5 20 681 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/50c75d314ecd3bfe576df8fa1e4a818c.mp4 1cd0a806c5b45b06b12b8f2d5493d4a0 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/f1f040d517ee58dfd79531909e7a503c.pdf c50d91cd143acf3b75830c770059e040 PDF Text Text oklahomans for equality Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview with Leslie Penrose Interview Conducted by Laura Belmonte Date: March 31, 2006 Transcribed By: Matthew Warren Transcript Edited by Dennis Neill - December 27, 2025 Restrictions: Interviewee requested - NIA. Oklahomans for Equality History Project 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK. 74120 918.743.4297 historyproiect@okeg.org �LGBT History Project 03/31/2006 Interview of Leslie Penrose by Laura Belmonte Laura: It is Friday, March 31 2006 and we are at the Community of Hope Church with Leslie Penrose for today's interview. Leslie, let's just start with some basic biographical information. When were you born, what was your family and education like and those sorts of things? Leslie: I was born in Amarillo, Texas in 1951 into an oil field family. And I grew up all over the Midwest and lived in almost every state west of the Mississippi. I went to 18 different schools between kindergarten and col lege. Roots are something I long for and moving is something I do well. Although, in my adult life I have lived in Tulsa since 1979 and really do feel like I'm establishing roots here and 2 �that this is home. Although my husband and I have moved to like 5 different houses so we still practice the moving thing. Laura: Did you have any brothers and sisters? Leslie: I did. I had two younger brothers and a younger sister so I was the oldest of four: and they're all still living. My dad is dead but my mother is still living. Laura: And where did you go to college? Leslie: T.U. for my undergrad degree in Religion. I got my Masters of Divinity at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. Laura: And you mentioned you are married, how long have you been? Leslie: 35 years. I got married 6 months out of high school. He was in the Marine Corps and I moved to California to take up residence on the Camp Pendleton Marine Core base the day after we got married. Laura: Wow. And do you have children? Leslie: I do. I have two. My daughter, Keli, was born there in California after we had been married about two years. And the other one was born on the East coast. We moved back here after Steve's discharge, for him to go to school at OU. From there we moved Richmond, Virginia for Steve's first job, and my son, Kyle, was born there. Laura: Well let's move on to the issues of the gay community and gay people and such. When was the first time you recall hearing anything about the gay community in Tulsa? Leslie: I'm not sure about hearing about the gay community in Tulsa, but I do know when my own sense of awareness of gay issues happened. In the late 70s I was a banker, and not particularly happy with that. I took a trip to Central America to try and figure things out and find out what I wanted to be when I "grew up." The leader of the group I went with was a gay man. 3 �It was a very transforming trip for me and my relationship with him was very transforming. I experienced him in a very pastoral, religious way. I asked him one day why he wasn't a pastor because he just had such a gift for it. He said, "Well I would be except that the church won't let me. I'm gay." It was not anything that I ever consciously 'knew.' I mean, I must have been aware of it on some level but it had never been part of my consciousness that that was where the church was. And it just blew my socks off. I have continued to maintain a relationship with him across the years. But it was actually that experience and my experience in Central America that drove me to seminaryseeking something beyond the shallow experience of 'church' that I had had growing up. Once I was in seminary, that issue and other issues of justice just kept pushing me to the edge, and I'd quit seminary and start it again, thinking, 'I can't do this church thing because it's way too oppressive.' But there was also something within me that came out of that trip to Central America that said, "My experience there says there's a different way of being church, a way that has integrity and is life giving." I wanted to be a part of THAT way of being church. Laura: Talk to me a little bit about your experiences at Phillips. Why did you decide to go there? Leslie: Well I decided to go there because it was the only seminary available to me. I was a young mother with young kids. I needed a local place. They were just opening their campus in Tulsa when I inquired in 1985, and asked if I wanted to be a part of that very first class that met here in Tulsa. I did. Laura: And you found this a kind of conflicted experience? were they saying about issues of social justice and homosexuality that you had to wrestle with? Leslie: You know I don't know if it was what they were saying as much as it was what the gospel was saying. I think actually the school was pretty mainline and kind of scared to enter into the really tough issues. I had, for most of my What 4 �life, been involved in social issues like nucleai disarmament, immigration, and civil rights for African Americans; but as I began to read the gospel and put things together it became clear to me that something was wrong with saying there are some folks that don't fit into the "salvation plan" or however you want to talk about it. The more I challenged that in my own thinking, the more I needed to involve other people in the dialogue. I was the President of the Student Council at Phillips at that time, and actually challenged them to, for the first time, put gay and lesbian issues on the agenda. I asked the Council to attend a board meeting and requested that Phillips might name itself a safe place for gay and lesbian students. It was not at that time - it was more 'don't ask, don't tell.' Folks were pretty threatened by that first dialogue, but it opened the door and they are now a very affirming place for gay and lesbian students. At about the same time, while I was in seminary, I was a part-time youth pastor at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church. I got a call one day from a friend of mine at St. Johns Hospital. She was a nurse, and she said that there was a young man there and he was dying of AIDS. "He hasn't had any visitors here for over a month. Would you mind co.ming?" I knew nothing about AIDS, but I knew someone shouldn't die with no visitors for a month. So I went, and it was a baptism by fire. When I finally got in to see him (after having to put on full protective clothing and gloves, I asked if I could talk with him and he said "Sure. Who are you?" I told him I was a minister, and he responded, "Oh, you don't even need to bother. I already know everything you have to say. My church has already told me I'm going to hell." It just broke my heart, and I said "I don't believe that." He let me stay a few minutes so we could talk, and when I left I asked if I could come back the next day. He said "yes." I was there everyday for about a week until that young man died. During that time I got to meet a couple of his friends who came by because they had heard he was going to die. They said they had been afraid to visit. And from there I was just 'connected.' It was like all of a sudden, a 5 �gate opened and there were a number of people who needed to deal with their spiritual issues relating to HIV and AIDS. Within a few weeks, I had connected with Dr. Jeff Beal and Ted Campbell... and all of a sudden I was like "the chaplain" for Dr. Seal's office. One day Ted Campbell called me and asked me to do some work with his HIV therapy group. "They have some spiritual issues to deal with", he said. So I went. I was there for about an hour, and it was actually a pretty hostile group at first. Not too willing to talk. They had a few nice questions to ask me, but there wasn't a conversation. And then, right before it was time to go, one of the young men, Jim B, looked at me and said, "I have a question for you. So tell me why it is that God would create somebody and then condemn them to hell. Tell me what kind of God does that." The only response I had was "a God who needs to die." Because that was true for me, the God that they were carrying around with them needed to die. So they invited me back and I went back to that group for several months and worked on theological and spiritual issues with them and about their own belovedness in God's eyes. Laura: How did you become aware of the difficulties that LGBT people faced at Phillips? Leslie: I just became aware that there were a couple of lesbian students there that were not out and were not willing to be out and only shared their story with me because I began to break the silence about the issue and ask those kinds of questions. By just becoming known as a 'safe person', several students shared their stories with me. Laura: Did you, yourself, have people assume you were a lesbian? Leslie: Absolutely, all the time. In fact, when I first started The Community of Hope I intentionally took off my wedding ring. I didn't want the straight community relying on the fact that I was straight to make me safe in their religious settings. Because the people I was working with were not safe in religious settings unless they pretended to be straight, I was unwilling for it to be that obvious that I was straight. Wrestling is a good thing for people ... 6 �Laura: You weren't willing to flaunt your heterosexuality? Leslie: Yeah ... I just wasn't willing for someone else to use it. It just made me furious that that's what made me safe. Laura: So what year did you finish seminary and how did your career trajectory go after that? Leslie: I was ordained in 1989 and I was still on staff at Memorial Drive UMC. In 1990 a young gay couple, both of whom were living with AIDS, started coming to that church. And then another couple came, and another, and so on. The church was fairly receptive to the first two: the tokenism thing was okay with them. But when it became 4 and 6 and 8 and a whole pew of young gay men, most of them with AIDS, the church got more threatened. Then in 1992 while I was in Central America leading a mission trip, the church leaders had these secret meetings and when I got back they told me I needed to leave. They were no longer comfortable with my ministry. Well, in the United Methodist Church that's not how it works. The church doesn't decide when you leave, only the bishop can decide that. So the bishop told them, "You don't decide when she leaves. I do. And she will stay until June when it is the normal time for pastors to leave." So between August of '92 and June of '93, I was in this horribly painful situation of serving this church where a significant number of the people did not want me there, but another significant number did. The church began to split and the pastor, Dr George Warren, got threatened. He wrote letters to two of the LGBT members who had already joined - Mark Vickers and Brad Mulholland informing them that they couldn't do things like go into the kitchen because they had AIDS; and they couldn't teach Sunday school; or read Scripture from the chancel area. I was appalled and they were deeply hurt - again. And so I went to the bishop and said, "I understand that I'm going to be moved in June and that's fine, that's the system. But PLEASE put someone in Tulsa who can be a safe place for these people. We've opened the door now and the care 7 �and acceptance that was promised needs to be provided." After some conversation, the Bishop said, "You need to start that congregation." Well, politically at that time, the United Methodist Church would not support my starting a new congregation that was open and affirming. So the Bishop and I put our heads together. He had just been in Central America studying Liberation Theology; and he knew I often went to Central America. We had both experienced the alternative 'churches' being formed there called Base Communities. It was a model, primarily in the Catholic tradition, where people who feel abandoned by the hierarchy in society and the church, formed small, local communities of justice and spirituality where the people are the church. Occasionally a priest may come and offer the sacraments, but the church is the people. The people are doing the work of nurturing spirituality; the people are doing social justice in their communities. The result is that the people began reading the bible in different ways, and questioning traditional theology. A Base Community made sense for Tulsa. And at the United Methodist Annual Conference in June of 1993 the Bishop of Oklahoma commissioned me to begin a Base Community here in Tulsa ... whatever that might mean. Laura: What was this bishop's name? Leslie: Dan Solomon - a very courageous man. He found $12,000 dollars for me to have a part-time salary for a year, and that's how it started: no place to meet, no office, no funds for advertising or supplies. Nothing except a group of people who were willing. I started by going to several different churches to ask for meeting space. Finally, Centenary United Methodist Church on North Denver, agreed to allow us to meet in the evenings in their basement. So on June 21, 1993 we had the very first gathering of Community of Hope. There were about 50 people at that first gathering - half gay and half straight. No children yet, but we had hopes. There had been a group of 12 or 13 people who had been meeting in my living room for two or three months trying 8 �to figure out what we wanted this church to look like. One important piece was that we were diverse in our membership_gay and straight, racially and age diverse. We chose to use a Rainbow candle as our Christ candle in worship - Christ candles are always white. Not ours - not our candle and not our Christ. Another important piece was that we wanted every aspect of our congregational life to bear witness to our valuesespecially to our belief that every single person is a child of God who deserves love and respect. So we decided that for every dollar we spent on ourselves we would also spend a dollar beyond our walls in some way that supported the marginalized. We've done that now for 13 years, supporting a number of social justice activities and organizations locally, nationally, and internationally. We met there at Centenary for about two months until one evening one of their morning members saw one of our member couples kissing in the parking lot. Within a few weeks, they asked us to leave. Next we rented a little life insurance building on the corner of Yale and Pine, and were there for about two and a half years. We outgrew it, and then we rented a warehouse on 2nd and Utica which we completely gutted and remodeled. It was a wonderful space for us, and we had a deeply rich and vibrant time. In early 1998, the City declared we couldn't stay because our zoning wasn't right for being a church. We suspected there was another agenda, but rather than spend time and energy fighting their ruling, we began to look for another building. We were 5 years old and looking for our 4t h home. Laura: It's a good thing you had the experience ... Leslie: That's right, all of my life - move, move, move. We decided to try and buy a building where we didn't have to worry about being kicked out again. We tried to buy three different church buildings but once they discovered who we were, they refused to sell to us. So finally-you 9 �know if there is anything I regret in my ministry I think this is what it is-we bought the building in the closet. We had one of our members buy it and transfer it to us. It was a deeply painful thing and it was fear that drove us to it: fear that we weren't going to have any place to call home. But I almost wish we hadn't done it, because I think it ended up hurting us in subtle but significant ways. I didn't realize that until a year or so later when I looked back at some of the conflict we'd been experiencing. We had never had conflict in our congregational life, but now some people were acting in strangely dysfunctional ways. I believe, looking back, that it was at least in part, because we had gone back into the closet in order to buy that building. Laura: Let's back up for a moment: I would assume some of this got public attention of some sort. When was the first time you remember gaining attention in the media for your outreach in the GLBT community? Leslie: Actually the Tulsa World did a story in probably 1995 and it was very positive about who we were and the outreach we were doing. That was probably the first time we got attention. I got hate mail regularly right from the beginning, and ugly messages on our answering machine. Some people in the neighborhood where we bought the building, filed complaints about us with the police, that we were "disturbing the peace." But we didn't really get much other publicity until in 1999 when I was brought up on ecclesiastical charges by the United Methodist Church. Then there was lots of it, nationally. Laura: When you were interacting with these leasing agents and realtors, had you been cognizant of laws on housing discrimination not including sexual orientation? Leslie: I think I probably had, but it was that na"ive 'it's not impacting me' kind of awareness. Besides, this was a church and it never entered my mind that you would turn down a whole church! It still just blows me away. Laura: The reason I ask is because we probably looked at 20 different spaces when we rented and that was just 2 years ago. �Leslie: And how painful it is! I mean I'm a straight woman, I had never dealt with any of this before and I had no idea of how painful it could be. Laura: Did you have any sort of dialogue within the church about the dissention that the decision to buy, sort of 'undercover,' was causing? Leslie: No, we never had a dialogue about it. I preached about it and I think that in and of itself - giving it voice - did some of the healing we needed. We named what was going on and that helped to heal the wounds: we admitted that we really messed up and we pledged together that we would not do that again. Laura: In relation to your having this sort of ministry, churches don't exist as little islands, when was the first time you recall encountering something from a different religious bent here in Tulsa? Leslie: In 1990, when I was presented for ordination in the United Methodist Church, I was charged by a colleague with heresy. The specific charge was that I didn't believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ as a literal event. But what was behind that charge was the work I was doing with the LGBT community and how threatened people were by that. Terry Ewing who at that time was an associate minister at Will Rogers United Methodist Church was the person who actually filed the charges, saying that I shouldn't be ordained because I didn't honor the ministerial covenant. It was a deeply painful thing to stand alone on the floor of the Annual Conference at Boston Avenue Church, before the 600-plus ministers in Oklahoma, and have them debate whether or not I was appropriate for ministry. But it ended up being a pretty wonderful thing because it did two things: 1) It made me decide how important this particular ministry was to me, and what I really believed about the Gospel. I decided right then and there that if I couldn't do the ministry that I felt called to do, then being ordained was meaningless. I think that decision on the floor of the conference is what got me through later challenges in my ministry that were much more difficult. 11 �So I ended up being grateful for that initial little baptism by fire. The second thing that incident did was to openly challenge the Oklahoma Conference of ministers to deal with what it was going to mean to have diversity in its midst. The vote that day ended up something like 590 to 17. But the really affirming thing happened later that night, at the public ordination ceremony held at Boston Avenue Church with a full sanctuary. When Bishop Solomon ordains someone, he always invites family and others who are there in support of the person being ordained, to stand as he places his hand on their head and ordains them. That night, when he put his hand on my head, almost the entire room stood. The vast majority didn't know or care about me personally, but they cared about diversity. Standing for me was their way of saying 'we are not going to be a church who says no to diversity.' It was a very powerful moment. Laura: Was this coexistent or did it precede debates on LGBT clergy in the church? Leslie: Oh it was right in the middle of it. The Methodist Church has been debating that for years and years and years. Laura: This obviously was going in a different direction. Leslie: Yes, this wasn't about gay clergy but about what restrictions we place on who we minister to. Laura: How about from non-Methodist clergy in Tulsa? Leslie: Totally mixed. It's kind of always been true for me in Tulsa clergy circles that when I walk into a room, the room kind of divides by where they are on this issue and other kinds of liberal issues. There are a lot of times I become sort of a metaphor for liberal religion or social justice issues in many settings. I've just gotten used to that. Laura: Now who would you construe as having been allies in this? Were there others making similar sorts of overtures to the LGBT community as you were? Or were you the trend setter? 12 �Leslie: I think in 1993 there were not many allies in Oklahoma. Community Hope was the first open and affirming, mainline congregation (other than MCC) in Tulsa. There were certainly clergy friends that I had who were sympathetic but they were not out there pushing the envelope. Laura: After 1993, what happened? Leslie: In 1996 the United Methodist Church passed a law saying that Methodist clergy cannot do same-sex blessings and those unions cannot happen in United Methodist churches. Community of Hope had been doing them all along. We would publish them in our newsletter, and put invitations and pictures out publicly. There was no secrecy. When the law passed, we had a congregational meeting and decided that come what may, we were not going to quit. We started an intentional process of asking ourselves, what is our theology of marriage, and how do we justify what we do? That resulted in writing a document that we adopted as our official position, including the commitment that that we would not stop. At about that same time, Bishop Solomon, who had blessed the start up of Community of Hope, moved to another call, and Oklahoma was assigned a new bishop: Bruce Blake. Bishop Blake said immediately and clearly that I must stop performing gay unions. I responded that I can't do that. A kind of 'dance' started then with the Oklahoma Conference. COH continued hosting holy unions and I continued officiating at those services. The conference leadership began asking for print copies or videos of services, and we'd send them. They'd respond, "you can keep doing this part but you can't wear your stole ( official clergy wear) .... Then ... 'you can stand with the couple but you can't bless the rings'.... Then, 'you can't say I announce you as wife and wife' or whatever.... We tried dancing with them for awhile because we really wanted it to work-if they were going to move a little and let us do unions, then we could move a little as well and do them differently. So I quit wearing my stole .... Then I 13 �moved to bless the rings before the ceremony and not during it... etc etc. After months of this dance, with more and more restrictions, it just finally became clear that the process had no integrity. It felt like people were being asked to cut off one of their arms or legs. 'Don't kill yourself,' they were saying, 'just cut off a piece of yourself." I went back to the conference leadership and said 'I just can't do this, and we went back to doing full unions.' For awhile there was nothing but silence from conference leadership. Shortly after that, the strangest thing happened. In 1998 there was a holy union in California that a whole group of clergy did collectively instead of as individual clergy. And they asked clergy across the nation to join them by signing on as 'officiates in abstentia'. So I signed on. Some lay person in Eufaula decided that was unacceptable to him, and he filed official church charges against me for having done a holy union in abstentia in January. Channel 11 here in Tulsa did a report on those charges and as part of their story, they got in touch with a couple for whom I had performed a holy union. The couple proudly and innocently, shared a video of their ceremony with the reporter and that night it was on the news. Within days Bishop Blake filed more charges - not just for signing on in abstenia, but for conducting union ceremonies. The national media picked it up .... and it just got to be this ridiculous mess. Bishop Blake dug in his heels and told me that I had three choices: 1) I could stop doing any unions immediately, or 2) I could go to church trial, or 3) I could give up my ordination and leave the United Methodist denomination. It didn't make any sense to me go to trial: I'm was openly guilty and I didn't plan to quit doing the ceremonies. So why would I want to spend time and energy going through that. More importantly, why would I want to drag Community of Hope through a national spectacle. They were already wounded and weary from months and months of threats and intimidation and harrassment. 14 �Knowing w hat might come, I had done my homework about my options, I immediately began to work with the United Church of Christ to t ra nsfer my ordination. The UMC charges had come on February 4, 1999; I transferred my ordi nation orders on March 4 th 1999. That process required that I return my certificate of ord ination to Bishop Blake, which I did. He actua lly sent it back to me with my dismissal scrawled across it in black marker. Laura: And how did all of t his effect the congregation? Leslie: We lost a hu ge number of people. In mid 1998 we were averaging 90-100 in worship. By March of 1999 attendance had dwindled to about 35. One more time the church had said "you're welcome here" but then stabbed them in the back. It broke my heart. I had been in the Methodist chu rch for 15 years as ordained clergy. I had a lot of relationships th ere ... t here was a lot to let go of... . a lot to grieve. La ura: How did you make the overture to the Un ited Church of Christ and how did the change affect the church? Leslie: It was really interesting. The story I told you about going to Central America and the trip leader who was gay - well, as things were heating up in 1998, he wrote to me and said he had joined the United Church of Christ. "That is where you belong," he said. So I went to talk to Russ Bennett, who was pastor of the on ly UCC church in Tulsa. Russ's imm ediate res ponse was 'Of course you belong here!" That week he drove me to Kingfisher to talk with the UCC Committee on Ministry; and he nurtured me through the process of transferring. Laura: You've experienced a lot more first hand homophobia than a lot of gay people I know! So what sort of outreach and progra mmin g was the church doing? 15 �Leslie: Well, COH held its first worship service in June of 1993. In July, we started feeding the homeless once a month. We'd prepare the food together and then take - ---,,,,= it to the Day Center and serve it. We also started volunteering with the GED program in the jails in July. In August, we took 10 of our "companions" (we don't really use 'member' language) on a mission trip to Nicaragua to build a house in a critically poor community. Those are all things we continue to do, plus we sponsor an apartment for DVIS, had a RAIN team for years, we host 3 different AA/NA meetings in our building; and we volunteer with several other social service and non-profit agencies in Tulsa. But it was our ministry with and to those living and dying with HIV/AIDS that both shaped and defined us. From the beginning we've always been at least 25% HIV infected . The core symbol of Community of Hope was a "brokenmade-whole chalice". It was gifted to us during our formation by Ted Campbell who was an HIV therapist. He had found it in a small pottery shop when he visited what used to be East Germany not too long after the wall came down. It's a chalice that incorporates cracked and broken pieces, and yet, still holds the sacramental wine we use in Holy Communion. It is a vessel that has been wounded, but it's woundedness isn't hidden or a thing of shame; but rather a beautiful and blessed part of the whole. Just like each of us - including, and perhaps ESPECIALLY, those who are living with their dying . That chalice ... and the broken-made-wholeness it represents is integral to who we are. That's why it's so important that we - the community - engage in as many ways of serving others as we can. When we become the vessel of healing and hope to others, we find it brings healing and hope to us. And, we also found that people living with HIV often felt like 'victims' or objects of care. Serving others in mission projects switched those roles - the wounded became the healer and that was incredibly empowering. 16 �Laura: You've mentioned Jeff Beal, When was the first time you really encountered the AIDS epidemic? Was it before your ministry? Leslie: I'm sure I'd heard about it but it wasn't a part of my daily life: and I don't think I knew anything about it or the bigotry around it. Not until that nurse called and I met the young man who was dying alone. Laura: What were some of the things you remember about how the community was reacting? Leslie: There was incredible fear - both IN the gay community and OF the gay community. No one knew how you got it and people were afraid to touch anything that someone with HIV had touched. Families didn't know how to react. It was such a big part of my ministry to go into a hospital room or some other setting, and hold hands, hug, give foot rubs - just TOUCH the person who was being treated as an 'untouchable.' When Community of Hope started, we actually developed a whole series of Rituals of Touch that were about affirming the lives and bodies of people who were living with AIDS. And I often found myself modeling for families who loved their son/brother etc. but were afraid and had no idea how to respond. I would hug the person or give them a back rub and talk with the famjly about the myths surrounding the transmission of HIV. It was also incredibly hard to find nursing homes that would take people with AIDS. Home health care was almost impossible for PWA;s (person's with AIDS). Even funeral homes refused to serve people who had died of AIDS. For a long time, Butler Stumpff was the only home in town that would receive their bodies and serve their families... Lots of the funerals were done at Community of Hope because there was no where else to go. In those early years, I often did 2-3 funerals a week. Laura: So you change denominations and go through this searing experience. Did you get national attention and how would you describe that experience? Leslie: Oh a flash in the pan. Jimmy Creach was another Methodist brought up on charges about the same tim~, 17 �and it was in a couple national papers and theological journals. It felt so insignificant compared to what was happening here in my backyard, that I didn't really pay attention to it. Laura: Talk a little more about the local fires. Leslie: The press was willing to reprint whatever people said and that got pretty nasty. I remember one of the news channels came to do a report here at the church, and we were clearing "Methodist" stuff out of the church. Just kind of joking, I said "What in the world are we going to do with 80 United Methodist hymnals." And, of course, that's the quote they chose to put on the air! I got lots of ugly messages: "how can you call yourself a minister and say that you know the bible?" People put hours of work into trying to convince me that I was wrong. But we also got an equal amount of mail that was supportive. I got one card that said, "I will hold my head a little higher because of you. Thank You." That felt pretty amazing. Laura: Tell me about how the church has changed since all of this happened. Any particularly notable events or members over the years? Leslie: Well one relationship I want to note is Phillips Seminary. COH has several professors and students that are a part of our congregation and Phillips has been such a supportive and wonderful institution for us. Dr. Brandon Scott has written a book called "Re-imagine our World" and the last chapter is about Community of Hope, and in particular his relationship with one young gay man who died of AIDS. I'm really grateful that a straight white male in a powerful position is willing and able to look and say "I was really changed by this young man who people said didn't count and didn't matter." It's been so good and life-giving to spend the last five years pouring my energy into creative, healing ministry and not fighting. Those first 7 or 8 years were spent fighting the institution, or at least defending ourselves from it. And now we are truly dancing with our denominational partner in a mutually supportive way. It is 18 �so nice to be able to use our energy for creative things and not fighting institutions. Laura: How has all of this affected your husband and children? Leslie: It affected my children profoundly. They don't go to church and have never been able to find a faith community they trust. They just have no tolerance for hypocracy and are having a hard time figuring out what religious life means to them. My husband was probably more wounded by the stuff with the United Methodist Church than I was, because he felt so powerless. He couldn't do anything about it. All he could do was stand by my side and watch them hurt me ... and he has enough white male in him (exMarine) that he wants to be the knight in shining armor. I've been able to let go of my anger at them, but he just can't. To this day, every time he hears the whole UMC spiel about Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors, he just boils. I'm not angry anymore, and I'm able to name the gifts I received from my time with the Methodists. I had some wonderful years as a Methodist and COH never would have happened without them. But it's been hard for Steve. Laura: There's been a vocal and organized LGBT community for quite awhile in Tulsa, but that hasn't translated to big political names despite the city's size. Why do you suspect that is the case? Leslie: First of all I've seen lots of incredible changes. In 1993 when Community of Hope opened there was nothing for the gay community besides bars. Even like the pride store was inside a bar! The group at TOHR didn't have a home: there were just bars. I'm really grateful that it has become so much more mainstream in Tulsa. As for why, I think it's the same reason Tulsa hasn't progressed more with issues of racism and poverty. I think middle and upper class privilege affects us in ways that keep us from really dealing with issues of marginalization in the longterm way that we need to. We engage in the struggle for a little while, but if change doesn't happen quickly, we have other things to do-we have busy lives and enough privilege that we can move on. 19 �Laura: How has the gay community and the community at large supported you over the years? Can you give me some examples of that? Leslie: Well Nancy McDonald has always been very supportive, financially and in all other ways. People like Marcus Rice, who works at Williams, and Dennis Neill are there to be supportive and let you know that they are behind you. Laura: Is there anything else you'd like to add? If not, I appreciate your time. Leslie: Well I appreciate yours. And I appreciate the gift of the journey. Transcribed by Matthew Warren E~ited by Leslie Penrose, Dec 2026 20 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2006] Leslie Penrose Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 31, 2006 Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Laura Belmonte on March 31, 2006. Born in Amarillo, Texas in 1951, Leslie graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in Religion and then a Masters of Divinity at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa. She discusses her marriage, children and work in the LGBTQ+ community as a faith leader and early outreach to those impacted by HIV/AIDS. With the Methodist Bishop’s support, in 1993 she founded the Community of Hope when church leaders at her mainstream church became uncomfortable with her AIDS outreach. Facing continued pressure from the denomination, in 1999 she transferred her ordination to United Church of Christ to continue her ministry to the LGBTQ+ community and support for those living with HIV/AIDS. Subject The topic of the resource Leslie Penrose Oral History Project Interview from March 31, 2006 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Leslie Penrose, Laura Belmonte, Matthew Warren, Dennis Neill 2006 AIDS AIDS/HIV Community of Hope HIV HIV/AIDs interview Laura A. Belmonte Laura Belmonte Leslie Penrose OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Phillips Theological Seminary transcript TU United Church of Christ University of Tulsa video https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/af4cc51745944714e799fdf80fa9868f.pdf 34effae04407e588dcba3bfb9df30eda PDF Text Text The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow Talk About Tulsa => Other Tulsa Discussion => Topic started by: Ronnie Lowe on August 29, 2011, 11:04:26 pm Title: Tulsa Gay Alliance-1973 Post by: Ronnie Lowe on August 29, 2011, 11:04:26 pm Tulsa Gay Alliance 1973 It was 1973 and developments of great consequence were everywhere to be found. The Vietnam War was ending, the Watergate Scandal broke, the American Indian Movement seized a trading post and a church at historic Wounded Knee in South Dakota and minorities throughout the United States were encouraged by the progress of American Blacks. Here in Tulsa, a small but determined group of gay people organized to secure our right to be equal to our heterosexual counterparts. But in 1973 the tide had not yet turned for gay people. The medical profession had still to declare us fit. Hoover’s FBI routinely kept files on all “known” homosexuals. It was Boys in the Band times and while the coasts were closeted the atmosphere in Tulsa was doubly onerous. For most gay people there was the palpable fear of being beaten, fired from our jobs and driven out of our neighborhoods. Sometimes petty enemies, jealous neighbors or toxic co-workers who learned of our circumstance would blackmail us. Even discussion of homosexuality was considered inappropriate. The Tulsa Police Department would regularly bust gay bars simply because they catered to gay people. The TPD would back a paddy wagon up to the front of a bar, take the patrons down to the station, book and release them and the next day the Tulsa World and the Tulsa Tribune would print their names and more often than not they would be fired from their jobs. If we were dancing to Motown downtown at the Taj Mahal Bar and the lights flickered the men on the dance floor would separate because that was a signal that the police had arrived. It was illegal for men to dance together. It was illegal for men to dress in women’s clothing. It was illegal for two people of the same sex that loved each other, that wanted to have consensual sexual relations, to do so. Meanwhile homosexuality was as common then as it is today. Roughly ten percent of every demographic in Tulsa was homosexual -- living in denial or living in secret. It was in this oppressive Soviet-like atmosphere that I became a founding member of Tulsa Gay Alliance. I was 19 years old. Formation of Tulsa Gay Alliance That summer, I had read about and written to a new gay group at Oklahoma University in Norman and a man there named Denis put me in touch with a religious man, as I recall a seminarian, here in Tulsa who was forming a gay liberation group. So there we were in the late summer of 1973: A group of gay men and my feminist friend Jan, spread around the living room of this seminarian’s apartment at London Square, inventing our first gay political group. To my surprise my eighth grade English teacher, Gary Durst, was there with his friend. The energy was incredible as we addressed issues like -- what to call ourselves. Were we homosexuals, gays or the more radical moniker -- queers? We would avoid a rigid hierarchy and take turns leading meetings, we could reserve a room at the Tulsa Library, we would post notice and let everyone know that gay people would be gathering openly. We would tell the world who we were. Tulsa Gay Alliance was taking shape as we brainstormed. We accepted ourselves and that was the seminal spark. Tulsa Central Library Meetings There weren’t a large number of us at those first public meetings. As I recall there were only a handful, maybe seven or eight folks. I recall a Germanic dark-haired lesbian named Tay, the seminarian, a former Tulsa policeman, an older man who managed a gay bar and his friend, me and my straight friend Susan with her baby Jasmine in tow. There were just two or three more young men involved. I suppose we were trying to present ourselves as a public service when we scheduled our first guest speaker: A man from the Tulsa Health Department who lectured us on Sexually Transmitted Disease. I recall a drag show fundraiser at a gay bar named The Eighth Day at the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis. Barbara Streisand, Diana Ross and Judy Garland showed up. And I remember going to Southroads Mall with my friend Jan to canvas political candidates appearing there and asking them about their stance on gay rights. Tulsa Junior College �Tulsa Junior College Meanwhile, I was planning to attend Oklahoma University and wanted to complete some credits here at the new downtown Tulsa Junior College. Registration day arrived and I remember being pulled out of line by a security guard at TJC who told me I would be allowed to attend only if I promised not to organize a gay group at Tulsa Junior College. Apparently news of the free speech movement had not yet reached Tulsa. And just as now, many folks in power in Tulsa were gay and their hypocrisy was staggering. Generation Rap I’m not sure how many meetings occurred or how large Tulsa Gay Alliance became or what finally happened. I transferred to Oklahoma University early in that group’s life. At OU I joined the gay group and participated in consciousness raising presentations for heterosexual students. Not long after I arrived in Norman, Tulsa Gay Alliance arranged a show on a Tulsa TV show named Generation Rap. I volunteered for the show and traveled back to Tulsa with another gay man named Richard. A lesbian from the OU group also joined us. The show went very well. The psychologist twins who hosted Generation Rap asked me when I became gay and I immediately responded that I had been gay from the beginning. I never experienced a so-called conversion and that seemed to confuse the twins who asked me to repeat myself. Now I would respond that nature made me. I am a part of nature’s grand plan. Tulsa buffs will want to note that following the show the lone cameraman, Mazeppa Pompazoidi, stepped out from behind the camera and told me, “Man, that was good.” My dear mother had her sympathetic friends the Van Dusen’s over to our house to watch Generation Rap with her. I know that my public coming out was not easy for her. But as always my mother held her head high and supported me. Finally Today, gay politics is not central to my life. Our progress has allowed me to take that stance. But as hokey and flawed as our little gay group was, it was an important step for Tulsa. It was a genuine highpoint in the history of Gay People in Tulsa. We were the group that was not afraid to say our name. Way back in 1973 we did not hesitate to say we are Gay and we are proud. I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone who has memory of Tulsa Gay Alliance. Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Collection] Oklahoma LGBT+ History Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document The Tulsa Forum by TulsaNow Talk About Tulsa => Other Tulsa Discussion => Topic started by: Ronnie Lowe on August 29, 2011, 11:04:26 pm Title: Tulsa Gay Alliance-1973 Post by: Ronnie Lowe on August 29, 2011, 11:04:26 pm Tulsa Gay Alliance 1973 It was 1973 and developments of great consequence were everywhere to be found. The Vietnam War was ending, the Watergate Scandal broke, the American Indian Movement seized a trading post and a church at historic Wounded Knee in South Dakota and minorities throughout the United States were encouraged by the progress of American Blacks. Here in Tulsa, a small but determined group of gay people organized to secure our right to be equal to our heterosexual counterparts. But in 1973 the tide had not yet turned for gay people. The medical profession had still to declare us fit. Hoover’s FBI routinely kept files on all “known” homosexuals. It was Boys in the Band times and while the coasts were closeted the atmosphere in Tulsa was doubly onerous. For most gay people there was the palpable fear of being beaten, fired from our jobs and driven out of our neighborhoods. Sometimes petty enemies, jealous neighbors or toxic co-workers who learned of our circumstance would blackmail us. Even discussion of homosexuality was considered inappropriate. The Tulsa Police Department would regularly bust gay bars simply because they catered to gay people. The TPD would back a paddy wagon up to the front of a bar, take the patrons down to the station, book and release them and the next day the Tulsa World and the Tulsa Tribune would print their names and more often than not they would be fired from their jobs. If we were dancing to Motown downtown at the Taj Mahal Bar and the lights flickered the men on the dance floor would separate because that was a signal that the police had arrived. It was illegal for men to dance together. It was illegal for men to dress in women’s clothing. It was illegal for two people of the same sex that loved each other, that wanted to have consensual sexual relations, to do so. Meanwhile homosexuality was as common then as it is today. Roughly ten percent of every demographic in Tulsa was homosexual -- living in denial or living in secret. It was in this oppressive Soviet-like atmosphere that I became a founding member of Tulsa Gay Alliance. I was 19 years old. Formation of Tulsa Gay Alliance That summer, I had read about and written to a new gay group at Oklahoma University in Norman and a man there named Denis put me in touch with a religious man, as I recall a seminarian, here in Tulsa who was forming a gay liberation group. So there we were in the late summer of 1973: A group of gay men and my feminist friend Jan, spread around the living room of this seminarian’s apartment at London Square, inventing our first gay political group. To my surprise my eighth grade English teacher, Gary Durst, was there with his friend. The energy was incredible as we addressed issues like -- what to call ourselves. Were we homosexuals, gays or the more radical moniker -- queers? We would avoid a rigid hierarchy and take turns leading meetings, we could reserve a room at the Tulsa Library, we would post notice and let everyone know that gay people would be gathering openly. We would tell the world who we were. Tulsa Gay Alliance was taking shape as we brainstormed. We accepted ourselves and that was the seminal spark. Tulsa Central Library Meetings There weren’t a large number of us at those first public meetings. As I recall there were only a handful, maybe seven or eight folks. I recall a Germanic dark-haired lesbian named Tay, the seminarian, a former Tulsa policeman, an older man who managed a gay bar and his friend, me and my straight friend Susan with her baby Jasmine in tow. There were just two or three more young men involved. I suppose we were trying to present ourselves as a public service when we scheduled our first guest speaker: A man from the Tulsa Health Department who lectured us on Sexually Transmitted Disease. I recall a drag show fundraiser at a gay bar named The Eighth Day at the intersection of 11th Street and Lewis. Barbara Streisand, Diana Ross and Judy Garland showed up. And I remember going to Southroads Mall with my friend Jan to canvas political candidates appearing there and asking them about their stance on gay rights. Tulsa Junior College Tulsa Junior College Meanwhile, I was planning to attend Oklahoma University and wanted to complete some credits here at the new downtown Tulsa Junior College. Registration day arrived and I remember being pulled out of line by a security guard at TJC who told me I would be allowed to attend only if I promised not to organize a gay group at Tulsa Junior College. Apparently news of the free speech movement had not yet reached Tulsa. And just as now, many folks in power in Tulsa were gay and their hypocrisy was staggering. Generation Rap I’m not sure how many meetings occurred or how large Tulsa Gay Alliance became or what finally happened. I transferred to Oklahoma University early in that group’s life. At OU I joined the gay group and participated in consciousness raising presentations for heterosexual students. Not long after I arrived in Norman, Tulsa Gay Alliance arranged a show on a Tulsa TV show named Generation Rap. I volunteered for the show and traveled back to Tulsa with another gay man named Richard. A lesbian from the OU group also joined us. The show went very well. The psychologist twins who hosted Generation Rap asked me when I became gay and I immediately responded that I had been gay from the beginning. I never experienced a so-called conversion and that seemed to confuse the twins who asked me to repeat myself. Now I would respond that nature made me. I am a part of nature’s grand plan. Tulsa buffs will want to note that following the show the lone cameraman, Mazeppa Pompazoidi, stepped out from behind the camera and told me, “Man, that was good.” My dear mother had her sympathetic friends the Van Dusen’s over to our house to watch Generation Rap with her. I know that my public coming out was not easy for her. But as always my mother held her head high and supported me. Finally Today, gay politics is not central to my life. Our progress has allowed me to take that stance. But as hokey and flawed as our little gay group was, it was an important step for Tulsa. It was a genuine highpoint in the history of Gay People in Tulsa. We were the group that was not afraid to say our name. Way back in 1973 we did not hesitate to say we are Gay and we are proud. I would very much appreciate hearing from anyone who has memory of Tulsa Gay Alliance. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2011] Tulsa Gay Alliance Formation in 1973 Description An account of the resource A posting on the TulsaNow's Tulsa Forum's site. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Lowe, Ronnie Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived TulsaNow - The Tulsa Forum Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Lowe, Ronnie Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 08/29/2011 Posting Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Lowe, Ronnie Ronnie Lowe The Tulsa Forum Tulsa Gay Alliance TulsaNow https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2193e3569351ea3010b2f1db940345a8.pdf 61990c5d66826db5bcea65c3e248a9e2 PDF Text Text Oklahomans for Equality History Project The Oklahomans for Equality History Project remembers former U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who died on Wednesday, May 20, after a political career that included fights for gay rights and tribal citizenship for the descendants of former tribal slaves. Frank was the first member of the U.S. House of Representatives to publicly acknowledge that he was gay. “His public declaration of his sexual orientation in 1987 — spurred by a fear of being outed, by the death of a closeted colleague and by his own determination to show that homosexuality was nothing to be ashamed of — helped normalize being openly gay in public life,” The New York Times wrote in his obituary. His advocacy for gay rights and freedmen descendants brought Frank to Tulsa at different times. He arrived at Tulsa International Airport on the morning of Saturday, June 12, 1999, just in time to kick off an event-filled Pride weekend. He was the grand marshal of Tulsa’s first ever Pride parade, which closed the streets from Brookside to Veterans Park (now Dream Keepers Park) at 21st Street and Boulder Avenue that morning. And that evening he was the keynote speaker at “An Evening with Barney Frank,” a gala hosted by Tulsa Oklahomans for Equality and the Cimarron Alliance at the Greenwood Cultural Center. He flew out early Sunday morning – after a very early prayer breakfast – to attend to unexpected House business and was quite apologetic for his early departure, former TOHR President Greg Gatewood remembers. Frank told the Tulsa World for a June 13, 1999, story that “U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe – the Oklahoma Republican who recently tried to block �the nomination of a gay ambassador to Luxembourg – helped inspire him to join Tulsa's parade. "‘In a major urban area where there has been a well-organized gay and lesbian movement for years, they don't need my help so much,’" Frank said. "But here, where the political climate isn't so good – where the U.S. senator has basically said that gay and lesbian people don't have the right to be American citizens – I want to help out all that I can." Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, which later became Oklahomans for Equality, had sponsored an annual Pride picnic for 18 years, and marches on sidewalks were included in 1997 and ’98, but the 1999 event was the first parade that involved street closings and police escorts. Frank returned to Tulsa in 2017 to lend his support and speak at an event at John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park in celebration of an Aug. 30 ruling by a federal judge that the descendants of former slaves of the Cherokee Nation are entitled to Cherokee citizenship. Frank had worked in Congress to force the Cherokee Nation to acknowledge freedmen descendants as tribal citizens, having asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Housing and Urban Development in September 2011 to cut off housing funding to the Cherokee Nation if it did not restore tribal citizenship to Black Cherokees. Frank told the Bay State Banner, a Boston newspaper, that month that he became involved with the issue because “from my earliest days in politics, I’ve considered race one of the single most important problems. I think fighting racism is important.” �The Oklahomans for Equality History Project encourages you to learn more about OkEq’s history by visiting our online archives at history.okeq.org. � https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2eee107f234bb2bbb6ce8b020512c514.png 0a5d39392b559d5868396cb18589c819 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > In Memoriam Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] Barney Frank Remembrance Subject The topic of the resource Barney Frank Remembrance Article Description An account of the resource Two pages of an article written by Mary Bishop-Baldwin about Barney Frank, who passed away on May 20th, 2026. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Bishop-Baldwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 20, 2026 1999 Pride 2026 Barney Frank biography House of Representatives in memoriam Pride 1999 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/39bbca53890a1550ec9f467e7be274c8.jpg da860761e202deae76dd3a2043fea08b https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/917a3a3976fe27fd719af98ef1ce5633.PNG a39328f9a4aa4a5f405d73a4b061ae79 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2ff2897d9270f84878e1ba6836c894e6.PNG 8c8451e74bf7b44839d39627752a405f https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/c3e39eca11e7f0eecf1e0bf0be2e12e6.PNG f4b62d79e44ba322c5878cadc7344130 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/36fe306466b859ac1185fe4e952782b7.PNG d810deb587efd3d5bd882dbad39cff57 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/e6ea42a24bc4a8ca3c360d77f0798737.PNG 4b3e6d85701a3e2396745ca255b55271 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/bec7aa530c8707a91c790a2baea8fe29.PNG e386159a451e20660398e024411326bf https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/352abe276a3e7af110e3d3d6101edfb6.png 0f047f22d69bb944dd84e9e5115f47d5 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/17928ba6dc659c03451ac55b4850599e.docx ebf2abe0007d5daf2d797ba9f0e6fe73 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2025] Pulse Memorial Images Subject The topic of the resource Pulse Memorial Images from Orlando, Florida, and Tulsa, Oklahoma Description An account of the resource 8 images related to memorials for the Pulse nightclub shooting that occurred on June 12, 2016. The first is from the official memorial site in Orlando, Florida taken during the summer of 2025 by Mary Bishop-Baldwin, and 6 of them are from various locations in Tulsa, including the Equality Center, that displayed rainbow lights in solidarity on the day of the attack. The last image features the names of the 49 victims. This entry also includes an article written by Mary Bishop-Baldwin for the 10th anniversary. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 12, 2016; 2025 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Bishop-Baldwin https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/4adebf0d44994d369d09f3575feec61d.jpg ad72637811113670aa330f4ea33f8595 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/7c2883bf7ed6d734cf5f7159d6a5724f.jpg 0667fe995ad8830d0ee5454a0496092b https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/27c6287171392a77018730fd0c5c30fc.pdf 7e2c30bad114e57670a3f5c51112bb2d PDF Text Text The Oklahomans for Equality History Project remembers with pride the U.S. Supreme Court opinions handed down on June 26 in various years that made monumental strides in the quest for equality for LGBTQ people. We think June 26 should be National Equality Day! ●​ On June 26, 2003, the Supreme Court struck down state sodomy laws across the nation in Lawrence v. Texas. ●​ On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court killed the Defense of Marriage Act in U.S. v. Windsor AND overturned Prop 8 in California. ●​ On June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land in Obergefell v. Hodges. ●​ On June 26, 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that all states must provide married same-sex couples the same "constellation of benefits" and recognition afforded to heterosexual couples. The OkEq History Project’s archives remind us of how Tulsa acknowledged all those cases and rulings. June 26, 2003 The Spring 2003 edition of the TOHR Torch, the publication of Oklahomans for Equality’s forerunner, Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights, noted that Oklahoma was one of only four states that still specifically criminalized same-sex sodomy at that time. The others were Texas, Kansas and Missouri. The Arkansas Supreme Court had overturned that state’s same-sex sodomy law the previous year. The U.S. Supreme Court was expected to issue a ruling in Lawrence v. Texas in June, and an article in the Spring 2003 Torch announced that Lee Taft, Lambda Legal regional director in Dallas, was to discuss the case at Fellowship Congregational United Church of Christ in Tulsa on April 14. Lambda Legal had represented the two defendants in a criminal sodomy case and led the case through appeals. “Battling for years in the Texas courts, we sought to overturn the criminal convictions (which made the two men registerable ‘sex offenders’ in several states) and to have Texas’s law declared unconstitutional,” Lambda says on its website. “When the highest court in Texas eventually refused to even hear our arguments, we convinced the U.S. Supreme Court to take the case. In a stunning victory, the highest court in the land found the “Homosexual Conduct” law unconstitutional and established, for the first time, that lesbians and gay men share the same fundamental liberty right to private sexual intimacy with another adult that heterosexuals have.” The ruling overturned the June 30, 1986, precedent of Bowers v. Hardwick, in which the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled that states had the right to criminalize sodomy on the grounds of public morality. �The TOHR Torch noted that “sodomy laws (were) used to justify discrimination against lesbians and gay men … in every day life; they’re invoked in denying employment to gay people, in refusing custody or visitation for gay parents, and even in intimidating gay people out of exercising their free speech rights.” The Lawrence ruling set the stage for later advances in the struggle for equal rights under the law, with each case building on those that had come before. The Summer 2003 TOHR Torch included an article from the History Project outlining the history of sodomy laws, with a focus on Oklahoma, where in 1890 the pre-statehood territory’s Legislature had codified its sodomy law with a penalty of up to 10 years in prison. The relevant statute, Title 21, Section 21-886, refers to the crime as “the detestable and abominable crime against nature.” State courts made consensual heterosexual sodomy legal in 1986 but retained the right to prosecute consensual homosexual conduct. That Summer 2003 article noted that “Oklahoma’s law has become legal justification for firing gay and lesbian teachers, administrators and school personnel, nursing home workers and others. These Oklahomans and other gays and lesbians are therefore required to choose between their livelihoods and their ability to be open about who they are. As a result, gays and lesbians in Oklahoma are deterred from seeking political and social change.” With repercussions like those, it’s no wonder so many gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Oklahomans continued to live in the closet. The Lawrence ruling made it possible for many to come out of the shadows and was a major building block for the legal victories that came later. June 26, 2013 Ten years later, two huge advances in the quest for marriage equality came out of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2013. The July 3, 2013, OkEq eNews reported that on the evening of Wednesday, June 26, 2013, more than 400 celebrants gathered at a Decision Day Rally at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center to celebrate that morning’s Supreme Court rulings on both the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, making same-sex marriage legal in California again. The group heard from attorney and OkEq board member Mike Redman and the plaintiffs in the Oklahoma marriage equality lawsuit, Mary Bishop & Sharon Baldwin and Sue Barton & Gay Phillips. “There was a champagne toast and a fabulous wedding cake from Merritt's Bakery,” the article says. The eNews article shares photos from the Decision Day Rally. �Oklahomans for Equality Board of Directors President Angela Sivadon, center, and her now-wife, Mary Robinson, serve wedding cake to the crowd at the Decision Day rally in 2013. The overturning of DOMA meant that the United States government would recognize any marriage – including same-sex marriages – recognized by any state. It did not, however, force states to recognize same-sex marriages. That fight was left for other cases, but, like Lawrence v. Texas, United States v. Windsor was a fundamental building block for those that followed. In California, the nation’s largest state, marriages of same-sex couples had been legal since June 17, 2008, after a May 15 ruling by that state’s Supreme Court. But a group of people, known as the proponents of Prop 8, gathered enough signatures to put Proposition 8, a proposed state constitutional amendment, on the ballot. Prop 8 was to define marriage as between only a man and a woman and to stop the same-sex marriages. When they went to the polls on Nov. 4, 2008, more than 13 million Californians voted 52% to 48% in favor of the state question. No more same-sex marriages were allowed – at least for the time being – but about 18,000 had already been solemnized. The resulting amendment was challenged in court in Hollingsworth v. �Perry, and on June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the proponents, who defended the constitutional amendment after the state of California refused to do so, did not have standing – or the legal right – to defend the case. Therefore, the Aug. 4, 2010, ruling of U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker that Prop 8 violated the U.S. Constitution was upheld. Same-sex marriages began again in California on June 28, 2013. June 26, 2015 Marriage equality was achieved for all the land on June 26, 2015, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that marriage is a fundamental right that is guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution to everyone, including same-sex couples. Oklahoma had achieved marriage equality through the courts a year earlier, but all the states that still did not have marriage equality were required at that time to authorize and recognize marriages of same-sex couples. Oklahomans for Equality proclaimed in its June 30, 2015, eNews that “at long last, there is no such thing as ‘gay marriage’ – now it's just MARRIAGE!” The eNews article shares photos from the Marriage Equality Celebration Rally that OkEq held at the Equality Center that evening. Attendees at the Marriage Equality Celebration Rally on June 26, 2015 – the day the U.S. Supreme Court made marriage equality the law of the land in the Obergefell case – give attorneys Don Holladay and Joe Thai, front left, a standing ovation. Holladay and Thai, along with attorneys James Warner III and Jeffrey Fisher, represented the plaintiffs in the Oklahoma marriage equality lawsuit, which they had won the year before. June 26, 2017 �The U.S. Supreme Court followed up exactly two years later with a ruling that clarified for states that didn’t yet get it what it had meant by marriage equality in 2015. Its ruling in Pavan v. Smith would establish that all states must provide married same-sex couples with the same benefits and recognition they afford to heterosexual couples. The plaintiffs were two legally married Arkansas same-sex couples, the Jacobses and the Pavans, who had conceived children through anonymous sperm donation. The state refused to list the wives of the birth mothers as co-parents on the children’s birth certificates, citing a state law. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the law was “inconsistent” with its Obergefell ruling. “When an opposite-sex couple conceives a child by way of anonymous sperm donation – just as the petitioners did here – state law requires the placement of the birth mother’s husband on the child’s birth certificate. … And that is so even though (as the State concedes) the husband “is definitively not the biological father” in those circumstances. … Arkansas may not, consistent with Obergefell, deny married same-sex couples that recognition,” the Supreme Court wrote in its decision. The Oklahomans for Equality History Project encourages you to learn more about OkEq’s history and the history of our rights by visiting our online archives at history.okeq.org. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] June 26 Supreme Court Rulings Subject The topic of the resource LGBTQ civil rights cases Description An account of the resource 2 photos and 1 article regarding the very consequential U.S. Supreme Court decisions handed down on June 26 in various years that furthered LGBTQ rights. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Bishop-Baldwin Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oklahomans for Equality History Project Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 26, 2026 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright (c) 2026 Oklahomans for Equality Angela Sivadon birth certificates co-parents Defense of Marriage Act DOMA don holladay Gay Phillips Joe Thai Lawrence v. Texas marriage equality mary bishop Mary Robinson Obergefell Pavan v. Smith Prop 8 sharon baldwin sodomy Sue Barton Windsor https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/f0fd9c3e465c454796f5af97da81bc9b.jpg 6bffe8058f921370e79a9c1e586050f6 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/6b2ffab42157492b2e5d4f9ef280df60.jpg ebdb024fc0a0d148084f44c553fed0b1 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/48dd0df2b9e9c3b568347f8452509afc.jpg df29616c229b8cb3e85bf66c579a3a90 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/914a0a5d5cb38506eefbb720a230fed1.jpg a9fcdcfe015ffac99079c771fa20ee6b https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/4170ace04ce0c6368b93cdb132bce6bc.jpg 3299b853d201053ee0c086c6dc2a562f https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/5a0004122c2107dccfba5a9e5dc80b07.pdf a5febfa4dab3754ced873f9140f82ad5 PDF Text Text Oklahomans for Equality History Project For many years in June, which is LGBTQ Pride month, Tulsa’s downtown streets and parks were awash in a rainbow of colors with a sea of the beautiful diversity of humanity assembled for Tulsa Pride. But it wasn’t always that way. Think about a time when Pride didn’t exist – a time when many of you weren’t yet born but when a large number of our LGBTQ community WERE here, trying to live in a world that didn’t acknowledge their humanity. LGBTQ people existed, but pride did not. Being gay or trans meant living in the closet for fear of losing one’s family, job, religious affiliation and home and being ostracized – and even jailed or institutionalized – for living openly. Beyond those outward realities, LGBTQ people often were self-loathing, longing to change their sexual orientation or gender identity so they could fit in with society and live in accordance with what society said their God demanded. But throughout history, some gay and trans people have stood up to challenge the status quo and say, “We’re OK just as we are.” Accepting ourselves was the beginning of Pride. �Oklahomans for Equality’s forerunner organization, Oklahomans for Human Rights, was organized in Tulsa as a chapter of an Oklahoma City-based organization in 1980, and a handful of Tulsa’s gay men and lesbians came together in 1982 to organize and produce Tulsa’s first Gay Pride Week. In its May 26, 1982, newsletter, available in the OkEq History Project archives, OHR called it “Tulsa’s first major commemoration of the beginning of gay liberation,” the Stonewall riots of 1969. Events included a picnic and festival at Chandler Park; softball games at Manion Park; beer busts at local bars Tulsa County Mining Co., Tracy’s New Edition, Tim’s Playroom and Zippers; a screening of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Brook Theater; Gay Day at Discoveryland; Gayskate at the Rinky Dink Skating Rink in Sand Springs; and a benefit drag show. The next year’s Pride Week Picnic, held at Mohawk Park, drew about 300 people, according to OHR’s July 1983 newsletter. Records in Oklahomans for Equality’s archives show that the 1983 Gay Pride Week Committee’s total income was $1,910.66, while expenses totaled $1,473.83, bringing the organization a $436.83 profit. �Those early Tulsa Pride events didn’t involve parades and were relatively low-key events in out-of-the-way locations. In contrast, it costs anywhere from $150,000 to $200,000 to put on today’s Pride events. OHR became TOHR in 1985, when local activists formed the nonprofit Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights and separated from the Oklahoma City organization. The annual picnics continued, and it seemed that perhaps greater visibility and even acceptance had come to Tulsa Pride in 1994 when then-Mayor Susan Savage proclaimed the week of June 19 through June 25 that year “as Gay & Lesbian Pride Week in our city.” Tulsa’s first Pride march came in 1997. Without closing the roads, marchers traveled one-half mile on Edison Street from Gilcrease Museum Road to Owen Park, where a picnic was held. Participants also listened to music, and community organizations and businesses offered information and merchandise at booths. The second Pride march, in 1998, saw about 150 people march from 15th and Main streets to Veterans �Park (now Dream Keepers Park) at 21st Street and Boulder Avenue. The 1999 event was the first parade that involved street closings and police escorts. Tulsa’s first Pride parade went from 38th Street and Peoria Avenue in the Brookside District to 31st Street, then west to Riverside Drive, and then north to Veterans Park. With the political and social environments of the times, it took Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights quite some doing to acquire a permit for the parade. The Tulsa City Council delayed a vote on the permit twice before finally approving it. In the meantime, one councilor, Sam Roop, had proposed and then dropped a resolution stating that the City Council did not endorse the June 12 parade. The Tulsa World reported that Roop had been concerned that approval of the parade permit “might be construed as an endorsement of the ‘gay pride agenda.’” In the end, he joined the other councilors in unanimously approving the permit – but not the “lifestyle.” Tulsa World archives record that Councilor Darla Hall said that "the gay community is not before this council tonight so that we can stand in judgment of �their lifestyle. They will appear before God for that, just as we all will answer to God for our lifestyles. I only pray they are as prepared for that day as they are for the parade.” But with the parades came increased visibility. The keynote speaker at a gala hosted by Tulsa Oklahomans for Equality and the Cimarron Alliance, as well as the grand marshal of the first Pride parade, was U.S. Rep. Barney Frank of Massachusetts, who brought with him increased media coverage of Tulsa Pride. Big names were also included in the next year’s Pride, which showcased as gala speakers and co-grand marshals Olympic diver Greg Louganis and Col. Grethe Cammermeyer, who had successfully challenged her dismissal from the Army for being a lesbian and who later worked for the repeal of the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. That same year, 2000, the Rev. Dr. Mel White, founder of Soul Force and author of “Stranger at the Gate,” spoke at the Tulsa Pride Week Interfaith Service. Activities related to Pride were growing in number, too, with film festivals, book discussions, high school gay-straight alliance showcases, Council Oak Men’s Chorale performances, PFLAG parents panel �discussions, art shows and a NAMES Project AIDS memorial quilt display included along with a parade and festival during Pride Weeks by the early years of the 21st century. By 2001, the parade route had shifted to Cherry Street, with step-off at 15th Street and Utica Avenue and the conclusion again at Veterans Park. Archives show that the annual parade continued along that route until 2009, when it ran through the Arts District and ended at the Diversity Festival’s new location at Centennial Park (now Veterans Park), at Sixth Street and Peoria Avenue. During those years, paradegoers mixed with athletes and the crowd watching Tulsa Tough bicycle races in the Arts District. TOHR changed its name to Oklahomans for Equality in 2006 in advance of the opening of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center – OkEq’s permanent home – in February 2007, and in 2011, the festival was moved to Fourth Street – Pride Street – and Kenosha Avenue in front of the Equality Center. In 2014, the parade route shifted to start at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, 13th Street and Boston Avenue, still ending at the Equality Center. The �annual Rainbow Run’s inaugural year, with a 5K race and a 1K fun run, was 2014. The timing of Tulsa’s Pride parade and festival changed in 2024 to October to avoid the extreme heat of Oklahoma’s summers and to coincide with LGBTQ History Month and National Coming Out Day, Oct. 11. The Equality Gala and other events still take place in June. Inclusion and acceptance have grown along with Pride, with some push and pull, advancements and backlash, along the way. This year’s events this fall are expected to draw nearly 70 parade entries, with a crowd size along the parade route estimated at 10,000 and attendees at the Pride festival projected at 26,000. The Oklahomans for Equality History Project encourages you to learn more about OkEq’s history by visiting our online archives at history.okeq.org. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] History of Tulsa Pride Subject The topic of the resource Tulsa Pride history Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mary Bishop-Baldwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 23, 2026 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Copyright (c) 2026 Oklahomans for Equality Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Text Description An account of the resource 5 pictures and 1 article regarding the history of Tulsa Pride celebrations. https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/a07d3eaa348eb6e4dd37b75bfde96f62.pdf 25dfc1a3af2c68004bca1aa7f2ea1200 PDF Text Text ���� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oklahoma LGBT+ History > In Memoriam Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br /><br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Dustin James Parker, 25, of McAlester, died on Wednesday, January 1, 2020, in McAlester. A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 6, at 10 a.m. at McAlester Expo Center. Dustin was born on February 25, 1994, in Ada, to Rusty and Danielle (LeFlore) Parker. After graduating high school he attended Eastern State College in Wilburton, where he earned an associate degree in criminal justice. It is also where he met his future wife, Regina Bargas. Dustin was an instrumental part and manager of the new Rover Taxi service in McAlester. He loved his work and loved being able to provide for his family. Dustin loved to read and enjoyed dancing and singing and was a wonderful father to their four children. He was also a founding member of Oklahomans for Equality, McAlester Chapter. Dustin is survived by his wife, Regina; four children, Alex Hilburn, Natalie Hilburn, Damon Parker and Jacelyn Parker, all of the home; his parents, Rusty and Danielle Parker, of Krebs; a brother, Jonah Parker, of Krebs; paternal grandparents, Michael and Jenny Lou Parker; his parents-in-law, Eugene and Rosetta Bargas, of McAlester, and a brother-in-law, Kevin Bargas, of McAlester. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Arthur Sr. and Linda LeFlore. Published on January 3, 2020 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2020] Dustin Parker, February 25, 1994-January 1, 2020 Subject The topic of the resource Obituaries of Important figures associated with Oklahomans for Equality Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource McAlester News Capital Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available McAlester News Capital Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 3, 2020 Description An account of the resource Dustin Parker was murdered in McAlester, Oklahoma on January 1, 2020. The first 2020 murder of a trans person in the United States. He was the Co-founder of Oklahomans for Equality - McAlester Chapter Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource Image Online text PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Obituary Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/396 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant McAlester---Oklahoma Ada---Oklahoma Oklahoma---McAlester Oklahoma---Ada United States of America (50 states) Dustin Parker McAlester Oklahomans for Equality - McAlester Chapter Regina Bargas Trans Murder https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/69d5cd0324e64b3b0b28ace70a0236d4.jpg e56f6261c3de91a3d53b6e2b3fb2955e https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/93cf0fb2a1c6f6bfbeb49db9e57de8be.pdf b8dbb9f6d09648599512e938330287af PDF Text Text METROSTARNEWS.COM "WE DELIVER DIVERSITY" Church Visits Oklahoma Again By Victor Gorin APRIL 1, 2009 Hi ary Clinton will[ fight for gay rights worl[dwide By Rex Wockner in Wockner , Clinton by Rex Meeting with young people at the European Parliament in Brussels on March 6, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised to fight for gay rights on the world stage. Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Sherwood with biker group protesting Fred Phelps demonstrators at Moore High School. Gorin photo MOORE, OK __ Spreading their ukual rants of far out homophobia, members of Fred Phelps Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas came to protest near the Oklahoma State Capitol as well as Moore High School March 2. Few in the GLBT or fair minded community are not familiar with this church, as they have been protesting with infamous "God Hates Fags" signs along with other similar sentiments nationwide and abroad for over a decade. They gained national attention in 1998 when they picketed Matthew ShepardS funeral in Laramie,Wyoming with infamous signs, some stating "Matthew is in Hell". Rarely’ missing an opportunity to present their viewpoint, they have picketed funerals of those who have died of AIDS, and staged protests against governments who have granted rights or tal~en any action they perceive as "fag enabling." More recently their skewed logic went even further when they picketed funerals of American soldiers, incredulously promoting the concept that God is punishing America with the deaths of soldiers because our nation is too tolerant of homosexuals. Understandably this has raised anger with countless patriotic Americans, especially those in the military; veterans and their families & friends. Although the Westboro group had been to Oklahoma before, they returned again to protest against the Oklahoma Legislature for permitting a gay pastor, the Reverend Scott Jones- Cathedral of Hope UCC, to lead a Prayer for the Day at the invitation of State Representative A1 McAffrey. This protest drew a small crowd with TV & press coverage coverage at N.W. 23rd and Sante Fe, before the Phelps clan moved on ........... Continued See BAPTlST Page-9 At a question-and-answer session, Clinton called on Maxim Anmeghichean, programs director for the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay~ Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, after commenting on his "I Love Hillaw" T-shirt. Anmeghichean said: "My name is Max. I am from Moldova, and I am a gay rights activist. In seven countries in the world homosexuals are sentenced to death and many more to prison. A lot of gay men arotmd the world die because of the HIV/ AIDS policies that the Bush administration had that did not allow to spend money on prevention for men who have sex with men. How do you see the foreign policy of the United States changing in the coming years in the field of human rights mad in partictdar sexual rights and gay and lesbian rights?" ........... Continued See HILLARY Page-8 �2 April 2009 �v~v~.metrostarnews.com ~°~t~oSTAR 3 �Busy year ahead £or Sooner State Rodeo By Michael W. Sasser New membership and renewed energy and interest in the Association are keys to a successful 2009. "XWe need the community’s involvement, bars’ involvement and participants’ involvement to bring a rodeo back to Tulsa," Dickrnan said. "It’s going to be an exciting year and we invite everyone in the commun!ty to join in." E~oto: fim Grubb, 7~m Dickmann, Don George, V¢7ll Hughes, & Scou" Gouard hosting a spaghel~i dinner to benefit St. Jerome’s Church. TULSA, OK __ With a new executive board elected in February, events already under its belt and a slate of others scheduled for the remainder of the year, the Sooner State Rodeo AssociaOon has a bustling 2009 ahead. "Our overall objective is to bring a rodeo back to Tulsa and to have one on a regular basis," said Tim Dickman, newly elected president. In addition to Dickman, Kevin George, Darin Steward, Kevin Murphy, Don George and Bob "West were elected vice president, tre~asurer, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and trustee respectively in February. "We want to remind people we’re still here, we’re still active and we are starting a new campaign to get people interested. Dickanau said. A spaghetti dinner at St. Jerome’s Church and a club night at Mavericks drew the community~ attention and attracted several new members. Key events ahead are also expected to garner notice and new members. The Associatioffs next general membership meeting is slated for Sunday, April 5th at St. Jerome’s Church in Brady Heights, and the general public is invited to attend. On April 24th at 9 pm at Mavericks, the Sooner State Royalty Roundup season kicks offwith a lead-in to the f~l 2009 competition. Past ’Royalty competitors will be on hand as well as those from other Associations. "We have the whole year m get contestants, but this event and others ~ve will have throughout the year help people raise the money they need to in order to compete and to get some experience beforehand," Dickman said. The Sooner State ¯ Rodeo Association is hosting its 3rd ka~nual Spring Blowout Barrel Race on Saturday, May 2nd at a site to be determined by the end of March. 4 For more information, call (918) 577-0030 or wvo~c.soonerstaterodeo.com KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY AT PH OENIX RISING MAY 2 OKEQ art gallery opens new exhibit featuring artist Krysta Hamilton By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Looking for some after May Day fun? On Saturday May 2 Phoenix Rising will host the 3rd annual Kentuc~- Derby ParD; where you can enjoy food with friends, wet your whistle at the cash bar and enjoy the thrill of the Kentucky Derby on the big screen. Originally organized by a group of friends who love equestrian sport, the first party had around 65 people, the next about 80, and they are hoping for a bigger crowd this year to experience the fun. As one of the organizers Max Paty puts it, "Last year it vcent from dead quiet when the race started, and then they just went crazy when the horses came down the home stretch, and it was really exciting!" It’s a free event with complimentary snacks and a cash bar, and everyone is invited, including out of towners who happen to be in OKC that day. It’s a great way to celebrate that event with your friends while meeting nev¢ ones. TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis Ik Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-gpm, Thursday, April 2, 2009, for the opening of the new exhibit showing the paintings of artist, g-,Tsta Hamilton. The exhibit will remain up through the month of April, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. 7his monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for EqualiO, (OkEq): OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Tmnsgender (LGBT) individuals andfamilies through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill EqualiO, Cente~ April 2009 �From ~2.95 Ask About La V®nda www.metrostarnews.com ~I®t~oSTAR 5 �anna Pa ge Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland 200 By Victor Gorin Pageant co-owner James Walke~ Adrienne Fische~ Alanna Paige, Anita Ryde~ and other co-owner Mark Christensen. Gorin photo O~IOMA CITY, OK__ On February 20 Manna Paige captured the title of Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland for 2009, with Anita Ryder ( currently also Miss Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association) winning first alternate. As a preliminary contest for the Miss Gay Oldahoma America Pageant, they will go on to compete for that title. It was a festive evening at Angles as the current reigning Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland Adrienne Fischer passed on that tide ( she is also the current reigning Miss Gay Oklahoma) to Miss Paige. A1 Mc rey O ahoma County Medalion Dinner. A NEW KING GETS CRO’WNED! Pictured above are pageant co-owner James VCalker, Adrienne Fischer, Manna Paige, Anita Ryder & other pageant co-owner Mark Christensen By Victor Gorin By Victor Gorin Judy Calhoun celebrates her birthday at the annual Oklahoma County Democratic Patty_ Medallion Dinn~ well wished by AI McAfl~ey and Ieshia who led herfriends in song. Gorin photo. OYA~S,HOMA CITY, OK__ State Representative A1 McAffrey was the Master of Ceremonies for the Oklahoma Count), Democratic Party February 20. This is an annual event for the Party that is not only for fellowship, but also strengthening plans and resolve for the future. Represented at this event were both the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats and the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. Count3; Conventions will be held April 4, Congressional House District Conventions May 2, with the State Convention May 16 in Oklahoma City. To become involved or register to vote, go to ww,v.okdemocrats. org, or call State Party Headquarters (405) 427-3366, and in Tulsa call Tulsa County Headquarters (918-742 2457). 6 @et~oSTAR 2nd alternate Amadeus Ka~nii York- Texas, IGng Richard Cranium oflndiana , and Ist alternate Owen McCord of Georgia. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Oklahoma City again hosted the National Mr.Gay US of A MI contest at Angles dates September 1115. Emceed by the vivacious Amaya Mann, the competition began with 31 qualified contestants, narrowed down to 14 finalists for the finale March 15. Passing on his tide was the reigning King from 2008 Xander Kinidy of Tennessee, whose mother was present at the event. Capturing the tides for 2009 are 2nd Alternate Amadeus Karmanii York of Texas, 1st Alternate Owen McCord of Georgia, and the new king, Richard Cranium of Indiana. April 2009 �Wockner News Service ANALYSIS: California Supremes hear Prop 8 challenge Tl~e California Supreme Court on March 5 held its hearing in the case challenging Proposition 8, the voter-passed constitutional amendment that re-banned same-sex marriage -- and the hearing was an apparent disaster t’or the gay side¯ The justices constantly interrupted the gay side’s lawyers with aggressive questions, but let pro-Prop-8 attorney Ken Starr speak mostly unimpeded. ~ae justices seemed fixated on the fact that California’s domestic-partnership law gives gay Couples the same rights as a marriage, and the), downplayed the fact that they had ruled that separate isn’t equal in their May 2008 decision that legalized same-sex marriage. The justices seemed enamored of the notion that the people can do almost whatever they want via the ballot-box amendment process -- including repealing freedom of speech, banning gay adoption and pretty much anything else. in concluding that the court is going to uphold Prop 8. ’Milk’ gays the Oscars That would leave the gay side with two options: Return to the California ballot with a proactive initiative to attempt to undo Prop 8. Or take it to,the U.S. Supreme Court, using the court s ruling in the Colorado Amendment 2 case as a precedent. In that case, the high court struck dovin a state constitutional amendment that prohibited Colorado governments from protecting gay people in anti-discrimination laws. The justices said government cannot irrationally single out~one group of people for disfavored treatment. The Academy Awards offered some gayerthan-usual moments Feb. 22 as the movie Milk snagged two Oscars. Both of these "next step" options are considered risky moves. The court must issue its ruling by early June. Dolly Parton: ’I am not gay The justices all but laughed out of the chamber state Attorney General Jerry Browffs nove! "inalienable rights" natural-law argument against Prop 8. just an amendment or instead a constitutional revision. A revision has to start in the Legislature or at a constitutional convention; it can’t start with people collecting voter signatures, as Prop 8 did. On the case’s other big question -- whether the 18,000 couples who married in California between June and November 2008 will end up un-married if the court upholds Prop 8 -- a majority of the justices seemed opposed to viewing Prop 8 as rettoactive, despite its rather plain wording: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." At one point, the justices had a bit of Clintonian fun ruminating on "what the meaning of the word ’is’ is" in Prop 8. Kenneth Starr came across at the hearing as smart, confident, well-spoken and quick on his feet. None of the gay side’s lawyers did as well. But, in fairness, they were hardly able to get a word in edgewise because of constant interruptions from the justices. And openly gay Dustin Lance Black, accepting the trophy for original screenplay, gave a shout-out to gay kids. "When I was 13 years old, my beatitiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Tex., to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk," Black said. ’~md it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life. It gave me the hope one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married. "If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are ’less than’ by : or by their you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what ~yone ~eils you, God does love you, ~d that veiT SO0n~ I promise you; ~ou ~ill have equal rights federally across this great nation "~e On that key question, the gay side appears doomed as well, because court precedent on the issue does not favor the gay side’s arguments. Only a couple of the justices appeared possibly open to the idea of expanding their notion of what constitutes a constitutional revision. Accepting the award for best actor, for his portrayal of gay icon Harvey Milk, actor Sean Penn said: "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns .... For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone." of ours." In Singapore, where gay sex is illegal, MediaCorp TV deleted portions of Black’s and Penn’s speeches from its rebroadcast of the awards. Country-music legend Dolly Parton is straight, she told CNN’s Larry King on Feb. 21. "I am not ga~" Parton said. "I have been accused of that. But I have been happily married for 42 years to the same man. And he’s not the least bit, you know, threatened by the fact that I may be gay. And he knows have a lot of friends. But I love everybody. It doesn’t matter to me." Part0n said gay people like her because she’s authentic. "I think the gay people have always liked me because I have always been mysel[ I’m not intimidated by ho~v people perceive me, I don’t judge nor criticize people," she said. "I think that’s another reason they at least know that I’m sympathetic. I think all people have a right to be who they are. We’re all God’s children and God should be the one to judge, not other people. So I have a lot of gay friends, lesbian friends." MediaCorp/Channel 5 censorship manager David Christie said the broadcast "would have been in serious breach of the MDA (Media Development Authority) Programme Code if such controversial content was not editorially managed." "The code explicitly disallows content that sympathizes with, promotes or normalizes such a lifestyle from being broadcast," he said. The Asian satellite TV service STAR also censored the two men’s speeches, dropping the audio each time the word "gay" or "lesbian" was uttered. Utah senator demoted for anti-gay remarks Utah state Sen. Chris Buttars was ousted from two committees by Republican leaders Feb. 20 after he made homophobic remarks to a documentary maker. Buttars spoke in January to TV reporter Reed Cowan, who is making a documentary on the ¯ Mormon church’s involvement in the passage of California’s Proposition 8. The senator’s comments included: "Homosexuality will always be a sexual perversion. And you say that around here now and everybody goes nuts. But I don’t care .... They’re mean. They want to talk about being nice, they’re the meanest buggers I’ve ever seen .... It’s just like the Moslems. Moslems are good people and their religion is anti-war. But it’s been taken over by the radical side .... What is the morals of a gay person? You can’t answer that because anything goes .... They’re probably the greatest threat to America going down I know of. ... q]aey want superiority. It’s the beginning of the end. Oh, it’s worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide." According to Salt Lake City’s KTVX, ~vhich broke the story: "Buttars also talks about a certain type of reported gay sex!