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In this OkEq eNews

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

New OkEq tees in stock
Our hip new Louis & Cluck-designed t-shirts have arrived! The shirts, $20-25, come in women's and unisex sizes and are available at the Equality Center. 

 
"Dixie's Tupperware Party" benefit
Saturday, February 2, 7:30, Tulsa Performing Arts Center
"Lock up the pets and hide the children!" This one-woman show and tupperware party comes to Tulsa for one night only. Patrons will enjoy cocktails, snacks, door prizes and a wild party benefiting Theatre Arts Project, a non-profit theater company that gives children and adults in the Tulsa community a chance to work side by side with seasoned professionals while providing quality theater to the public. For more information, download the flier.

Dell Diversity Network Chair Kayla Shell visits Tulsa
Tuesday, February 5, lecture: 12:15pm, reception: 5-7pm, John Rogers Hall, 3120 E. 4th Pl.
The University of Tulsa College of Law will host Kayla Shell as Distinguished Alumna in Residence for a noon lecture and evening reception. Shell currently serves as chair of the Legal Education Committee, chair of the Executive Advisory Board of Dell's GLBT Diversity Network and was recently featured in the Profiles in Diversity Journal's 6th Annual Women Worth Watching Issue for 2008. Her community involvement includes the Board of Directors for Out and Equal Workplace Advocates and Federal Council Member of the Human Rights Campaign. Read Shell's bio on our website. For more information on the event, contact Bill Carpenter at (918) 631-2651. 

 
"The Argument for Sexual Freedom: Rejecting Privacy And Equality"
Thursday, February 14, 5pm, TU Collins Hall, Heritage Room   
The University of Tulsa Department of Political Science welcomes Sonu Bedi, Assistant Professor, Dartmouth College Department of Government. Professor Bedi previously delivered this lecture at the Sager Symposium: the Norming and Transforming of Queer Activism. He explains:

In conceptualizing the argument for sexual freedom, activists and scholars invariably invoke the language of rights--usually the right to privacy or the right to equality. I argue that this is not the best way to secure such freedom. The conventional language of "rights" proves problematic jeopardizing the very values it seeks to realize. Instead, we should simply constrain the reasons or rationales on which the state can act and repudiate "morals legislation." Doing so renders rights obsolete.

Dr. Bedi holds an A.B. from Brown, a J.D. from Harvard, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Yale. 

Circle Cinema presents The Walker

Opens Friday, February 15, Circle Cinema, 12 S. Louis Ave

A contemporary mystery set in Washington, D.C., The Walker centers around Carter Page (Harrelson), a well-heeled and popular socialite who serves as confidant, companion, and card partner to some of the capitol's leading ladies. These pampered women are married to the most powerful men in America, and when their husbands are too busy running the country to attend to their wives, they turn to their "gay best friend," Carter, for warmth, wit, and wisdom. Carter's loyalty is tested when his dearest friend (Scott Thomas) finds herself on the brink of a scandal that could destroy her reputation and her husband's career. Offering to cover for her, Carter suppresses incriminating evidence, only to find himself the chief suspect in a criminal investigation.

UCLA Law School study on Oklahoma same-sex couples

The Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law has released a new research study providing demographic and economic
information about the almost 8,200 same-sex couples in Oklahoma. The study shows that about 26% of the same-sex couples in Oklahoma are raising an estimated 4,075 children. The study also shows that same-sex couples, especially those raising children, have fewer economic resources and own homes at a significantly lower rate than their heterosexual, married counterparts. The full report may be downloaded here.

Women's bisexuality an 'identity,' not phase

Bisexuality among women isn't just a phase, according to new research that followed 79 non-heterosexual women for a
decade and found that bisexual women continue to be attracted to both sexes over time. Being bisexual is a distinct orientation, not a temporary stage, says the study by Lisa Diamond, an associate professor of psychology and gender studies at the University of Utah. It is being published in the January issue of Developmental Psychology, a journal of the American Psychological Association. Read the USA Today article here.

Anniversary Weekend

Celebrating the first anniversary of the opening of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center with a slate of fantastic events. All events are at the Equality Center unless otherwise noted.

GayBingo 

Friday, February 15, 7pm-10pm
No straight lines - just nice shapes. No toy prizes - just cash. This isn't the bingo your grandmother played! Outrageous entertainment, the gayest bingo games you've seen, and a couple of special surprises make GayBingo the night you won't want to miss. Hosted by Peaches Lennox and her troupe of special guests, GayBingo features cash and "must have" prizes. Tickets are $10 at the door.

Wild Hearts Ball
Saturday, February 16, 8pm
Come in your black and white best, and celebrate in masquerade style. Live music and DJ Adrian will keep you moving all night. Tickets are $30 a person including a drink ticket and $55 a couple including a bottle of champagne. To get on the list, send payments to: OkEq, PO Box 2687, Tulsa, OK 74101. Please indicate payments are for Wild Hearts Ball tickets.

Texas Hold'Em Poker Tournament
Sunday, February 17, 3-6pm
Our riotous poker tournament returns with food, prizes and the most fun you ever had with a deck of cards. Admission is $15 at the door, space is limited! Contact Rick at 697-1082 to reserve your space today..

DBAT Kick-Off to 2008 Reception
Tuesday, February 19, 6-8pm
The Diversity Business Association of Tulsa (DBAT) members, as well as those interested in DBAT, are invited to the 2008 Kick-off to learn what DBAT is all about. Grab a co-worker and head over to the Equality Center for a drink after work -- and be sure to bring plenty of business cards to make available for your new acquaintances!

More events to be announced, so stay tuned!

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 Thursdays 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!

Vote for your candidate on Super Tuesday, February 5

With the Oklahoma presidential primary almost upon us, it is imperative that all of Oklahoma's LGBT individuals' voices be heard! We have links to the candidate's platforms on key LGBT legislative issues on our website. 

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: Pink Flamingos 

Fridays, 7pm, Sue Welch Hall 

This week's film is Pink Flamingos. 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
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. Last day 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.