• OkEq Announcements
• At the Equality Center
• OkEq in the Community
• Community Events and Announcements

Official Launch of OkEq.org
We are proud to unveil our brand new website: the new okeq.org! Take a look at our award-winning design and improved content!

Introducing Our New Louis & Cluck T-shirts

Just in time for the holiday shopping season, OkEq is excited to partner with Tulsa design icons Louis & Cluck for a new line of t-shirts! These will be available in just a few weeks, so watch this space for ordering information. To be the first to hear of the launch, get on the VIP list by emailing Programs and Development Coordinator Mana Tahaie.

Support OkEq: Become an Equality Partner

Want to make a real difference in the fight for LGBT Equality? Join OkEq as an Equality Partner, and give the gift of equality all year. For more information, visit our website. Donations can be made in honor of a friend or loved one, making a great holiday present!

OkEq Logo Recognized in PRINT Magazine
Oklahomans for Equality's new logo was recognized for the second time in PRINT magazine, this time in the Regional Design Annual 2007 edition. OkEq was selected out of more than 20,000 individual entries for the 2007 Regional Annual competition. The first award was featured in the International Art and Commerce Review.

At the Equality Center

New OkEq Program: Beginner's Yoga Mondays, 6-7pm
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.

OCCJ New Leadership Roundtable meeting
Tuesday, December 4, 6-7pm
The Oklahoma Conference for Community and Justice (OCCJ) is offering a New Leadership Roundtable program for young professionals interested in the OCCJ mission: fighting bias, bigotry, and racism. At the core of this Leadership Roundtable is honest diversity dialogue. The second general meeting will focus on committee structure and development. For more information contact Adrienne Watt.

December Gallery Opening: "Totally Tulsa", by Karen Greenawalt
Thursday, December 6, 6-9pm
Our December gallery opening reception introduces photography of Tulsa by Karen Greenawalt. Meet the artist and get the first glimpse of her work at the Equality Center during our monthly receptions, first Thursdays at the Equality Center. For more information about our gallery, including volunteer opportunities, visit our website.

Oklahoma Deaf Spectrum Holiday Party
Saturday, December 8, 6-9pm
OkEq's new outreach program for deaf and hard of hearing LGBT individuals invites you to their first annual holiday party. Attendance is free, please bring a wrapped item between $5-20 for gift exchange, and a dish for the pot luck. Kids are welcome! For more information on ODS, visit our website. To RSVP, contact party coordinator Brandie at (text) 402-8926, Oklahoma Deaf Spectrum coordinator Ethan, or assistant Ashley.

Game Night @ the Center
Saturdays, 6:30-8:30pm
Saturday evenings just got more exciting at the Equality Center: it's Game Night! Coordinators Kaye Smith and Richard Haley introduce a new game each week. No RSVP necessary, just drop in!

Medicare Part D Enrollment Clinic sponsored by LIFE Senior Services

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? LIFE Senior Services will provide an enrollment clinic to eligible individuals at the Equality Center. To sign up for your free, personalized counseling session, call Cindy Loftin at LIFE at 664-9000 x452.

DBAT Hosts Holiday Reception
Wednesday, December 12, 6-9pm
The Diversity Business Association of Tulsa (DBAT) members, as well as those interested in DBAT, are invited to attend a Holiday Wine and Cheese Reception. You do not have to be a current member to attend, but you must RSVP to get on the guest list. Due to state alcohol regulations, individuals not on our list cannot be admitted on the day of the event. Be sure to bring plenty of business cards to make available for your new acquaintances!

 
Free Flu Shots
Thursday, December 13, 6-9pm
In lieu of our monthly health screening day, OkEq and the Tulsa City-County Health Department are providing free flu shots at the Equality Center. There is no cost and no need to RSVP.

Mark your calendars! In January, nurse Constance and her team will provide free blood pressure and glucose screening, and February she will feature $10 cholesterol screening.

Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament
Friday, December 14, 7-10pm
Strap on your spurs for a wild Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament, presented by the Tulsa Lambda Bowling League, benefiting the League and OkEq! Admission is $15 and winners get great prizes! For more information, download the flier or contact Rick at 694-1082.

PFLAG / OkEq Holiday Dinner
Monday, December 17, 6:30pm reception, 7pm dinner, 7:45 entertainment
Join PFLAG and OkEq in celebrating the holidays at a pot luck dinner at the Equality Center. There is no charge for admission, but please bring a dish to share if you are able to. PFLAG will furnish the turkey, dressing, ham and punch, and the very talented Council Oak Men's Chorale will entertain us all!

Be sure to also check out the PFLAG volunteer opportunity below!

Expanded HIV Testing Hours
Weekly: Monday - Thursday 6-8 and Saturday 4-7
Now also available by appointment, contact AmeriCorps member Blakely Adams at (918) 743-4297 x223.

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 the winter 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, check out our website or contact volunteer coordinator Rick Spring.

OkEq in the Community

Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. Fairy Tree
Support clients of the Tulsa Center for AIDS Resources, Education and Support (Tulsa C.A.R.E.S.) to help bring a little more joy to our community during the holiday season. The Fairy Tree program provides these individuals with approximately $30 in gifts to help brighten their holiday and show them that there are still people in the community who care about them. For an opportunity to reach out to others please contact Jamie Baker at Tulsa C.A.R.E.S. for details and to be matched to a friend in need. Visit our website for more information.


OkEq at TCC's Know Your Status Day
OkEq returned to TCC Southeast Campus for Know Your Status Day, informing TCC students about the importance of health awareness and regular checkups. AmeriCorps member Blakely Adams provided free HIV testing and OkEq intern Joshua Cook introduced OkEq to the TCC community. Many thanks to TCC for including us!

Community Events and Announcements

"Another Roamin' Holiday" Council Oak Men's Chorale concert
Trinity Episcopal Church,  5th & Cincinnati
Join Council Oak Men's Choral for "Another Roamin' Holiday: A Global Music Journey" featuring holiday-themed songs from countries and cultures around the world. The three concerts take place Tuesday, December 4, Friday, December 7, and Saturday, December 8, 2007; all performances 8 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the COMC website.

For the Bible Tells Me So returns to Circle Cinema

Sunday, December 16, 2pm, Circle Cinema, 10 South Lewis Avenue

Back by popular demand! Circle Cinema will host one final screening of this Oscar-quality documentary. Grounded by the stories of five conservative Christian families, this film explores how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to support its agenda of stigmatizing the gay community and eroding the separation between church and state. 

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 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 flier. To register no later than January 14, call Barbara Oliver at 858-8440.


International Gay Bowling Organization tournament held in Tulsa
From Rick, Tulsa Lambda League:

The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) held its Mid-Year Tournament in Oklahoma City November 8-11, 2007. More than 370 bowlers participated in this tournament.  They came from all areas of the U.S. and Canada. Tulsa was well represented with 23 bowlers from the Tulsa Lambda Bowling League in attendance. Everyone had a great time and several of our Tulsa bowlers captured top spots:

• Justin Barrett and John Harvey captured 1st place in the Doubles Division, beating over 180 other doubles teams.
• Thom Kelley bowled the highest handicap game for men for the entire tournament and received a trophy for that outstanding accomplishment.
• In addition to these 1st place finishes, Rich Blankenship and Andrew Plummer placed 9th in the Doubles Division.

Congratulations to all of you for a job well done!  We are so proud of you!