~al activity which he claims is taking place. But ABC 4 does not consider that appropriate for its news content Students at George Mason University in Fairfax County, Va., elected a gay drag queen as homecoming queen Feb. 14. Senior Ryan Allen, who ran for the honor as Reann Ballslee, beat out two women for the crown. "It was just for fun," Allen told the Washington Post. "In the larger scheme of things, winning says so much about the university. X~[e’re one of the most diverse campuses in the country, and... ,ve celebrate that." MORTUARY ~ERVICE,~ STAR beams into more than 50 countries to some 300 million viewers. Media and blogger analysts were unanimous www.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 7 �Gay New Yorkers protest sex-shop arrests Beau poses nude Beau Breedtove, the 21-year-old man who had sex with Portland, Ore., Mayor Sam Adams just after Breedlove turned 18, has posed nude for the May issue of the gay porn magazine Unzipped. The revelation of the aNair nearly ended Adams’ career earlier this year. Adams was 42 years old at the time of the brief relationship and, when asked about it during his mayoral campaign, had denied it happened. Nae men claim to still be ftiends. Several dozen gay N~v ~rkers protested near Mayor Mict§ael Bloomberg~ mansion Feb. 14 over what they say are bogus arrests ofg~y men in adult video arcades. Photo by Joe Jervis Several dozen gay New ¥orkers protested near Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s mansion Feb. 14 over what they say are bogus arrests of gay men in adult video arcades. The activists claim undercover police o~cers have been hitting on gay men, then, after the men agree to have sex, leading them outside, offering them money, and arresting them for prostitution, whether they accept the money or not. At least 50 men have been victims of the sting, the activists said. The motive for the arrests is to create a pretense for shutting down the shops, the activists said. ~e arrests have been condemned by openly lesbian City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane, among others. Hawaii House passes civil-union bill Hawaii’s House of Representatives passed a civil-union bill Feb. 12 by a vote of 33-17. The measure now advances to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where its fate is unpredictable. Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has not taken a position on the legislation. The proposal would grant civil-union couples all the state-level benefits, protections and responsibilities of marriage. Hawaii presendy has a reciprocal-beneficiaries law that grants registered same-sex couples limited spousal rights. Similar limited laws are in place in Maine and Washington. P~etroSTAR Colorado senator in anti- gay rant Colorado state Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, unleashed a six-minute anti-gay diatribe on the floor of the Senate Feb. 23 during debate on a bill to allow gay state employees to share health benefits ~vith their partners. He equated gay sex with murder and adultery and seemingly suggested that people ~vho engage in gay sex commit ’,detestable" acts Renfroe said: "Homosexuality is seen as a violation of this natural creative order, and it is an offense to God .... Leviticus 18:22 ’ says: ’You shall not lie witha man as one lies with a female. It is an abomination.’ Leviticus 20:13 says, ’If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a ,voman, both of them have committed a detestable act, and they shall surely be put to death.’ ... When we create laws that goes (sic)against what biblically we are supposed to stand for, I think we are agreeing, or allowing to go forward, a sin which should not be treated by government as something that is legal. ... We are taking sins and making them to be legally OK, and that is ,vrong. That is an abomination .... And I’m not saying that this is the only sin that’s out there. Obviously, we have sin. We have murder, we have all sorts of sins. We have adultery. And we don’t make laws making those leg~A .... All sin is equa!. That sin there is as equal to any other sin that’s in the Bible." Five states -- California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont -- and Washington, D.C., have full civil-union laws that grant all state-level spousal rights. The bill passed. Massachusetts and Connecticut let gay couples marry, and New York recognizes same-sex marriages from states and countries that permit them. arlns Tt~e other countries that let gay couples marry are Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and Spain. 8 "Beau Breedlove was extremely professional at his first erotic photo shoot in Los Ba~geles this past weekend," Unzipped online editor Sean Carnage told Advocate.corn Feb. 18. "He came to L.A. to prove that the Portland scandal does not define his sexuality. The photos portray the real Beau -- a confident and extremely handsome young man who is openly sensual, openly sexual and has nothing to hide." Drag r?yalty stripped ofregaha be sergeant-atMr. and Miss Gay Vancouver XXIX, along with the Emperor and Empress V of Surrey, were allowed to enter the Canadian province of British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly only after removing their tiaras, crowns and sashes, The Vancouver Sun reported March 2. "We had some trouble getting them into this house because of some, what I believe to be, antiquated rules here, but they are here, minus tiaras and sashes," New Democratic Party legislator Spencer Herbert said as he introduced the foursome to fellow legislators. Legislative sergeant-at:arms Gary Lenz explained that "protocol" prohibits headgear and certain other items inside the chamber, to maintain "dignity." Larry amer: Lincoln and Washington were gay Veteran gay and MDS activist, author and playwright Larry Kramer says he has evidence that Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were gay. Speaking to the Montreal newspaper Hour on March 5, Kramer said he will reveal the details in a book he’s writing, The American People: A History. "It’s a monster book," Kramer said. "It’s an attempt to put us (gay people) back in history from the beginning. No history book ever recorded anything about us, and researching this book I found out that both Lincoln and George Washington were gay.... I have stuff that will go beyond anything that has ever .... been wntten or stud ......... Clinton responded: "Human rights is and will always be one of the pillars of our foreign policy. And in particular, the persecution and discrimination against gays and lesbians is something that we take very seriously. It is terribly unfortunate, as you just recited, that, you lmow, right now in unfortunately many places in the world violence against gays and lesbians, certainly discrimination and prejudice, are not just occurring but condoned and protected, and we would hope that over the next few years we could have some influence in trying to change those attitudes." Clinton continued: "Specifically, with respect to HIV/AIDS, we have made a very big treatment commitment, as some of you know, through our program called PEPFAR. And it is an important part of the American approach toward trying to deal with the HIV/ MDS pandemic. But we haven’t done enough on prevention, and we haven’t done enough on outreach or testing. We’re beginning to, and under our administration we will do much more. And I can only hope that we all live long enough -- certainly I hope I live long enough; I think you all will -- to see the end to this kind of discriminatory treatment, and recognition that human rights are the inalienable right of every person no matter who that person loves, and that’s what we should be trying to achieve." Apd12009 �Sonja Martinez Receives the Richard May Award May Award to Sonja Martinez. Sonja is the daughter of Jesse and ka~ita Martinez of Oldahoma City. The Richard May Award was established by the Oklahoma MDS Care Fund to honor Richard May, a founder of the organization who passed away in March, 2000. The premise of the Richard May Award is that it is to be given annually in recognition of an individual who has given, in an exceptional way, of their time and talents to promote education, research and service regarding HIV/AIDS. The recipient should exemplify quiet strength and compassion, never seeking recognition, which was the spirit of Richard May. Sofia Martinez (Center) with her niece Jessica Martinez-Brooks and her sister and artist Bernadette Martinez. Press phom OK_LAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) _ The Oklahoma MDS Care Fund celebrated its Seventeenth Bmnual "Red Tie Night" at the Cox Communications Center February 28, 2009. The "Red Tie Night" brings together man), individuals and corporations to raise as much as one million dollars in a single night through various donations, auctions and generosity of many Oklahomans. The goal of the event is to raise money tbr education, direct services and research to fight HIV/ AIDS throughout the State of Oklahoma. One of the highlights of a very eventful evening was the presentation of the Richard Sonja has an annual Christmas Benefit to raise money for those with HIV/AIDS and this next year will be her nineteenth annual benefit. The benefit is held at the COPA bev;veen Thanksgiving and Christmas every year. Sonja accepted the award by saying: "~is award is a very big honor and I thank you so much. I would like to accept this award on behalf of all the dubs and entertainers in the Gay Community who do benefits all year around. I would also like to thank: Barbara and Jackie Cooper, Rick Moses, John Beebe, Tony Sinclair and Dee Goodwin; my family vcho have supported me and loved me unconditionally. And the Red Tie, thank you for all that you do." Christian, I623 N. iVlaplewood Tulsa, OK www,mcctuls org Oklahoma City, OK No matter who you are o are on life’s journey, y~: -R®ver®.d ~r. K~hy Kansas City’s Heartland Men’s Chorus rills OKC Crowd By Victor Gorin Charles Johnson presents director Dn Joseph Nadeau with a plaque j~om the City ofthe Village thanking them for their pe,formance. Gorin photo to Moore Oklahoma for another protest at Moore High School. Although their reasoning for picking out Moore High School for a protest site was unknown, their website did promise "We will picket you hypocrites and we continue to THANK GOD for the tornados that keep kicking Oklahoma’s backside.’Moore High School dismissed classes 15 minutes early for those students wishing to avoid the protest, but many stayed to tal~e part in what ’turned out to be a major counter protest. That protest, organized by Chelsea Marlett ( daughter ofRon Marlett, ~vho ran against Sally Kern in the State Legislative race 2008) not only brought out many from the GLBT community, but also many others to form a diverse crowd of around 2000 that included civil libertarians, yeterans groups, and just plain folks young and old. Undoubtedly the most spectacular counter protesters were the bikers, xvho rode repeatedly past the Phelps clan revving their engines to the crowd’s applause. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma City was treated to a grand performance by the Heartland Men’s Chorus March 3 when the played to a large crowd at the Village Christian Church. N~e Chorus, which began in 1986, has performed extensively in the Missouri/Kansas area, and also throughout the United States and abroad. Featuring an eclectic mix of men’s choral music encompassing several music styles, the chorus was won acclaim and respecf froma wide City has were recognized by the City ( suburban community of OKC), and this concert, which was their OKC debut, would also benefit the BritVil Food Bank. Bringing their songs to Oklahoma, they presented their concept concert, "And Justice for All." Beginning xvith a number from the musical South Pacifici "You’ve got to be Cargfully Taught/Children will Listen", which depicted racism, they ,;vent through a series of selections accompanied by readings and accompanying pictures which portrayed the struggles of blacks, women, and the more recent activism of title GLBT community. Highlights included activist classics "We Shall Overcome" & ’Tkin’t gonna let nobody Turn me Round, but also included the comic relief of"Color of Colorado," a campy classic from the off Broadway musical "When Pigs FI~’ that portrays how vital the GLBT community really is to America. Closing with "I will stand with You," they left the audience with not only a call for unity but hope for a better tomorrow. Jeannie and other Moore High School students protest Phelps group. Gorin photo As one of them put it, Kevin Sherwood stated "I fought for our country for people to be able to live their lives they way they want. I fought so they ( the Phelps group) can say what they want to say, but we get the same rights. What upset me more than anything else is that they came here to scare kids. But apparently most of them ain’t all that scared!" Living proof of that was Jeannie, a student of Moore High School,who after some colorful outbursts about her opinion of the Phelps clan, had this to say" God loves all of us, we’re all equal, gays lesbians, it doesn’t matter God loves us all." Under the direction of Dr. Joseph Nadeau, they performed the following day for the American Choral Directors National Convention which also took place in Oklahoma City. They held the distinction of being one of only 2 gay men’s choruses to be invited to perform for that conference in the group’s 50 year history. 405.525.9555 www.metrostarnews.com #~÷troSTAR 9 �10 ~oSTAR April 2009 �Wockner News Service British PM opposes Prop8 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown opposes Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that last November re-banned samesex marriage after the state Supreme Court had legalized it. "This Proposition 8, this attempt to undo the good that has been done, this attempt to create divorces among 18,000 people who were perfectly legally brought together in partnerships, this is unacceptable and shows me why we alxvays have to be vigilant, why we have alvcays got to fight homophobic behavior and any form of discrimination," Brown said March 5 at a Downing Street reception for GLBT VIPs. On March 4, the California Suprelne Court heard oral arguments in the case seeking to overturn the constitutional amendment. It is widely expected that the effort will fail, with the justices deciding, in effect, that the right of the voters to amend the constitution is more sacrosanct than the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law. The court must issue its decision by early June. Burundi plan to ban gay sex dies in Senate A move to ban gay sex in the Central African nati~ 6f Burundi was reiected by the Senate Feb. 16 after having passed the National Assembly unanimously in November. "Burundi’s Senate, after significant pressure and ’heated debate,’ today reiected the proposed amendment to criminalize homosexual conduct. Victory -- for the moment," said Scott Long, head of Human Rights Watclqs LGBT Rights Division. The proposal, part of a much larger bill, set a punishment of between three months and two years in prison, along with a large fine, for engaging in consensual adult gay sex. The Senate and Assembly must now form a commission to reconcile the two versions of the bill before sending it to President Pierre Nkurunziza. "Any reconciliation could, potentially, reinstate the provision criminalizing samesex conduct," said the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. "Whatever the outcome, the fact that the majority of senators voted against the provision shows a growing recognition that all citizens are entitled to the full enjoyment of human rights irtespective of their sexual orientation." Eighty-four of the world’s 19 5 nations ban gay sex. Colombian gay leader m dered Well-lmown Colombian gay activist idvaro Miguel Rivera Linares, 41, was killed March www.rnetrostarnews.com 6 in his apartment in Call He suffered a fatal blow to the head and was found tied to his bed and gagged. The apartment had been trashed but there were no signs of forced entry and nothing was stolen. Rivera received national attention when he fought a 2001 mandate by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas that all residents ofa FARC-controlled sector of the eastern state of Meta take an HIV test or leave the area within a week. Thereafter, he received death threats and was followed on the streets and harassed at worlc He eventually left Meta, his home state, as a result. Leading Latino-issues blogger Andrds Duque called Rivera’s death "a tremendous loss to the international human rights movement." Argentina lifts military gay ban Argentina’s military decriminalized homosexuality and lifted its gay ban Feb. 27. Part of an overhaul of the military justice system, the change was approved by Parliament last year and took effect six months after passage. U.S.-based Latino-issues, blogger Andrds ~t}que called the m.ove ’.on.e more L.GBT nghts development in a Latin American nation that leapfrogs over current U.S. policy" Gays in the U.S. military are required to remain in the closet under the "Don’t Ask, Dofft Tell" policy signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Prior to that time, gays were not allowed in the U.S. military at all. New regulations prohibit broadcast of songs and videos that glorify arson, rape, shooting or murder, as well as depictions of sex acts. Gay activists, locally and internationally, have campaigned for years against the anti-gay alleged "murder music" of Jamaican artists such as Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, T.O.K. and Capleton. Phelpses banned from entering UK Anti-gay Kansas pastor Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley have been banned from entering the United Kingdom, the Telegraph reported Feb. 19. The "God hates fags" team had announced plans to picket a performance of’l-he Laramie Project on Feb. 20 at a school arts center in Basingstoke, Hampshire. A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behavior by inciting hatred against a number of communities .... We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country." In an interview with the BBC, Shirley PhelpsRoper stated: "There are members of WBC (Westboro Baptist Church) that are not named Phelps .... Unless they intend to begin checking the bare backsides of every person coming into that country to find that tattoo that says ’Property of WBC,’ they will have no way of identifying who is from WBC." In the end, a single, unidentified demonstrator showed up and was chased offby about 50 counterprotesters, the BBC reported. HIV rate climbs in Asia 300,000 at Sydney Mardi Gras Sydney’s 31st gay Mardi Gras parade attracted 300,000 spectators, 130 floats and 9,500 participants March 7. Openly gay Olympic gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham led offthe procession. His winning dive at the Beijing Olympics was the highest-scoring dive in Olympic history. Marching units included the Federal Police, the military and New South Wales firefighters. U.S. comedian Joan Rivers also joined in, riding on top of a truck. Jamaica .bans most anti- gay music Jamaica’s Broadcasting Commission has effectively banned most anti-gay dancehall songs from being played over the airwaves. Gay and bisexual men in Asia are having risky unprotected sex, causing dramatic climbs in HIV infection rates, said officials attending a World Health Organization HIV/AIDS conference Feb. 18 in Hong Kong. The gathering heard that more than 30 percent of gay and bisexual men in Bangkok are HIV-positive, while some Chinese cities report a rate as high as 18 percent, and China as a whole has a rate of 3.8 percent among gay/bisexual men. The director of Chinas AIDS-control center, Wu Zunyou, said amphetamine use and Internet hookups are factors in the climbing infection rate. HIV now is Chinas deadliest infectious disease, according to a new report from the Ministry of Health. Singapore censors Oscars Singapore’s MediaCorp TV censored its replay of the Academy Awards Feb. 23, removing portions of Dustin Lance Black’s acceptance speech. Black won the original screenplay Oscar for Milk, and said: "When I was 13 years old, my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Tex., to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life. It gave me the hope one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married. "If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are ’less than’ by their churches, by the government or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you, and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours." Sean Penn’s acceptance speech also was truncated. He won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Harvey Milk. Penn said: "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns .... For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone." Subscribers to one of the main Singaporean gay e-mail lists were outraged at the edits. "This sort of bigoted, intolerant and ignorant action by a national broadcaster is better suited for Iran or North Korea than a nation that puts itself forward as a modern worldclass city," wrote one. MediaCorp/Channel 5 censorship,manager David Christie said the broddcast would have been in serious breach of the MDA (Media Development Authority) Programme Code if such controversial content was not editorially managed." "The code explicitly disallows content that sympathizes with, promotes or normalizes such a lifestyle from being broadcast," he said. Gay sex is illegal in Singapore. The Asian satellite TV service STAR also censored the two men’s speeches, dropping the audio each time the word "gay" or "lesbian" vcas uttered. STAR beams into more than 50 countries to some 300 million viewers. More than 8 percent of gay and bisexual men in Jakarta are HIV-positive, the conference heard, as are 7.8 percent in Cambodia. #d®troSTAR 11 �By Camper English Colder, smaller, weaker: Better martinis ~lhe diplomatic way of defining the "best martini" is as "the martini that you like the best." But, really, if you’re pulling a jug of vodka out of the freezer and pouring it into a glass, you’re not drinking a martini at all. You’re drinldng a glass of cold vodl~a. Add olives and you’ve got vodka with a snack. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I drink cold vodka all the time, and ~vho doesn’t enjoy a string of olives for dinner? But a martini is a mixed drink, necessitating more than one ingredient to mix into it. Bar-haviora Problems Gay bar bartenders, who are not necessarily gay bartenders, are usually the most ei~cient and fair intoxicologists in tl~e drinking universe. I say "fair" because at straight establishments, hot women and rid>looking men (usually jerk~) get first priority, and the bartenders frequently take drink orders out of order. Infuriating! This is not often the case in gay ~vatering holes, where the bartenders tend to be the hottest people in the room and dofft need to impress you by serving you first (you need impress them with the size of your tips). The working theory is that the martini star~ed as a spinoff of the Martinez, a cocktail made with sweetened gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters (with a lemon twist). As tastes in cocktails shifted away from sweet drinks, the "Dry Martini" made with d~/vermouth became more popular, and eventually most everybody forgot about the bitters. Vodka didn’t become an option until later. Given the variations over time, you could rightfully order your martini made with gin or vodka, sweet or dry vermouth or none at all, bitters or not, olives or a twist - and you could find a published recipe to back it up. None are the "right" way to make a martini, but I would encourage experimentation to find the way that’s right for you. While jumbo-sized martini glasses used in many bars provide a lot of liquor for the dollar, by the time you get to the bottom half you’re drinking room-temperature alcohol. That is bad. Or worse, it’s a warm salt bath if you’ve got the extra-large-sized olives in there that help to heat it xtp. The Also, gay bar patrons Imow how to behave (toward the very dassiest of bars serve their martinis in very small, very bartender anyway) and will often line up in an orderly fashion cold glasses - with an additional quantity of the drink in an at the drink well rather than shouting and waving like the ice-chilled container on the side. That is lovely. At home, I opening scene of The Love Boat al! along the bar. I take use vintage (small) glassware and keep the remainder cooling straight friends to my favorite gay bar and they are anlazed at ofthe strained drink in the the German,like efficientT in place. They are often jealous and frdezer’ ...... determine to start coming there every night, until they hear ........... .... ...... the 14th Madonna remix in a row. I can’t say I blame them. Do not fear vermouth. Try it and you might In a nightclub or other crowded venue, or anywhere with a find you actually like it mixed crowd, all bets for orderly ordering are off. You need - but probably not the to gain the attention of tl~e bartender as well as make him or 4-year-old, mostly full her think you’re going to be a good (i.e., fast, non-annoying) bottle gathering dust in customer. Here are a few suggestions for attracting the the back of your liquor bartender and keeping his attention. cabinet. Use a fresh bottle. Vermouth spoils like wine Look available. You want to make eye contact with the after opening, so buy small bartender and have her give you the "I see you" nod. To bottles and keep them in accomplish this, face the bar, not your friends behind you. If the refrigerator to lengthen you’re turned around chatting and using the bar as a leaning their life span. post, you’re not giving the right signal. Be ready. When you are trying to get the bartender’s attention, have visible cash in your hand -but don’t ~vave it around unless there is a row of drag queens in six-inch heels blocking your line of sight. And if you’re planning to pay with a credit card, you may want to keep that hidden. It takes longer to process, so the bartender will serve the cash-holding folks first. Also, be ready with your friends’ drink orders. Don’t wait until the bartender gets there to turn around and say, "What do you guys want?" As the person standing next to you, H1 swoop in and say "~ree martinis please" when your back is turned. I’m like that. S~’ategize. Don’t shout to get the bartender’s attention. Nobody likes to be yelled at while doing their job. A friendly "Hi!" sometimes helps though. Make your first tip the most generous one to help ensure prompt service and healthy pours for the rest of the evening. And be respectful of others - if the guy next to you was waiting longer but the bartender comes to you, give him the "he was here first" point. The bartender will remember that you’re next, and you never kmow if that guy next to you wil! return the favor and pay for your drink. 12 ~et~:oSTAR Ice, too, is an ingredient in the drink. If you keep your vodka or gin in the freezer, not much water will melt into your martini. Dilution brings the drink down to a manageable level of alcoholic strength to keep you from making that too-strong scrunchy face that gives you wrinkles. A martini should be refreshing, not painful. The shaken-versus-stirred decision is not worth the ~veight given to it. Shaking adds ice chips and air bubbles that make the drink look doudy and taste fizzy, whereas stirring results in a clear and smooth cocktail from the get-go. I prefer a stirred martini when I’m at a nice cocktail lounge, but I do often shake them at home. Not because it tastes better, but because shaldng is more fun. Camper English is a cocktails and spirits writer and publisher of Alcademics. com. ’ April 2009 �~e internationally renowned cast of Woody Sez- back row from left: Helen Russell, Darci Deaville, Andy Tekstein; J~ont- David Lutken as Woody @hoto courtesy of The Scotsman Publications Ltd.) OKLAHOI~La~ CITY, OK (PR) __ Lyric ~eatre, OkAahoma’s premiere professional theatre company, will present the American Premiere of Woody Sez, the words, music, & spirit ofV[oody Guthrie as part of the 2009 "Lyric at the Plaza" season. This unique theatrical concert event celebrates the life and spirit of American folk legend Vioody Guthrie, whose music continues to inspire today’s finest storytelling songwriters including Bob DyIan, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, the Indigo Girls, and Billy Bragg. Lyri& production will run from March 26th through April 1 lth and features the show’s original cast from its European generously underwritten by Continental Resources, one of the largest independent oil and natural gas companies in the United States. The show will play a special two-night engagement at the Enid Symphony Center on Tuesday, March 31st and g~rednesday, April 1st at 7:30pm, marking the first time in the company’s 47-year history that a full prod,uction will be performed outside of Lyric s home venue. Back in Oldahoma City, Woody Sez performances are March 26th through April 1 lth: Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm & 8:00pro. For tickets: ,a-wvc.lyrictheatreokc.com, (405) 524-9312, or in person at 1727 NW 16th St, Oldahoma City, OK. In Oklahoma City, the renovation and opening of Plaza Theatre, located on NW 16th Street between Penn and Classen, means that audiences can look forward to an intimate world-class theatrical experience, complete ~vith free accessible parking, tdtracomfortable seating, and a full service cash bar. Drinks are even allowed inside the theatre as the audience takes in the performance. The 2009 "Lyric at the Plaza" season concludes in May with Steel Magnolias. Lyric will continue to produce its annual summer season at downtmvn Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall, beginning in June with Disney’s High School Musical 2 and continuing with The Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Producers, and Little Shop of Horrors. tour. st0ryte!l& ~na David tutken Stars in {he and actor, musici~s Darcie Deaville ,Teirstein join in ,to portray up the fabric of Guthrie’s amazing story. The four accompany themselves on over 15 different instruments, ranging from guitar and fiddle to jaw harp and dulcimer. \Voodrow Wilson "W’oody" Guthrie was born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma. He is best kmown as an American singersongwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacT indudes hundreds of political, traditional and children’s songs, ballads and improvised works. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress. Guthrie traveled from Oklahoma to California and later New York and used his rich life experiences and observations to write traditional folk and blues songs, many of which deal with the Great Depression. Guthrie died from complications of Huntington’s disease, a progressive genetic neurological disorder. When Nick Corley accepted the position as Lyric’s new artistic director, he was thrilled with the timing and what it meant for the future of Woody Sez. With the blessing of the Guthrie estate, Corley, who has directed the show fi’om its inception, prepared Lyric for the American premiere, so that Oklahomans could be the first in ~he country to celebrate Guthrie’s life and music in this special way. Furthermore, so that the celebration of Woody’s spirit can reach even further beyond the Oklahoma City metro area, Lyric Theatre has plans to take the show on the road. A special presentation of Woody Sez, the words, music, & spirit of Woody Guthrie has been w~-w.metrostarnews.com NetroSTAR 13 �Arkansas Domestic Partnership Registry Under Attack Gay News Bureau It is, said editor Don Lee in a editorial, "demagoguery based on religious prejudice bordering on moral fascism..." ~e Carroll County (AR) News reported King "felt the bill (to ban DPRs) was needed because tourism in Eureka Springs has become identified too strongly with issues of sexuality." EUREKA SPRINGS, AR The only Domestic Partnership Registry in Arkansas-and one of the fe~v in the Mid-South region of the country--may soon be history if one right-wing state legislator has his way. Given the town’s long-standing reputation as a major wedding destination, King’s rationale is fraudulent, says Walsh. But the Eureka Springs mayor, city council and supporters of the DPR, vow to vigorously oppose a move by Republican Arkansas State Rep. Bryan King to do away with it. "What the hell does he think goes on in all those heart shaped hot tubs and honeymoon cabins," Walsh said. "King’s real aim is to impose his extremist religious and political views on our town and at the expense of gay residents, business owners and tourists. In only 22 months, 256 unmarried couples from 55 Arkansas communities and 14 other states have registered as domestic partners in Eureka Springs. At least 28 of those couples came from neighboring Oklahoma and another 32 from Missouri, says Michael Walsh, who wrote the domestic partnership law that went into effect in June 2007. Efforts to keep the resort town from officially honoring gay and straight couples is "transparent homophobia," he says. "There are six words to describe State Rep. Bryan King of Arkansas," said Walsh, "and they are, ’State Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma’. To know one is to know the other." DPR advocates say it is hypocritical for any state lawmaker to condemn municipal domestic partnership laws while accepting campaign contributions from I~aft Foods, Wal-Mart, FedEx and Cox Communications, companies that have domestic partner policies. King is serving his final term as state representative and may next run for the Arkansas senate. His detractors say he has nothing to lose and much to gain by assaulting the DPR at this time. King introduced his anti-DPR measure March 9. Out lesbian Arkansas State Rep. Kathy Webb, a Democrat, opposes the ban and has said it may be killed at the committee level. Arkansas Speaker of the House Robbie Wills is also on record as opposing the bill. But Eureka Springs city officials are not taking any chances. In a statement signed by the entire Eureka Springs City Council, Mayor Dani Joy strongly defended the DPR and condemned King’s intrusion into city affairs. "I vdll not stand silent any longer and allow a demographic of our citizens to be humiliated and degraded," she said. "Prejudice or bigotry have no place in our city. The gay and lesbian community are our fi’iends, neighbors and family." The editor of the tmvffs weekly newspaper, The Lovely County Citizen, characterized Y,dng’s anti-DPR bill as a "regressive, faithbased, discriminatory, venal.., and cynical act." 14 ~{et~’oSTAR "Playing the gay card is a way for cheap politicians in Arkansas to fan the fires of hate and fatten up their campaign coffers." But, on the brink of what may be a precarious tourist season, King’s bill cotfld also deprive the town of a critical revenue stream. According to city records, the DPR has generated almost $10,000 for the city in less than two years. Registration costs $35 per couple. Diversity Weekend Kicks Offin Eureka Springs FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Domestic Partner Certificates. The courthouse is dosed Saturday and Sunday. City Clerl~’s office is in the City Hall, lower level of the Western Carroll County Courthouse, 44 S. Main. Office hours are 9:30 AM - 12 Noon and 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Over150 unique shops and galleries. Be sure to stop by and say hi to Charlie at A Byrds Eye View. Weekend favorites include The Tourist Stop, Mountain Eclectic, Antique Affaire, The Inn Convenience Store, Fusion Squared and Eclectic Edge. Over 6 vendors are setting up in the old Eureka Screams Theater parking lot and lobby, located on H~W 23 South. Friday Sunday, 8 AM - 5 PM, everything from Tools to Toys. Welcome Mixer, Pizza Bar, 13 N Main, 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Come feel the warmth. Mix and mingle with locals and visitors from around the county. CITY PARKING FREE AFTER 6 PM. Rock and Roll with Tiffany Christopher, The New Delhi, 2 North Main, All ages welcome, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM-ish. Walsh puts the figure at closer to $250,000 to $500,000 when DPR-related expenditures on hotels, motels, B &Bs, restaurants, bars, caterers, ministers, florists, gift shops, photographers mad spending by friends and }’amilies are included. It’s a Hawaiian Luau Weekend. Karake, Dance, Giveaways and FUN. Friday and Saturday, Henri’s Just One More, 19 1/2 Spring, Open Noon - 2AM, Full menu served till 9 PM nightly. NO COVER CHARGE. "Precisely when the state needs all the tax revenue it can it, I~dng’s bill is exceedingly short-sighted," he said. The always popular Tiki Torch Club and their Spring Diversity Dance Par-Tee. Arrive early this place fills up fast. Midnight Teaser Drag Show with Secdackeiry. * To express your support, send a brief e-mail to Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Joy at mayor@ cityofeurekasprings.org ~ Express your outrage to Arkansas State Rep. Bryan King at: kingb@arkleg.state.ar.us * Ask your friends, co-workers, family members and neighbors to do the same. * Send this story to news outlets, LGBT organizations, web sites and blogs. * Ask your elected local and state representatives to speak out on this issue, as did the Eureka Springs mayor when Sally Kern was on the rampage last year. = Come to Eureka Springs for Diversity Weekend April 3-5 and get your own DPR. See www.eurekapride.com for events. The Spring PDA photo shoot. Just some good time amusement for the tourist and to annoy the fundies. SPRINGS PUBHC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION (PDA), 12 noon, Basin Park band shell, downtown. A G-rated opportunity to smooch your sweetie-or the perfect stranger-for posterity. Eureka Pride has free treats to pass out. The Eclectic Edge, 49 Spring, ARTIST RECEPTION drop by and meet Artist Matt Johnson and Gallery owners David and Ginny between 1 and 5 PM. Light , refreshments. Register to win a piece of Matt s artwork. Raffie to benefit the local Doggie Shelter. KARAOYdS: Jack’s Place, 37 Spring, 2 PM - 6 PM, WOW!.!! Jello Shots For a BUCK! ALL GIRLS BAND IRIS: Chelsea’s, 10 Mountain St. Better show out early, these ladies have been known to Jump Start their show as early as 7 PM and then ~vind it up Midnight. The North West Arkansas Center For Equality and UA PRIDE, are havin,,g a dance. Entire, family welcome, upstairs at The Space, located across from the U.S. Post Office in Uptown-Downtown Eureka on Spring St., DJ dance music and activities for the kids. $5 cover, FREE to children 12 and under. 8 -11 PM. For a complete list of activities and events go to www.eurekapride.com and diversitypride. com. New Owners For Joplin’s Pla-Mor Lounge. Male Illusionist. That’s right they’re all girls and they’re dressed too ’KISS’. The IgSSS Tribute Band, Lumberyard, 105 East Van Buren, 9:00 PM. Stick around for DJ TIC’S Spin Cycle and Dance Party. Ashley McBryde... the miracle gift returns for SPRING ,n Eureka. Jacks Place. 37 Spring St, 9:00 PM.- Midnight, no cover. Handsome Lee wit! be checking IDs at the door. EUREKA’S UNDERGROUND the subterranean and always gay Eureka Live, 35 North Main, Trash Disco Party, drink specials. NO COVER CHARGE! THE DIVERSITY BAND: Chelsea’s, 10 Mountain St. 9 PM - ~ Avoid those Diversity buzz-killers like getting a DUI or trying to find a parking place downtown. Eureka Springs Limousine. $5.00 point to point. Call 479-244-6320 for your PICK-UP! New owners ofJoplin’s Pla-Mor Lounge, Tim, Bonnie and Tom. Staffphoto JOPLIN, MO (PR) After more than 40 years in the bar business including several gay clubs, Dick and Billy Jack decided to retire and let longtime friends Tim, Tom and Bonnie take over their latest venture, the Pla-Mor Lounge located at 532 S. Joplin St, Joplin’s only gay club. New hours beginning in April will be Tues-Sat 5pm to 1am. Happy hour 5pro to 7pm. Phone 417-624-2722 SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Name That Tune With Sandy at the Smokehouse Card, 580 West Van Buren, 8:30 A.M to1 l:30ish, biscuits as big as your head. WIN Fabulous Prizes, like Sparlcy Sun Glasses! Saturday and Sunday Only. The Diversity Bikers "Bridges and Dam Poker Run." Planer’s Hill Parking lot on the corner of 62 and 23 (Main Street) Starting at 12:45 PM. Retiring Pla-Mor owners Dick and Billy Jack. Staffphoto April 2009 �@ The Copa, Oklahoma City @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa @ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa @Club Majestic, Tulsa @ Hideaway, Tulsa @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City www.rnetrostarnews.com @ The End Up, Tulsa @ Angles, Oklahoma City @ Finishline, Oklahoma City @The Mine Shaft, Tulsa @Club 209, Tulsa #~et~oSTAR 15 �of the world. Zinfandel vines were brought to California in the 1850s and it is now that state’s second most extensively planted red grape behind cabernet sauvignon. Initially, research confirmed a relationship between Zinfandel and Primitivo (a variety grown in Italy’s Puglia region), causing speculation that Zinfandel might have originated in Italy. However, in late 200 t, DNA fingerprinting determined that Crljenak Ka~telanski (a littleknown grape from Croatia) and Zinfandel have identical DNA profiles. Beside the Zinfandel grown in California (and Italy’s Priraitivo), there are only isolated plantings of this grape, mainly in South Africa and Australia. The Zinfandel grape can produce wines ranging from light, nouveau styles to hearty, robust reds with berrylike, spicy (sometimes peppery) flavors, plenty of tannins, enough complexity and longevity to be compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Mr. D’s V2 case I really dig California Zins. For springtime/ back yard grill time, what better red xvine than Zinfandel to go with short ribs, beef brisket, grilled veggies and brats. Here are some killer bottles I think should be considered to go with your barbeque fun. Brief histoD+ of the grape [ZIHN-fuhn-dehl] qlais is thought to be California’s most popular red-wine grape because it’s not widely grown in other parts EarthQuake Zin ’06 The Phillips brothers pride themselves on farming their vineyards with a meticulous eye on quality. Their wines regularly take top accolades in wine competitions. This Zin is really full bodied with lots zing and flavor. In addition to the Earthquake brand of reservetier wines, wine brands under the Michael David Winery umbrella include the popular 7 Deadly Zins. This wine has recently come down in price about 20% in this market and it’s a must try. FoxGlove Zin ’07 Wine critic Robert Parker says that this one of the most ,mpress~!}e in the coot, high elevations Cruz M+0~nt~sT’ ~is Zi~ 9~(s ffo~m Vasq Robles ~fi~ is a n~ addition t0 ~¢~e~akers Bob & Jim Varner~ oo~tfoli6. I was completely surpnse~ at[)~Ow gogd~h~s single vineyard wi~e is for the~money. ~’ ~, + }~’~ If you are one of those xvho beliei( better, read on. Hyse Couzins ’05, This is the first intriguingblend 39% Zinfandel and drinldng xvell right now, to decant. Wine critid sa3 for the next 5 - 7 years. This be hard to find so if you see it, wine has also come down in 20% in this market and Remember that Zinfandel are two Couzins. Edmeades Mendocino This hasgot to be one of and 20061ooks to be to 2005 has some Petite Grenache blended color. ~nere is a cherry ~ spring Cabernet. juicy fruit acid balanc~ comedian Robin this winery and great Cabernet also For this Zin, ~only Family, is also currently making. uch xvineries like Paradigm, and Past clients include Screaming Eagle },arc 29. "We brought a bdtfle for ) w’. file opt in California during ~he We hadnt fasted it before hand’and bottle, I Wished a c9uple more. This wine in oiar state and this zin is ]his writer is one of the managers a~ the Grand Vin wine shop. He also bar tends and hosts wine & food town as the Enthusiasts of Tulsa. / www.l~ineSpecta- md pepper. Turn processor onand chop f~r Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Ingredients 2 -14 oz can chic~ peas, drained 4 cloves garlic, peeled " 1/2 cup jarred, i:o~ted red’peppers. drained Zest of one lemon Juice of one lemon !/4 cup tahini (may substitute ~vith pmnut or almond butter) i/2 cup olive oil | teas kosher salt 16 v~®t;oSTAR is creamy. Serve topped with a drizzle of 01ive oil, feta cheese and cracked black pepper if desired. Provide pita wedges and fresh vegetables for spreading. April 2009 �nmen At The BOK Center Tulsa Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band .April 7, 2009 @ 7:30 Ticket Prices: $9I, $57, $4I Get tickets at LiveNation.com, all Tickets.corn Outlets, or charge by phone at 1-866-7-BOK-CTR Bruce Springsteen’s new album ’Working on a Dream’ was released today (January 27, 2009). ’~,Working on a Dream~ was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus one bonus track. