aa887d7687c425f17a524064a46cab7a.pdf 06ff5f0527299d789e143e0ab3a5032d PDF Text Text �� https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/57eea6019f4e2becce8ce53f2bdc0b18.pdf da4490c00d6974a7234d1c75a6a212f5 PDF Text Text Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa Grants/Payments By Year Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 Scheduled 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Year Number of Grants Total Grant Amounts 2004 38 $69,125.00 2005 41 $87,550.00 2006 33 $43,000.00 2007 29 $36,900.00 2008 26 $31,200.00 2009 18 $40,100.00 185 $307,875.00 Scheduled Amount $500.00 $500.00 Paid 38 40 32 28 26 17 181 Paid Amount $69,125.00 $87,550.00 $43,000.00 $36,900.00 $31,200.00 $39,600.00 $307,375.00 Void 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Void Amount Grant Number Recipient Fund Grant Date Grant Am 2362:LJ-7 Tulsa CARES Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/12/2004 $2, 2641:LJ-7 All Souls Unitarian Church Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/23/2004 $ 2686:LJ-7 LIFE Senior Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/10/2004 $1, 2747:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/24/2004 $1, 2748:LJ-7 National Conference on Community & Justi Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/24/2004 $1, 2805:LJ-7 Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/21/2004 $1, 2818:LJ-7 Youth Services of Tulsa, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/28/2004 $2, 2971:LJ-7 League of Women Voters of Metro Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/13/2004 $1, 2972:LJ-7 DVIS Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/13/2004 $1, 2973:LJ-7 Light Opera Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/13/2004 $3, 2974:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/13/2004 $ 3002:LJ-7 All Souls Unitarian Church Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/2/2004 $10, 3018:LJ-7 National Conference for Community/Justice Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/7/2004 $2, 3082:LJ-7 Family & Children's Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/17/2004 $2, 3093:LJ-7 Community Action Project of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/21/2004 $1, 3181:LJ-7 Planned Parenthood Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/23/2004 $5, 3185:LJ-7 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fdn., Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/23/2004 $5, 3275:LJ-7 RAIN Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/22/2004 $ 3276:LJ-7 Tulsa Community Aids Partnership Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/22/2004 $ 3277:LJ-7 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fdn., Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/22/2004 $5, 3278:LJ-7 Child Abuse Network Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/22/2004 $ 3279:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/22/2004 $1, �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3285:LJ-7 Arts & Humanities Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/24/2004 $1, 3355:LJ-7 Tulsa Global Alliance Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/18/2004 $1, 3370:LJ-7 Harwelden Arts & Humanities Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/27/2004 $ 3371:LJ-7 Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/27/2004 $2, 3372:LJ-7 Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/27/2004 $ 3395:LJ-7 Council Oak Men's Chorale Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/15/2004 $1, 3396:LJ-7 Philbrook Museum of Art Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/15/2004 $3, 3424:LJ-7 LIFE Senior Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/13/2004 $1, 3425:LJ-7 Open Arms Youth Project Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/13/2004 $ 3474:LJ-7 Camp Fire USA Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/17/2004 $ 3492:LJ-7 Midwestern Theater/Nightingale Theater Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/28/2004 $ 3501:LJ-7 12 & 12, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/28/2004 $1, 3502:LJ-7 Arthritis Foundation Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/28/2004 $1, 3503:LJ-7 Community Service Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/28/2004 $2, 3504:LJ-7 League of Women Voters Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/28/2004 $1, 3505:LJ-7 Preservation Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/28/2004 $ 3596:LJ-7 All Souls Unitarian Church Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/19/2005 $3, 3597:LJ-7 Parent Child Center of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/19/2005 3604:LJ-7 Parent Child Center of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/24/2005 $10, 3607:LJ-7 Youth Services of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/24/2005 $2, 3630:LJ-7 PFLAG, Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/4/2005 3631:LJ-7 ORCAR Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/4/2005 3632:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/4/2005 3920:LJ-7 Community Service Council - Greater Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/16/2005 3934:LJ-7 Tulsa CARES Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/23/2005 3966:LJ-7 Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/9/2005 $1, 3967:LJ-7 Tulsa Opera, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/9/2005 $10, 3995:LJ-7 Tulsa Foundation for Architecture Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/14/2005 $1, 4012:LJ-7 DVIS Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/23/2005 $1, 4192:LJ-7 Oklahoma State University Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/25/2005 $ 4193:LJ-7 Community Service Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/25/2005 $ 4194:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/25/2005 $1, 4195:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/25/2005 $ 4258:LJ-7 Arts & Humanities Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/9/2005 $2, 4259:LJ-7 