Hello Stephanie, Rebekah, Chris & Jim,It will not likely surprise you to learn that Oklahoma ranks as one of the worst states in the nation in regard to equality for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. At a time when 300 cities in the United States (and 86% of Fortune 500 companies) have non-discrimination policies that encompass sexual orientation, no city in Oklahoma does. In Oklahoma (and 32 other states), it remains entirely legal to fire someone, deny them a lease, or ask them to vacate a public establishment simply because he or she is LGBT. In 2005, 75% of Oklahoma voters elected to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. And now, while several state legislatures and cities are passing laws extending some basic rights to domestic partners, a new piece of legislation seeks to outlaw civil unions in Oklahoma. But all is not bad news here in Tulsa, OK. This week in Tulsa, OK, we will be dedicating, opening and celebrating a brand new Equality Center - the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center will serve as a community center, meeting place, a wellness center, LGBT library, pride store, cyber cafe, a source for pro-bono legal services, and a center of advocacy for equal rights for all Oklahomans and all people who are facing discrimination because of their sexual orientation. I realize that Oklahoma is likely not on the top of your vacation destinations, but if you ever find yourself here in Tulsa, please stop by the Equality Center and check it out - it represents many, many hours of hard work and contributions by many open-minded Tulsans who support everyone's right to unbiased treatment in our society.
The home for the LGBT & allied community is located at 621 E 4th Street (4th & Kenosha) in the East End of downtown Tulsa.
email: center@okeq.org
phone: 918.743.4297
web: http://www.okeq.org
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