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O’Brien, who produced and mixed the album. Nickelback Apr 10, 2009 at BOK Center Nickelback With Seether and Saving Abel Aprill 0, 2009 Tickets On Sale Now Prices: $75, $55, $35 Unstoppable rock powerhouse Nickelback have announced dates for their upcoming North American tour in support of their new" album Dark Horse, released on Roadrunner Records on November !8th. Nickelback are a phenomenally successful touring band whose tours have grossed in excess of $100 million thus f.ar and have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Dark Horse is Nickelback’s first release since the immensely popular All ~fhe Right Reasons, released in 2005. Fleetwood Mac May 3, 2009 at BOK Center "Unleashed" Tour May 3, 200~ Tickets Off Sale Now Prices: $149.50, $79.50, $49150 Wne sure to be historic "Unleashed" Tour, beginning on March 1st in Pittsburgh, is an epic cross-c0untry trek featuring 44 shows in major markets. The tour will include al!~ of the Ma& many greatest hits fi’om over the course of the band’s extraordinary career. Fleem~ood Mac, the multi-Grammy winning, multi-platinum Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are back on the road for the first time in five years following several successful solo projects. OKC Civic Center Music Hall April Events THE LEFT HAND SINGING a drama by Barbara Lebow Date: Frida); March 20, 2009 - Saturday, April 11, 2009 Presented by Carpenter Square Theatre MF~SURE FOR MEASURE by William Shakespeare Date: Friday, March 27, 2009 - Sunday, April i9, 2009 Presented by the Oklahoma City Theatre Company Perpetual Motion "Chiaroscuro" Date: Friday, April 03, 2009 - Saturday, April 04, 2009 Time: 7:30 p.m. Perpetual Motion presents Chiaroscuro CLASSIC SERIES: SEASON FINALE presented by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Date: Saturday, April 04, 2009 Time: 8:00 p.m. Featuring Yuja X~gang, Piano ZOMBIE PROM Date: Frida>; April 10, 2009 - Sunday, Apri! 19, 2009 Zombie Prombook and lyrics by John Dempse, music by Dana E Rowe based on a story by John Dempsey and Hugh Murphy April 10-19, 2009 in the Freede Litde Theatre DISNEY’S THE LION KING Date: Tnesday, April 21, 2009 - Saturday, May 23, 2009 Presented by Celebrity Attractions Begins April 21, 2009 Tracy Morgan and Martin Lawrence put the fun in Funeral When Romeo first reported on the proposed Chris Rock-led American version of the outrageous British farce Death at a Funeral, it was unclear as to whether the wild gay subplot would survive. But as casting begins it seems clear that the queer surprise in the black comedy’s casket is alive and well. Better yet, 30 Rock’s hilarious Tracy Morgan has signed on to star alongside Martin La~vrence in the corned); due in 2010, about a dead patriarch’s funeral interrupted by mishaps~ bizarre guests and the arrival of the deceased’s secret gay lover. As long as Lawrence ~snt contracted to play B~g Momma in this verSion, fans of the original can rest easy:. Now, which brave American actor is going to pla~ the family member who runs around the hOuSe naked for the entire length of the fihn? ...... Cherry Jones’ sister act Object lesson to any actor who believes that coming out will be career-damaging: Cherry Jones. The talented lesbian character actress never stops working, plays the President on 24, was Matt Damon’s reality-checking mother in Ocean’s 13 and won a Tony Award for her pre-Meryl Streep incarnation of Sister Aloysius on Broadway in Doubt. Now she’l! take on another nun role in the upcoming drama Mother and Child starring opposite Naomi xYc:atts, Samuel Jackson, Kerry Washington and Annette Bening. The female-centered adoption drama is currently in production and due for release this December - aka Beg For Your Oscar Month - so the filmmakers must be pretty confident about its chances. Who knows, maybe Jones will have to dear room next to her Tony for a new golden friend. Ghost musical to raise Broadway from the dead? It seems that everything on Broadway is going belly up. Shows are dosing faster than new ones can take their place, ticket sales are in the toilet and all seems hopeless. And it’s desperate times that lead to crazy/genius ideas like Ghost: The Musical taldng root and flowering. The smash 1990 Patrick Swayze/Demi Moore film (for which Whoopi Goldberg won her Color Purple Oscar) is going to sing its way onto one of London’s West End stages sometime in 2010 and, if sufficiently crowd-pleasing, will probably make a mad dash for Broadway sometime later. The writers of "Unchained Melody" are already spending their future royalty check bump, but who’s going to pen the song about Patrick Swayze’s heartbreaking inability to express love without invoking the word "ditto?" Neil Patrick Hat~s. 20th Century Fox photo Nell Patrick Harris hands out TV Land Awards If the Harold and Kumar movies, How I Met Your Mother, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, his SNL appearance and his spoonbending antics on Ellen weren’t enough to convince you that Neil Patrick Harris is a national treasure, try this: now he’s retro-nostalgia-cable-channel TV Land’s answer to Hugh Jackman. The funny, quick-witted song-and-dance man will host April’s TV Land Awards with the requisite amount of skits, mttsical numbers and awards given out to shows like Charles In Charge and Mama’s Family. Expect a lot of vintage TV personalities showing up to join Harris as he tosses out non-vintage one-liners. Romeo San Vicente could sense something was up as early as Doogie Howser, ~I.D. He can be reached care ofthis publication or at DeeplnsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com. More ENTERTAINMENT see page 20 w"ww.metrostamews.com ~etroSTAR 17 �V @[8 by Donald Pile and Ray Williams SOME LEATHER_ FUN, ANYONE ? friends from North Carolina that we met there, Paul and Dick. After all, meeting new and exciting people is what traveling is all about. By the way, did we mention that they have a leather and chain sling in every room at the Inn Leather? Seriously if you are into leather, want to be into leather or just want to look and enjoy leather, then fly, drive, take a train or bus or even hitchhike and get down to die Inn Leather resort in Ft. Laxlderdale and learn how to have some real fun "leather fun". Spirit Journeys Announces Gay Travel Adventure Rafting the Grand Canyon Spirit Journeys has a new gay vacation rafting the Grand Canyon. This journey starts July 1, 2009 and ends July 10, 2009. NEW MILFORD, NJ (PRWEB)__ Spirit Journeys is very pleased to announce its new gay travel adventure rafting through the Grand Canyon. "Going Deep" is the title of this adventure and it begins and ends in Las Vegas and includes eight days and seven nights of rafting the Colorado River some 280 miles through the Grand Canyon. On this journey the goal IS tO experience the canyon and the river at a more profound level than on an ordinary vacation. Photo: Pool atThe Inn Leather Resort Since our travel columns are in publications from coast to coast and since we have readers who are into just about everything we decided to stay in this Leather Resort. The Inn Leather Resort has been serving the leather and levi gay community in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as well as the entire East coast and the Midwest for over 10 years and a lot of gay men from all over the country love to stay there. During our stay ~ve met guys from New York, Chicago and several other places in the Midwest as well as Floridians. The general manager Chase and his staff of Benji, Kevin and Gabe are extremely professional, friendly and know how to take care of their guests. We just can’t say enough nice things about them. Chase has the most beautiful eyes and smile that you have ever seen in your life. We know that a lot of guys stay here just so that they Can see him! Tnru his professional guidance, the Inn is in the process of being remodeled. ~ae entire staff is really very accommodating. The grounds are filled with luscious tropical plants. The pool area is very inviting. wave, TWVCR/cable tv and alarm clock. They have ample off street parking for their guests. A stay here includes a complimentary continental breakfast poolside every morning. q-here are a lot of restaurants within walking distance and a major shopping center with a supermarket just a few blo~ away. If you are into leather or appreciate leather or just curious, then call and make a reservation. Oh yeah! Did we mention that there is a leather and chain SLING in every room? For those really into leather, be SURE and stop by the Ramrod leather bar at 1508 NE 4th Avenue for the most interesting time that you can EVER have in a gay bar! They have specials going on every day including Leather Sunday; Full Moon Monday, Butt to Butt Wednesda)~ Battle of the Bulge "l-hursday and Fetish Friday. They have a daily two for one happy hour from 3 to 9 PM. Check out their website at: www.ramrodbar.com A very special thanks to Chase, general manager of the Inn Leather and to our new Contact the Inn Leather Resort at: 877.532.7729 or email them at InnLeather610@aol.com and be sure to check out their website at: www.innleather.com. By the way, did we mention that they have a leather and chain sling in every room??? .Amenities include heated swimming pool, hot tub, tree wi-fi and a SLING in every room! Yep! You read that right ............ a leather and chain SLING in every room! Never tried one? XWell this is a perfect opporttinity for you. They have about a dozen rooms and suites and are located just two miles from the beach and just about a 10 minute drive to the major bars and one mile south of do~vntown Ft. Lauderdale and t’wo miles north of the Ft. Lauderdale airport. ~ae Inn Leather is a "clothing optional" resort. Did we mention that there is a leather and chain SLING in every room? Each accommodation includes queen or king size bed, private bath, kitchenette which includes fridge, coffee maker, micro18 While you in the area, be sure and check out the greatest totally nude beach in the country, Haulover Beach! which is located about a twenty minute drive south of Ft. Lauderdale. It is the only legally nude beach in the Florida. Haulover Beach Park contains one of south Florida’s most b~autiful clothing optional beaches-a 0.4 mile stretch of beach on the northernportion that draws people from all walks of life, from other states, Canada and a variety of other countries. Nestled between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, it has pristine white sand shores, open ocean surf, various shaded picnic facilities, beautifully landscaped sand dunes, and concession stands. The beach is ideal for surfing as well as swimming. Thousands of people go to Haulover Beach on a sunny day. Simply put, Haulover Beach is one of the best clothing-optional beaches in the world, as ranked by many online and print publications. As many as 7,000 people visit the beach in a single day. There is a snack cart situated in the clothing optional area most days, as well as chairs available to rent. Haulover Beach is quite large and is broken up into different areas for gays and straights. It is a great way to meet people. Their website is http://www.hauloverbeach. org Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! Grand Canyon Rafting The adventure into Self is enhanced by the inspiring surroundings the Canyon has to offer. Being on the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyonhas a way of making humans very humble in the presence of such majesty, major life shifts can happen. Meditation Heart Circles and group movement rituals will be used to help open the mind and heart and deepen the experience of this incredible place. The intention is to actively engage the Canyon and the River; to know them on a more intimate level. The raft stops several times each day to hike, to explore side canyons, to swim in favorite swimming holes or to stand in ~e power of waterfalls. Howie Holben is the guide for this gay vacation. Heis owner and caretaker of Spirit Journeys. He was raised in northern Arizona and has always felt a special bond to the sacred places of the Southwest The gifts he brings to this Journey are his extensive knowledge of these places and the love for the path we follow on this journey. Since early childhood, he has been drawn to indigenous peoples and their spiritual teachings, traditions and practices. This attraction has taken him on many adventures, exploring the countless ways of "being in the world". His personal journey through addiction and recovery has spavcned in him a genuine interest in assisting others on their own spiritual path and he takes great pleasure in introducing people to practices, sacred ways and cultures to help them "step outside their box". A Reiki/Karuna Ki Master and Quantum Touch Pracdoner, his desire is to help others uncover their potential and set their hearts and minds free. For additional information on this and other special gay vacations, contact Hmvie Holben or visit w~#.spiritjourneys.com. About Spirit Journeys: Spirit Journeys offers gay travel, gay vacations and gay retreats with a spiritual focus, and unique gay retreat and gay vacation options. Call (800) 754-1875 to learn more about Spirit Journeys. leather and chain sling in every room" April 2009 �~ifest2 Se~ons Hualani. materials ,.~VW. metrostamews.com ~etroSTAR 19 �April At P.A.C. Tulsa Kyk°s Bed by Greg Fox April 18 -This year TU BLGTA’s Pride Prom 2009: A BollDvood Ball will be held on Apri! 18 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Westby Pavilion. 3-he event is a prom targeted toward Tulsa-area youth who are not alIowed m or not comfortable with bringing the date of their choice to prom, but it is open to all people ages 15 m 25. Tickets are $10 for general admission or $5 for %lsa UniversitT students. For more information emait http:l /us.mc l O.mail. yahoo.com/mc/ compose?to=tublgta@gmail.com. March-27-29 & April 2-4 8pro Up the Down Staircase -Liddy Doenges N~eatre Anyone who’s ever started a new job will relate to this comedy about Sylvia, an idealistic young English teacher maneuvering her way through a blizzard of paperwork, contradictmT orders and indecipherable instructions. She discovers that "Keep on file in numerical order" means throw in wastebasket, "Let it be a challenge" means April 14-15 7:30pro Aspen Santa Fe Ballet John H. XXqlliams ~eatre "Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is a jewel of a company...a refreshing surprise!" declares Ba&stage.com. This dazzling contemporary dance company will perform three to four pieces from its eclectic repertoire that contains works by some of the world’s [bremost choreographers, such as TwT1a %arp, Jorma Elo and Paul Taylor. The Vertical Hour April 16-18 at 8 p.m., April 19 at 2 p.m. Lid@ Doenges ~eatre "iI~e "vertical hour" is the first hour after an injury when ~sistance has the greatest chance of being beneficial, tn this 2006 play by Englishman David Hare, an ~Mnerican former war correspondent turned Yale political science professor joins her British boyfi’iend, Philip, for a visit to his fhther, Oliver. She has a pro-Iraq viewpoint, while the father, a doctor with liberal leanings, is against not only the war but many of the beliefs she holds about a range of issues. Nadia is both offended by and attracted to Oliver. Me ro Star Classfieds 2" square for as little as $39 per issue. Email: starnews@sbcglobal.net ~gebsite- vmcw.kylecornics.com E-Mail- KylesBnB@aot.com 918.835.7887 SAVE & FILL YOUR PIGGY e~ll: bittergirl@qsyndlcate.corn 20 ~®~ro~TAN ~w,joanhilty.net ~ ~1 April 2009 �by Jack Fertig Apill 2009 "Your are everyone’s darling Aries" Mercury, Venus, and the Sun are aligning in Aries bringing together charming, witty banter and mad, impulsive flirtations. Venus is retrograde so be careful with those flirtations. They’re not likely to go anywhere you’ll want to stay! ARIES (March 20-Apri~ 19): For now, you are everybody’s darling and could get away with almost anything. Dedicate that power for good, not selfish motives. You have so much of yourself to offer; select your beneficiaries wisely to be fully appreciated. TAURUS (Apri~ 20 - May 20): Take some private time with your nearest and dearest in pursuit of pleasures that nurture your soul. No need to hide in a cloister. You can be wild, loud, and frivolous, but do get away from your usual routines and pals. GEMIN~ (May 21- June 20): Fun with your friends can easily get way out of hand, but is that necessarily a bad thing? You could talk a tiger out of his or her stripes, but then what? When you start to improvise, then the fun really begins! SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Your fascination with a new sport or hobby is probably just a passing fancy. Enjoy it, but don’t invest in new gear at this point! Same with any dates right now. Don’t confuse a great time with falling in love. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Changes are needed around your home, and will be again soon. Whatever re-arrangements or new tchatchkes you like now will become annoying later. Just think of it as a springboard - and budget accordingly. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Dahhhling! You are just too, too charming. Be careful not to ta!k your way into something you can’t get out of! Sure, you can fake sincerity for now, but that will trip you up later! Be real! No, really real! PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Brace yourself and take a close look at any financial problems. This is the not the time to be buying anything (bad impulses!) or selling (you’ll get better prices later). Just take stock, and get things into order. CANCER (~une 2t- July 22): The m65n’s not full this week, but you’re shining like it may as well be. Dazzle your way up the ladder of success. Be clear on where you want to go and with ,~hom. Or at least leave room to change partners and destination. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Sometimes it’s best to let people air out their differences or to hone their arguments in fiery debate. If your peacemaking talents aren’t really needed, give yourself an aesthetic challenge at a movie or an art show you’d normally not attend. VlRGO (August 23 - September 22): Being a love god is a better deal when you can choose your worshippers. Even then, you’re likely to make bad choices. Have your fun, but commitments should be made in the cold light of day, not in the throes of passion. L~BP.A (September 23 - October 22): This is a great time to work on a relationship, not to start one. Problems are easy to discuss now. Solutions can come later. It may feel like you’re backtracking. That’s actually good for clarifying those problems. SCORHO (October 23 - November 21): Re-evaluate your goals at the gym. How much are you motivated by pride and vanity? Oh, really? Pushing too hard for looks may be undermining your health. Prioritize health, and your looks wil! last longer! www.metrostarnews.com METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Sunday 6:00 PM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM www.socmcc.org Have a God filled and Blessed Day! ~et~oSTAR 21 �(12" size Only) KING OF MASSAGE Great Touch Man to Man Full Body Massage 2 hands or 4 hands (2437) PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(~t available Community @op e iving Now Hiring Male & Female H~V/A~DS i 501 c (3) l"qon P~ofit Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIV+ an~ or living with AiDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. VVe invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail ourhousetoo9865@sbcglobal.net 22 #~etroSTAR April 2009 �Suppo~ those who suppor~ us. Their ads aliow us to distribute your community news FREE to you. HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-222! ~a~:habanainn.com KELLY KIR£Y, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant i!i,:,ili[~ !i;(i/I VALERIE WILLIFORD 625 N.W. 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 405-226-8585 OKC MORTUARY 2415-C N. X~!ALNUT AVE. Oklahoma City, OK 800-913-1310 THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPIZESSg/AY Oklahoma Cit7, OK 405-525-0730 vavw.habanainn.com EXPRESSIONS Comm Fdlowship 6009 1"~ Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 405 -761 - 1878 ~ww.expressionsO KC.com HOPE CLINIC 3540 E.TESTING 31st Ttflsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline SPIRIT OF CHt~ST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 10 AM MCC LFNITED 1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK 918-838-1715 ~,vw.mcctulsa.org ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK va~w.anglesclub.com OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918-743-4297 BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836:8700 wv,wc.bambooloungetulsa.com OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 CLUB 209 209 N. BOULDER Tulsa, OK 918-584-9944 CHURCH of the OPEN ARMS 3131 N. PENN, OKC, OK 405-525-9555 Service Sunday 10:45 AM CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Ttflsa, OK 918-584-9494 w~waclubmajesfictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH ~RESS\VAY Oldahoma City, OK 405-525-2900 v~v.habanainn.com JUDY G. PHOTO’S Tulsa, OK j udygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 3627 NW EXPRESSg!AY Oklahoma Cit7, OK 73112 405-840-2106 ~vw.c21 goldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: wv,wc.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oldahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn www.okeq.org >> KING OF MASSAGE In or Out Calls Oldahoma City, OK 405-314-3898 HIDEAWAY LOLFNGE 11730 E. I1TH Tulsa, OK 918-437-0449 Open Sun thru Sat 2pm to 2am THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSXX~AY Ol’dahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 w~:habanainn.com THE END UP 5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE Tulsa, OK 918-836-0915 Open 7 days a week 12noon to 2am THE MINESHAFT 424 S Memorial Di: Tulsa, OK 918-836-1250 Open Sun thru Sat 12noon to 2am TULSA EAGLE 1338 E. 31~D Tulsa, OK 918-592-1188 Open 7days week 2pm to 2am www.metrostarnews.com ~etroSTAR 23 �ahomans for Equality The Festival will be held on Saturday, June 6th, from 11arn to 11prn at Centennial Park at: 6th & Peoria. The Festival features a Kids Zone with inflatable water slides, a mechanical bull & a rock climbing wall for the adults, food & drinks, and all kinds of LGBT-friendly vendors, businesses, organizations & churches. Online registration still open! The 2009 Pride Parade starts on Saturday, June 6th at 7:30prn in the Brady Arts District and ends at the Diversity Festival at Centennial Park at 6th & Peoria. Shuttles and security will be provided. Online registration stilt open! Tulsa Folk-Rocker, Eric Hirnan is bringing his new band, Eric and the #.dams, to the Centennial Park Stage to headline at 9:00prn on Saturday night, June 6th. On May 30th at the historic Cain’s Ballroom, the annual Equality Gala will be held, celebrating the 2009 theme "Dreams Really Do Come True!" Visit ww~.okeq,org for tickets! The Tulsa Pride Exhibition of Fine Art, MOREcolor 2009, opens Thursday, June 4th from 5:00-9:00prn and continues Friday June 5th & Saturday June 6th from Noonennis R. Neill Equality Center. .. Turn-A-Bout Fundraiser Library Event PFLAG Spaghetti Dinner Diversi~ Day at the Zoo Pride ~nterfaith Service Gender Avengers/Trans Night ToUoLS.A. Leather Show PFLAG Movie Night OYP Fashion Show & Fundraiser Pride, Pioneers & Pancakes April 1st, 10pro May 28th, 7pro May 29th, 6:30pm May 30th, 10am May 31st, 3pro June 1st, 7pro June 2nd, 7pro June 3rd, 7pro June 5th, 7pro June 6th, 7:00am Club Maverick Tulsa Central Libra~ Fellowship Congregational Church Tulsa Zoo St. Jerome’s Parish Church OkEq Equality Center OkEq Event Center Circle Cinema Centennial Park Stage Centennial Park Building � Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data magazine Text Any textual data included in the document METROSTARNEWS.COM "WE DELIVER DIVERSITY" Church Visits Oklahoma Again By Victor Gorin APRIL 1, 2009 Hi ary Clinton will[ fight for gay rights worl[dwide By Rex Wockner Mr. andMrs. Kevin Sherwood with bikergroup protesting Fred Phelps demonstrators atMoore High School. Gorin photo MOORE, OK __ Spreading their ukual rants of far out homophobia, members of Fred Phelps Westboro Baptist Church ofTopeka, Kansas came to protest near the Oklahoma State Capitol as well as Moore High School March 2. Few in the GLBT or fair minded community are not familiar with this church, as they have been protesting with infamous "God Hates Fags" signs along with other similar sentiments nationwide and abroad for over a decade. They gained national attention in 1998 when they picketed Matthew ShepardS funeral in Laramie,Wyoming with infamous signs, some stating "Matthew is in Hell". Rarely’ missing an opportunity to present their viewpoint, they have picketed funerals of those who have died ofAIDS, and staged protests against governments who have granted rights or tal~en any action they perceive as "fag enabling." More recently their skewed logic went even further when they picketed funerals of American soldiers, incredulously promoting the concept that God is punishing America with the deaths of soldiers because our nation is too tolerant of homosexuals. Understandably this has raised anger with countless patriotic Americans, especially those in the military; veterans and their families & friends. Although the Westboro group had been to Oklahoma before, they returned again to protest against the Oklahoma Legislature for permitting a gay pastor, the Reverend Scott Jones- Cathedral of Hope UCC, to lead a Prayer for the Day at the invitation of State Representative A1 McAffrey. This protest drew a small crowd with TV & press coverage coverage at N.W. 23rd and Sante Fe, before the Phelps clan moved on ........... Continued See BAPTlST Page-9 in , Clinton Wockner by Rex Meeting with young people at the European Parliament in Brussels on March 6, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised to fight for gay rights on the world stage. At a question-and-answer session, Clinton called on Maxim Anmeghichean, programs director for the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay~ Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, after commenting on his "I Love Hillaw" T-shirt. Anmeghichean said: "My name is Max. I am from Moldova, and I am a gay rights activist. In seven countries in the world homosexuals are sentenced to death and many more to prison. A lot of gay men arotmd the world die because of the HIV/ AIDS policies that the Bush administration had that did not allow to spend money on prevention for men who have sex with men. How do you see the foreign policy of the United States changing in the coming years in the field of human rights mad in partictdar sexual rights and gay and lesbian rights?" ........... Continued See HILLARY Page-8 2 April 2009 v~v~.metrostarnews.com ~°~t~oSTAR 3 Busy year ahead £or Sooner State Rodeo By Michael W. Sasser E~oto: fim Grubb, 7~m Dickmann, Don George, V¢7ll Hughes, &Scou" Gouard hosting a spaghel~i dinner to benefit St. Jerome’s Church. TULSA, OK __ With a new executive board elected in February, events already under its belt and a slate of others scheduled for the remainder of the year, the Sooner State Rodeo AssociaOon has a bustling 2009 ahead. "Our overall objective is to bring a rodeo back to Tulsa and to have one on a regular basis," said Tim Dickman, newly elected president. In addition to Dickman, Kevin George, Darin Steward, Kevin Murphy, Don George and Bob "West were elected vice president, tre~asurer, recording secretary, corresponding secretary and trustee respectively in February. "We want to remind people we’re still here, we’re still active and we are starting a new campaign to get people interested. Dickanau said. A spaghetti dinner at St. Jerome’s Church and a club night at Mavericks drew the community~ attention and attracted several new members. Key events ahead are also expected to garner notice and new members. The Associatioffs next general membership meeting is slated for Sunday, April 5th at St. Jerome’s Church in Brady Heights, and the general public is invited to attend. On April 24th at 9 pm at Mavericks, the Sooner State Royalty Roundup season kicks offwith a lead-in to the f~l 2009 competition. Past ’Royalty competitors will be on hand as well as those from other Associations. "We have the whole year m get contestants, but this event and others ~ve will have throughout the year help people raise the money they need to in order to compete and to get some experience beforehand," Dickman said. The Sooner State ¯ Rodeo Association is hosting its 3rd ka~nual Spring Blowout Barrel Race on Saturday, May 2nd at a site to be determined by the end of March. New membership and renewed energy and interest in the Association are keys to a successful 2009. "XWe need the community’s involvement, bars’ involvement and participants’ involvement to bring a rodeo back to Tulsa," Dickrnan said. "It’s going to be an exciting year and we invite everyone in the commun!ty to join in." For more information, call (918) 577-0030 or wvo~c.soonerstaterodeo.com KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY AT PHOENIX RISING MAY 2 By Victor Gorin OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Looking for some after May Day fun? On Saturday May 2 Phoenix Rising will host the 3rd annual Kentuc~- Derby ParD; where you can enjoy food with friends, wet your whistle at the cash bar and enjoy the thrill of the Kentucky Derby on the big screen. Originally organized by a group of friends who love equestrian sport, the first party had around 65 people, the next about 80, and they are hoping for a bigger crowd this year to experience the fun. As one of the organizers Max Paty puts it, "Last year it vcent from dead quiet when the race started, and then they just went crazy when the horses came down the home stretch, and it was really exciting!" It’s a free event with complimentary snacks and a cash bar, and everyone is invited, including out of towners who happen to be in OKC that day. It’s a great way to celebrate that event with your friends while meeting nev¢ ones. OKEQart gallery opens new exhibit featuring artist Krysta Hamilton TULSA, OK (PR) __ The Dennis Ik Neill Equality Center art gallery will host its monthly First Thursday meet-the-artist reception from 6-gpm, Thursday, April 2, 2009, for the opening of the new exhibit showing the paintings of artist, g-,Tsta Hamilton. The exhibit will remain up through the month ofApril, and can be viewed Monday thru Saturday from 3-9pm. The Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is located at 621 E. 4th St., in downtown Tulsa. More info can be found on the web at okeq.org. 7his monthly event is hosted by Oklahoman’s for EqualiO, (OkEq): OkEq seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Tmnsgender (LGBT) individuals andfamilies through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation ofthe Dennis R. Neill EqualiO, Cente~ 4 April 2009 From ~2.95 AskAbout LaV®nda www.metrostarnews.com ~I®t~oSTAR 5 anna Pa ge Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland 200 By Victor Gorin Pageant co-ownerJames Walke~ Adrienne Fische~ Alanna Paige, Anita Ryde~ and other co-owner Mark Christensen. Gorin photo O~IOMA CITY, OK__ On February 20 Manna Paige captured the title of Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland for 2009, with Anita Ryder ( currently also Miss Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association) winning first alternate. As a preliminary contest for the Miss Gay Oldahoma America Pageant, they will go on to compete for that title. It was a festive evening at Angles as the current A1 Mc rey O ahoma County Medalion Dinner. reigning Miss Gay Oklahoma Heartland Adrienne Fischer passed on that tide ( she is also the current reigning Miss Gay Oklahoma) to Miss Paige. Pictured above are pageant co-owner James VCalker, Adrienne Fischer, Manna Paige, Anita Ryder & other pageant co-owner Mark Christensen By Victor Gorin A NEW KING GETS CRO’WNED! By Victor Gorin Judy Calhoun celebrates her birthday at the annual Oklahoma County Democratic Patty_ Medallion Dinn~ well wished by AIMcAfl~ey and Ieshia who led herfriends in song. Gorin photo. OYA~S,HOMA CITY, OK__ State Representative A1 McAffrey was the Master of Ceremonies for the Oklahoma Count), Democratic Party February 20. This is an annual event for the Party that is not only for fellowship, but also strengthening plans and resolve for the future. Represented at this event were both the Oklahoma Stonewall Democrats and the Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus. Count3; Conventions will be held April 4, Congressional House District Conventions May 2, with the State Convention May 16 in Oklahoma City. To become involved or register to vote, go to ww,v.okdemocrats. org, or call State Party Headquarters (405) 427-3366, and in Tulsa call Tulsa County Headquarters (918-742 2457). 2nd alternate Amadeus Ka~nii York- Texas, IGng Richard Cranium oflndiana , and Ist alternate Owen McCord ofGeorgia. OKLAHOMA CITY, OK__ Oklahoma City again hosted the National Mr.Gay US ofA MI contest at Angles dates September 11- 15. Emceed by the vivacious Amaya Mann, the competition began with 31 qualified contestants, narrowed down to 14 finalists for the finale March 15. Passing on his tide was the reigning King from 2008 Xander Kinidy ofTennessee, whose mother was present at the event. Capturing the tides for 2009 are 2nd Alternate Amadeus Karmanii York ofTexas, 1st Alternate Owen McCord of Georgia, and the new king, Richard Cranium of Indiana. 6 @et~oSTAR April 2009 Wockner News Service ANALYSIS: California Supremes hear Prop 8 challenge Tl~e California Supreme Court on March 5 held its hearing in the case challenging Proposition 8, the voter-passed constitutional amendment that re-banned same-sex marriage -- and the hearing was an apparent disaster t’or the gay side¯ The justices constantly interrupted the gay side’s lawyers with aggressive questions, but let pro-Prop-8 attorney Ken Starr speak mostly unimpeded. ~ae justices seemed fixated on the fact that California’s domestic-partnership law gives gay Couples the same rights as a marriage, and the), downplayed the fact that they had ruled that separate isn’t equal in their May 2008 decision that legalized same-sex marriage. The justices seemed enamored of the notion that the people can do almost whatever they want via the ballot-box amendment process -- including repealing freedom of speech, banning gay adoption and pretty much anything else. The justices all but laughed out of the chamber state Attorney General Jerry Browffs nove! "inalienable rights" natural-law argument against Prop 8. "~e just an amendment or instead a constitutional revision. A revision has to start in the Legislature or at a constitutional convention; it can’t start with people collecting voter signatures, as Prop 8 did. On that key question, the gay side appears doomed as well, because court precedent on the issue does not favor the gay side’s arguments. Only a couple of the justices appeared possibly open to the idea of expanding their notion ofwhat constitutes a constitutional revision. On the case’s other big question -- whether the 18,000 couples who married in California between June and November 2008 will end up un-married if the court upholds Prop 8 -- a majority of the justices seemed opposed to viewing Prop 8 as rettoactive, despite its rather plain wording: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." At one point, the justices had a bit of Clintonian fun ruminating on "what the meaning of the word ’is’ is" in Prop 8. Kenneth Starr came across at the hearing as smart, confident, well-spoken and quick on his feet. None of the gay side’s lawyers did as well. But, in fairness, they were hardly able to get a word in edgewise because of constant interruptions from the justices. Media and blogger analysts were unanimous in concluding that the court is going to uphold Prop 8. That would leave the gay side with two options: Return to the California ballot with a proactive initiative to attempt to undo Prop 8. Or take it to,the U.S. Supreme Court, using the court s ruling in the Colorado Amendment 2 case as a precedent. In that case, the high court struck dovin a state constitutional amendment that prohibited Colorado governments from protecting gay people in anti-discrimination laws. The justices said government cannot irrationally single out~one group of people for disfavored treatment. Both of these "next step" options are considered risky moves. The court must issue its ruling by early June. Dolly Parton: ’I am not gay Country-music legend Dolly Parton is straight, she told CNN’s Larry King on Feb. 21. "I am not ga~" Parton said. "I have been accused of that. But I have been happily married for 42 years to the same man. And he’s not the least bit, you know, threatened by the fact that I may be gay. And he knows have a lot of friends. But I love everybody. It doesn’t matter to me." Part0n said gay people like her because she’s authentic. "I think the gay people have always liked me because I have always been mysel[ I’m not intimidated by ho~v people perceive me, I don’t judge nor criticize people," she said. "I think that’s another reason they at least know that I’m sympathetic. I think all people have a right to be who they are. We’re all God’s children and God should be the one to judge, not other people. So I have a lot of gay friends, lesbian friends." ’Milk’ gays the Oscars The Academy Awards offered some gayerthan- usual moments Feb. 22 as the movie Milk snagged two Oscars. Accepting the award for best actor, for his portrayal of gay icon Harvey Milk, actor Sean Penn said: "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns.... For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone." And openly gay Dustin Lance Black, accepting the trophy for original screenplay, gave a shout-out to gay kids. "When I was 13 years old, my beatitiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Tex., to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk," Black said. ’~md it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life. It gave me the hope one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married. "If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are ’less than’ by : or by their you are beautiful, wonderful creatures ofvalue and that no matter what ~yone ~eils you, God does love you, ~d that veiT SO0n~ I promise you; ~ou ~ill have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours." In Singapore, where gay sex is illegal, MediaCorp TV deleted portions of Black’s and Penn’s speeches from its rebroadcast of the awards. MediaCorp/Channel 5 censorship manager David Christie said the broadcast "would have been in serious breach of the MDA (Media Development Authority) Programme Code if such controversial content was not editorially managed." "The code explicitly disallows content that sympathizes with, promotes or normalizes such a lifestyle from being broadcast," he said. The Asian satellite TV service STAR also censored the two men’s speeches, dropping the audio each time the word "gay" or "lesbian" was uttered. STAR beams into more than 50 countries to some 300 million viewers. Utah senator demoted for anti-gay remarks Utah state Sen. Chris Buttars was ousted from two committees by Republican leaders Feb. 20 after he made homophobic remarks to a documentary maker. Buttars spoke in January to TV reporter Reed Cowan, who is making a documentary on the ¯ Mormon church’s involvement in the passage of California’s Proposition 8. The senator’s comments included: "Homosexuality will always be a sexual perversion. And you say that around here now and everybody goes nuts. But I don’t care.... They’re mean. They want to talk about being nice, they’re the meanest buggers I’ve ever seen.... It’s just like the Moslems. Moslems are good people and their religion is anti-war. But it’s been taken over by the radical side.... What is the morals of a gay person? You can’t answer that because anything goes.... They’re probably the greatest threat to America going down I know of. ... q]aey want superiority. It’s the beginning of the end. Oh, it’s worse than that. Sure. Sodom and Gomorrah was localized. This is worldwide." According to Salt Lake City’s KTVX, ~vhich broke the story: "Buttars also talks about a certain type of reported gay sex!~al activity which he claims is taking place. But ABC 4 does not consider that appropriate for its news content Students at George Mason University in Fairfax County, Va., elected a gay drag queen as homecoming queen Feb. 14. Senior Ryan Allen, who ran for the honor as Reann Ballslee, beat out two women for the crown. "It was just for fun," Allen told the Washington Post. "In the larger scheme of things, winning says so much about the university. X~[e’re one of the most diverse campuses in the country, and... ,ve celebrate that." MORTUARY ~ERVICE,~ www.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 7 Gay New Yorkers protest sex-shop arrests Several dozen gay N~v ~rkers protested near Mayor Mict§ael Bloomberg~ mansion Feb. 14 over what they say are bogus arrests ofg~y men in adult video arcades. Photo byJoe Jervis Several dozen gay New ¥orkers protested near Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s mansion Feb. 14 over what they say are bogus arrests of gay men in adult video arcades. The activists claim undercover police o~cers have been hitting on gay men, then, after the men agree to have sex, leading them outside, offering them money, and arresting them for prostitution, whether they accept the money or not. At least 50 men have been victims of the sting, the activists said. The motive for the arrests is to create a pretense for shutting down the shops, the activists said. ~e arrests have been condemned by openly lesbian City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and openly gay state Sen. Tom Duane, among others. Hawaii House passes civil-union bill Hawaii’s House of Representatives passed a civil-union bill Feb. 12 by a vote of 33-17. The measure now advances to the Senate Judiciary Committee, where its fate is unpredictable. Republican Gov. Linda Lingle has not taken a position on the legislation. The proposal would grant civil-union couples all the state-level benefits, protections and responsibilities of marriage. Hawaii presendy has a reciprocal-beneficiaries law that grants registered same-sex couples limited spousal rights. Similar limited laws are in place in Maine and Washington. Five states -- California, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon, and Vermont -- and Washington, D.C., have full civil-union laws that grant all state-level spousal rights. Massachusetts and Connecticut let gay couples marry, and New York recognizes same-sex marriages from states and countries that permit them. Tt~e other countries that let gay couples marry are Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands, Norway, South Africa and Spain. Beau poses nude Beau Breedtove, the 21-year-old man who had sex with Portland, Ore., Mayor Sam Adams just after Breedlove turned 18, has posed nude for the May issue of the gay porn magazine Unzipped. The revelation of the aNair nearly ended Adams’ career earlier this year. Adams was 42 years old at the time of the brief relationship and, when asked about it during his mayoral campaign, had denied it happened. Nae men claim to still be ftiends. "Beau Breedlove was extremely professional at his first erotic photo shoot in Los Ba~geles this past weekend," Unzipped online editor Sean Carnage told Advocate.corn Feb. 18. "He came to L.A. to prove that the Portland scandal does not define his sexuality. The photos portray the real Beau -- a confident and extremely handsome young man who is openly sensual, openly sexual and has nothing to hide." "We had some trouble getting them into this house because of some, what I believe to be, antiquated rules here, but they are here, minus tiaras and sashes," New Democratic Party legislator Spencer Herbert said as he introduced the foursome to fellow legislators. Legislative sergeant-at:arms Gary Lenz explained that "protocol" prohibits headgear and certain other items inside the chamber, to maintain "dignity." Larry amer: Lincoln and Washington were gay Veteran gay and MDS activist, author and playwright Larry Kramer says he has evidence that Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were gay. Colorado senator in antigay rant Colorado state Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, unleashed a six-minute anti-gay diatribe on the floor of the Senate Feb. 23 during debate on a bill to allow gay state employees to share health benefits ~vith their partners. Speaking to the Montreal newspaper Hour on March 5, Kramer said he will reveal the details in a book he’s writing, The American People: A History. He equated gay sex with murder and adultery and seemingly suggested that people ~vho engage in gay sex commit ’,detestable" acts .... been wntten or stud......... "It’s a monster book," Kramer said. "It’s an attempt to put us (gay people) back in history from the beginning. No history book ever recorded anything about us, and researching this book I found out that both Lincoln and George Washington were gay.... I have stuff that will go beyond anything that has ever Renfroe said: "Homosexuality is seen as a violation of this natural creative order, and it is an offense to God.... Leviticus 18:22 ’ says: ’You shall not lie witha man as one lies with a female. It is an abomination.’ Leviticus 20:13 says, ’If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a ,voman, both of them have committed a detestable act, and they shall surely be put to death.’ ... When we create laws that goes (sic)against what biblically we are supposed to stand for, I think we are agreeing, or allowing to go forward, a sin which should not be treated by government as something that is legal. ... We are taking sins and making them to be legally OK, and that is ,vrong. That is an abomination.... And I’m not saying that this is the only sin that’s out there. Obviously, we have sin. We have murder, we have all sorts of sins. We have adultery. And we don’t make laws making those leg~A.... All sin is equa!. That sin there is as equal to any other sin that’s in the Bible." The bill passed. Drag r?yalty stripped ofregaha be sergeant-atarlns Mr. and Miss Gay Vancouver XXIX, along with the Emperor and Empress V of Surrey, were allowed to enter the Canadian province of British Columbia’s Legislative Assembly only after removing their tiaras, crowns and sashes, The Vancouver Sun reported March 2. Clinton responded: "Human rights is and will always be one of the pillars of our foreign policy. And in particular, the persecution and discrimination against gays and lesbians is something that we take very seriously. It is terribly unfortunate, as you just recited, that, you lmow, right now in unfortunately many places in the world violence against gays and lesbians, certainly discrimination and prejudice, are not just occurring but condoned and protected, and we would hope that over the next few years we could have some influence in trying to change those attitudes." Clinton continued: "Specifically, with respect to HIV/AIDS, we have made a very big treatment commitment, as some of you know, through our program called PEPFAR. And it is an important part of the American approach toward trying to deal with the HIV/ MDS pandemic. But we haven’t done enough on prevention, and we haven’t done enough on outreach or testing. We’re beginning to, and under our administration we will do much more. And I can only hope that we all live long enough -- certainly I hope I live long enough; I think you all will -- to see the end to this kind of discriminatory treatment, and recognition that human rights are the inalienable right of every person no matter who that person loves, and that’s what we should be trying to achieve." 