Transition: Heath Ledger >>

Doing Time on Maple Drive >>

"The Colors of Living" >>

In this OkEq eNews

• Special Announcements
• Upcoming Events
• Transitions
  
• Weekly Activities
• Ongoing Programs

OSU's SODA seeks LGBT Businesses for campus forum  
Sexual Orientation Diversity Association (SODA) at Oklahoma State University (Stillwater) is seeking area LGBT businesses to speak about their companies and how they fit within the LGBT and surrounding communities, as well as how students can go about being involved with a LGBT business. If you are an LGBT business owner or know of someone who may be interested in participating in the event, contact SODA President Shane Williams at (918) 694-3280.

PFLAG National Scholarship Program

PFLAG Scholarships provide an important, positive statement to a group of young people that is coping amazingly well in an often adverse school environment. This year, PFLAG will grant three $5000, three $2500, and ten $1000 scholarships to reward the great work students are doing across the country to make schools safer. For more information, visit the PFLAG website.

Research Study for Gay, Bisexual, and Questioning Men
Dawn M. Szymanski, Ph.D., University of Tennessee is a gay researcher conducting an empirical study examining attitudes, feelings, and experiences associated with being a gay, bisexual, or questioning man. She invites men 18 years or older who have experienced same-sex attraction, to participate in this study. The online survey is anonymous, and takes about 35 minutes to complete. As an incentive to participate, all participants will be given the chance to enter a participant raffle awarding $100 each to three randomly selected participants.

First Thursdays Meet-the-Artist Gallery Opening: Jessica Newman

Thursday, February 7, 6-9pm, Gallery and Conference Room
February's gallery exhibit features oil paintings and fine drawings by young artist Jessica Newman. Meet her and get the first look at her work at our monthly First Thursday gallery opening reception.

Diversity Book Club: Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited
Thursday, February 14, 6:30pm, Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library
Calling All Book Lovers! February's book is Identical Strangers: A Memoir of Twins Separated and Reunited by Elyse Schein and Paula Bernstein. For complete information on the reading schedule, visit our website.

"Exploring Balance": a Yoga Workshop by Stephen Saunders Saturday, February 23, 3-5:30pm
Stephen Saunders leads the first-ever yoga workshop at the Equality Center, focusing on reducing tension, anxiety and stress, and replacing them with positive feelings of ease and grace.
This workshop is open to individuals with all levels of experience. Registration is $40. For more information or to register, download the flier. 

Also check out our beginner's yoga class below!

Passed: Heath Ledger
Twenty-eight year-old actor Heath Ledger, best known for his Oscar-nominated role in Brokeback Mountain, died January 23 in his New York apartment. As stated in the obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle,

The portrayal of the secret male relationship made Ledger an instant icon in the gay community, according to Neil G. Giuliano, president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

"His powerful portrayal changed hearts and minds in immeasurable ways," Giuliano said in a statement.

For the full story and a moving tribute, click here.

  

HOPE HIV Testing
Monday - Thursday: 6-8pm, Saturday: 4-7pm, Health Testing Center
Free, anonymous HIV testing with results in 20 minutes for MSM (men who have sex with men) and high-risk individuals. Also available by appointment by emailing AmeriCorps member Blakely Adams.

L Word Tuesdays

Tuesdays, 7pm, Sue Welch Hall

Excited about the new season of The L Word? So are we! Join us each Tuesday for the latest episode.

Gender Outreach
Wednesdays, 7:30pm, Conference Room
A support and social group for transgender individuals.

Center Cinema: Doing Time on Maple Drive

Fridays, 7pm, Sue Welch Hall 

This week's film is Doing Time on Maple Drive. Center Cinema takes place each Friday at 7pm and is free and open to the public. For a complete listing of films, visit our website.

Tulsa Unity String Orchestra Rehearsal

Thursdays, 6pm, Wellness Center

The Tulsa Unity String Orchestra, an all-volunteer ensemble,  practices in the wellness center and performs at OkEq and area events. For more information contact conductor Adrian Rogers at (918) 813-2470.

Faith in Crisis
Second and fourth Saturdays, 3-4:30pm, Conference Room
A support group for those experiencing religious/spiritual crises related to sexual orientation and identity, Faith in Crisis provides a safe, confidential environment for sharing questions and concerns, supporting others, learning from others' experiences, and collaboratively exploring religious/spiritual crises and ways to manage, cope, grow and heal from such experiences. For more information on the group and its facilitators, visit our website.

Game Night @ the Center

Saturdays, 6:30pm, Sue Welch Hall

New game each week. No need to RSVP, just drop in!

Beginner's Yoga
Mondays, 6pm, Wellness Center
Center Yourself with OkEq's beginners yoga class, instructed by certified yoga teacher Janet Parachin. Cost is $10 per session or $50 for six sessions, paid in advance. Students are advised to please bring a yoga mat.

Tulsa Pride 2008 Planning

Mondays, 7pm, Event Center
The Pride Committee meets each week to plan what promises to be the best Tulsa Pride event in history. We need your voice and energy on the Pride Committee! To volunteer your time, join us at our weekly planning meetings or email pride@okeq.org.

Inside Out ACA
Mondays, 7pm
The Inside Out group of ACA, Adult Children of Alcoholics, is a twelve-step, twelve tradition program of men and women who grew up in alcoholic or otherwise dysfunctional homes.

"The Colors of Living" by Dennis Scott

Our January gallery features digital art by first-time exhibitor Dennis Scott. Only one week left to see this amazing exhibit!

Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library

Our lending library has thousands of LGBT-related books in dozens of genres, including fiction and non-fiction, as well as many free magazines like the Advocate, Gay Parents and the Ozark Star.  

Logo Network
We feature the Logo Network, the first and only 24-hour LGBT television channel, on the big screen in Sue Welch Hall. For programming information, visit the LOGO website.

David Bohnett CyberCenter
Nine high-speed-internet-connected computers and a network printer available to the public. The Equality Center also provides free wireless internet!

Relay Videophone for the Deaf
The Equality Center is fortunate to feature a broadband video relay service for the deaf in the David Bohnett CyberCenter. Ours is the only publicly-accessible videophone available after 5pm in the city of Tulsa. For more information on the phone, visit our website.

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.