PFLAG, Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/9/2005 $1, 4260:LJ-7 Tulsa Opera, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/9/2005 $5, 4292:LJ-7 Light Opera Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/16/2005 $3, 4302:LJ-7 All Souls Unitarian Church Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/18/2005 $5, 4303:LJ-7 Family & Children's Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/18/2005 $2, 4331:LJ-7 Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fdn., Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/1/2005 $10, 4408:LJ-7 Tulsa Opera, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/20/2005 $ 4522:LJ-7 HOPE Testing Clinic Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/25/2005 $1, 4523:LJ-7 Big Brothers & Sisters of Green Country Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/25/2005 4524:LJ-7 Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/25/2005 $2, 4525:LJ-7 Greenwood Chamber of Commerce Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/25/2005 $5, 4526:LJ-7 Tulsa Opera, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/25/2005 $ 4635:LJ-7 Philbrook Museum of Art Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 8/16/2005 $2, 4671:LJ-7 Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network (RAI Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/7/2005 $1, 4684:LJ-7 American Red Cross Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/7/2005 $ $1, $2, �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4685:LJ-7 Gilcrease Museum Association Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/7/2005 $1, 4686:LJ-7 Tulsa Aids Walk 4797:LJ-7 Tulsa Area United Way Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 9/7/2005 $ Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/5/2005 4798:LJ-7 $ YWCA Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/5/2005 $1, 4987:LJ-7 College Hill Presbyterian Church Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/25/2005 $2, 5047:LJ-7 Arthritis Foundation Eastern Oklahoma Chapter Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/2/2005 $1, 5283:LJ-7 Community Service Council - Greater Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/13/2005 $2, 5453:LJ-7 Council Oak Chorale Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/28/2005 $1, 5689:LJ-7 Youth Services of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/30/2006 $2, 5696:LJ-7 YWCA Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/30/2006 $ 5903:LJ-7 Tulsa Opera, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/8/2006 $10, 5904:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/8/2006 $1, 5905:LJ-7 Tulsa CARES Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/8/2006 $2, 6251:LJ-7 Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/14/2006 $1, 6252:LJ-7 All Souls Unitarian Church Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/14/2006 $5, 6253:LJ-7 Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/14/2006 $1, 6513:LJ-7 Rizley Opera Education Endowment Fund Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/28/2006 6514:LJ-7 Light Opera Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/28/2006 6586:LJ-7 University of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $ 6589:LJ-7 HOPE Testing Clinic Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $1, 6607:LJ-7 Camp Fire USA Green Country Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $ 6608:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $ 6609:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $ 6610:LJ-7 Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $ 6611:LJ-7 RSVP Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $ 6612:LJ-7 Tulsa Aids Walk Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/15/2006 $ 6799:LJ-7 Family & Children's Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/28/2006 $2, 6800:LJ-7 PFLAG, Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 6/28/2006 $ 7236:LJ-7 Arthritis Foundation Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2006 $1, 7237:LJ-7 Fellowship Congregational Church UCC Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2006 $ 7238:LJ-7 Gilcrease Museum Foundation Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2006 $1, 7239:LJ-7 PFLAG, Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2006 $ 7240:LJ-7 Tulsa Area United Way Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2006 $ 7241:LJ-7 YWCA Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2006 $ 7464:LJ-7 Regional AIDS Intercommunity Network (RAI Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/2/2006 $1, 7469:LJ-7 OCCJ Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/7/2006 $2, 7470:LJ-7 OCCJ Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/7/2006 $ 7477:LJ-7 Route 66 Marathon, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/9/2006 $1, 7478:LJ-7 Girl Scouts, Mid-Columbia Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/9/2006 $1, 7488:LJ-7 Route 66 Marathon, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/9/2006 7648:LJ-7 YWCA Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/6/2006 $1, 8118:LJ-7 Youth Services of Tulsa, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/12/2007 $2, 8119:LJ-7 Community Service Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/12/2007 $3, 8167:LJ-7 Tulsa CARES Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/21/2007 $2, 8255:LJ-7 Association for Women in Communication Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/7/2007 $ 8256:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/7/2007 $ 8257:LJ-7 Route 66 Marathon, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/7/2007 $2, 8258:LJ-7 Family & Children's Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/7/2007 $2, 8330:LJ-7 Resonance Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/12/2007 $1, $ �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 8331:LJ-7 Retired Senior Volunteers Program Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/12/2007 $ 8452:LJ-7 Alzheimer's Association, Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/29/2007 $ 8740:LJ-7 Association for Women in Communication Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/11/2007 8741:LJ-7 Multiple Sclerosis Society Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/11/2007 $ 8765:LJ-7 Street School Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/11/2007 $1, 9162:LJ-7 Camp Fire USA Green Country Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/29/2007 $1, 9383:LJ-7 Tulsa CARES Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/12/2007 $ 9384:LJ-7 HOPE Testing Clinic Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/12/2007 $1, 9626:LJ-7 Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 8/24/2007 $1, 9818:LJ-7 Community Service Council - Greater Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2007 $ 9819:LJ-7 Youth Services of Tulsa, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/3/2007 $ 9920:LJ-7 OCCJ Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/18/2007 $5, 9921:LJ-7 Tulsa Opera, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/18/2007 $2, 10139:LJ-7 All Souls Unitarian Church Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/20/2007 $1, 10140:LJ-7 Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/20/2007 $ 10141:LJ-7 LIFE Senior Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/20/2007 $ 10150:LJ-7 Community Service Council - Greater Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/20/2007 $1, 10151:LJ-7 Tulsa Area United Way Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/20/2007 $ 10152:LJ-7 YWCA of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/20/2007 $1, 10153:LJ-7 Vocal Pride Foundation Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/20/2007 $1, 10213:LJ-7 Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/30/2007 $ 10792:LJ-7 Thomas Gilcrease Museum Association Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/21/2008 $1, 11023:LJ-7 YWCA of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/14/2008 $ 11172:LJ-7 LIFE Senior Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/6/2008 $ 11173:LJ-7 Tulsa CARES Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/6/2008 $1, 11174:LJ-7 Resonance Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/6/2008 $1, 11175:LJ-7 Retired Senior Volunteers Program Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/6/2008 $1, 11176:LJ-7 Alzheimer's Association, Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/6/2008 $1, 11177:LJ-7 Family & Children's Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/6/2008 $2, 11178:LJ-7 Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/6/2008 $ 12066:LJ-7 Street School Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/6/2008 $1, 12067:LJ-7 Girl Scouts Magic Empire Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/6/2008 $1, 12068:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/6/2008 $3, 12069:LJ-7 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/6/2008 $ 12070:LJ-7 Camp Fire USA Green Country Council Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/6/2008 $1, 12541:LJ-7 Oklahoma State University Foundation Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 7/14/2008 $2, 12775:LJ-7 HOPE Testing Clinic Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 8/14/2008 $1, 13322:LJ-7 Community Service Council - Greater Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/9/2008 $1, 13323:LJ-7 Planned Parenthood of Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/9/2008 $1, 13324:LJ-7 Community Service Council - Greater Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/9/2008 $ 13325:LJ-7 Tulsa Area United Way Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/9/2008 $ 13326:LJ-7 Vocal Pride Foundation Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/9/2008 $1, 13327:LJ-7 Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/9/2008 $2, 13550:LJ-7 YWCA of Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/23/2008 $1, 13551:LJ-7 Clarehouse, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 10/23/2008 $1, DA-13613 Tulsa Historical Society Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 11/13/2008 $ DA-14401 Youth Services of Tulsa, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 12/23/2008 $3, DA-14654 Diversity Arts Association of Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 1/20/2009 $ DA-14724 LIFE Senior Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/3/2009 $ �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa DA-14725 Alzheimer's Association, Oklahoma/Arkansas Chapter Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/3/2009 $1, DA-14726 Family & Children's Services Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/3/2009 $1, DA-14727 Tulsa Opera, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/3/2009 $1, DA-14728 Street School, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/3/2009 $1, DA-14729 Tulsa Symphony Orchestra Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 2/3/2009 $1, DA-15006 Resonance Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/2/2009 $1, DA-15007 Tulsa CARES Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/2/2009 $2, DA-15076 Oklahomans for Equality Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/13/2009 $2, A-15142 Mental Health Association in Tulsa Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 3/23/2009 $ A-15640 Iron Gate at Trinity, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/20/2009 $10, A-15641 Emergency Infant Services, Inc. Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/20/2009 $10, DA-15711 Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/30/2009 $ DA-15712 Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/30/2009 $1, DA-15713 Philbrook Museum of Art Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/30/2009 $5, DA-15714 Open Arms Youth Project Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 4/30/2009 $ DA-15853 Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa 5/19/2009 $ $307,87 �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa Refunds $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Grant Amount $2,500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $1,500.