8 P~etroSTAR Apd12009 Sonja Martinez Receives the Richard May Award Sofia Martinez (Center) with her niece Jessica Martinez-Brooks and her sister and artist Bernadette Martinez. Pressphom OK_LAHOMA CITY, OK (PR) _The Oklahoma MDS Care Fund celebrated its Seventeenth Bmnual "Red Tie Night" at the Cox Communications Center February 28, 2009. The "Red Tie Night" brings together man), individuals and corporations to raise as much as one million dollars in a single night through various donations, auctions and generosity of many Oklahomans. The goal of the event is to raise money tbr education, direct services and research to fight HIV/ AIDS throughout the State of Oklahoma. One of the highlights of a very eventful evening was the presentation of the Richard May Award to Sonja Martinez. Sonja is the daughter ofJesse and ka~ita Martinez of Oldahoma City. The Richard May Award was established by the Oklahoma MDS Care Fund to honor Richard May, a founder of the organization who passed away in March, 2000. The premise of the Richard May Award is that it is to be given annually in recognition of an individual who has given, in an exceptional way, of their time and talents to promote education, research and service regarding HIV/AIDS. The recipient should exemplify quiet strength and compassion, never seeking recognition, which was the spirit of Richard May. Sonja has an annual Christmas Benefit to raise money for those with HIV/AIDS and this next year will be her nineteenth annual benefit. The benefit is held at the COPA bev;veen Thanksgiving and Christmas every year. Sonja accepted the award by saying: "~is award is a very big honor and I thank you so much. I would like to accept this award on behalf of all the dubs and entertainers in the Gay Community who do benefits all year around. I would also like to thank: Barbara and Jackie Cooper, Rick Moses, John Beebe, Tony Sinclair and Dee Goodwin; my family vcho have supported me and loved me unconditionally. And the Red Tie, thank you for all that you do." Christian, I623 N. iVlaplewood Tulsa, OK www,mcctuls org Oklahoma City, OK No matter who you are o are on life’s journey, y~: -R®ver®.d ~r. K~hy 405.525.9555 Kansas City’s Heartland Men’s Chorus rills OKC Crowd By Victor Gorin CharlesJohnson presents director Dn Joseph Nadeau with a plaquej~om the City ofthe Village thanking themfor theirpe,formance. Gorin photo OKLAHOMA CITY, OK __ Oklahoma City was treated to a grand performance by the Heartland Men’s Chorus March 3 when the played to a large crowd at the Village Christian Church. N~e Chorus, which began in 1986, has performed extensively in the Missouri/Kansas area, and also throughout the United States and abroad. Featuring an eclectic mix of men’s choral music encompassing several music styles, the chorus was won acclaim and respecf froma wide City has were recognized by the City ( suburban community of OKC), and this concert, which was their OKC debut, would also benefit the BritVil Food Bank. Bringing their songs to Oklahoma, they presented their concept concert, "And Justice for All." Beginning xvith a number from the musical South Pacifici "You’ve got to be Cargfully Taught/Children will Listen", which depicted racism, they ,;vent through a series of selections accompanied by readings and accompanying pictures which portrayed the struggles of blacks, women, and the more recent activism of title GLBT community. Highlights included activist classics "We Shall Overcome" & ’Tkin’t gonna let nobody Turn me Round, but also included the comic relief of"Color of Colorado," a campy classic from the off Broadway musical "When Pigs FI~’ that portrays how vital the GLBT community really is to America. Closing with "I will stand with You," they left the audience with not only a call for unity but hope for a better tomorrow. Under the direction of Dr. Joseph Nadeau, they performed the following day for the American Choral Directors National Convention which also took place in Oklahoma City. They held the distinction of being one of only 2 gay men’s choruses to be invited to perform for that conference in the group’s 50 year history. to Moore Oklahoma for another protest at Moore High School. Although their reasoning for picking out Moore High School for a protest site was unknown, their website did promise "We will picket you hypocrites and we continue to THANK GOD for the tornados that keep kicking Oklahoma’s backside.’Moore High School dismissed classes 15 minutes early for those students wishing to avoid the protest, but many stayed to tal~e part in what ’turned out to be a major counter protest. That protest, organized by Chelsea Marlett ( daughter ofRon Marlett, ~vho ran against Sally Kern in the State Legislative race 2008) not only brought out many from the GLBT community, but also many others to form a diverse crowd of around 2000 that included civil libertarians, yeterans groups, and just plain folks young and old. Undoubtedly the most spectacular counter protesters were the bikers, xvho rode repeatedly past the Phelps clan revving their engines to the crowd’s applause. Jeannie and other Moore High School students protest Phelps group. Gorin photo As one of them put it, Kevin Sherwood stated "I fought for our country for people to be able to live their lives they way they want. I fought so they ( the Phelps group) can say what they want to say, but we get the same rights. What upset me more than anything else is that they came here to scare kids. But apparently most of them ain’t all that scared!" Living proof of that was Jeannie, a student of Moore High School,who after some colorful outbursts about her opinion of the Phelps clan, had this to say" God loves all of us, we’re all equal, gays lesbians, it doesn’t matter God loves us all." www.metrostarnews.com #~÷troSTAR 9 10 ~oSTAR April 2009 British PM opposes Prop8 British Prime Minister Gordon Brown opposes Proposition 8, the California ballot measure that last November re-banned samesex marriage after the state Supreme Court had legalized it. "This Proposition 8, this attempt to undo the good that has been done, this attempt to create divorces among 18,000 people who were perfectly legally brought together in partnerships, this is unacceptable and shows me why we alxvays have to be vigilant, why we have alvcays got to fight homophobic behavior and any form of discrimination," Brown said March 5 at a Downing Street reception for GLBT VIPs. 6 in his apartment in Call He suffered a fatal blow to the head and was found tied to his bed and gagged. The apartment had been trashed but there were no signs of forced entry and nothing was stolen. Rivera received national attention when he fought a 2001 mandate by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas that all residents ofa FARC-controlled sector of the eastern state of Meta take an HIV test or leave the area within a week. Thereafter, he received death threats and was followed on the streets and harassed at worlc He eventually left Meta, his home state, as a result. On March 4, the California Suprelne Court heard oral arguments in the case seeking to overturn the constitutional amendment. It is widely expected that the effort will fail, with the justices deciding, in effect, that the right of the voters to amend the constitution is more sacrosanct than the constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law. The court must issue its decision by early June. Burundi plan to ban gay sex dies in Senate Leading Latino-issues blogger Andrds Duque called Rivera’s death "a tremendous loss to the international human rights movement." Argentina lifts military gay ban Argentina’s military decriminalized homosexuality and lifted its gay ban Feb. 27. Part of an overhaul of the military justice system, the change was approved by Parliament last year and took effect six months after passage. A move to ban gay sex in the Central African U.S.-based Latino-issues, blogger Andrds nati~ 6f Burundi was reiected by the Senate ~t}que called the m.ove ’.on.e more L.GBT Feb. 16 after having passed the National nghts development in a Latin American Assembly unanimously in November. nation that leapfrogs over current U.S. "Burundi’s Senate, after significant pressure and ’heated debate,’ today reiected the proposed amendment to criminalize homosexual conduct. Victory -- for the moment," said Scott Long, head of Human Rights Watclqs LGBT Rights Division. The proposal, part of a much larger bill, set a punishment of between three months and two years in prison, along with a large fine, for engaging in consensual adult gay sex. The Senate and Assembly must now form a commission to reconcile the two versions of the bill before sending it to President Pierre Nkurunziza. "Any reconciliation could, potentially, reinstate the provision criminalizing samesex conduct," said the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission. "Whatever the outcome, the fact that the majority of senators voted against the provision shows a growing recognition that all citizens are entitled to the full enjoyment of human rights irtespective of their sexual orientation." policy" Gays in the U.S. military are required to remain in the closet under the "Don’t Ask, Dofft Tell" policy signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Prior to that time, gays were not allowed in the U.S. military at all. 300,000 at Sydney Mardi Gras Sydney’s 31st gay Mardi Gras parade attracted 300,000 spectators, 130 floats and 9,500 participants March 7. Openly gay Olympic gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham led offthe procession. His winning dive at the Beijing Olympics was the highest-scoring dive in Olympic history. Marching units included the Federal Police, the military and New South Wales firefighters. U.S. comedian Joan Rivers also joined in, riding on top of a truck. Eighty-four of the world’s 19 5 nations ban gay sex. Colombian gay leader m dered Well-lmown Colombian gay activist idvaro Miguel Rivera Linares, 41, was killed March Jamaica .bans most antigay music Jamaica’s Broadcasting Commission has effectively banned most anti-gay dancehall songs from being played over the airwaves. Wockner News Service New regulations prohibit broadcast of songs and videos that glorify arson, rape, shooting or murder, as well as depictions of sex acts. Gay activists, locally and internationally, have campaigned for years against the anti-gay alleged "murder music" ofJamaican artists such as Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel, Beenie Man, Buju Banton, T.O.K. and Capleton. Phelpses banned from entering UK Anti-gay Kansas pastor Fred Phelps and his daughter Shirley have been banned from entering the United Kingdom, the Telegraph reported Feb. 19. The "God hates fags" team had announced plans to picket a performance of’l-he Laramie Project on Feb. 20 at a school arts center in Basingstoke, Hampshire. A UK Border Agency spokesman said: "Both these individuals have engaged in unacceptable behavior by inciting hatred against a number of communities.... We will continue to stop those who want to spread extremism, hatred and violent messages in our communities from coming to our country." In an interview with the BBC, Shirley Phelps- Roper stated: "There are members ofWBC (Westboro Baptist Church) that are not named Phelps.... Unless they intend to begin checking the bare backsides of every person coming into that country to find that tattoo that says ’Property ofWBC,’ they will have no way of identifying who is from WBC." In the end, a single, unidentified demonstrator showed up and was chased offby about 50 counterprotesters, the BBC reported. HIV rate climbs in Asia Gay and bisexual men in Asia are having risky unprotected sex, causing dramatic climbs in HIV infection rates, said officials attending a World Health Organization HIV/AIDS conference Feb. 18 in Hong Kong. The gathering heard that more than 30 percent of gay and bisexual men in Bangkok are HIV-positive, while some Chinese cities report a rate as high as 18 percent, and China as a whole has a rate of 3.8 percent among gay/bisexual men. The director of Chinas AIDS-control center, Wu Zunyou, said amphetamine use and Internet hookups are factors in the climbing infection rate. HIV now is Chinas deadliest infectious disease, according to a new report from the Ministry of Health. More than 8 percent of gay and bisexual men in Jakarta are HIV-positive, the conference heard, as are 7.8 percent in Cambodia. Singapore censors Oscars Singapore’s MediaCorp TV censored its replay of the Academy Awards Feb. 23, removing portions of Dustin Lance Black’s acceptance speech. Black won the original screenplay Oscar for Milk, and said: "When I was 13 years old, my beautiful mother and my father moved me from a conservative Mormon home in San Antonio, Tex., to California, and I heard the story of Harvey Milk. And it gave me hope. It gave me the hope to live my life. It gave me the hope one day I could live my life openly as who I am and that maybe even I could fall in love and one day get married. "If Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are ’less than’ by their churches, by the government or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you, and that very soon, I promise you, you will have equal rights federally across this great nation of ours." Sean Penn’s acceptance speech also was truncated. He won the best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Harvey Milk. Penn said: "You commie, homo-loving sons of guns.... For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone." Subscribers to one of the main Singaporean gay e-mail lists were outraged at the edits. "This sort of bigoted, intolerant and ignorant action by a national broadcaster is better suited for Iran or North Korea than a nation that puts itself forward as a modern worldclass city," wrote one. MediaCorp/Channel 5 censorship,manager David Christie said the broddcast would have been in serious breach of the MDA (Media Development Authority) Programme Code if such controversial content was not editorially managed." "The code explicitly disallows content that sympathizes with, promotes or normalizes such a lifestyle from being broadcast," he said. Gay sex is illegal in Singapore. The Asian satellite TV service STAR also censored the two men’s speeches, dropping the audio each time the word "gay" or "lesbian" vcas uttered. STAR beams into more than 50 countries to some 300 million viewers. www.rnetrostarnews.com #d®troSTAR 11 By Camper English Colder, smaller, weaker: Better martinis ~lhe diplomatic way of defining the "best martini" is as "the martini that you like the best." But, really, if you’re pulling a jug of vodka out of the freezer and pouring it into a glass, you’re not drinking a martini at all. You’re drinldng a glass of cold vodl~a. Add olives and you’ve got vodka with a snack. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I drink cold vodka all the time, and ~vho doesn’t enjoy a string of olives for dinner? But a martini is a mixed drink, necessitating more than one ingredient to mix into it. Bar-haviora Problems The working theory is that the martini star~ed as a spinoff of the Martinez, a cocktail made with sweetened gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur and bitters (with a lemon twist). As tastes in cocktails shifted away from sweet drinks, the "Dry Martini" made with d~/vermouth became more popular, and eventually most everybody forgot about the bitters. Vodka didn’t become an option until later. Gay bar bartenders, who are not necessarily gay bartenders, are usually the most ei~cient and fair intoxicologists in tl~e drinking universe. I say "fair" because at straight establishments, hot women and rid>looking men (usually jerk~) get first priority, and the bartenders frequently take drink orders out of order. Infuriating! This is not often the case in gay ~vatering holes, where the bartenders tend to be the hottest people in the room and dofft need to impress you by serving you first (you need impress them with the size of your tips). Given the variations over time, you could rightfully order your martini made with gin or vodka, sweet or dry vermouth or none at all, bitters or not, olives or a twist - and you could find a published recipe to back it up. None are the "right" way to make a martini, but I would encourage experimentation to find the way that’s right for you. Also, gay bar patrons Imow how to behave (toward the bartender anyway) and will often line up in an orderly fashion at the drink well rather than shouting and waving like the opening scene ofThe Love Boat al! along the bar. I take straight friends to my favorite gay bar and they are anlazed at the German,like efficientT in place. They are often jealous and ofthe strained drink in the frdezer’ ...... determine to start coming there every night, until they hear ........... .... ...... the 14th Madonna remix in a row. I can’t say I blame them. In a nightclub or other crowded venue, or anywhere with a mixed crowd, all bets for orderly ordering are off. You need to gain the attention of tl~e bartender as well as make him or her think you’re going to be a good (i.e., fast, non-annoying) customer. Here are a few suggestions for attracting the bartender and keeping his attention. While jumbo-sized martini glasses used in many bars provide a lot of liquor for the dollar, by the time you get to the bottom half you’re drinking room-temperature alcohol. That is bad. Or worse, it’s a warm salt bath if you’ve got the extra-large-sized olives in there that help to heat it xtp. The very dassiest ofbars serve their martinis in very small, very cold glasses - with an additional quantity of the drink in an ice-chilled container on the side. That is lovely. At home, I use vintage (small) glassware and keep the remainder cooling Look available. You want to make eye contact with the bartender and have her give you the "I see you" nod. To accomplish this, face the bar, not your friends behind you. If you’re turned around chatting and using the bar as a leaning post, you’re not giving the right signal. Be ready. When you are trying to get the bartender’s attention, have visible cash in your hand -but don’t ~vave it around unless there is a row of drag queens in six-inch heels blocking your line of sight. And if you’re planning to pay with a credit card, you may want to keep that hidden. It takes longer to process, so the bartender will serve the cash-holding folks first. Also, be ready with your friends’ drink orders. Don’t wait until the bartender gets there to turn around and say, "What do you guys want?" As the person standing next to you, H1 swoop in and say "~ree martinis please" when your back is turned. I’m like that. S~’ategize. Don’t shout to get the bartender’s attention. Nobody likes to be yelled at while doing their job. A friendly "Hi!" sometimes helps though. Make your first tip the most generous one to help ensure prompt service and healthy pours for the rest of the evening. And be respectful of others - if the guy next to you was waiting longer but the bartender comes to you, give him the "he was here first" point. The bartender will remember that you’re next, and you never kmow if that guy next to you wil! return the favor and pay for your drink. Do not fear vermouth. Try it and you might find you actually like it - but probably not the 4-year-old, mostly full bottle gathering dust in the back of your liquor cabinet. Use a fresh bottle. Vermouth spoils like wine after opening, so buy small bottles and keep them in the refrigerator to lengthen their life span. Ice, too, is an ingredient in the drink. Ifyou keep your vodka or gin in the freezer, not much water will melt into your martini. Dilution brings the drink down to a manageable level of alcoholic strength to keep you from making that too-strong scrunchy face that gives you wrinkles. A martini should be refreshing, not painful. The shaken-versus-stirred decision is not worth the ~veight given to it. Shaking adds ice chips and air bubbles that make the drink look doudy and taste fizzy, whereas stirring results in a clear and smooth cocktail from the get-go. I prefer a stirred martini when I’m at a nice cocktail lounge, but I do often shake them at home. Not because it tastes better, but because shaldng is more fun. Camper English is a cocktails and spirits writer andpublisher of Alcademics. com. ’ 12 ~et~:oSTAR April 2009 ~e internationally renowned cast ofWoody Sez- back rowfrom left: Helen Russell, Darci Deaville, Andy Tekstein;J~ont- David Lutken as Woody @hoto courtesy of The Scotsman Publications Ltd.) OKLAHOI~La~ CITY, OK (PR) __ Lyric ~eatre, OkAahoma’s premiere professional theatre company, will present the American Premiere ofWoody Sez, the words, music, & spirit ofV[oody Guthrie as part of the 2009 "Lyric at the Plaza" season. This unique theatrical concert event celebrates the life and spirit ofAmerican folk legend Vioody Guthrie, whose music continues to inspire today’s finest storytelling songwriters including Bob DyIan, Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, the Indigo Girls, and Billy Bragg. Lyri& production will run from March 26th through April 1 lth and features the show’s original cast from its European tour. st0ryte!l& ~na David tutken Stars in {he and actor,musici~s Darcie Deaville ,Teirstein join in ,to portray up the fabric of Guthrie’s amazing story. The four accompany themselves on over 15 different instruments, ranging from guitar and fiddle to jaw harp and dulcimer. \Voodrow Wilson "W’oody" Guthrie was born in 1912 in Okemah, Oklahoma. He is best kmown as an American singersongwriter and folk musician, whose musical legacT indudes hundreds of political, traditional and children’s songs, ballads and improvised works. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress. Guthrie traveled from Oklahoma to California and later New York and used his rich life experiences and observations to write traditional folk and blues songs, many ofwhich deal with the Great Depression. Guthrie died from complications of Huntington’s disease, a progressive genetic neurological disorder. When Nick Corley accepted the position as Lyric’s new artistic director, he was thrilled with the timing and what it meant for the future ofWoody Sez. With the blessing of the Guthrie estate, Corley, who has directed the show fi’om its inception, prepared Lyric for the American premiere, so that Oklahomans could be the first in ~he country to celebrate Guthrie’s life and music in this special way. Furthermore, so that the celebration of Woody’s spirit can reach even further beyond the Oklahoma City metro area, Lyric Theatre has plans to take the show on the road. A special presentation ofWoody Sez, the words, music, & spirit ofWoody Guthrie has been generously underwritten by Continental Resources, one of the largest independent oil and natural gas companies in the United States. The show will play a special two-night engagement at the Enid Symphony Center on Tuesday, March 31st and g~rednesday, April 1st at 7:30pm, marking the first time in the company’s 47-year history that a full prod,uction will be performed outside of Lyric s home venue. Back in Oldahoma City, Woody Sez performances are March 26th through April 1 lth: Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays at 8:00pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm & 8:00pro. For tickets: ,a-wvc.lyrictheatreokc.com, (405) 524-9312, or in person at 1727 NW 16th St, Oldahoma City, OK. In Oklahoma City, the renovation and opening of Plaza Theatre, located on NW 16th Street between Penn and Classen, means that audiences can look forward to an intimate world-class theatrical experience, complete ~vith free accessible parking, tdtracomfortable seating, and a full service cash bar. Drinks are even allowed inside the theatre as the audience takes in the performance. The 2009 "Lyric at the Plaza" season concludes in May with Steel Magnolias. Lyric will continue to produce its annual summer season at downtmvn Oklahoma City’s Civic Center Music Hall, beginning in June with Disney’s High School Musical 2 and continuing with The Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Producers, and Little Shop of Horrors. w~-w.metrostarnews.com NetroSTAR 13 Arkansas Domestic Partnership Registry Under Attack Gay News Bureau EUREKA SPRINGS, AR The only Domestic Partnership Registry in Arkansas-- and one of the fe~v in the Mid-South region of the country--may soon be history if one right-wing state legislator has his way. But the Eureka Springs mayor, city council and supporters of the DPR, vow to vigorously oppose a move by Republican Arkansas State Rep. Bryan King to do away with it. In only 22 months, 256 unmarried couples from 55 Arkansas communities and 14 other states have registered as domestic partners in Eureka Springs. At least 28 of those couples came from neighboring Oklahoma and another 32 from Missouri, says Michael Walsh, who wrote the domestic partnership law that went into effect in June 2007. Efforts to keep the resort town from officially honoring gay and straight couples is "transparent homophobia," he says. "There are six words to describe State Rep. Bryan King ofArkansas," said Walsh, "and they are, ’State Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma’. To know one is to know the other." DPR advocates say it is hypocritical for any state lawmaker to condemn municipal domestic partnership laws while accepting campaign contributions from I~aft Foods, Wal-Mart, FedEx and Cox Communications, companies that have domestic partner policies. King is serving his final term as state representative and may next run for the Arkansas senate. His detractors say he has nothing to lose and much to gain by assaulting the DPR at this time. King introduced his anti-DPR measure March 9. Out lesbian Arkansas State Rep. Kathy Webb, a Democrat, opposes the ban and has said it may be killed at the committee level. Arkansas Speaker of the House Robbie Wills is also on record as opposing the bill. But Eureka Springs city officials are not taking any chances. In a statement signed by the entire Eureka Springs City Council, Mayor Dani Joy strongly defended the DPR and condemned King’s intrusion into city affairs. "I vdll not stand silent any longer and allow a demographic of our citizens to be humiliated and degraded," she said. "Prejudice or bigotry have no place in our city. The gay and lesbian community are our fi’iends, neighbors and family." The editor of the tmvffs weekly newspaper, The Lovely County Citizen, characterized Y,dng’s anti-DPR bill as a "regressive, faithbased, discriminatory, venal.., and cynical act." It is, said editor Don Lee in a editorial, "demagoguery based on religious prejudice bordering on moral fascism..." ~e Carroll County (AR) News reported King "felt the bill (to ban DPRs) was needed because tourism in Eureka Springs has become identified too strongly with issues of sexuality." Given the town’s long-standing reputation as a major wedding destination, King’s rationale is fraudulent, says Walsh. "What the hell does he think goes on in all those heart shaped hot tubs and honeymoon cabins," Walsh said. "King’s real aim is to impose his extremist religious and political views on our town and at the expense of gay residents, business owners and tourists. "Playing the gay card is a way for cheap politicians in Arkansas to fan the fires of hate and fatten up their campaign coffers." But, on the brink of what may be a precarious tourist season, King’s bill cotfld also deprive the town of a critical revenue stream. According to city records, the DPR has generated almost $10,000 for the city in less than two years. Registration costs $35 per couple. Walsh puts the figure at closer to $250,000 to $500,000 when DPR-related expenditures on hotels, motels, B &Bs, restaurants, bars, caterers, ministers, florists, gift shops, photographers mad spending by friends and }’amilies are included. "Precisely when the state needs all the tax revenue it can it, I~dng’s bill is exceedingly short-sighted," he said. * To express your support, send a brief e-mail to Eureka Springs Mayor Dani Joy at mayor@ cityofeurekasprings.org ~ Express your outrage to Arkansas State Rep. Bryan King at: kingb@arkleg.state.ar.us * Ask your friends, co-workers, family members and neighbors to do the same. * Send this story to news outlets, LGBT organizations, web sites and blogs. * Ask your elected local and state representatives to speak out on this issue, as did the Eureka Springs mayor when Sally Kern was on the rampage last year. = Come to Eureka Springs for Diversity Weekend April 3-5 and get your own DPR. See www.eurekapride.com for events. Diversity Weekend Kicks Offin Eureka Springs FRIDAY, APRIL 3 Domestic Partner Certificates. The courthouse is dosed Saturday and Sunday. City Clerl~’s office is in the City Hall, lower level of the Western Carroll County Courthouse, 44 S. Main. Office hours are 9:30 AM - 12 Noon and 1:30 to 4:30 PM. Over150 unique shops and galleries. Be sure to stop by and say hi to Charlie at A Byrds Eye View. Weekend favorites include The Tourist Stop, Mountain Eclectic, Antique Affaire, The Inn Convenience Store, Fusion Squared and Eclectic Edge. Over 6 vendors are setting up in the old Eureka Screams Theater parking lot and lobby, located on H~W 23 South. Friday - Sunday, 8 AM - 5 PM, everything from Tools to Toys. Welcome Mixer, Pizza Bar, 13 N Main, 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Come feel the warmth. Mix and mingle with locals and visitors from around the county. CITY PARKING FREE AFTER 6 PM. Rock and Roll with Tiffany Christopher, The New Delhi, 2 North Main, All ages welcome, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM-ish. It’s a Hawaiian Luau Weekend. Karake, Dance, Giveaways and FUN. Friday and Saturday, Henri’s Just One More, 19 1/2 Spring, Open Noon - 2AM, Full menu served till 9 PM nightly. NO COVER CHARGE. The always popular Tiki Torch Club and their Spring Diversity Dance Par-Tee. Arrive early this place fills up fast. Midnight Teaser Drag Show with Secdackeiry. Male Illusionist. That’s right they’re all girls and they’re dressed too ’KISS’. The IgSSS Tribute Band, Lumberyard, 105 East Van Buren, 9:00 PM. Stick around for DJ TIC’S Spin Cycle and Dance Party. Ashley McBryde... the miracle gift returns for SPRING ,n Eureka. Jacks Place. 37 Spring St, 9:00 PM.- Midnight, no cover. Handsome Lee wit! be checking IDs at the door. EUREKA’S UNDERGROUND the subterranean and always gay Eureka Live, 35 North Main, Trash Disco Party, drink specials. NO COVER CHARGE! THE DIVERSITY BAND: Chelsea’s, 10 Mountain St. 9 PM - ~ Avoid those Diversity buzz-killers like getting a DUI or trying to find a parking place downtown. Eureka Springs Limousine. $5.00 point to point. Call 479-244-6320 for your PICK-UP! SATURDAY, APRIL 4 Name That Tune With Sandy at the Smokehouse Card, 580 West Van Buren, 8:30 A.M to1 l:30ish, biscuits as big as your head. WIN Fabulous Prizes, like Sparlcy Sun Glasses! Saturday and Sunday Only. The Diversity Bikers "Bridges and Dam Poker Run." Planer’s Hill Parking lot on the corner of 62 and 23 (Main Street) Starting at 12:45 PM. The Spring PDA photo shoot. Just some good time amusement for the tourist and to annoy the fundies. SPRINGS PUBHC DISPLAY OF AFFECTION (PDA), 12 noon, Basin Park band shell, downtown. A G-rated opportunity to smooch your sweetie-or the perfect stranger-for posterity. Eureka Pride has free treats to pass out. The Eclectic Edge, 49 Spring, ARTIST RECEPTION drop by and meet Artist Matt Johnson and Gallery owners David and Ginny between 1 and 5 PM. Light , refreshments. Register to win a piece of Matt s artwork. Raffie to benefit the local Doggie Shelter. KARAOYdS: Jack’s Place, 37 Spring, 2 PM - 6 PM, WOW!.!! Jello Shots For a BUCK! ALL GIRLS BAND IRIS: Chelsea’s, 10 Mountain St. Better show out early, these ladies have been known to Jump Start their show as early as 7 PM and then ~vind it up Midnight. The North West Arkansas Center For Equality and UA PRIDE, are havin,,g a dance. Entire, family welcome, upstairs at The Space, located across from the U.S. Post Office in Uptown-Downtown Eureka on Spring St., DJ dance music and activities for the kids. $5 cover, FREE to children 12 and under. 8 -11 PM. For a complete list of activities and events go to www.eurekapride.com and diversitypride. com. New Owners ForJoplin’s Pla-Mor Lounge. New owners ofJoplin’s Pla-Mor Lounge, Tim, Bonnie and Tom. Staffphoto JOPLIN, MO (PR) After more than 40 years in the bar business including several gay clubs, Dick and Billy Jack decided to retire and let longtime friends Tim, Tom and Bonnie take over their latest venture, the Pla-Mor Lounge located at 532 S. Joplin St, Joplin’s only gay club. New hours beginning in April will be Tues-Sat 5pm to 1am. Happy hour 5pro to 7pm. Phone 417-624-2722 Retiring Pla-Mor owners Dick and Billy Jack. Staffphoto 14 ~{et~’oSTAR April 2009 @ The Copa, Oklahoma City @ Tulsa Eagle, Tulsa @ Hideaway, Tulsa @ Bamboo Lounge, Tulsa @Club Majestic, Tulsa @ The Ledo, Oklahoma City @ Angles, Oklahoma City @ Finishline, Oklahoma City @ The End Up, Tulsa @The Mine Shaft, Tulsa @Club 209, Tulsa www.rnetrostarnews.com #~et~oSTAR 15 I really dig California Zins. For springtime/ back yard grill time, what better red xvine than Zinfandel to go with short ribs, beef brisket, grilled veggies and brats. Here are some killer bottles I think should be considered to go with your barbeque fun. Brief histoD+ of the grape [ZIHN-fuhn-dehl] qlais is thought to be California’s most popular red-wine grape because it’s not widely grown in other parts of the world. Zinfandel vines were brought to California in the 1850s and it is now that state’s second most extensively planted red grape behind cabernet sauvignon. Initially, research confirmed a relationship between Zinfandel and Primitivo (a variety grown in Italy’s Puglia region), causing speculation that Zinfandel might have originated in Italy. However, in late 200 t, DNA fingerprinting determined that Crljenak Ka~telanski (a littleknown grape from Croatia) and Zinfandel have identical DNA profiles. Beside the Zinfandel grown in California (and Italy’s Priraitivo), there are only isolated plantings of this grape, mainly in South Africa and Australia. The Zinfandel grape can produce wines ranging from light, nouveau styles to hearty, robust reds with berrylike, spicy (sometimes peppery) flavors, plenty of tannins, enough complexity and longevity to be compared to Cabernet Sauvignon. Mr. D’s V2 case EarthQuake Zin ’06 The Phillips brothers pride themselves on farming their vineyards with a meticulous eye on quality. Their wines regularly take top accolades in wine competitions. This Zin is really full bodied with lots zing and flavor. In addition to the Earthquake brand of reservetier wines, wine brands under the Michael David Winery umbrella include the popular 7 Deadly Zins. This wine has recently come down in price about 20% in this market and it’s a must try. FoxGlove Zin ’07 Wine critic Robert Parker says that this one of the most ,mpress~!}e in the coot, high elevations Cruz M+0~nt~sT’ ~is Zi~ €9~(s ffo~m Vasq Robles ~fi~ is a n~ addition t0 ~¢~e~akers Bob & Jim Varner~ oo~tfoli6. I was completely surpnse~ at[)~Ow gogd~h~s single vineyard wi~e is for the~money. ~’ ~, + }~’~ Ifyou are one of those xvho beliei( better, read on. Cabernet. juicy fruit acid balanc~ comedian Robin this winery and great Cabernet also For this Zin, ~only Family, is also currently making. uch xvineries like Paradigm, and Past clients include Screaming Eagle },arc 29. "We brought a bdtfle for ) w’. file opt in California during ~he We hadnt fasted it before hand’and bottle, I Wished a c9uple more. This wine in oiar state and this zin is ]his writer is one of the managers a~ the Grand Vin wine shop. He also bar tends and hosts wine & food town as the Enthusiasts ofTulsa. Hyse Couzins ’05, This is the first intriguingblend 39% Zinfandel and drinldng xvell right now, to decant. Wine critid sa3 for the next 5 - 7 years. This be hard to find so if you see it, wine has also come down in 20% in this market and Remember that Zinfandel are two Couzins. Edmeades Mendocino This hasgot to be one of and 20061ooks to be to 2005 has some Petite Grenache blended color. ~nere is a cherry ~ spring / www.l~ineSpectamd pepper. Turn processor onand chop f~r Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Ingredients 2 -14 oz can chic~ peas, drained 4 cloves garlic, peeled " 1/2 cup jarred, i:o~ted red’peppers. drained Zest of one lemon Juice of one lemon !/4 cup tahini (may substitute ~vith pmnut or almond butter) i/2 cup olive oil | teas kosher salt is creamy. Serve topped with a drizzle of 01ive oil, feta cheese and cracked black pepper if desired. Provide pita wedges and fresh vegetables for spreading. 16 v~®t;oSTAR April 2009 nmen At The BOK Center Tulsa Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band .April 7, 2009 @ 7:30 Ticket Prices: $9I, $57, $4I Get tickets at LiveNation.com, all Tickets.corn Outlets, or charge by phone at 1-866-7-BOK-CTR Bruce Springsteen’s new album ’Working on a Dream’ was released today (January 27, 2009). ’~,Working on a Dream~ was recorded with the E Street Band and features twelve new Springsteen compositions plus one bonus track. It is the fourth collaboration between Springsteen and Brendan O’Brien, who produced and mixed the album. Nickelback Apr 10, 2009 at BOK Center Nickelback With Seether and Saving Abel Aprill 0, 2009 Tickets On Sale Now Prices: $75, $55, $35 Unstoppable rock powerhouse Nickelback have announced dates for their upcoming North American tour in support of their new" album Dark Horse, released on Roadrunner Records on November !8th. Nickelback are a phenomenally successful touring band whose tours have grossed in excess of $100 million thus f.ar and have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide. Dark Horse is Nickelback’s first release since the immensely popular All ~fhe Right Reasons, released in 2005. Fleetwood Mac May 3, 2009 at BOK Center "Unleashed" Tour May 3, 200~ Tickets Off Sale Now Prices: $149.50, $79.50, $49150 Wne sure to be historic "Unleashed" Tour, beginning on March 1st in Pittsburgh, is an epic cross-c0untry trek featuring 44 shows in major markets. The tour will include al!~ of the Ma& many greatest hits fi’om over the course of the band’s extraordinary career. Fleem~ood Mac, the multi-Grammy winning, multi-platinum Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees are back on the road for the first time in five years following several successful solo projects. OKC Civic Center Music Hall April Events THE LEFT HAND SINGING a drama by Barbara Lebow Date: Frida); March 20, 2009 - Saturday, April 11, 2009 Presented by Carpenter Square Theatre MF~SURE FOR MEASURE by William Shakespeare Date: Friday, March 27, 2009 - Sunday, April i9, 2009 Presented by the Oklahoma City Theatre Company Perpetual Motion "Chiaroscuro" Date: Friday, April 03, 2009 - Saturday, April 04, 2009 Time: 7:30 p.m. Perpetual Motion presents Chiaroscuro CLASSIC SERIES: SEASON FINALE presented by the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Date: Saturday, April 04, 2009 Time: 8:00 p.m. Featuring Yuja X~gang, Piano ZOMBIE PROM Date: Frida>; April 10, 2009 - Sunday, Apri! 19, 2009 Zombie Prombook and lyrics by John Dempse, music by Dana E Rowe based on a story by John Dempsey and Hugh Murphy April 10-19, 2009 in the Freede Litde Theatre DISNEY’S THE LION KING Date: Tnesday, April 21, 2009 - Saturday, May 23, 2009 Presented by Celebrity Attractions Begins April 21, 2009 Tracy Morgan and Martin Lawrence put the fun in Funeral When Romeo first reported on the proposed Chris Rock-led American version of the outrageous British farce Death at a Funeral, it was unclear as to whether the wild gay subplot would survive. But as casting begins it seems clear that the queer surprise in the black comedy’s casket is alive and well. Better yet, 30 Rock’s hilarious Tracy Morgan has signed on to star alongside Martin La~vrence in the corned); due in 2010, about a dead patriarch’s funeral interrupted by mishaps~ bizarre guests and the arrival of the deceased’s secret gay lover. As long as Lawrence ~snt contracted to play B~g Momma in this verSion, fans of the original can rest easy:. Now, which brave American actor is going to pla~ the family member who runs around the hOuSe naked for the entire length of the fihn? ...... Cherry Jones’ sister act Object lesson to any actor who believes that coming out will be career-damaging: Cherry Jones. The talented lesbian character actress never stops working, plays the President on 24, was Matt Damon’s reality-checking mother in Ocean’s 13 and won a Tony Award for her pre-Meryl Streep incarnation of Sister Aloysius on Broadway in Doubt. Now she’l! take on another nun role in the upcoming drama Mother and Child starring opposite Naomi xYc:atts, Samuel Jackson, Kerry Washington and Annette Bening. The female-centered adoption drama is currently in production and due for release this December - aka Beg For Your Oscar Month - so the filmmakers must be pretty confident about its chances. Who knows, maybe Jones will have to dear room next to her Tony for a new golden friend. Ghost musical to raise Broadway from the dead? It seems that everything on Broadway is going belly up. Shows are dosing faster than new ones can take their place, ticket sales are in the toilet and all seems hopeless. And it’s desperate times that lead to crazy/genius ideas like Ghost: The Musical taldng root and flowering. The smash 1990 Patrick Swayze/Demi Moore film (for which Whoopi Goldberg won her Color Purple Oscar) is going to sing its way onto one of London’s West End stages sometime in 2010 and, if sufficiently crowd-pleasing, will probably make a mad dash for Broadway sometime later. The writers of "Unchained Melody" are already spending their future royalty check bump, but who’s going to pen the song about Patrick Swayze’s heartbreaking inability to express love without invoking the word "ditto?" Neil Patrick Hat~s. 20th Century Foxphoto Nell Patrick Harris hands out TV Land Awards If the Harold and Kumar movies, How I Met Your Mother, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, his SNL appearance and his spoonbending antics on Ellen weren’t enough to convince you that Neil Patrick Harris is a national treasure, try this: now he’s retro-nostalgia-cable-channel TV Land’s answer to Hugh Jackman. The funny, quick-witted song-and-dance man will host April’s TV Land Awards with the requisite amount of skits, mttsical numbers and awards given out to shows like Charles In Charge and Mama’s Family. Expect a lot ofvintage TV personalities showing up to join Harris as he tosses out non-vintage one-liners. Romeo San Vicente could sense something was up as early as Doogie Howser, ~I.D. He can be reached care ofthispublication or at DeeplnsideHollywood@qsyndicate.com. More ENTERTAINMENT see page 20 w"ww.metrostamews.com ~etroSTAR 17 V @[8 by Donald Pile and Ray Williams SOME LEATHER_ FUN, ANYONE? Photo: Pool atThe Inn Leather Resort friends from North Carolina that we met there, Paul and Dick. After all, meeting new and exciting people is what traveling is all about. By the way, did we mention that they have a leather and chain sling in every room at the Inn Leather? Seriously ifyou are into leather, want to be into leather or just want to look and enjoy leather, then fly, drive, take a train or bus or even hitchhike and get down to die Inn Leather resort in Ft. Laxlderdale and learn how to have some real fun "leather fun". Since our travel columns are in publications from coast to coast and since we have readers who are into just about everything we decided to stay in this Leather Resort. The Inn Leather Resort has been serving the leather and levi gay community in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as well as the entire East coast and the Midwest for over 10 years and a lot of gay men from all over the country love to stay there. During our stay ~ve met guys from New York, Chicago and several other places in the Midwest as well as Floridians. The general manager Chase and his staff of Benji, Kevin and Gabe are extremely professional, friendly and know how to take care of their guests. We just can’t say enough nice things about them. Chase has the most beautiful eyes and smile that you have ever seen in your life. We know that a lot of guys stay here just so that they Can see him! Tnru his professional guidance, the Inn is in the process of being remodeled. ~ae entire staff is really very accommodating. The grounds are filled with luscious tropical plants. The pool area is very inviting. .Amenities include heated swimming pool, hot tub, tree wi-fi and a SLING in every room! Yep! You read that right............ a leather and chain SLING in every room! Never tried one? XWell this is a perfect opporttinity for you. They have about a dozen rooms and suites and are located just two miles from the beach and just about a 10 minute drive to the major bars and one mile south of do~vntown Ft. Lauderdale and t’wo miles north of the Ft. Lauderdale airport. ~ae Inn Leather is a "clothing optional" resort. Did we mention that there is a leather and chain SLING in every room? Each accommodation includes queen or king size bed, private bath, kitchenette which includes fridge, coffee maker, microwave, TWVCR/cable tv and alarm clock. They have ample off street parking for their guests. A stay here includes a complimentary continental breakfast poolside every morning. q-here are a lot of restaurants within walking distance and a major shopping center with a supermarket just a few blo~ away. Ifyou are into leather or appreciate leather or just curious, then call and make a reservation. Oh yeah! Did we mention that there is a leather and chain SLING in every room? For those really into leather, be SURE and stop by the Ramrod leather bar at 1508 NE 4th Avenue for the most interesting time that you can EVER have in a gay bar! They have specials going on every day including Leather Sunday; Full Moon Monday, Butt to Butt Wednesda)~ Battle of the Bulge "l-hursday and Fetish Friday. They have a daily two for one happy hour from 3 to 9 PM. Check out their website at: www.ramrodbar.com A very special thanks to Chase, general manager of the Inn Leather and to our new leather and chain sling in every room" While you in the area, be sure and check out the greatest totally nude beach in the country, Haulover Beach! which is located about a twenty minute drive south of Ft. Lauderdale. It is the only legally nude beach in the Florida. Haulover Beach Park contains one of south Florida’s most b~autiful clothing optional beaches-a 0.4 mile stretch of beach on the northernportion that draws people from all walks of life, from other states, Canada and a variety of other countries. Nestled between the Intercoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, it has pristine white sand shores, open ocean surf, various shaded picnic facilities, beautifully landscaped sand dunes, and concession stands. The beach is ideal for surfing as well as swimming. Thousands of people go to Haulover Beach on a sunny day. Simply put, Haulover Beach is one of the best clothing-optional beaches in the world, as ranked by many online and print publications. As many as 7,000 people visit the beach in a single day. There is a snack cart situated in the clothing optional area most days, as well as chairs available to rent. Haulover Beach is quite large and is broken up into different areas for gays and straights. It is a great way to meet people. Their website is http://www.hauloverbeach. org Contact the Inn Leather Resort at: 877.532.7729 or email them at InnLeather610@aol.com and be sure to check out their website at: www.innleather.com. By the way, did we mention that they have a leather and chain sling in every room??? Always remember to have fun when traveling, meet new people and talk to everyone! Spirit Journeys Announces Gay Travel Adventure Rafting the Grand Canyon Spirit Journeys has a new gay vacation rafting the Grand Canyon. This journey starts July 1, 2009 and ends July 10, 2009. NEW MILFORD, NJ (PRWEB)__ Spirit Journeys is very pleased to announce its new gay travel adventure rafting through the Grand Canyon. "Going Deep" is the title of this adventure and it begins and ends in Las Vegas and includes eight days and seven nights of rafting the Colorado River some 280 miles through the Grand Canyon. On this journey the goal IS tO experience the canyon and the river at a more profound level than on an ordinary vacation. Grand Canyon Rafting The adventure into Self is enhanced by the inspiring surroundings the Canyon has to offer. Being on the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyonhas a way of making humans very humble in the presence of such majesty, major life shifts can happen. Meditation Heart Circles and group movement rituals will be used to help open the mind and heart and deepen the experience of this incredible place. The intention is to actively engage the Canyon and the River; to know them on a more intimate level. The raft stops several times each day to hike, to explore side canyons, to swim in favorite swimming holes or to stand in ~e power ofwaterfalls. Howie Holben is the guide for this gay vacation. Heis owner and caretaker of Spirit Journeys. He was raised in northern Arizona and has always felt a special bond to the sacred places of the Southwest The gifts he brings to this Journey are his extensive knowledge of these places and the love for the path we follow on this journey. Since early childhood, he has been drawn to indigenous peoples and their spiritual teachings, traditions and practices. This attraction has taken him on many adventures, exploring the countless ways of "being in the world". His personal journey through addiction and recovery has spavcned in him a genuine interest in assisting others on their own spiritual path and he takes great pleasure in introducing people to practices, sacred ways and cultures to help them "step outside their box". A Reiki/Karuna Ki Master and Quantum Touch Pracdoner, his desire is to help others uncover their potential and set their hearts and minds free. For additional information on this and other special gay vacations, contact Hmvie Holben or visit w~#.spiritjourneys.com. About Spirit Journeys: Spirit Journeys offers gay travel, gay vacations and gay retreats with a spiritual focus, and unique gay retreat and gay vacation options. Call (800) 754-1875 to learn more about Spirit Journeys. 18 April 2009 ~ifest2 Se~ons Hualani. ,.~VW.metrostamews.com materials ~etroSTAR 19 April At P.A.C. Tulsa April 18 -This year TU BLGTA’s Pride Prom 2009: A BollDvood Ball will be held on Apri! 18 at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center Westby Pavilion. 3-he event is a prom targeted toward Tulsa-area youth who are not alIowed m or not comfortable with bringing the date of their choice to prom, but it is open to all people ages 15 m 25. Tickets are $10 for general admission or $5 for %lsa UniversitT students. For more information emait http:l/us.mc l O.mail.yahoo.com/mc/ compose?to=tublgta@gmail.com. March-27-29 & April 2-4 8pro Up the Down Staircase -Liddy Doenges N~eatre Anyone who’s ever started a new job will relate to this comedy about Sylvia, an idealistic young English teacher maneuvering her way through a blizzard of paperwork, contradictmT orders and indecipherable instructions. She discovers that "Keep on file in numerical order" means throw in wastebasket, "Let it be a challenge" means April 14-15 7:30pro Aspen Santa Fe Ballet John H. XXqlliams ~eatre "Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is a jewel of a company...a refreshing surprise!" declares Ba&stage.com. This dazzling contemporary dance company will perform three to four pieces from its eclectic repertoire that contains works by some of the world’s [bremost choreographers, such as TwT1a %arp, Jorma Elo and Paul Taylor. The Vertical Hour April 16-18 at 8 p.m., April 19 at 2 p.m. Lid@ Doenges ~eatre "iI~e "vertical hour" is the first hour after an injury when ~sistance has the greatest chance of being beneficial, tn this 2006 play by Englishman David Hare, an ~Mnerican former war correspondent turned Yale political science professor joins her British boyfi’iend, Philip, for a visit to his fhther, Oliver. She has a pro-Iraq viewpoint, while the father, a doctor with liberal leanings, is against not only the war but many of the beliefs she holds about a range of issues. Nadia is both offended by and attracted to Oliver. Me ro Star Classfieds 2" square for as little as $39 per issue. Email: starnews@sbcglobal.net 918.835.7887 SAVE & FILL YOUR PIGGY Kyk°s Bed by Greg Fox ~gebsite- vmcw.kylecornics.com E-Mail- KylesBnB@aot.com e~ll: bittergirl@qsyndlcate.corn ~w,joanhilty.net ~~1 20 ~®~ro~TAN April 2009 by Jack Fertig Apill 2009 "Your are everyone’s darling Aries" Mercury, Venus, and the Sun are aligning in Aries bringing together charming, witty banter and mad, impulsive flirtations. Venus is retrograde so be careful with those flirtations. They’re not likely to go anywhere you’ll want to stay! ARIES (March 20-Apri~ 19): For now, you are everybody’s darling and could get away with almost anything. Dedicate that power for good, not selfish motives. You have so much of yourself to offer; select your beneficiaries wisely to be fully appreciated. TAURUS (Apri~ 20 - May 20): Take some private time with your nearest and dearest in pursuit of pleasures that nurture your soul. No need to hide in a cloister. You can be wild, loud, and frivolous, but do get away from your usual routines and pals. GEMIN~ (May 21- June 20): Fun with your friends can easily get way out of hand, but is that necessarily a bad thing? You could talk a tiger out of his or her stripes, but then what? When you start to improvise, then the fun really begins! CANCER (~une 2t- July 22): The m65n’s not full this week, but you’re shining like it may as well be. Dazzle your way up the ladder of success. Be clear on where you want to go and with ,~hom. Or at least leave room to change partners and destination. LEO (July 23 - August 22): Sometimes it’s best to let people air out their differences or to hone their arguments in fiery debate. If your peacemaking talents aren’t really needed, give yourself an aesthetic challenge at a movie or an art show you’d normally not attend. VlRGO (August 23 - September 22): Being a love god is a better deal when you can choose your worshippers. Even then, you’re likely to make bad choices. Have your fun, but commitments should be made in the cold light of day, not in the throes of passion. L~BP.A (September 23 - October 22): This is a great time to work on a relationship, not to start one. Problems are easy to discuss now. Solutions can come later. It may feel like you’re backtracking. That’s actually good for clarifying those problems. SCORHO (October 23 - November 21): Re-evaluate your goals at the gym. How much are you motivated by pride and vanity? Oh, really? Pushing too hard for looks may be undermining your health. Prioritize health, and your looks wil! last longer! SAGITTARIUS (November 22 - December 20): Your fascination with a new sport or hobby is probably just a passing fancy. Enjoy it, but don’t invest in new gear at this point! Same with any dates right now. Don’t confuse a great time with falling in love. CAPRICORN (December 21 - January 19): Changes are needed around your home, and will be again soon. Whatever re-arrangements or new tchatchkes you like now will become annoying later. Just think of it as a springboard - and budget accordingly. AQUARIUS (January 20 - February 18): Dahhhling! You are just too, too charming. Be careful not to ta!k your way into something you can’t get out of! Sure, you can fake sincerity for now, but that will trip you up later! Be real! No, really real! PISCES (February 19 - March 19): Brace yourself and take a close look at any financial problems. This is the not the time to be buying anything (bad impulses!) or selling (you’ll get better prices later). Just take stock, and get things into order. METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCHES Rev Steve T. Urie Spirit of Christ MCC 2902 E 20th Street Joplin, MO 64804 417-529-8480 Worship Sunday 6:00 PM Community Meal Wednesdays at 6:00 PM www.socmcc.org Have a God filled and Blessed Day! www.metrostarnews.com ~et~oSTAR 21 (12" size Only) (2437) PROTECT YOURSELF PROTECT YOUR PARTNER(~t Community @op e iving H~V/A~DS i 501 c (3) l"qon P~ofit Our House, Too offers a variety of activities for people who are HIV+ and or living with AIDS to help combat the social isolation that many of our people live through each and everyday. We provide a Toiletry and Household Pantry for those who are HIV+ an~ or living with AiDS who cannot afford to purchase these items for themselves. VVe invite anyone who would like to volunteer or provide financial assistance to please contact us by phone 918-585-9552 or e-mail ourhousetoo9865@sbcglobal.net KING OF MASSAGE Great Touch Man to Man Full Body Massage 2 hands or 4 hands available Now Hiring Male & Female 22 #~etroSTAR April 2009 Suppo~ those who suppor~ us. Their ads aliow us to distribute your community news FREE to you. HABANA INN 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oklahoma City, OK 405-528-222! ~a~:habanainn.com KELLY KIR£Y, CPA 4815 S. HARVARD, SUITE 424 Tulsa, OK * 918-747-5466 Certified Public Accountant i!i,:,ili[~ !i;(i/I H35O40PEE.T3E1SstTING CLINIC VALERIE WILLIFORD 625 N.W. 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 405-226-8585 OKC MORTUARY 2415-C N. X~!ALNUT AVE. Oklahoma City, OK 800-913-1310 Ttflsa, OK 800-535-2437 Oklahoma’s HIV/STD Hotline THE LEDO 2200 NW 39TH EXPIZESSg/AY Oklahoma Cit7, OK JUDY G. PHOTO’S 405-525-0730 Tulsa, OK vavw.habanainn.com judygphotos@sbcglobal.net 918-743-8636 EXPRESSIONS Comm Fdlowship CENTURY 21 GOLD CASTLE 6009 1"~ Expressway Oklahoma City, OK 3627 NW EXPRESSg!AY 405-761 - 1878 Oklahoma Cit7, OK 73112 ~ww.expressionsOKC.com 405-840-2106 ~vw.c21 goldcastle.com CHUCK BRECKENRIDGE Keller Williams Realty Tulsa, OK 918-706-1887 ANGLES 2117 NW 39th St. Oklahoma City, OK va~w.anglesclub.com BAMBOO LOUNGE 7204 E. PINE Tulsa, OK 918-836:8700 wv,wc.bambooloungetulsa.com CLUB 209 209 N. BOULDER Tulsa, OK 918-584-9944 CLUB MAJESTIC 124 N. BOSTON Ttflsa, OK 918-584-9494 w~waclubmajesfictulsa.com FINISHLINE 2200 NW 39TH ~RESS\VAY Oldahoma City, OK 405-525-2900 v~v.habanainn.com SPIRIT OF CHt~ST MCC 2902 E. 20TH STREET, Joplin, MO * 479-529-8480 Service Saturday 10 AM MCC LFNITED 1623 N. Maplewood, Tulsa, OK 918-838-1715 ~,vw.mcctulsa.org OKLAHOMANS for EQUALITY 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK 74120 918-743-4297 www.okeq.org OUR HOUSE, TOO 203 N. Nogales Ave Tulsa, OK 74127 918-585-9552 CHURCH of the OPEN ARMS 3131 N. PENN, OKC, OK 405-525-9555 Service Sunday 10:45 AM KING OF MASSAGE In or Out Calls Oldahoma City, OK 405-314-3898 GAY BRADY HEIGHTS-Tulsa New and Historic Homes for Sale and Rent For Info: wv,wc.gaybradyheightstulsa.com GUSHER’S RESTAURANT 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSWAY Oldahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 Located inside Habana Inn >> HIDEAWAY LOLFNGE 11730 E. I1TH Tulsa, OK 918-437-0449 Open Sun thru Sat 2pm to 2am THE COPA 2200 NW 39TH EXPRESSXX~AY Ol’dahoma City, OK 405-525-0730 w~:habanainn.com THE END UP 5336 E. ADMIRAL PLACE Tulsa, OK 918-836-0915 Open 7 days a week 12noon to 2am THE MINESHAFT 424 S Memorial Di: Tulsa, OK 918-836-1250 Open Sun thru Sat 12noon to 2am TULSA EAGLE 1338 E. 31~D Tulsa, OK 918-592-1188 Open 7days week 2pm to 2am www.metrostarnews.com ~etroSTAR 23 ahomans for Equality The Festival will be held on Saturday, June 6th, from 11arn to 11prn at Centennial Park at: 6th & Peoria. The Festival features a Kids Zone with inflatable water slides, a mechanical bull & a rock climbing wall for the adults, food & drinks, and all kinds of LGBT-friendly vendors, businesses, organizations & churches. Online registration still open! The 2009 Pride Parade starts on Saturday, June 6th at 7:30prn in the Brady Arts District and ends at the Diversity Festival at Centennial Park at 6th & Peoria. Shuttles and security will be provided. Online registration stilt open! Tulsa Folk-Rocker, Eric Hirnan is bringing his new band, Eric and the #.dams, to the Centennial Park Stage to headline at 9:00prn on Saturday night, June 6th. On May 30th at the historic Cain’s Ballroom, the annual Equality Gala will be held, celebrating the 2009 theme "Dreams Really Do Come True!" Visit ww~.okeq,org for tickets! The Tulsa Pride Exhibition of Fine Art, MOREcolor 2009, opens Thursday, June 4th from 5:00-9:00prn and continues Friday June 5th & Saturday June 6th from Noonennis R. Neill Equality Center. .... Turn-A-Bout Fundraiser Library Event PFLAG Spaghetti Dinner Diversi~ Day at the Zoo Pride ~nterfaith Service Gender Avengers/Trans Night ToUoLS.A. Leather Show PFLAG Movie Night OYP Fashion Show & Fundraiser Pride, Pioneers & Pancakes April 1st, 10pro May 28th, 7pro May 29th, 6:30pm May 30th, 10am May 31st, 3pro June 1st, 7pro June 2nd, 7pro June 3rd, 7pro June 5th, 7pro June 6th, 7:00am Club Maverick Tulsa Central Libra~ Fellowship Congregational Church Tulsa Zoo St. Jerome’s Parish Church OkEq Equality Center OkEq Event Center Circle Cinema Centennial Park Stage Centennial Park Building Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2009] Metro Star Magazine, April 1, 2009; Volume 6, Issue 4 Subject The topic of the resource Politics, education, and social conversation over LGBTQ+ topics Description An account of the resource The Metro Star’s first issue began in August of 2008. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Prime Time Vol. II Number 5 Subject The topic of the resource Activism Description An account of the resource Volume II, issue 5 of Prime Time, official publication of the Metropolitan Life Services Center (MLSC) of St. Louis. Covers politics, LGBT representation, community events, and organizational concerns, Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Metropolitan Life Services Center (MLSC) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Prime Time Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Metropolitan Life Services Center (MLSC) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 1976 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Bob Hansman Tim Lindemann Jim K. F. M. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2010] Equality Gala Photos Subject The topic of the resource OKEQ Equality Gala 2010 Photos Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 Description An account of the resource 50 photos from the 2012 Equality Gala hosted by Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ), including the Silent Auction and various attendees. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mia Bella Images 2010 2010 Gala auction Dennis Neill Dennis R Neill Dennis R. Neill Equality Gala Equality Gala 2010 gala Mia Bella Mia Bella Images OkEq Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/320d437d44e058a1c10df596b65f542b.mp4 afd12d3e5bc94309d8993ee1619c5595 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/92880036a522ecbbf758f71b648fb7a0.pdf dd57b2cf9caee06bb59f00c1812ddc05 PDF Text Text 1 Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview with Michael James Interview Conducted by Toby Jenkins Date: July 21, 2026 Transcribed and Edited By: Mary Bishop-Baldwin using Reduct.Video AI July 24, 2026 Restrictions: Interviewee requested: N/A Oklahomans for Equality History Project 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK. 74120 918.743.4297 historyproject@okeq.org �2 About Michael James: Summary In this in-depth interview, Michael James, known as MJ in the community, shares his journey living with HIV for nearly 30 years, his activism, and his extensive involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy, community service, and HIV awareness initiatives in Tulsa. Discover inspiring stories, community efforts, and the importance of resilience and support. Keywords HIV, LGBTQ+, community activism, Tulsa, HIV awareness, advocacy, Rainbow Library, Pride, HIV retreats, community service Key Topics MJ's personal HIV journey and living with HIV for nearly 30 years Community activism and LGBTQ+ advocacy in Tulsa The significance of HIV retreats and community support programs Historical overview of LGBTQ+ bars and social spaces in Tulsa MJ's involvement with American Airlines' diversity and inclusion efforts The story behind the AIDS quilts and their importance in remembrance MJ's role in organizing Pride events and community fundraising The impact of healthcare policies on people living with HIV The importance of resilience, support, and community in health and advocacy Future directions for HIV awareness and LGBTQ+ support in Tulsa Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:56 MJ's Volunteer Work and Community Involvement 03:51 The HIV Wellness Retreat and Its Impact 07:00 MJ's Personal HIV Diagnosis and Early Days 10:06 Living with HIV Since 1992 and Medical Care �3 14:59 MJ's Childhood and Coming Out Journey 19:58 MJ's Military Service and Awareness of Sexual Orientation 24:51 Early Social Life and LGBTQ+ Social Spaces in Tulsa 30:01 Career Transition and Work at American Airlines 34:45 Involvement in LGBTQ+ Employee Groups and Pride 39:55 Community Fundraising and Support Activities 44:59 The AIDS Quilts and Their Significance 55:01 MJ's Advocacy and Community Leadership 59:59 Future of HIV Awareness and Community Support 01:05:00 MJ's Message to Future Generations Michael James Oral History Interview July 21, 2026 Toby Jenkins: Good afternoon. Today we are in the Joe and Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library. It is July 21st, 2026. The thermometer outside is a hundred degrees, and it's a hot interview coming up for you. We look forward to it. Today, our special guest is: Michael James: Michael James. Toby Jenkins: Michael James, better known in the community as MJ, and he gives a whole new definition to the worker bee, and we are so honored to have him here. We are in the library, and this is the Oklahomans for Equality History Project interview in the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, home and headquarters of Oklahomans for Equality, which sits on Pride Street in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma. Today our interview panelists are Dennis Neill, founder of Oklahomans for Equality; Mary Bishop-Baldwin, plaintiff in the Oklahoma marriage equality lawsuit. We are so glad to have you today, Michael James. Are you comfortable with us calling you MJ, since that's how we all know you, or would you rather use your Christian name? Michael James: MJ is fine. Toby Jenkins: Okay, we want to jump right in. Got a page full of yeah, yeah, amazing to have you. First of all, I want us to start with talk – kind of tell us some of your volunteer work that you do right now, today, here at the Equality Center, so people know kind of what you do, and do you still serve on the Advisory Board? Michael James: Unfortunately, no, in regard to the Advisory Board, because they did away with those at the – here just recently, so didn't have enough to go. So as far as volunteering, now I am, I manage the bar down in the Linn Riggs Theater. I'm here for every event. Within those events, I make sure that they have a crafted cocktail specific to their event to make their event just that much bigger, better, you know, for their, their �4 clientele. So I do that. I also do some volunteer work, and I'm part of a group called Positively Grateful, which is an HIV resource group, and we meet here every Friday at 6 o'clock and have a community meal. That is really open to the public. If you don't know anything about HIV, STDs, we have learning situations. Other than that, it's a place to just come and meet new folks that have the same issues that you do. You know. So. Toby Jenkins: So are there – do families attend these meetings sometimes who recently there maybe their loved one has got an HIV diagnosis, or I mean, is this … ? Michael James: So, my mother comes to every meeting that she possibly can. She hasn't here lately to her health issues. But, yes, we have partners; we have family; we have grandchildren; we have nieces, you know, and we also get that at our yearly retreat. That's the whole point of Positively Grateful is we fundraise for a yearly retreat every year at the end of August, and that just goes so, so that anybody who is newly diagnosed, has been living with HIV, or their caregivers, can come spend four days for a nominal registration fee of $50, meals included, all types of – you're out Choteau, Oklahoma, 45 minutes away, but yeah, it's so that they can know what to expect. Toby Jenkins: And how many years have y’all had this? Michael James: Positively Grateful is going on three years. Prior to that there was a group called Positively Grateful – no, Grateful -- anyway. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Grateful Day. Michael James: Grateful Day. Thank you, sorry. And I was with them about five years, and we started in a camp up in northeast Oklahoma – really great camp. But I've been supportive of those events. I have been a camper. I've been a volunteer. Anything I can do to help that go smoothly for not only the organization but the campers, I'm gonna, … Toby Jenkins: Maybe I – I may be merging some things. Was this originally, this HIV wellness retreat, wasn't it started by Hope Church, Michael James: Community of Hope. Toby Jenkins: Community of Hope by Rev. Bob Lawrence? Michael James: That is a true statement, yes. Toby Jenkins: So the retreat's been around at least 20 years probably. Michael James: Yes, and then it went away, and then we picked it up. The original founders of Grateful Day were Sabrina K. Marshall, Shana, I can't remember Shanna's last name. Toby Jenkins: Justice Flowers, aka Sabrina. Michael James: Yes, Shana, and then they brought, Toby Jenkins: Cozad �5 Michael James: Yes, Cozad, and then Chuck, they brought Chuck Courtney in, and that's how I really got involved with them was through Chuck. Chuck and I went to school together, so. Toby Jenkins: Now, is Penny Fruth still involved with this? Michael James: Unfortunately, Penny has left the group. Toby Jenkins: Okay, but she was involved. Michael James: She was involved, yes. Very good ally. Toby Jenkins: Now, tell us how critically important this retreat is to a portion of the community that – it's kind of like the highlight of their year. Michael James: So it is. I mean, being a person diagnosed with HIV back in '92, you feel like you're on an island and, you know, yes, you have all these people that you see day to day and stuff, but you really can't truly just be yourself and, you know, and what this does is it gives them four days to come be themselves and not worry about any stigma. Just the people themselves, seeing them come in, you know, just kind of cornered up, you know, and then by the end of the retreat, it's just this big, beautiful … person, you know, that you didn't even expect to see. Things like that just really... Toby Jenkins: And where is the retreat taking place now? Michael James: Retreat now is at Camp Christian. Toby Jenkins: It's been there for now how many years? Michael James: Oh, uh … Toby Jenkins: Ten something? Michael James: Yes, yeah. I would say eight to 10. Toby Jenkins: Yeah. Michael James: So, very wonderful group. They shut down the camp altogether so that we can have that weekend to be ourselves. Toby Jenkins: We're gonna ask you to do something with either slip your watch in your pocket or something, so we don't... Yeah, sorry about that. Okay, and now that way you can feel free to use your hands. I love this retreat. It meant the world to me. For several years, I had to help secure the grants for this retreat, and they would gather here and transport up there. Now, I know back in the day, usually they had 30, 35 people. Is it still? Michael James: Yes, yes. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Michael James: They did have one of the lodges burned down. Yes, one of the newest lodges burned down, like, right after they referred. We had just left. It was their first year �6 to have it open, like, two months, and, yeah, it was scary. But wonderful group of people out there. We went to their grand opening, their groundbreaking ceremony for the new lodge. Very welcoming, you know, all different types of faiths. Toby Jenkins: So, the name of the camp is? Michael James: Camp Christian. Toby Jenkins: Now, is it a faith-based nonprofit, or is it tied to a particular denomination? Michael James: So, I can't remember. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: It's a camp of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma. Toby Jenkins: So, it's the Disciples of Christ? Michael James: Yes, yes, yes, exactly, exactly. Toby Jenkins: So, it's an inclusive denominational... I guess the Disciples of Christ now are inclusive and affirming. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: I wouldn't say every congregation is, no. Toby Jenkins: But it's an official policy of the denomination, right? So, I'm glad that they work closely with you. Anything else about that retreat? Michael James: Oh, you know, I just, if you know somebody who is, please support them. Show them all the love you can. If you can go learn about the, you know, HIV or STDs, take the time to do it. Toby Jenkins: Okay, so you said you were diagnosed in 1992. Was that here in Tulsa? Michael James: Yes. Toby Jenkins: And can you tell us a little bit about that experience? And now that's, so that means you've been living with HIV for almost 30 years, 34 years? Michael James: Yeah. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Michael James: It was really scary. I had just gotten with my partner and something happened that made me go to the doctor. And I think I had just gotten insurance. Not always been the life of luxury for me, you know, just like everybody else. Ups and downs. You know, I was a hairdresser after I came out of the Army. Went to school to be a hairdresser, did that for a while. Met up with my partner, and in '92 found out that I was HIV positive and got kicked to the curb. Yeah. My mother was there and very supportive, went to my appointments with me. If it wasn't for our lab tech, Dorinda, you know, telling me, “Hey, you know, it's kind of like drugs. You don't worry. You don't let them work you. You work this disease. You tell it what's gonna happen.” And that's �7 pretty much how I've lived my life, you know. I'm not gonna let it get me down. I'm gonna do what I can. Toby Jenkins: Now in 1992, this would have been still during the ATZ years. Michael James: Compavir, yeah. Toby Jenkins: I mean, so was that what, were you started on it immediately? Michael James: Yes, yes, yeah. I wasn't diagnosed with HIV, with, AIDS. I was diagnosed HIV positive. I was just above. Toby Jenkins: Okay. So you had no symptoms? Michael James: Correct. So, yeah. Toby Jenkins: But you started on the medication? Michael James: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Because there was a period where if, unless you had symptoms, they didn't start you on the medication, but they started. Michael James: They gave me the option, yeah. Toby Jenkins: Okay, and that would have been in 1992. Had you had friends who had had HIV, and had you had friends who had died of AIDS? Michael James: At that time, I didn't know. I was fairly new to the coming out at that point in time. Yeah, so a small-town boy. Toby Jenkins: Yeah, so you weren't necessarily aware of … . You hadn't had a friend die of AIDS. Michael James: Correct. Toby Jenkins: I'm so glad that your mother was there with you and supported you. Let's talk a little bit about your childhood. Where were you born? Michael James: Cushing, Oklahoma. Toby Jenkins: Whoa, didn't know that. I had no idea. Michael James: My mother had to drive. We lived in Sapulpa. On Mother's Day, they drove to Cushing, Oklahoma, to deliver me. Toby Jenkins: Why did they go to Cushing? Michael James: That's where her doctor was. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Michael James: This was back in 1966, Toby. �8 Toby Jenkins: The good ol’ days. Michael James: Rural Oklahoma. Toby Jenkins: Yeah. Well, also would have had big oil influence. Rural hospitals in those days in Oklahoma were heavily funded by the petroleum industry, so that's a side fact. So, you were born in Cushing, but your family lived in Sapulpa. Michael James: I grew up in the Creek County area. My grandmother lived in Sapulpa. I had a Sapulpa address, a Kiefer telephone number, and I went to school in Mounds. Toby Jenkins: Oh, Mounds. Okay. Michael James: Not Liberty! Liberty is on the east side. We got nuts. Toby Jenkins: So, in school, were you athletic or in the music program or band? Michael James: I was actually in the choir. So, went to state several times. I was like a first soprano up until sophomore year, so, and then, yeah, I started smoking. Toby Jenkins: Okay, so you were used music in high school. When you graduated, what year would that have been? Michael James: 1984. Toby Jenkins: From Mounds High School? Michael James: From Mounds High School. Toby Jenkins: And how many were in your graduating class? Michael James: A little over 30. Toby Jenkins: Oh, really? Michael James: Yeah. Toby Jenkins: Okay, I thought Mounds was bigger than that. Michael James: No. Toby Jenkins: Well, I guess not. Michael James: Not back then. Yeah, yeah, it's grown tremendously somehow. Toby Jenkins: So, you graduate from Mounds High School in 19Michael James: 84. Toby Jenkins: Okay, now, just curious. How do you, what's your sexual orientation? How do you identify? Michael James: I'm gay. Toby Jenkins: Okay, and pronouns? �9 Michael James: He, him. Toby Jenkins: Okay, and so you're in Mounds, Oklahoma, and you're in the choir, which is like gay preschool, but especially if you went to state college. When did you begin to be aware of your orientation and that you might be gay? Michael James: You know, we all experimented when we were going through puberty and stuff, but it really wasn't until after high school. Like I said earlier, I went into the -- I graduated high school weighing 275 pounds and then went straight into the military from there. So that's really pretty much all I know out of high school. So. Toby Jenkins: So in the military, you got away from Mounds, Oklahoma, and you're now in the military. And where did you go to basic and all? Michael James: I went to basic at Fort Dix, New Jersey, in the middle of wintertime. Toby Jenkins: Oh, mercy. Michael James: Literally bivouac and having to do push-ups where the snow went in and touched my cheek. Yeah, buried my nose. Toby Jenkins: And so then you were exposed to a bigger world. Were you aware that you were gay? I mean, had you? Michael James: I thought about it, I mean, but I didn't take action on it, because I really enjoyed being in the military, and I didn't want to screw it up. Dennis Neill: So when you were in high school, did you do the typical dating girls thing? Michael James: Yeah, yeah. Had a girl. Took her to the … Dennis Neill: You had no inclination then that there was anything different? Michael James: No. Yeah, you know. You guys know me now. I love everybody, OK? And that's just how I've always been. So yeah. Toby Jenkins: OK. So when did you acknowledge your orientation, and when did you develop an intimate relationship with someone? Michael James: Well, it was around 1989, ‘90-ish, OK? Maybe a little earlier, because I graduated high school, went directly from high school into the military. And then about eight months later, I was discharged. Toby Jenkins: Came back to Tulsa. Michael James: Yep. 25-inch waist, shaved head, baby blues, youth on my side, yes. And that's kind of when I kind of let go and said, “Here I am, world.” You know, so. Toby Jenkins: So did you go to gay bars, or did you? Michael James: At one point, I got into a really popular bar when I was underage on a $5 well night. But other than that, I didn't really. �10 Toby Jenkins: Do you remember what the bar was? Michael James: Yes, Zippers. Michael James: Zippers? OK. Yeah. So tell us about the clubs you went to in those days. Michael James: Let's see. Zippers was the only one I went to when I was underage. Everything else, I waited until after the fact. We would go hang out. There was an afterhours club called Exile. I don't know if you remember that off of 11th Street, I think it was. So we'd always go do their hang out. Toby Jenkins: So during those days, you were going to, that's primarily how you were connecting with gay people, was at the clubs. OK. Do you remember some of the bars that were popular in those days? Michael James: Yes. Renegades, Levi's 501, Concessions, Bamboo, Yellow Brick Road. Toby Jenkins: End Up? Michael James: That was before the End Up, wasn't it? Toby Jenkins: OK. Michael James: Yeah. Trying to think, there was one, I think. Toby Jenkins: Did you ever go to Tim's Playroom? Michael James: No, no. My ex performed there, though. Toby Jenkins: Taj Mahal? Michael James: No. Toby Jenkins: Caruso's? Michael James: No. Dennis Neill: A lot of those were probably closed, weren't they? Michael James: Yeah. Dennis Neill: So tell us a little more about Levi's. Michael James: Strokes. Toby Jenkins: Strokes. Dennis Neill: Oh, yeah. Tell us a little bit more about Levi's 501. Where was it located? Michael James: Levi's 501, if you are standing in front of Renegades, looking at the front door, OK, this street over here, I think is like 17th or something like that. If you went straight down that road, like two blocks on the right hand side on the corner, there was �11 a big industrial looking barn type thing. And that was where Levi's 501 was. At that point in time, I was dating Marsha LaRue. Toby Jenkins: Which is? Michael James: Marsha LaRue was a local female entertainer. Michael James: And she was I believe a Miss Gay Something at one point. Toby Jenkins: Okay, so that was the drag name. Michael James: Yes. Toby Jenkins: What was the … Michael James: Mark Lanier. Toby Jenkins: Okay. So you were dating a title holder. Michael James: Yes, yes. I was the trophy husband, I guess. Toby Jenkins: And you went to the clubs, and that's how you connected. Michael James: Yeah. Tiki Nook. My dad actually went to that bar. Dennis Neill: And where was it located? Michael James: Tiki Nook was uh, corner of right there off of, so Camelot Hotel, Highway 44, there was a big hotel complex there, and it was upstairs. And then there was an after-hours bar downstairs called Buddies that Mike Treat ran, if I'm not mistaken, so. Toby Jenkins: Good lord, Dennis. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: These were gay bars? Michael James: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Where was Strokes? Michael James: Strokes, wasn't it where Concessions was? Dennis Neill: Yes. Same place. Michael James: Yeah. Dennis Neill: And then also, MJ, about that time close to Levi's, now that you explain it, was a bar called Ma Bell's. You remember that one? It may have closed before then, but Ma Bell's was at 15th and Boulder. Michael James: I don't remember Ma Bell's. I do remember SRO, which was at 15th and Boulder. And it's now that Mexican place, and then it became … Oh, what was it? Dennis Neill: No, SRO was at 18th and Boulder. �12 Michael James: Okay. So no. I'm sorry. Dennis Neill: Okay. No. Toby Jenkins: What does SRO stand for? Michael James: Standing room only. Toby Jenkins: Okay, none of these bars have I heard of – in all the interviews and research. Dennis Neill: And I’d forgotten about Ma Bell’s. Michael James: Delasandro’s, you know Delasandro’s? Yeah, you know that connecting little area with the patio there. That used to be SRO. Toby Jenkins: Oh, yeah. Dennis Neill: And that became Area 18. Michael James: That's right. That's, that's what I was. Yes, Area. Toby Jenkins: Yeah. Michael James: Hazmat symbol. Toby Jenkins: All right. So it was the gay bars that you were connecting with? Okay, so during this time were you out to your family? Michael James: No. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Michael James: Everybody probably knew, 'cause … Toby Jenkins: You mentioned earlier that you were a hairdresser by profession. Michael James: Correct. So after I came back, you know, like I said, everybody's got bad times in their life. Got into a little drug issue and, yeah, got down on my luck and just had to rebuild myself back up. So my mother was married to a vet who was very closed-minded and did not want me around. So unfortunately during that time I didn't see a lot of my family. Toby Jenkins: He didn't want you around because of the drugs or … Michael James: Because of my sexuality. Toby Jenkins: So you had told your mother you were gay? Michael James: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Do you remember that experience? �13 Michael James: I don't. I really don't remember coming out to my mother. The only really bad thing I was, you know letting her know that I was HIV positive, so, and that was really hard. Toby Jenkins: So this would have been in the late '80s, early '90s. And you, were you working at a hair salon, a commercial hair salon, or were you were your own? Michael James: I worked in a place called A Cut Above the Others owned by Woody – I cannot remember Woody's last name – but I started there as his apprentice and built my own clientele up, and then I got with my partner that kicked me to the curb when I found out I was HIV positive because he didn't like me working late nights. Of course, at that time we had also adopted a 5-year-old autistic child. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Didn’t know this. Michael James: Yes, so we were foster parents of this young man. Toby Jenkins: And how long did you have him? Michael James: We were together about five years, and two of that we had … Toby Jenkins: Had the child. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: And did the child stay with him or? Michael James: Yes, yeah, yeah. Dennis Neill: So, MJ, you adopted together as a couple? Michael James: It was, not legally. Yes, it was a foster program type thing. And really I don't know all the specifics of it because he worked in that area, so he knew all the bells and whistles, the ins and outs. Dennis Neill: So he was a state employee? Michael James: Not a state employee, okay, because at that point in time they were getting away from state employees. They were doing – Hissom (Memorial Center) was no longer; they were putting everybody out of Hissom, so there were a lot of developmentally disabled individuals moving into the community, and this person worked with those. Dennis Neill: I see. Toby Jenkins: So, you were a hairdresser, and we come up to the point where in 1992 you were diagnosed. When did you change careers, and, because I know you've been with American Airlines, how many years now? Michael James: I've been with American Airlines for 25. Toby Jenkins: 25 years, okay. So did you go from hairdressing to American Airlines, or was there... �14 Michael James: No, there was a period of time in there, okay, I mean, screw it, here I go, you know, party boy. So that's, yeah, and then I was about, what was it, I guess 35ish. Actually, it was before that. I was, oh, I was working in a bar downtown called The Underground. And what was the name of the bar that was next to that? Dennis Neill: The Dance Park. Michael James: Yes, Regina was there. Dennis Neill: I can't remember the name of it. It's very simple. Michael James: Yeah, yeah, I was working at The Underground, and this... Toby Jenkins: Well, you've already listed 12 bars that I have been to. Were there any straight bars in Tulsa in those days? Michael James: So actually there, so at the place where The End Up is, okay, you asked about End Up, there was actually, it was an Irish-named bar, I think it was called The Shamrock, and Marsha LaRue, Amanda Love, Trudy Tyler, oh, gosh, Bobby, Bobby, I cannot think of his name, Randy, yeah, they went there and did a show. Toby Jenkins: At the Shamrock? Michael James: At the Shamrock, yes, straight, I mean, and that was, yeah, but it was a great time. It was really neat. Dennis Neill: Just real briefly, back when you were diagnosed and you were living in Tulsa, how did you find, one, the medical care here to support you with your diagnosis and any of the support groups that you got associated with? Michael James: So my doctor referred me to Tulsa Cares, and I went through the program, and I actually, like a former director here, I utilized the system to get me through until I could take and provide for myself, you know, so. Dennis Neill: And the doctor, is it somebody you can name? Michael James: So Int to say his name was Dr. Lewis. Dennis Neill: So it wasn't one of the doctors that was? Michael James: No, it was nobody, not at that time, so, yeah. Dennis Neill: And you continued to get medical care through Dr. Lewis? Michael James: So I used the system up until I got my job with American. So as I was saying, I was working at Underground, and a gentleman would come in every day, a really nice gentleman, and we became friends. Well, he just happened to own a local computer software company, and his secretary was getting ready to retire, so he offered me that position. So during my downtime as a receptionist, I taught myself how to use the computer. I mean, I had keystrokes, the whole nine yards. I did that for seven years, and then I was hired March, went to work at American, January the 2nd, 2001, and then got hired on March 19th full-time. �15 Toby Jenkins: And American Airlines has been through multiple transitions, and you never lost your job? Michael James: This close. This close to 9/11. So back then it was a management/staff clerk type position, and now it's a union position, so I got time. Toby Jenkins: And so with American Airlines came insurance and a lot of resources for your personal life. Michael James: Yep. So at that point in time, you know, I had to jump ship. Toby Jenkins: Jump ship? Michael James: As far as I was making too much money for the Ryan White program at Tulsa Cares, so I had my own insurance and stuff, went to my own private care. I went to Dr. Haas. She was my doctor for forever. Toby Jenkins: Let's just take this opportunity for our viewers to understand this. Health care, medical insurance was a defining moment because prior to the Affordable Care Act, Obamacare as we call that, which decided you could not refuse treatment or you could not deny somebody based on a pre-existing condition. So that was a life-saving … So all of a sudden we had this surge of people who were able to return to the work force, because in those days, Michael, you went to work for American Airlines, you got insurance, your pre-existing illness didn't disqualify you. But did you always be afraid that if you ever lost your job with American Airlines that you would lose your health insurance? Because your health insurance didn't travel with you. Michael James: Correct. Toby Jenkins: And so I just want our viewers to understand historically it was the difference in people who were able to work and have health insurance, but sometimes you would stick with the job you hated because you had health insurance and you didn't want to lose your health insurance, which people still do for other reasons, too. Okay, so you went to work at American Airlines. I notice that there's so many things that you've been involved in. I want to … You went to work for American Airlines. Were you out at work? Michael James: I was myself, okay? No matter what, I'm kind of a back, shied off guy, but I'm gonna be myself no matter what. And I mean everybody knew. Whenever I came out and joined the pride group and started our pride group out there, I didn't have to do any. I didn't have to come out, you know. Toby Jenkins: What year would that have been? Michael James: About ten years ago? Toby Jenkins: I thought longer than that. Michael James: No, it's been about … Mary Bishop-Baldwin: And this is an employee resource group? �16 Michael James: Employee business resource, the Pride Employee Business Resource group that started in 1984, I believe it was, right when the AIDS epidemic was in full swing and they wanted American Airlines to burn the blankets and pillows and everything after pride flights, yes. Yes, ma'am. And we formed a pride – or actually it was called GLEAAM back then. Yes, Gay Lesbian Employees of American Airlines, so. Toby Jenkins: Because of the discrimination and the stigma? Michael James: Correct. If you're gay, you got AIDS. Toby Jenkins: So did you have to revive the chapter here in Tulsa or did you have to start it? I mean, had they ever had … Michael James: We had to revive it. So, as you said, American’s been through a lot of stuff. At one point they really brought DEI to the forefront, and it really wasn't DEI back then, though. This was before all that came around. They had a chapter, but it was a downlow chapter. They would meet off base. You know, they wouldn’t let – you had to be part of the group to know where to meet. They were that afraid. Toby Jenkins: So you began to organize in 2016? Michael James: Yep, something like that. Then we started coming out. Toby Jenkins: Did you have the support of American Airlines corporate? Michael James: Yes. Toby Jenkins: And HR personnel? Michael James: We had the entire Tulsa base behind us. Corporate down south was behind us. Of course, we had many other chapters that we had to share with. I was fortunate for the time that I was there to be able to be a proud $10,000 sponsorship for several years for our Pride. Toby Jenkins: Yeah, so you said they had to share for other chapters. You mean other chapters at other cities in American Airlines? Michael James: Correct. Toby Jenkins: Or other affinity groups at the …? Michael James: No, it's that there are different pride chapters everywhere throughout the world.. Toby Jenkins: So you would network with all them and get ideas? Michael James: Yes, yeah. We would go down and have meetings and stuff. Toby Jenkins: Now, when you, did a group of you decide, did you find out American Airlines had this out there and you said, I want to do this? Or did y'all begin to meet and say, hey, we need to organize here? �17 Michael James: So I found out there was a group, and then I really wanted to