National Transgender Day of Remembrance >>

PFLAG Volunteer Gift Wrapping >>

Planned Parenthood LGBT Inclusion Seminar >>

• At the Equality Center
• Community Events and Announcements

At the Equality Center

National Transgender Day of Remembrance: Panel, Vigil and Art Project
Tuesday, November 20, 7pm
Gender Outreach, a program of Oklahomans for Equality, will commemorate the National Transgender Day of Remembrance through a panel of personal stories and a candlelight vigil to memorialize those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice. The group will also debut a collaborative art project spotlighting their individual journeys.


Medicare Part D seminar and enrollment clinics sponsored by LIFE Senior Services
Seminar: Tuesday November 27, 6pm
Clinic: Monday, December 10, 3-5pm by appointment
Are you confused about Medicare Part D and not sure which drug plan is the right plan for you? OkEq is excited to partner with LIFE Senior Services to provide an informational seminar and enrollment clinic to individuals eligible for Medicare Part D.

The 2008 Part D enrollment period is November 15-December 31, 2007. This is the time to enroll in Part D or make changes to your existing coverage. Sign up for your free, personalized counseling session at the Enrollment Clinic offered by LIFE Senior Services in December. To enroll, call LIFE at 664-9000 x452.


Community Needs Assessment Public Forum
Wednesday, November 28, 6pm
OkEq is launching a new initiative to gauge the program and service needs of the LGBT community. Through the leadership of board member Dr. Chad Johnson, Project Director at the OU-Tulsa Center of Applied Research for Non-Profit Organizations, OkEq is using an innovative, collaborative approach called Community-Based Participatory Research. This method allows you, our constituent, to have a voice in shaping the assessment.

To join the conversation, come to the public forum on November 28 at 6pm. For more information, contact Programs & Development Coordinator Mana Tahaie.


New OkEq Program: Beginner's Yoga
Mondays, 6-7pm, beginning December 3
Center Yourself with OkEq's new weekly beginner's yoga class, instructed by Certified Yoga teacher Janet Parachin. The class will cost $10 per session or $50 for 6 sessions paid in advance. Students are advised to please bring a yoga mat. To enroll, download the form and fax, mail, or bring it by the Equality Center.

Janet Parachin, the director of Yoga Spirit Academy, leads workshops in spirituality, meditation and yoga. She teaches with compassion and joy and enjoys sharing her love of yoga with everyone.


Equality Center Closings

• On Monday, December 10, the David Bohnett CyberCenter will be reserved for Medicare Part D enrollment from 3-5pm.
• In honor of Thanksgiving, the Equality Center will be closed Thursday, November 22 through Sunday, November 25. We will reopen with regular hours on Monday, November 26.
• In honor of the holidays, the Equality Center will be closed Saturday, December 22 through Monday, January 1. We will reopen with regular hours on Tuesday, January 2.

 
Volunteer for OkEq!
Oklahomans for Equality is always looking for smart, dedicated, energetic volunteers to help run the Equality Center, facilitate programs, and assist and support other OkEq operations. If you have a special skill or would like to donate some time to OkEq, contact volunteer coordinator Mana Tahaie.

Community Events and Announcements

Volunteer to wrap gifts with PFLAG

Weekends through December 9, then daily through December 24, Barnes & Noble, 41st and Yale

PFLAG's annual Barnes & Noble complimentary gift wrapping booth is calling for volunteers to help with two-hour wrapping shifts. All donations will go toward PFLAG billboards during the month of June for OkEq's Pride & Diversity Celebration. Volunteers will receive Barnes & Noble discounts! To participate, call or email Nancy McDonald at 742-8565.

 
Planned Parenthood LGBT Inclusion Seminar
January 17, 9am-4:30pm, Central Center in Centennial Park, 1028 E 6th St
Tommy Chesbro, M.H.R., AASECT and Dannette McIntosh, Ed.D., AASECT present "Reaching Out", a seminar for social and public service professionals on LGBT inclusion and understanding. The Community Service Council (CSC), a co-sponsor of this workshop, will provide CEUs for Social Workers, and a working lunch will be provided. For more information, download the flyer. To register no later than January 14, call Barbara Oliver at 858-8440.

Doctoral Study on Gay Identity Development
Benjamin Donner, a clinical psychology doctoral student at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, is researching on gay identity development across cultural groups in the United States. Donner says, "As you may know, academic studies into the developmental experiences of gay, bisexual, and questioning men are extremely scarce. It is my hope that this research project will shed greater light on those experiences that may be unique to specific cultural groups of GBQ males in the U.S. so that clinicians and organizations are ultimately better equipped to both assist and appreciate our strengths and needs." Participants must be biological males, age 18 or over, residents of the United States, and attracted to other biological males. The survey should take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete. All responses will be entirely anonymous - email and IP addresses will not be requested or even identifiable - and will be kept in the strictest of confidence. To take the survey, click here. For questions, email Benjamin Donner.