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $3,000.00 $500.00 $10,000.00 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $5,000.00 $5,000.00 $750.00 $250.00 $5,000.00 $525.00 $1,000.00 �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa $1,750.00 $1,000.00 $350.00 $2,500.00 $750.00 $1,500.00 $3,000.00 $1,000.00 $250.00 $500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $3,000.00 $0.00 $10,000.00 $2,500.00 $50.00 $50.00 $1,500.00 $50.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $10,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $250.00 $450.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $2,000.00 $1,000.00 $5,000.00 $3,000.00 $5,000.00 $2,500.00 $10,000.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 $2,500.00 $5,000.00 $200.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $250.00 �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa $1,500.00 $250.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $1,500.00 $2,500.00 $500.00 $10,000.00 $1,500.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $5,000.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 $500.00 $200.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $500.00 $500.00 $500.00 $600.00 $500.00 $2,500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $250.00 $1,500.00 $250.00 $500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $200.00 $1,500.00 $1,000.00 $0.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $3,000.00 $2,500.00 $500.00 $500.00 $2,000.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa $650.00 $750.00 $0.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $750.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $500.00 $500.00 $5,000.00 $2,500.00 $1,500.00 $500.00 $500.00 $1,500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $250.00 $1,500.00 $500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $3,000.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $2,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,500.00 $1,000.00 $500.00 $500.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $200.00 $3,000.00 $500.00 $500.00 �Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $1,000.00 $2,500.00 $2,500.00 $500.00 $10,000.00 $10,000.00 $600.00 $1,000.00 $5,000.00 $500.00 $500.00 $307,875.00 � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/890ca6a6df17db9d63306edd2474cdec.pdf e8419727d3c83ced4986fbcd2f9984c0 PDF Text Text The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa provides grants to support the efforts of nonprofits in our community which embrace diversity in their workplace and outreach. With tax-deductible contributions provided by a cross-section of our donor community, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa highlights the contributions made by gay men, lesbians, their family and friends to the Tulsa Community. As a donor wishing to support a progressive and diverse community, consider giving some of your charitable contributions through the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Tulsa, a donor advised fund established with the Tulsa Community Foundation. Making a Difference in Tulsa while highlighting the important contributions of the Gay, Lesbian and Allied Communities. For more information: www.gayandlesbianfundfortulsa.org Email: info@gayandlesbianfundfortulsa.org Or call the Tulsa Community Foundation, 918-494-8823. � https://www.history-okeq-org-red5.dev.unicomm.me/files/original/a0e9282686547586b605cb605e7f6ad2.jpg ed836dbaad8f3701d025ed9a5643a11e Still Image A static visual representation. Examples include paintings, drawings, graphic designs, plans and maps. Recommended best practice is to assign the type Text to images of textual materials. 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 [2003] Gay and Lesbian Fund For Tulsa Description An account of the resource In 2003, Dennis Neill attended the Gill Foundation's Outgiving Program. At the meeting Gill explained the use of a donor fund, the Colorado Gay & Lesbian Fund, to bring awareness to LGBTQ giving and ensure non-profits have appropriate non-discrimination policies. In 2004, Nancy and Joe McDonald, Mona Pittenger, Doug Campbell, and Dennis Neill established the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa with the Tulsa Community Foundation. The mission is “to support effective Tulsa area nonprofits which practice diversity in their policies and workplace while building public awareness of the contributions that the LGBT community and their friends, family and other allies make to improve the quality of life in the Tulsa area.” Leveraging off of a matching grant from the Gill Foundation, the organizers contributed funds and reached out to others to consider directing some of their charitable giving thru the Fund, with the following benefits: • Branding dollars as coming from the LGBT community and their allies • Encouraging non-profits to include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies and procedures. • Enhancing the level of local giving with the possibility of matching some of our giving with dollars from the Gill Foundation of Colorado. The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa has been working to encourage non-profits to add Sexual Orientation to their non-discrimination policies. To date, some 35 Tulsa area non-profits have indicated that they have such policies or are working to do so. We have already sponsored events with 5 non-profits. The Gay and Lesbian Fund for Tulsa has been recognized in their programs and other appropriate publicity. We hope to support many other non-profits through grants for events, programs and capital campaigns. To do so, we need you to consider re-channeling some of your giving through the Fund. This will allow us to encourage non-profits to recognize diversity and maximize the dollars available through the Gill Foundation matching program. Dennis Neill Doug Campbell Gay & Lesbian Fund Gay and Lesbian Fund Mona Pittenger Nancy and Joe McDonald