become more involved. And this was the time that they started pushing the employee business resource groups at that time. So I'm like, sure, I'll step up. So took it from there, got it ... Toby Jenkins: So in the regular workforce, so the people you worked with, the other employees who were not gay, were they aware this group had formed? And was there any, I mean, if you went, if people went to it, was there people, I just assume that meant they automatically knew they were sexual? Because I know you had several straight allies involved. Michael James: Yes, yes. And there's that stigma once again. Yes, if you're part of a queer club, a gay club, whatever, straight alliance, gay alliance club, you're automatically gay no matter what. That was the biggest issue that I had. Unfortunately, a lot of the guys and the ladies and all those in between would come up and say, I appreciate you wearing that shirt to work. I couldn't do it. But you were online and married and everything else is about, so. Toby Jenkins: Ah. Interesting. So y'all had T-shirts that you could wear in the workplace that were American Airlines. Michael James: American branded, uh-huh. Toby Jenkins: Okay. So that let other people know. Yes. When you were wearing that Tshirt, did people come up? Hey, I'm gay, and did they not know about the group and they started coming into the group? Michael James: Nope, nope. It was, you know, I never, yes, I got people who wanted to come join the group. Nobody who actually came out, okay? Believe it or not, I, … there were more straight allies joined during my time than anything, so, yeah. And I really, they're still there for me. Toby Jenkins: So previously, American Airlines had been one of our big corporate sponsors of Tulsa Pride back in the early 2000s, and then when the economic downturn happened, we lost State Farm, Cox Cable, and American Airlines, and then when you got involved, you brought them back to the table in a big way. Michael James: So wasn't this before that? Toby Jenkins: Yeah, it would have been, this would have been the early 2000s, and then, you know, 2007 when we had the big, 2007, 2008, all corporate support went away. I mean, that's why we moved Pride from the park to here. We couldn't afford to have it over there anymore. But you brought them back to the table. Yes. Yeah. So, and how did you, where did y'all jump in? I mean, you not only brought them back as a Pride sponsor. Michael James: I jumped in, I mean, you know, I knew the Equality Center. I had been to Prides before. I had never been on the other side of that. Toby Jenkins: The organizing. �18 Michael James: You're correct, so our group, hey, let's get some community, you know, going here. So we started volunteering through the Equality Center when we did drag bingos to raise funds for our Pride Festival in January through May, you know? Toby Jenkins: Every year, we would, about 10 years ago, we started doing Pride bingos here at the center. Dale Hogan helped start that, and companies would buy tables or individuals, and. Michael James: And then we would come out, we would take and serve them. We would be behind the bar. We would have people coming out to their tables, making sure that they were full and happy and having a great time, and then. Toby Jenkins: And y'all would wear your American Airlines shirt. Michael James: Yes, sir, yep, yep. Toby Jenkins: So that people knew we had our volunteers running drinks. It was, … Michael James: We even, I think we brought some bar cart out here at one time and pushed it around. Toby Jenkins: Yeah, some bar cart like you see on the flights. Michael James: Flight attendant carts. We then started working, okay, well, if we can do this, you know, I know that there are other corporations out there that have these groups, you know? So we all started working together, and that's when we started getting Blue Cross Blue Shield to come in and all that stuff. Toby Jenkins: PSO. Michael James: Right, yep, yep, yep. Toby Jenkins: One Gas. Michael James: Uh huh. Yep, we had volunteers out at the wazoo, and it was fabulous. It was fabulous. Bingos would sell out. Toby Jenkins: Both rooms. Michael James: Yes. Yes. Yes. Toby Jenkins: And it helped us pay for Pride. Michael James: Mm-hmm. Toby Jenkins: Yes. So you created that, you recruited them and got them involved, and they were just wonderful volunteers. And then I know that you also, while you were at American Airlines, y’all began to do some diversity training, and you would invite us to come and do presentations. Michael James: Yes. If I recall, you'd come out and do how to be an ally. They did some youth training – abuse and stuff. There was also one, yes. �19 Toby Jenkins: I know we did a presentation on marriage equality. Didn't you serve on that panel? Mary Bishop-Baldwin: I don't recall. Toby Jenkins: But I know you had us come out and talk about why marriage mattered. Michael James: Yeah. Equality time. Yeah. Very well-attended events. Toby Jenkins: So you were helping with Pride Bingo, but then you also, I know American Airlines kind of stepped up with the Grateful Day Foundation and helped with their big fundraisers, too. Michael James: Correct. Yes. We would just do different portions of proceeds. I mean, yeah. Toby Jenkins: Yes? Michael James: Yes. I don't know where else to go with that. Toby Jenkins: Another big spaghetti dinner every year, y'all. Michael James: So, no. We didn't really do, we did more for the Equality Center. Wasn't really more for Grateful Day. That was more of a personal thing on the Grateful Day side of it. So now, did my people take in, also come and volunteer at those events? Yes. I had my people from American and other organizations that did that as well. But yes, we go out and we volunteer for the awards dinner. Toby Jenkins: So tell us a little bit about how you got inspired to come up with the beverage carts, which were branded. We had an OkEq branded one, and then we had a, whatever the Pride logo was. Michael James: Yes, we did. There were two or three years that we were able to, our leadership donated flight attendant carts, and they would take and refurbish them. I would use the theme of that year's Pride to put – one year we did it on one side, I think. One side was Pride; one side was OKEQ. And then the next year, when we did the Tulsa to Oklahoma City theme, that wrapped all the way around the flight attendant cart. They would take exotic woods and carve them out to specific bottles, like crown bottles, glassware, ice bin, the whole lot, lights, remote control. We donated. Toby Jenkins: And we would sell these for $10,000. Michael James: Yes, at Gala. Toby Jenkins: People would go nuts. And I remember one year, he was with the chamber, and his partner was a flight attendant, and they bought that. His flight attendant partner asked, “Why in the world are you buying that?” He said, “Well, I thought it was neat,” and he said, “I have to deal with one of those all the time.” Gary Meadows and his partner bought one one year. �20 Michael James: And then, yeah, somebody bought one, and then we, they matched it but didn't want the cart or something like that. And then somebody donated on top of that. I mean, that year it was like $30,000. It was amazing. I mean, I was very proud. Toby Jenkins: And then American Airlines would sponsor a Gala table. Michael James: Yes, yes. Toby Jenkins: And they would sponsor Pride. Michael James: We'd sponsor bingos. Very, very great. Toby Jenkins: Because they would walk in, if I remember this correctly, you would keep a list of the people that volunteered, and then we would verify that, and then they, American Airlines, would match those volunteers? Or was that ConocoPhillips that I'm thinking of? Michael James: No, that’s ConocoPhillips. Dennis Neill: So, MJ, what is your thought about why that has changed so much? Where we lost all of these affinity groups, this corporate support. Toby Jenkins: Diversity. I mean, do you still have this at American Airlines? Michael James: So, it's tough to say. I don't know if we overdid things, you know? I mean, at the end of my tenure with the EBRG, our DEI group made me want to DIE. I mean, it was just shove it, you know. I get that, okay? But I don't, it's tough to say. Unfortunately, we had COVID that came around. Nobody wanted to be around anybody, and then you became that recluse, and how hard is it to get out of that, you know? So, and it's just a lot, it takes a lot to build back, and we're building back. Dennis Neill: You are building back? Michael James: We are building back. Dennis Neill: So the corporation isn't blocking you from building back? Michael James: No, they still have, they're called team member resource groups now. We no longer have a chapter in Tulsa, so we can't get sponsorship. However, I still have my management sponsor that we have a core group of people that still, to this day, we drive shuttles for Pride. They'll be the back of the thing so that people can walk behind and dance and just be themselves for Pride. So they, our local is still very involved, so. Toby Jenkins: So you're still in Pride, the Pride parade and all that? Michael James: Not since I've been bartending. Toby Jenkins: Oh, okay, all right. I was thinking I’d seen American Airlines in the parade. Michael James: So yes, we, yes, like I said, they bring up the rear of the parade. We've got music on the back. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: So you're saying American is still in the parade? �21 Michael James: American is still, yes. Me, I'm behind the bar. Toby Jenkins: Yeah, and when he says bar, he means he's running the bar for Pride. Michael James: Yeah. Toby Jenkins: For thousands of people pouring and overseeing all the volunteers with that. Okay, I want to talk about, a little bit about you were involved with Friend for a Friend and tell kind of what that is and what you. Michael James: So when I got diagnosed, resources are there. One of the resources was an organization called A Friend for a Friend, and it was started by Alice Bates. And if I'm not mistaken, it was in her son's memory. Excuse me, he was diagnosed with HIV, and he had a dog, and “Who's gonna care for that poor dog?” she thought. So she started A Friend for a Friend. I used their resources, and then I actually started volunteering for the organization. Toby Jenkins: And so Friend for a Friend provided pet food, veterinarian care, helped out financially if there was some kind of issues associated with someone living with HIV/AIDS and they didn't have the resources to care for their pets. Michael James: Correct. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Dennis Neill: In that, did you have a physical location, and did you have a paid staff person that ran the program, or is this all volunteers? Michael James: I was, to my knowledge, it was just all volunteers. And when I was delivering, we went and picked the dog food up from Alice's house. And then. Toby Jenkins: And you say as a client, you had benefited from it. Michael James: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Okay. So you believed in it. Michael James: Yes. And then when Alice passed away, my best friend, Jason Eddingfield, was her right-hand person, and he took it over, and then we carried on. I was still volunteering with that. And unfortunately we lost all the other support when we lost Alice. So it had to go. Dennis Neill: So what year do you think that was? Michael James: It's only been, what, five years ago? Toby Jenkins: Less than five years. Dennis Neill: Because they had her service at Unity, right? Toby Jenkins: Yeah. Dennis Neill: And that's kind of when things stopped. �22 Michael James: Yeah. Toby Jenkins: Well, nobody could tell Alice no. She would ask, but. So did you help with the big fundraisers they'd have here at the center where Al Triggs would cook carrot cake cupcakes? Michael James: Yes, yes, that's correct, yes. We would have our like fall meals, and Al would make his infamous carrot cupcakes and, oh my gosh. But yes, we would volunteer with that for Grateful Day Foundation for that. Toby Jenkins: So, yeah. Toby Jenkins: So just to talk about that, you said that you had been a client at one time. Toby Jenkins: So you had a pet, and obviously you were struggling financially and on disability taking care of you or however the rhyme went. Were there times that you were afraid you were going to have to give up your pet because …? Michael James: That wouldn't happen. Toby Jenkins: It wasn’t going to happen. Michael James: No, that wasn't going to happen. No. No. Ride or die. Toby Jenkins: But it meant a lot to you to know that this resource was available for you. Michael James: It did. It meant a lot that it was there for me, able to keep my security while I didn’t have my mother. Dennis Neill: So were you dealing with symptoms at this period of time? Michael James: No, no. I was dealing with drug and mental issues at that time. Dennis Neill: But you were on disability? Michael James: No. Dennis Neill: Okay. Michael James: No, I was on the Ryan White program. Dennis Neill: Okay. Sorry. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: And what did that provide for you? Michael James: That provided me, let's see here, doctors. Okay, that's where I – OSU. I got in on at OSU. Food, whatever. Toby Jenkins: Did they help with housing? Michael James: Housing, yes, and they helped with housing in the days. Toby Jenkins: Bus passes? �23 Dennis Neill: And this was all through the Tulsa Cares case worker? Michael James: Yes. Dennis Neill: And that's when they were on Admiral, I assume. Right? Michael James: Yes, correct. Toby Jenkins: Did you ever do anything with the Lambda Bowling League, which is the LGBT bowling league? Michael James: So, yes. Every year they would have a yearly bowling tournament. And when Grateful Day was around and Chuck Courtney, we would always go out to their big fundraiser and sell raffle tickets and donate our time there. So, got to meet lots of people, spread, you know, lots of people would ask about our group and stuff. And we'd sit down and tell them, and they’d … . Toby Jenkins: And in those days, the bowling league was huge. Michael James: Huge. I mean, it's at Sheridan Lanes. And, I mean, yeah, it's a good thing I didn't track my steps back then because... Toby Jenkins: Yeah, I'd say probably as many as 25 lanes. And there would be five to six team people in each. Michael James: Yep, and then you've got their people with them and so, yeah. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Once a week? Toby Jenkins: Yeah, every week. Michael James: Well, no, this was for their yearly bowling tournament, but yes, they would. Toby Jenkins: Oh, yeah, they had a huge tournament. Oh, yeah, it'd be bigger than that, yeah. And so, that helped them fund Grateful Day Foundation. So, tell us a little about Chuck Courtney. You've mentioned him. Michael James: Chuck Courtney. Toby Jenkins: And how did you meet him? Michael James: Oh, Chuck Courtney and I met somewhere out between Mounds and Kiefer. Back in the '80s, the late '80s, after I came back from the military. Went our ways, and then somehow or another we ended up connecting somehow. And it was like, bam, bada bing, bada boom. I got involved with Grateful Day at that point in time, like I said. Wonderful man, very knowledgeable. Toby Jenkins: You were roommates for a while. Michael James: Yes, yep, and we lived back-to-back. So, great guy. Like I said, he was part of one of the founders of Grateful Day. Just so much about him, you know. �24 Toby Jenkins: Yeah, he's just like you – a workhorse. He just was a doer. Michael James: You ask him a question. If he didn't know he was going to dig until he found out, yeah. Needed the shirt off your back, yeah, he'd give it to you. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: And you were both from Mounds. Michael James: He was from Kiefer. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Oh, he was from Kiefer. Michael James: Yep, and I was from Mounds. But remember, I had a Kiefer telephone number. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Yes, I understand that. Toby Jenkins: There's a legend here that people probably think is a legend, but we're going to tell the true story on the legend. So you and Chuck, and you all were involved, I guess, with Grateful Day Foundation, which eventually became Positively Grateful. But during that time, if I remember correctly, there was a group of people that wanted to do a documentary on HIV/AIDS in Tulsa, and I can’t remember the name of the people that were wanting to do that. And so they connected with Chuck, and Chuck was helping with that. Michael James: Chuck spearheaded that with them. Toby Jenkins: And so they wanted to do a story on Alice's Our House. She headed Our House, which was an HIV/AIDS resource house for people in the community and Friend for a Friend and all the work she had done. And during that time, there began to be questions about the AIDS quilts. And you all got involved in that. Michael James: Yes, yes. Chuck came to me one day and said, “Hey, break out the mystery machine. We're going to solve a mystery.” So, and he told me that the Center had received a call saying that they were missing quilts. We had help find them. Toby Jenkins: AIDS quilts. Michael James: AIDS quilts. Toby Jenkins: So when the Equality Center opened at this location at 621 East 4th Street, we were one of the few places in the United States that it was our permanent home that we were going to own. And it was very common for the NAMES project, which was based in Atlanta, they would allow LGBT community centers, resource centers, they would allow them to permanently display the quilts. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Certain panels. Toby Jenkins: Certain panels. Michael James: Right, and so there was an organization from there that was local. Toby Jenkins: Right. And we had a NAMES Project committee here, and so they reached out, and those individuals, who are no longer with us, got the quilts. All I know �25 is that from the day when we opened the building, we always had the AIDS quilts hanging on the wall, the original AIDS quilts that were Oklahoma specific, and we had at least four. So we had two, and we would take the others out for World AIDS Day. OSU sometimes would request them, sometimes Tulsa Care, All Souls would come and, you know. But we only had four that I knew of. Then when they decided to move the NAMES Project to the National AIDS Museum in San Francisco, they said all the AIDS quilts need to return to the NAMES project. And we went into this legal battle with them, because we kept saying we have the paperwork saying we could have these here on permanent display. And we kept telling – they said, you've got 10 quilts, and we said, we've got four. And so pick it up there. Michael James: So Chuck, being the guy he is, he picked it up and ran with it. I worked during the day, so I wasn't able to do a lot of stuff, but he would do a lot of the background work. We got to go into the Catholic archives and look in it. It was very, oh my gosh. Just the search. Go, go, go. Toby Jenkins: St. Joseph’s House. Michael James: Look, look, find this … . We'd go look. Finally, we found them at the 11th hour before, I can't remember what they said. They were going to charge us some outrageous amount. Toby Jenkins: They were going to sue us. Michael James: Yeah. And American Airlines helped pay cargo for those. Toby Jenkins: And you found them where? Michael James: We found them in... Toby Jenkins: Now, you checked multiple locations, Tulsa Cares, St. Jerome's. Michael James: St. Jerome's, OSU, because they had even borrowed it to hang from their, several locations. And we found them in the shed. And I can't remember – we said it. Toby Jenkins: Ray Chance. Michael James: Ray Chance's house. Still in a box. Very minimal damage, thank goodness. So we were able to bring them back here. Toby Jenkins: Weren't they buried under newspapers, like gay magazines? Michael James: Yeah, they were in a big. Yeah, they were buried, but there was a little bit of... Mary Bishop-Baldwin: How many were in the box? Michael James: Six. Toby Jenkins: Six. There were six. We had four, and they had six. Dennis Neill: What led you to Ray's location? �26 Michael James: So Chuck got a lead. Seriously. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: This should be a movie. Michael James: No, like I said, the mystery machine, you know? We were like, yeah, Scooby and Freddy or something. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: That’s amazing. Michael James: Brought them back here. And then at that point in time, we were able to do some high-resolution stuff, get the quilts back to the National Archives, and now we have local copies here. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Facsimiles, essentially. Full size. How did you do that? Michael James: With the talents of … Toby Jenkins: Jeremy Stevens and his partner Alan Mueggenberg, if I'm saying that right. Alan's company was able to create those, and so they paid for that, and then we were able to send them away. And we had a big ceremony that they would be, we told people, we had them on display and told people to come down and see them. Michael James: We had them right there in the Bruce Goff, World AIDS Day, if I'm not mistaken. Toby Jenkins: All of them, not just the... We've probably got video of that somewhere. And so I quit fighting with the National Names Project, and y'all paid to have them boxed up and mailed back. They're there, available. I mean, you can pull it up on their website. Yes. And we now have what are high-resolution facsimiles. Most people don't even realize they're not the original quilts. And we just recently found about one. We know we have four, but we found a third one. So I want to thank you and Chuck for doing that. That was a pretty historical event. Michael James: It was very interesting, learned a lot, and made me even want to get into it more so. Toby Jenkins: Now I know you were also involved in T.U.L.S.A., which is the Tulsa Uniform and Leather Seekers Association. Michael James: Correct. I was in that organization for a couple of years, started out as a pledge. How I got started was my friend, Richard Ziese, a former Mr. Tulsa Leather, and it was more of a fun thing to me. I didn't really fit the lifestyle, but the people were cool, you know, and it's just another form of drag, right? You put on your leathers and, you know, and they're an organization that go out and do fundraisers, okay, not only for themselves, but they'll join with other organizations and help fundraise for them as well. So they ended up disbanding as well, I think. Toby Jenkins: You used to meet here. Michael James: Yes, met here. �27 Toby Jenkins: You would have a room full of 30 or 40 people. Now, did you help with Richard when they did the leather archives? Michael James: Yes, that was when I was being initiated, and we were actually ribboncutting, and yeah, it was a very wonderful thing. Toby Jenkins: Thank you. So you know the details on the display case that has... Michael James: I know several of the people in there. Toby Jenkins: Okay, very good. That's helpful information. Because eventually it will move down here, right? And this area is going to be redone, and the library's ... Is it all right to say that? Dennis Neill: Uh huh. Toby Jenkins: It's going to be moved out there … Michael James: Oh, right on. Toby Jenkins: … to make it more accessible, and you know, we've got kind of a dead space. Used to, we had a computer lounge there, and we don't necessarily do that. And so the leather archives will eventually be here. Michael James: Right on. Okay, that's cool. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Along with other archives. Michael James: And then during that time... Toby Jenkins: So you and Richard were the ones that put all that together? Michael James: Yes, along with some of the other... Toby Jenkins: David Howell down in Florida, I think. Didn't he help some? Michael James: I think so. And then somewhere down the road, with Grateful Day, I got involved, not as a member, but working with the Imperial Court of all Oklahoma, as well. And we would, as the organization Grateful Day, we would go volunteer with them, help them raise funds. We were a... What am I looking for? At the end, they take in, they pay their, we're like a benefactor. We benefit the organization, so. And then, ever since then, I go every year for their coronation and volunteer as their bartender for their hospitality. Toby Jenkins: Tell our viewers a little bit what the Imperial Court is. Michael James: So, Imperial Court of All Oklahoma is, it's a court system all throughout the states. And they go around raising funds for different, they're another fundraising organization. That's really what I know about them. Toby Jenkins: So, they're modeled after the European court system. There's kings and queens and dukes and duchesses and princes and princesses and ... �28 Michael James: Tiaras. Toby Jenkins: We have Carolyn Wiley's interview. She was an empress. Michael James: She was, yes, like the main mama entry. Toby Jenkins: Yeah, yeah. So, we had her as part of our archives. Okay, I forgot about that. Anything else, Michael, that you, since you've just sit on your hands and you've not done anything for the last 15, anything else that you were involved in that we, well, you served on for years here on the advisory board. Michael James: Yes, I served for a couple years here on the advisory board. I volunteered, I've been a volunteer here for 10 years. I’ve managed the bar in the theater for three now. Yeah. Toby Jenkins: And it's kind of seen a resurgence. Will you be helping this weekend with the Fringe Fest? Michael James: I'll be right here with two signature cocktails. Dennis Neill: So, MJ, of all of your activities that you participated in through these many years, what is kind of the high point that you can think of that has been so meaningful to you personally? Michael James: My high point is seeing our community benefit from some of the things that I can do. Whether it be getting them dog food, whether it be hanging with them for a weekend at a retreat, whether it be behind the bar making a cocktail. I just love our community. And that’s, yeah. Toby Jenkins: I know recently I've been able to attend a new thing that's happening in the Lynn Riggs Theater with Jason and Bill Nelson called Broadway Clubhouse, and that's capacity crowds. And are you enjoying, I know you just seem to be flying with the energy that you feed off of. Michael James: Oh my gosh. That's been an idea of Mr. Neill's for quite some time to bring something very similar to Marie's Crisis here to Tulsa. We started it. Unfortunately, that didn't work out, but we have two wonderful people who are in charge of it now, and I'll tell you what. I mean, being a former choir boy and just hearing all that, coming right, not at me, but just up, it's just the energy in the house and the energy that I feel when I'm here. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Show tunes. Michael James: And it's not just show tunes. I mean, come on, we do some Queen in there, too, right? Toby Jenkins: So we get together and we sing Broadway show tunes, and of course it'll be music that may have been featured in by musical artists or Disney shows. I mean, when you say Broadway shows, you don't realize how comprehensive and expansive that is. Michael James: Yeah, and jukebox jingles or something ... �29 Toby Jenkins: But I will tell you that the warmth and the friendliness and the excitement that you bring to those events, I know you're happiest when it's a packed house and people are enjoying themselves. Dennis Neill: MJ, you mentioned that when you were diagnosed and you lost that partner, because he couldn't deal, I guess, right, with your diagnosis. How about since then? Have you had some long-term relationships that have been meaningful to you? Michael James: Yes, Dale Hogan is really about the only other long-term relationship. It's been about seven years. We were together about seven years. We still remain friends. Sure wish I could get him to come back as Rainbow Granny, dang it. But... Toby Jenkins: So it can be a strain, a medical diagnosis for people, and some people just can't deal with it. They're not equipped. But that doesn't help somebody who's dealing with it. Yeah, I mean, and hopefully in the wellness retreats, y’all address some of that, probably. Michael James: Yes, yes. Toby Jenkins: Have some discussion groups. Toby Jenkins: Yes, we have. Michael James: For a, go ahead, I'm sorry. Michael James: We have panelists. We have a doctor that comes out. We have a... Toby Jenkins: Mental health provider. Michael James: Mental health. We have pharmacists, a pharmacologist that comes out. We even have, uh, wanding sessions. So like spirit, just wellness. You take wellness and go however. Toby Jenkins: You have chaplains sometimes. Michael James: Yeah, George is always there providing services. There's a labyrinth that takes you through a journey, you know. So very, yeah. Dennis Neill: So with the people you've been close to that have been dealing with HIV, and with all the new medications, have you still seen some people that we lose to the actual disease, or is it usually other complications? Michael James: It's always other complications, unfortunately. Dennis Neill: Do they have a relationship to their compromised systems? Michael James: Yeah, I could see some of them, but you know, not everybody's that. It's not that, you know, granted, okay, pneumonia. Okay, you can have pneumonia, but is it truly caused because of your HIV? You know, I mean, yeah. Dennis Neill: So we've seen a real sea change there, right, in the treatment and the longevity? �30 Michael James: Yeah, yes, yes. You know, I mean, I didn't think I would be here now, you know. I've, in the beginning, I had several medication changes, but I've only had probably two medication changes within the last 30 years, 25. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Do you attribute your longevity, the fact that you didn't die in those earlier days, to the timing of when you were diagnosed, because these drugs had come about then, or to what do you attribute this? Michael James: Have you met me? My hard head, okay? My stubbornness, my will to live, okay? I am not ready to die, okay? As y'all know, I got too much stuff to do. I almost said a bad word. Toby Jenkins: And obviously, you're not willing to sit on the sidelines. … World AIDS Day, have you ever participated in any of the World AIDS Day events? Michael James: World AIDS Day, we did with Grateful Day, and that we stuck, talked earlier, we took the quilts, we hung them from the ceiling in the Bruce Goff, and they kind of wrapped around, and people could walk through and see that. That's really about the only one that I, you know. Toby Jenkins: Yeah, well, we're trying to revive World AIDS Day. Michael James: Let's do it. Dennis Neill: It's going to be on Tuesday, this time, and we have been challenged by others, including you, to make sure that we have a real recognition of World AIDS Day, and so we hope that Mary and you and some others can kind of help lead this effort of pulling back the community that we used to have such a robust remembrance of World AIDS Day. Michael James: I'd be honored to, so. Toby Jenkins: Anything else from our interview panel? So usually we ask our guests, give you just a second to think about it, is there any message you want to give anybody who comes after you, maybe younger people or just people who review your interview, do you have a final message for them? Michael James: Man, amongst all the BS, don't lose yourself, and don't give in. Don't give in. Be that person to help make the world a better place. Toby Jenkins: It has been our distinct pleasure to interview Michael James, known in the community as MJ. Our interview panelists have been Dennis Neill, founder of Oklahomans for Equality; Mary Bishop Baldwin, the Marriage Equality Plaintiff, and Toby Jenkins. It is July 21st, 2026, and I believe it's now 101 degrees outside, but it's been a warm, warm experience. Thank you so much, Michael. Michael James: Thank you all. Look for me down in the bar. Remember, if the light's on, bring it on. If the light's off, back off. Dennis Neill: Ha, ha. Thank you, MJ. Mary Bishop-Baldwin: Thank you, Michael. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2026] Michael James Interview Subject The topic of the resource Michael James Oral History Project Interview from July 21, 2026 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Michael James, Toby Jenkins, Mary Bishop-Baldwin Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 21, 2026; July 24, 2026 Description An account of the resource In this in-depth interview, Michael James, known as MJ in the community, shares his journey living with HIV for nearly 30 years, his activism, and his extensive involvement in LGBTQ+ advocacy, community service, and HIV awareness initiatives in Tulsa. Discover inspiring stories, community efforts, and the importance of resilience and support. Interview conducted by Toby Jenkins and transcribed by Mary Bishop-Baldwin. 2026 activism advocacy AIDS Quilt AIDS/HIV AIDS/HIV longterm survivors American Airlines coming out community fundraising Gay Bars healthcare HIV HIV Education HIV/AIDs interview Mary Bishop-Baldwin Michael James NAMES Project NAMES Project quilt Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Pride Rainbow Library Toby Jenkins transcript Tulsa Gay Bars video volunteers Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2003] Mike Green Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 4, 2003 Description An account of the resource Transcript only of oral history interview with Kerry Lewis on May 4th, 2003. Born on June 25th, 1932, in Tulsa, Mike served as the Oklahomans for Human Rights, Tulsa Chapter as its first Vice-President when it was formed in 1980. He often represented members of the LGBTQ+ community with various legal issues, including incidents of police entrapment. Married in 1955, he and his wife divorced in 1967 after which he became involved with Tulsa’s gay community. Mike passed in Tulsa in the early 2020’s.<br /><br />Need deed of gift. Tape says "1st Treasurer 1980-1982." <strong>Video and Transcript available at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center for on-site research.</strong> Subject The topic of the resource Mike Green Oral History Project Interview from May 4, 2003 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Mike Green, Kerry Lewis, Dennis Neill 2003 interview Kerry Lewis legal protection Mike Green OHR OKEQ Oral History Project Oklahomans for Human Rights Oklahomans for Human Rights - Tulsa Chapter oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript police abuse TOHR transcript Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR) video https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/45e6f476355e02977987a81605111c80.pdf 8b810e5aebe43d8d8b1ceea94e8ce806 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Parade Application Subject The topic of the resource Martin Luther King Jr. Parade 2014 Description An account of the resource Copy of Oklahomans for Equality's application to take part in 2014's Martin Luther King Jr. parade. Includes letter to participants from Parade Committee Chair Fred Jones and MLK Board President Pleas A. Thompson, participant information, rules and regulations, and a parade map. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Tulsa MLK Commemorative Society and Parade Committee Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource January 20, 2014 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Fred Jones Pleas A. Thompson Tulsa MLK Commemorative Society and Parade Committee Toby Jenkins Oklahomans for Equality Relation A related resource Martin Luther King Jr. Parade 2014 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Application Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Fred Jones Pleas A. Thompson Tulsa MLK Commemorative Society and Parade Committee Toby Jenkins Oklahomans for Equality Martin Luther King Jr. Parade 2014 Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/files/show/2099 PDF Text Text ������������� Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2014] Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Subject The topic of the resource Activism Description An account of the resource Documents and items relating to OKEQ's involvement in 2014's Martin Luther King Jr. parade. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource MLK Parade Committee Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource Jan 20, 2014 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Fred Jones Pleas A. Thompson Oklahomans for Equality Relation A related resource Other Organizations and Events Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Martin Luther King Jr. Parade 2014 Activism Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context https://history.okeq.org/items/show/647 2014 Fred Jones Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Oklahomans for Equality Pleas A. Thompson Toby Jenkins Tulsa MLK Commemorative Society and Parade Committee Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2005] Murrel Wilmoth Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 22, 2005 Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Laura Belmonte on October 22, 2005 (Laura misspeaks at the beginning of the interview and says it is the 21st). <strong>Video and Transcript available at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center for on-site research.</strong> Murrel was born on April 4, 1932, in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. At the age of four, his family moved to Tulsa, graduated from Daniel Webster High School and attended Oklahoma A&amp;M (now Oklahoma State University) for 2 years and then joined the Coast Guard for four years, serving in California. He completed his degree at OSU, then returned to California for seven years before coming back to Tulsa in 1965, after which he started his coming out process. Murrel worked in the Tulsa Planning Commission office, became involved with the Metropolitan Community Church and Prime Timers, an organization for older gay men. He discussed his network of friends and the “don’t ask, don’t tell” environment in Tulsa in the 1970s, 1980s. At age 92, Murrel passed away on February 25, 2025, in Tulsa. His obituary is included in an addendum to his transcript. Subject The topic of the resource Murrel Wilmoth Oral History Project Interview from October 21, 2005 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Murrel Wilmoth, Laura Belmonte, Jensen Bridges, Matthew D. Williams, Dennis Neill 2005 available at Center Dennis Neill Dennis R. Neill interview Jensen Bridges Laura A. Belmonte Laura Belmonte Matthew D. Williams Matthew Williams Metropolitan Community Church Murrel Wilmoth Obituaries Obituary OKEQ Oral History Project Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (OSU) oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript OSU Prime Timers Primetimers transcript video https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/36e07eedadd314c0c35a52f521780568.pdf 681671f28571362a27cc7e96ef64ade8 PDF Text Text �� https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/37a338107367701105be8f2c10bee624.pdf b7755a7a8ca5adb24828e165f6e0c6aa PDF Text Text � https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/38881df851af5b7fd5f86967575c1ceb.jpg cab810bee53fb16fbf7d21b788891f29 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/8669731c918b596d9a2dc21748d8be68.pdf 8cd820ace5e2e79cff3918435b74b206 PDF Text Text � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [1998-2000] Feast With Friends Subject The topic of the resource Feast With Friends Description An account of the resource Documents and items relating to the NAMES Project fundraiser, Feast With Friends. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource NAMES Project Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource October 14, 2000 November, 1998 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NAMES Project Kelly Kirby Language A language of the resource English Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Feast With Friends Names Project AIDS Quilt Fundraiser https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/a9833ab5fe8328fbfdef9ec903c20de0.mp4 92825093a4ada74a717cc055997e13ba https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/3fc48b689864b8bf66fd6a4fc194b5ac.pdf 67e001a6f4d45e09317b66ff95c3f17b PDF Text Text Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview with Nancy McDonald Interview Conducted by Anna Puhl Date: 2021 Transcribed By: Dennis Neill using Reduct.Video AI, April 4, 2026 Restrictions: Interviewee requested: N/A Oklahomans for Equality History Project 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK. 74120 918.743.4297 historyproject@okeq.org 1 �In 2021, Anna Puhl of the OkEq staff did a short interview with Nancy McDonald in her home. The interview focused on Nancy’s work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community as a founder of PFLAG in Tulsa, her testimony before Congress concerning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and involvement with OkEq. Nancy McDonald Interview with Anna Puhl 2021 Nancy McDonald: Well, I think it's important to understand the mission of PFLAG. Yes. PFLAG has three components. It really is supportive of parents and LGBT people who are coming out to their parents on what is this all about. We have come so far since 1987. So we no longer get people coming to PFLAG who are crying because they had gay kids. Then the second component of PFLAG is to educate. Educate ourselves, to educate our family members, to educate our friends, our religious affiliations, the volunteer work that we may do. And the third component is advocacy. And those three prongs hold true for the local chapter as well as the national organization. So the national organization, one of the things that they wanted to support was gay marriage. And we thought, oh, this would never, ever come to be. And then all of a sudden, up pops DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, sponsored by our congressman Steve Largent. And so they were going to have hearings on DOMA and PFLAG was asked to participate. So I went to Washington to participate on the panel discussion before the Justice Committee in Congress. That was, it was an interesting experience. And I was on the panel with Elizabeth Birch, who was at that time a president of the HRC, Human Resources Committee [Human Rights Campaign, now just HRC]. And also Andrew Sullivan, who was a Republican, a gay man, living with AIDS. And we were the last panel to be interviewed. Prior to that interview, Steve Largent walked into the room where we were being interviewed, all of these people were being interviewed about DOMA. And I thought to myself, it was very crowded, there was one seat to my right, the door was on my left, he wasn't going to get by me. And so I stood up and I said, you know, Representative Largent, I'm from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Oh, he was so glad to see me. And then he sort of puzzled, and he said, well, why are you here? And I said, I'm here to testify against DOMA, because that's very hurtful for my daughter and many other LGBT people. At that point in time, I had a hold of his hand. It's a very interesting and funny story. I don't know, I was holding his hand with both of my hands, and I didn't let go, as I was talking about how mean-spirited this piece of legislation was. I think he thought I was contagious, because he kept backing away with me and I wouldn't let go. And there was a photographer from the Washington Post sitting on the floor, snapping these pictures. It's now in the national PFLAG office, Steve Largent almost at a 90-degree angle as he tries to get away from me. So it was sort of funny. But then in the testimony, it was really interesting, because the first person, Elizabeth Birch, testified, and they had her crying, and they attacked her about being a lesbian. The second one was 2 �Andrew Sullivan. Andrew was HIV-positive, he was out, and it was just so meanspirited. And then I was the last person to testify against DOMA, and I took my chair and I just thought to myself, all of these men sitting on this panel are grandparents. And so I introduced myself. I introduced myself as a parent, and a grandparent. And at that point, you could have heard a pin drop in there. And they started asking me questions, and they were sort of mean. You know, I did the best that I could, but I knew when I ended that we were not going to be successful in getting this piece of legislation out of the House. So it moved forward, and then it was such a disappointment to me and to a lot of other people that Bill Clinton signed it. And so that was my one experience in Congress. But I also testified on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. Anna Puhl: Tell me about it. Nancy McDonald: And that was, you know, what we were trying to do was to get a national law that you could not fire LGBT people because they were gay. That never really happened, but we picked up, you know, many, many, many, many corporations that just embraced that and put that as part of their policies. And then I also testified on HIV-AIDS drugs and the value of the federal government supporting drugs for HIV-AIDS. So, and that was successful. I feel really good about that one. But I had a number of experiences in Congress and working with Congress on policies to protect our LGBT youth. Certainly in Oklahoma, I worked on the antibullying legislation. It was defeated three times before we finally got it through. And it was a lot of education, one-on-one, with the local congressmen, or the local legislators, I should say. And that's a good piece of legislation. One of the challenges there, it does not specifically say gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender youth. It says youth. And the difficulty in getting that piece of legislation through the Oklahoma legislature is that they would get hung up on gay, lesbian, bi, and trans. And so I met with an attorney from ACLU and he said, don't worry about that, Nancy. What we want to get into that bill is all youth. And when we get all youth, that includes our youth. And so if there's any issue, or if someone files suit against a school district for a child being bullied because they're gay, we can use this piece of legislation. And so that's how we got it through the Oklahoma legislature. But we had to work hard. We never did get gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people in our hate crimes, state-created hate crimes law. It's still a disappointment. Anna Puhl: We have a city ordinance. Nancy McDonald: That's right. We all should be very proud of our city. And the things that have happened in our city government policies, in our non-profit policies, in our corporate policies, in our public schools. Our kids and our teachers are protected. I'm so grateful to Dr. Gist to have continued that even though the former president, I refuse to say his name, the former president immediately abandoned that piece of legislation. 3 �Anna Puhl: Title IX, yeah. What are some challenges that you have overcome in your time, like more specified on OkEq than PFLAG? I love PFLAG stuff. What are some things you've done with OkEq or what are some accomplishments that you think OkEq has done? What are some things, like moments in your history with OkEq that you're proud of? Nancy McDonald: I'm so proud of just having a building that is a safe place for gay, lesbian, bi, trans people. And it is a real tribute to their board of directors and their leadership and the executive director for making that happen. It was a challenge to raise the money for this community center. We should be proud that we did not accept any federal grants, any federal money, any state money. This was raised locally from individuals and corporations and foundations that supported the LGBT community. I'm extremely proud of that. At the last gay pride parade, you know, I was doing it in my wheelchair and I just thought about it. I thought, my gosh, 10,000 plus people. We couldn't even get a parade permit. The city wouldn't let us have a parade. And we walked on the sidewalk to Veterans Park for our first fair community event. It took us two years to get that permit, thanks to Greg Gatewood and his leadership. And then to see the events around the city. And the booths and the people having fun, and it was well done. It was not anything that would make any of us ashamed. I'm always pleased that it's of such good quality, and maybe that's some other coming out of me, but I really want it to be topnotch good quality, something that all of us can be proud of, including parents. Anna Puhl: You brought up something that made me think: hold on, do you want to talk about the library? Nancy McDonald: Okay, I'll talk about the library. Sharon Thoele, who was the executive director of Tulsa Cares- and you know I was part of the founders of Tulsa Cares when we got our first Ryan White money to have a program to service our HIV-AIDS patients and clients- and Sharon Thoele decided that Joe and I needed to be recognized in some visible, tangible way, and so she came up with the idea of the library, and so we thought that was really lovely to have a library in our honor, but, more important than that, to have resources, books and films and videos and whatever pieces of information- for the LGBT community to come in and have a safe place to read and research and do all those things. So yes, Joe and I are very proud of our Joe and Nancy Library. Anna Puhl: I love the Joe and Nancy Library. I work in the History Project a lot, so it's kind of my home base, I think, as here we are in 2021, and I try to think about you know what are the needs. Nancy McDonald: I am still extremely concerned about our kids in public schools, and do we have adequate resources for them at their school level and how do we help our young people address the hate speech that is often directed at them from their peers? That's a big concern. I'm also concerned about how we continue to reach out and try to educate the evangelical person in this community, the churches, you know. I've been in the parades from the very beginning. I've seen the horrible signs. I just think it must be so difficult for LGBT people to walk by those. 4 �I always wanted to roll up to them and say: I've seen your signs for 20 years. You need to get some new ones. I worry about when we put our LGBT people at risk for hate speech. I often reflect on when I testified on DOMA. I know that that room was filled with young LGBT people and they sat there and had to listen to the hate speech from the congressman and I just ache for when that happens. I hope that we can continue to educate that this is no longer an issue. It certainly is better than it was in 1987, but I don't think we can give up and say the job is done- absolutely not. Anna Puhl: This is not a question for the thing, but out of curiosity, at Pride this year did you see anybody protesting? Nancy McDonald: Yes Anna Phul: Okay, I didn't go the whole parade route so I didn't know. Nancy McDonald: They had moved this year. They were up towards the beginning of the parade and they were there with all of their signs and their whistles and hate speech yelling at everybody and it's hateful and thank goodness for the Dykes on Bikes Because they just drove by and made lots of noise in front of them. I'm always grateful for the Dykes on Bikes I've seen I mean I participated in the San Francisco Gay Pride and the New York Gay Pride and I've participated in the 2 AIDS marches on Washington and I'm always grateful for the Dykes on Bikes. Anna Phul: So, how many children do you have and how many grandchildren do you have? Nancy McDonald: Well, we have four children and then we have sort of a semi adopted son. Okay, we never legally adopted him, but he's very much part of our family. And I have eight grandchildren and then Zach our sort of adopted son has two. Our youngest daughter, our gay daughter, went to Booker T. Washington. She's a great soccer player, but this is her mother talking. She went to Tufts University, and she was on the starting squad freshman year and then she has a degree in sociology and women's studies. Wasn't quite sure what she was going to do. She went to San Francisco worked in a law office. Didn't like that, decided that she really would like to be an English teacher of English learners or English language learners. So she went to Stanford and she had a master's and her PhD in education from Stanford and she is Living in Seattle, Washington. She is the headmistress of a private school in Seattle. She is married and she has two children Simon is 17 and Sadie is 14 Anna Phul: Can you were you like did you ever imagine that that she'd be married with two children? Nancy McDonald: No, never. Anna Puhl: Can you say that in a sentence? Does that make sense? Nancy McDonald: I think that every parent dreams about you know, what your children will become. They'll get married, heterosexual, they'll have children. They'll have you know, we will have lovely grandchildren. And you very quickly realize that's 5 �not the case. It is their life. And so when Morva came out we had to reconstruct our hopes and dreams for her. And one of the things was at that point in time, I didn't think she would ever be able to have a family. Not so. And so when she announced to us that she really wanted children, and she wanted us to be a part of that. We said absolutely. We love you no matter what. Held her hand. They're brother and sister [ pointing to a picture]. You know, you just that was not in our hopes and dreams for Morva. Even after she became after she came out, they thought she'll never have a family. But she does, she has a lovely family. Anna Puhl: That's so cool. Yeah,you're gonna like be a showstopper on these things, you know. [ Pointing to Joe McDonald] He can be the quiet one. Nancy McDonald: Super dad. 6 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2021] Nancy McDonald Interview Subject The topic of the resource Nancy McDonald Interview with Anna Puhl from 2021 Description An account of the resource In 2021, Anna Puhl of the OkEq staff did a short interview with Nancy McDonald in her home. The interview focused on Nancy’s work on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community as a founder of PFLAG in Tulsa, her testimony before Congress concerning the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and involvement with OkEq. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nancy McDonald, Anna Puhl, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2021 2021 AIDS AIDS drugs AIDS/HIV AIDS/HIV drugs Anna Puhl Defense of Marriage Act Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) DOMA HIV HIV drug study HIV/AIDs HIV/AIDS research interview Joe McDonald Nancy and Joe McDonald Nancy and Joe McDonald Rainbow Library Nancy McDonald Nancy McDonald Rainbow Library OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) PFLAG PFLAG Tulsa Chapter Rainbow Library Sharon Thoele transcript Tulsa CARES Tulsa PFLAG video https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/182841b5bd7e55b943d05de2623c91ee.mp4 6330d87f3fed54f29ed4c8a1f379ad99 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/3a1265439872f9ac4dc74328b7f2c8b7.pdf 71c65239e0bd48317bf6dd3411d1f65d PDF Text Text Oral History Interview with Nancy McDonald Interview Conducted by Laura Belmonte July 18, 2004 OKEQ Oral History Project Oklahoma Oral History Research Program Edmon Low Library ● Oklahoma State University ©2004 �OKEQ Oral History Project Interview History Interviewer: Laura Belmonte Transcriber: Allison Richmond Editors: Anika Benthem The recording and transcript of this interview were processed at the Oklahoma State University Library in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Project Detail The OKEQ Oral History Project is a series of interviews documenting the rich contributions of LGBTQ community members in the state of Oklahoma, with a particular emphasis on Tulsa and the surrounding area. These interviews were conducted by members of Oklahomans for Equality, formerly Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights. Legal Status Scholarly use of the recordings and transcripts of the interview with Nancy McDonald is unrestricted. The interview agreement was signed on July 18, 2004. 2 �OKEQ Oral History Project Nancy McDonald Oral History Interview Interviewed by Laura Belmonte July 18, 2004 Tulsa, Oklahoma Belmonte Here we are. It’s Sunday, July 18, 2004, and we are at the home of Nancy and Joe McDonald in Tulsa, Oklahoma doing an interview for the Tulsa Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender history project. Nancy, we’ll begin with some basic biographical information. Tell us where you were born, a little about your childhood. McDonald I was born in Omaha, Nebraska. Raised on a farm in northeast Nebraska, Beemer, Nebraska. Attended the University of Omaha at Nebraska, graduated from the University of Nebraska school of medical technology. Worked in that career for a number of years. Grew up, really, in a very traditional family, farm values. Tremendous amount of talents and respect for individuals. I grew up with a lot of—particularly from my father—a lot of empathy and understanding for various people and different cultures. As I reflect on that, I think that’s pretty remarkable for a man born in the early 1900s. I married Joe when he was a senior in medical school, followed him to the University of—San Bernardino Charity Hospital. We were in the Air Force for ten years, career in medical. Traveled all over this country thanks to the Air Force. Settled in Tulsa in 1966. Belmonte What were you doing for a living? Were you working outside the home when you moved here in 1966? McDonald No. I stopped working the day our first child was born…full time. Then I taught at the University of California school of medical technology for a year. Then we went overseas to Turkey and to Germany, and we had another child. We returned to San Antonio, Texas, where Joe took his residency in anesthesiology. We had another child, so I was full-time mom. I did not go 3 �back to work until 1975. I went back to work in a totally unrelated field because I had been a community leader in the voluntary integration of Tulsa Public Schools. The school system asked me to come to work to organize the voluntary integration program and to respond to the additional quota for desegregation, to organize a parent involvement program which I had started as a volunteer at Burroughs…also to begin to look at using private donations and foundations for support of public education. Belmonte Had you always been a community volunteer, or did you begin that when you moved to Tulsa? What—were you into that originally? McDonald No, I think I grew up with that whole notion of helping and giving. My parents were very involved in projects in our little town. My mother insisted that I be a part of Girl Scouts, even though that was foreign to rural America. She took me to town so I could be a part of Girl Scouts growing up. I think in many ways, that was just part of my whole growing up experience, was seeking out and helping and being sensitive to other people’s needs. At Christmastime, we always, as a family, made baskets for people who didn’t have food. In the early ’40s, there were lots of natural disasters, flooding, and my parents were always involved in helping people get out of their homes in floods. It was just—I just grew up as part of that; it was just part of my experience. It wasn’t foreign to me to do volunteer work. I don’t think I even had that word at that point. You just saw some needs and you did it. You just helped. We did that in California. I mean, it was a whole new experience for me with the Hispanics. When we went to San Bernardino Charity Hospital and the Hispanics were just moving into Southern California, and they were sleeping on the hospital grounds trying to get medical care. We organized an effort to get tents for people to sleep in. When we went to Turkey, it was—I think that was really my first experiences with a family of support services from the Air Force, which was pretty phenomenal because in Turkey, we lived on the economy. We lived three miles from the base. A lot of American women would come and couldn’t handle it, really had difficulties living on the economy. This was in 1959. So I got very much involved in the family services, which would probably help the families make the adjustment to the Turkish economy, help them to learn the language, to learn about bartering. Then when the men were gone, there was an incredible need for the women in this little town called Yalova, Turkey, which was about a hundred miles south of Istanbul, who really were supportive of one another. Then we did our internship—our residency in San Bernardino, and then we were stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, which was where the F-4 pilots were stationed, and they were the first pilots to go into Vietnam. So many of our friends were shot down over Vietnam and were prisoners of war. Their 4 �wives and families were left in Tampa, so there was always an incredible need for community and support for them because these men were prisoners of war. That was all part of—it was just part of my whole experience. When I moved to Tulsa it was really—I was really lonely. Belmonte What would you describe Tulsa like in 1966? McDonald From my point of view, it was a very difficult city to get acquainted in. It was a very cliquish city. It was just not a very friendly, neighborly community. I had a lot of difficulty because I didn’t know anyone when I moved here. I shouldn’t say I didn’t know anyone, I knew—interesting enough, one person. The reason that we came here is because there was a position that was in—ahead of Joe in residency, and he asked Joe to join his practice. I knew her, and I knew—interesting enough, I knew another woman, who I didn’t know lived here at the time, but she was stationed at Lackland Air Force Base with us, and she just lived a couple blocks from me. I had worked with her in officer’s wives clubs in Lackland, so I knew two people, but it was a difficult city to get acquainted in. It was a very cliquish city because you had to be invited. You had to be invited to be a part of an organization, you had to be invited to be a part of the social element of this community. It was very difficult to break into because if you weren’t from Tulsa, you didn’t know anyone, you weren’t invited to be a part of the Junior Association of Tulsa Boys Home, or Children’s Day Nursery, or Junior League, or any of those things. It was difficult. The Girl Scout council laughs, and they still have this story on record because I was the first person that ever called them—in the summer of 1966; they had never experienced this before—called them in July and asked them if I could be a Brownie leader. I had been a Girl Scout Brownie leader in Tampa, and I wanted that experience for our oldest daughter, Joellen. I didn’t wait until September when they had to “go out and recruit leaders.” I called the council and said, “I want a Brownie troop at Patrick Henry. What do I need to do? How do I get it organized?” They just said, “That’s completely foreign.” People just didn’t do that. Belmonte Did they respond positively? McDonald Yeah, oh yeah. My god, yes. They were excited to have somebody. That really was my introduction into volunteer work in Tulsa, was that I had a Brownie troop. I had another baby, but that was my beginning of my volunteer service. Then from there, I went to the Junior Association of the Tulsa Boys Home. It was an invitation for membership. The second year I lived in Tulsa, I was invited to be a member of the Junior Association of the Tulsa Boys Home. I think in some ways, that was probably my first introduction into social work because this was an organization that…. At 5 �that point, it was a little different. It was sort of the attitude of, “Well, we can buy clothes for the boys, and we can have parties for the boys, and we can organize those kinds of activities.” It was my first…it really was my first introduction into education because—well, there really were two cases. There was the case of the kids that were special education and had tremendous behavioral problems, were kept at the home, were not allowed to attend public school, and I just thought that was wrong. I thought these kids were entitled to go to school, and they were in a classroom in the basement of the home on Sixth and Quincy. They did not have a qualified teacher, and I just got really interested in that and sort of took that on. It’s a tremendous project. The Tulsa Boys Home now—we talked about their educational facility and their classrooms for boys, and it all started in the basement of the home. That’s also where I started tutoring. [Inaudible] he was brought into a Tulsa Boys Home in 1967. He was abandoned in this city. He was African American. He was picked up by the police. It was April of 1967, and the director of the home came into the meeting of the Junior Association and said, “Well, the federal government is going to make us take black kids, and we might as well take this…kid,” although he used a different name to describe him. He was eating out of garbage cans and sleeping in cars around Tulsa. He was the typical example of malnutrition. Although we didn’t know at that point in time, but he was placed at the Children’s Medical Center by DHS [Department of Homeland Security]. He was nine. He had very little language, if any. The social worker, Jerry Dillon, came in and asked if there might be someone who was willing to tutor this kid because if we could help him with language, he could even go to school. So I volunteered. You know, I think the rest people know about. He eventually came to live with us. He was starting center for the University of Tulsa basketball team. Graduated from the University of Tulsa with a degree in elementary education, did not make the NBA, but he was picked up by the pro team in France. He’s played professional ball in France until this past year. He’s part of our family. He married a French girl; they have two children. They’ll be home in a week. He’s fifty-one. He’s bilingual; he’s fluent in French, beautiful child. Belmonte What’s his name? McDonald He grew up in this community known as Clark Jones because when you would ask him his name, he would say “Clark Jones.” He grew up with that name, Clark Jones. His mother came back on the scene when he was a junior at the University of Tulsa and was being recruited by the NBA. It was at that point we learned that his real name was Zackery. He came home from picture day, his senior year picture day at the University of Tulsa, and said, “I think I’ll use my real name,” and so he started using Zackery. Professionally, in France, he’s known as Zackery Jones. We call him Zack, 6 �but many people in this community will know him as Clark Jones because he was an outstanding basketball player at Central High School. We kept him at Central because we thought it was important that he have an experience in integration. He was a key in the desegregation of Central High School. One time the assistant principal called me and said, “Nancy, get down here right now.” It was in the desegregation of Central which was in 1970. He was in the middle of the street, and the black kids were lined up on one side of Cincinnati and the white kids on the other side of Cincinnati, and Clark was in the middle of the street, trying to negotiate all of this between these two groups of kids that had walked out of Central High School in the integration process. He grew up seeing an integrated environment, and yet he was black, so he really struggled with all of this. He didn’t struggle, but he had a lot of sensitivity to it. You know, just pretty phenomenal, really. It’s interesting to talk to him because of what he experienced in the integration at the University of Tulsa. Even in the early ’70s, one time he called, and he and his fellow black players were not allowed to stay at a hotel in Louisiana because they were black. The University of Tulsa didn’t accommodate them, so the white players stayed in one place and the black players stayed in another hotel for colored only. It was just so foreign to him that…anyway, that’s my experience. Belmonte Right. Was it through Clark that you became involved in the desegregation efforts? McDonald Really, I think he was certainly a part of it. Part of it was really selfish because of our second son, was really—this is his mom speaking, but he was very bright. We were in a traditional neighborhood school where he was not really being allowed to move at his own pace. They were just beginning to talk about and—particularly in this community, but also nationwide— curriculum that was individually paced, individualized for each student. The superintendent of the school system was doing some innovative things at that point in time and had built a new school, Columbus Elementary, and had piloted the integrative curriculum, continuous progress at Columbus, at Barnard, and at Lee. So I thought that curriculum would really be good for Jason, our second son. But I couldn’t get to it. They wouldn’t let me transfer out of the neighborhood school. At the same time, the school system was being faced with the integration of the school system. It was court-ordered segregation for the five elementary schools that were built for segregation. Carver Junior High School was closed in the summer of 1971, and six hundred black youngsters were bussed—not six hundred, 1,200 black youngers were forced bussed out of the old attendance zone of Carver Junior High School to five, south side junior high schools. That happened three weeks before school opened. There was a lot of unrest in this 7 �community, both in the black community and the white community. Petitions were flying. I remember one time at the corner of 51 st and Harvard, I was stopped and asked to sign a petition against forced bussing. It was just sort of—to me it was just sort of a—it wasn’t right. There was some things that just weren’t right in this whole thing. There was no one seeking any kind of solution to it, no one seeking any kind of alternative solution. Lines were drawn in the sand between the black community and the white community. They were not—they just forced this on this community. A group of people—it was not my idea—a small group of people, three or four of my friends, really began to talk about the possibility of offering an alternative: voluntary integration. Negotiating with the Board of Education, if we could have a curriculum that we wanted input into staff, hiring, and parent involvement because prior to that there were signs on the doors that said “no parents allowed” in Tulsa Public Schools. If you wanted to go to a classroom to see your child or to talk to your child, that was not allowed. There were signs on the neighborhood school that said no parents were allowed. That was completely foreign to me. That was not part of my experience growing up. Belmonte Was this sort of in loco parentis policy for the system? McDonald Yeah, absolutely. That was what we negotiated with, and we had an assistant superintendent who was very supportive of us. He thought the idea would work because he was interested in expanding his idea of continuous progress, individualized education. He was really innovative, and he said, “I think we can do this. I think we can demonstrate that this will work.” He said to—I guess there were maybe twelve of us—he said, “If you could get maybe forty families, we’ll start this project called voluntary integration.” So we did. We were successful in getting about forty families. We took our kids north to Burroughs Elementary School, which was a demonstration project that voluntary integration would work if you gave parents choices. This is 1971. If you gave parents opportunity to be involved in their children’s classroom, if you gave parents an opportunity to evaluate teachers and to be a part of the hiring process, and also, if you would look at community resources. If you look at that, you can see my job emerge because that was my job in Tulsa Public Schools. We started. It was the first time in the nation that they’d ever heard about voluntary integration, and we had incredible coverage: ABC, we even had a television from Germany came in and televised our kids getting off the yellow school buses and going to an all-black school. Belmonte Have the uprisings in Boston against forced bussing started by this point? McDonald Sure, absolutely. 8 �Belmonte This is of course, really, abutting the national curve. McDonald Absolutely, it was just incredible. This was happening across this nation, forced bussing, in Charlotte-Mecklenburg…there was one we visited in Atlanta and certainly Boston and Delaware, Dover, Delaware. It was pretty incredible. That project was so successful that—and we worked very closely with some leadership in the black community, black ministers and some black community leaders—to really pull us up. At that point, we had sixty percent white, forty percent black, so you always had to be in the majority. That’s a key point in this whole thing. That project was so successful that then Bruce [inaudible] said, “Do you think you could do this for Carver?” As parents, we’re saying, “How do we continue this experience for our children?” A good friend of mine and myself tackled the whole reopening of Carver, and the school board said, “We’ll let you do that, but you have to recruit 150 white kids and seventy-five blacks.” I’m not sure what the number was—we had to recruit 250 and they had to be sixty percent white and forty percent black until they would reconsider reopening Carver. The other thing that was so exciting at that time in this community is that Bob LaFortune was mayor and involved in the whole urban renewal project. He said that if he thought we could do this, that he would get the money to renovate Carver. It took us a while because we didn’t have a school, we didn’t have teachers, we didn’t have principals, we just had an idea that this would work. We were successful. We got that done in October of 1972. We finished Carver in October of 1972. The courts said we could reopen Carver, we could match it, sixty percent white, forty percent black. We had our 250 students, and we would expand it to 500 the next year. Bob LaFortune came through on his promise to renovate it, and we had to hold those students until September of 1973. Then at the same time, the courts came down and said that the school system had to desegregate Booker T. Washington, and then the school board approached us as the parents and said, “Do you think you could do this on a volunteer basis?” Belmonte Is Carver a high school as well? McDonald No, it’s a middle school. We started it as an innovative middle school. It was Tulsa’s first middle school in 1972, ’73 when it opened. Part of that was because Bruce [inaudible] had been at the University of Iowa. He had done his doctorate on emerging adolescents, and how junior high schools really didn’t meet the needs of emerging adolescents. This was a project, really, that had national recognition for what it was doing for the emerging adolescents. It was very exciting. Anyway, then the school system approached us about the desegregation of Booker T. on a volunteer basis, although they had to put it in place alternative plans because they weren’t sure that it would work. Could you really get six hundred white students and 9 �six hundred black students? When we decided to go with the volunteer plan, one of the black leaders got up at the school board meeting and said, “We’re not going to do this because this is our school. The only way that we will consider that is if we have equal status. We’re asking that you go fifty-fifty.” That’s how we came up with this fifty percent ratio, which was absolutely the best thing that ever happened because when that—when the school board decided to go fifty-fifty, we went fifty-fifty at Carver and fifty-fifty at Burroughs. No one was in the majority then, and it just worked so much better. Belmonte Now, had Booker T. Washington historically been an all-black school? McDonald It was an all-black school. It was built as an all-black school. It was built to contain the black community. The black community that lived in West Tulsa was bussed past Webster, past Central to go to Booker T. The black community that lived in Altuma (?), which was a black community in South Tulsa, was bussed past Edison and Central to go to Booker T. I mean, they contained the black community in this school. It was built for segregation, as were five elementary schools, built for segregation, as Carver, built for segregation. They were built to contain the black community. Well anyway, I decided—I shared the whole thing for the development of Booker T. and the recruitment of students to go to Booker T. It was a difficult project. We hired—the principal at Hale exchanged the principalship with Granville Smith at Booker T., black and white. He recruited the faculty, and there’s a lot more history to this, but he recruited the faculty. That summer of 1973, H. J. Green and I had seventy-five meetings with parents, trying to get them to give permission for the kids to go to Booker T. When we went out to the students, the students signed up immediately, but we couldn’t do that; they’re minors. They had to have parent permission, and the parents wouldn’t sign. We soon learned that we had to do this in very small groups, that we had to really talk to parents about their fears. What did they fear? I think we see some themes developing here, that I’ve often said, as I’ve worked in the gay community, that it’s almost like I’m reliving history, because in many of the things that I’ve dealt with in the gay community are the same things that we’ve dealt with in integration, the fear of the unknown, myths. A lot of repetition of central themes in people’s prejudice. What we learned is that if we could meet with parents on a oneto-one or small group basis, we’d get their kids signed up. We eventually made it. It was August, and we were still short 167 students, white students. The black community held their petitions until I got the six hundred whites. As soon as I got the six hundreds whites, then the blacks came in. We had our 1,200 students, and the board of education voted at the last meeting in August to go with the voluntary plan. So we were set. It worked. The rest is history. 10 �Belmonte Now, do you recall—how did people approach you in the community? Did you encounter harassment through your work on these issues? McDonald Well, there were days I came home—one day I came home and had black shoe polish thrown on the front door and called “nigger lover.” Certainly some hate mail, hate messages on the phone and things like that. Belmonte Goes with the territory. Now, it sounds like you had your hems pulled in racial integration, but were you involved in other things at the same time you were doing this? McDonald Yeah. The school system hired me in 1974 because they thought they could just ride on the reputation that we’d established, but it didn’t work because the second year they almost lost it because white kids didn’t come. What we learned is that you had to do this every year. You had to sell a whole new group of parents on this whole concept of black and white, that this was a project that would work. Then the school system was also phased with a court order of desegregating its elementary schools that were built—that were segregated based on the school board policy that said as soon as your race was in the minority, you could transfer out. We had five more elementary schools to desegregate. That’s when Bruce [inaudible] asked if I wouldn’t come to work. I did not have a degree in education, and I never said I did. I developed the whole—maintained and developed the whole magnet school concept: the recruitment of students, the marketing of the school. It was a whole new idea to go out and sell a school, to market a school, to give parents choices within a public school arena. Who heard of that in 1973, ’74, ’75? We really were doing some very innovative work, and I also did lots of school volunteer programs which was parent involvement. I had a grant from the Ford Foundation in New York to do that. I was one of the founders of the national school volunteer program at the national level. I was part of the beginning of the Adopt-a-School Program with a woman from Memphis, Tennessee, and the woman from Dallas developed that whole concept of corporate involvement in public schools, which we merged as Adopt-aSchool and eventually became partners in education program, which was promoted by President Reagan. Had some national recognition from my work for doing that. President Bush, the first president, recognized me and ten other people for our work in community involvement in public schools. That was always the highlight, I think, of some of my work, is I had tea with Mrs. Bush in the White House. Then I also was president of the Girl Scout Council at the same time. I was president of the Girl Scout Council from 1976 until 1983. Belmonte How were the Girl Scouts changing in this era? 11 �McDonald Well, that was a difficult time, because this Girl Scout Council had experienced a tremendous tragedy. Had three little girls that were murdered in Camp Scott in June of 1977. That was difficult because I had made the decision that we would close the camp and move the camp because I just felt that it was important to have a new beginning in this council. We were sued. Two of the families sued the council for negligence, as well as the hunt for Gene Leroy Hart, who was subsequently mistrialed for the murders. That was a difficult time for me because I felt really responsible. I was president of the council, and you look back and think of what were things that you could have done or should have done that would have helped prevent incredible tragedy. I negotiated with the [inaudible] and asked that we move the camp to Camp Tallchief, and [inaudible] was very supportive, and the rest is history. We have an incredible camp out there, Camp Tallchief. I was just out there with four hundred little girls out there having a wonderful time…memory. [Inaudible] council survived. I went through that; I learned a lot from that. I always say grew up that day because I had never dealt with media or law enforcement, parents of lost children. I learned a lot about nonprofit management from that experience. Belmonte The women’s movement is going full tilt in other parts of the United States in the mid ’70s. When do you recall that starting to have an impact in your activist circle in Tulsa? McDonald Well, my first experience with that was the Tulsa Boys Home because I had been so involved and so successful with the junior association. I was president of the junior association. I had done their education component, and they thought that was really valuable—the men thought that was really valuable, so they asked me to be a member of the men’s board. That must have been 1972, ’73. I’m not quite sure what that year was. They couldn’t see anything wrong with that, why I couldn’t just become a member of the men’s board. That was just such an enigma to me; they just didn’t get it. “Why couldn’t you just accept that, Nancy, and be a member of—we think you’re great, and we really want you to be a part of this, but we’re known as the men’s board.” It was the board of directors—now I look at it, and there’s a president of the board of directors of the Tulsa Boys Home, a woman. You had to break that cycle. The other thing that was first—I was also a member of the Thornton Family YMCA [Young Men’s Christian Association]. Here again they thought, “Gosh, I’ve done some work down there,” so they invited me to be a member of the board, but they weren’t quite sure whether or not I, as a woman, could be a member of the board of directors of the YMCA. Could they handle that, or could they do that? It just presented a lot of controversy in the YMCA if they could invite Nancy McDonald, a woman, what would she know about the YMCA? Pardon the fact that I had two little boys that were very active at the YMCA, plus two little girls. It was just crazy. It was 12 �built as a family YMCA. I sort of broke that barrier for that because a lot of controversy in this community: whether or not they could invite a woman to be a member of the board of the YMCA. [Laughter] When you look at that, it was an experience of breaking that in the not-for-profit world. Belmonte It was around this time that TOHR is being formed, and other interviewees have suggested that you’re really starting to see a very small, public presence of the gay community in Tulsa. When do you recall first encountering gay people in your life, either prior to Tulsa and then in Tulsa subsequently? McDonald Well, you know, this was a topic that was not talked about. When I look back at my own growing up, it was not a topic of discussion. I remember Joe talking about an airman that he took care of in Turkey that he thought was probably a homosexual, and he was really—he was just concerned about—I just remember a brief conversation, and as we reflected on that conversation, he said, “I just felt that he was experiencing some really hateful messages on the base.” Another time, I remember us talking about—it was another airman that worked for Joe in surgery at MacDill Air Force Base, and just passing conversation. I was aware that there were people who were attracted to the same sex, but it wasn’t part of my experience. It’s interesting when I look back on the desegregation and the alternative education—we didn’t have that fancy term “magnet;” we called it “alternative.” I think about the kids that came looking for the alternative, and as I look back on them, many of them were gay. I didn’t consciously know that, but I knew that these were kids who needed to have a different kind of experience, who were seeking a different kind of experience for whatever reasons. Many of them talented, bright, young people but were having difficulty in their home school. Really, unbeknown to me, I was taking a lot of gay kids to Booker T., didn’t realize it at the time. But as I reflect back on it and look at it, obviously it was there. I just never, ever made that conscious connection that this was an alternative for gay kids and that maybe we should be doing something with faculty. It didn’t click for me. Yet, we had a faculty that was very sensitive to diversity. We built that school on diversity, racial integration. It wasn’t a factor—a conscious factor in my mind about an alternative for gay kids. I knew that there was something different about these kids that were coming for whatever reasons, and I can tell you story after story of individuals as I reflect back on them and how they came and were looking for an alternative but never, ever discussed their sexuality. Interesting. I really wasn’t really conscious of the gay community in Tulsa until our own daughter came out in 1985, ’86, when we started dealing with her issues, that I then began to think about…. Well, there are lots of things that happened there. Morva came out to us, and I read an article in—I can’t 13 �remember, Woman’s Day or Family Circle—written by a mother whose son was gay. I had made a reference to PFLAG [Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays], so I—January 1 of 1986 when Morva announced, “I think, Mom and Dad, I’m gay,” I looked for that article. I called the national office January 2, and they said, “There’s no one in Oklahoma, and there’s no one in Kansas.” This young woman, her name was Laura, and she said, “There’s no one in Missouri,” and she was just going down; she was just verbalizing this. She said, “There’s no one in Texas.” She said, “There’s this woman in Denver, Colorado, who I think would talk to you.” I was convinced that I was the only mother in Tulsa, Oklahoma who had a lesbian daughter. It was just—I was alone; there wasn’t anybody else. I just thought that I was the only one in the Midwest. Belmonte It certainly sounded like it. McDonald This wonderful woman, Eleanor Lou Ellen, talked to me and said, “You’re not alone,” and all that stuff. She sent me some literature, and so I certainly started reading everything that I could, learning about what our daughter was dealing with. I’m an avid reader, so I read a lot, trying to get up to speed on homosexuality and certainly about what youth were dealing with. Joe and I—Eleanor Lou Ellen and her husband came down to see us. The national organization was just really emerging; it was just starting as a national movement. She came down to see us, and she said, “Why don’t you and Joe think about developing a Tulsa chapter?” We got to thinking about, “it’s pretty obvious that we’re not the only parents in Tulsa, Oklahoma that have gay kids.” I don’t know if this is—this is probably not common knowledge, but I looked in the paper—I was always looking in the paper to see if there was any records, and one Sunday there was in the social concerns column PFLAG: call such-and-such a number. I thought, “Oh my gosh, there’s somebody else in this community.” I don’t mean this in any way to be critical. I called the number and it was a church which I had never heard of, the MCC church, Metropolitan Community Church, and a message. I left a message and said I was interested in attending the PFLAG meeting. Someone called me back and told me where it was. I thought I knew this city backwards and forwards and certainly have been all over this city as part of the school system, and I could not identify where this church was. I went out during the day to see if I could find this church. I swear to god, it was behind bushes, and it was just—I told Joe; I said, “I’m going to go.” He said, “Well, you’re not going to go alone. I’m going to go with you. I don’t know anything about this; we’re going together.” It was March, I think, and we went up to this church. We walked into this room, and it was dark. There were these little, tiny candles all over the room, so you couldn’t see these faces; you couldn’t see people’s faces. They 14 �invited us to come in and sit down, and a woman across the table said, “You’re Nancy McDonald,” and I said, “Yes.” They were showing a film— of course, this was the time of HIV/AIDS was really emerging, and it was very much a crisis. This whole group of people never introduced themselves, and it just sort of ended up [inaudible]. We weren’t quite sure what to think about all that. We went to our second meeting and had the same kind of experience, except there was a woman there who said to me, sort of in the dark, she said, “If you would take this chapter, I’ll help you. I know who you are. I’m a teacher in Tulsa Public Schools.” She said, “I’ll get back with you.” Didn’t know her name, nothing. I was out at the school the following week, and this teacher came up and said, “When are you ready to start PFLAG?” It was through her encouragement, then, that Joe and I decided independently to start a chapter. It was also then that we learned about TOHR, and we went through our meeting. Our first meeting at TOHR was at the library, and Dennis Neal was—I believe Dennis was president. I’m not quite sure about that; I think he was president. He was very active because he was organizing Tulsa’s first HIV testing clinic in west Tulsa. Jim Perry was very active in it, and Jeff Beale, but it was also kind of an interesting experience because there really wasn’t a lot of support. You know, we were parents attending it…it was okay. There’s also a lot of crying going on. We were kind of past the stage. We really were not crying about Morva; we were wanting to learn and be supportive and figure out what we can do. I’ve watched TOHR go through a lot of ups and downs and struggles. We started the PFLAG chapter. No one came to our first meeting—no, I shouldn’t say that. One young man came to our first meeting. He was a young man from Muskogee who was just coming out to his parents. Somehow he had learned about our—and came to our meeting. We had our second meeting at the library, and one of the young men said, “This is not working. People are not going to come to the library because it’s too public.” We moved it to Joe’s office, Surgicare. We held our meetings there for numbers of years. We had our support group meetings in the recovery room, the only support groups we ever had in the recovery room. The chapter just grew—incredible—until we needed to find another space. At that point, then the HIV resource center—that was probably about 1990, spring of 1990, we moved it to the conference room of the HIV resource center. That worked until the outdoor events phase, and then Russ Bennett said, “Why don’t you move PFLAG to my church?” We’ve been meeting at Fellowship Congregationalist Church since the early ’90s. Belmonte Tell us a little more about Morva’s experiences. How old was she when she came out? 15 �McDonald Well, I think as any gay or lesbian young person in the ’80s, early ’80s, and in our subsequent conversations with her, she obviously recognized that she was different, but she didn’t have the words. She didn’t have the labels for it; she didn’t know what it was. She knew that she was attracted to the same sex and experienced that in middle school: probably thirteen, fourteen, typical emerging adolescence. Realized that she wasn’t the same as her peers; she wasn’t attracted to the opposite sex, but here again, did not have the words for it, didn’t know what it was that she was dealing with. Just knew that this was something different. Moved to high school, of course, she was an excellent student, very athletic, excellent soccer player, swimmer. Went to high school and in many ways was certainly different than our other three children. She tended to be more withdrawn, quiet, although she’s five years younger than the next one, she was sort of raised almost as an only child. Wasn’t very communicative. Our other kids were much more engaged in family discussions and give and take. We always had family meals together and lots of lively discussions, and Morva tended just to kind of just stand back and watch all this, not engaging. You would ask her periodically, “Is there something you’re dealing, or you want to talk about it?” “Nope, I’m fine,” just not very communicative. She was obviously attracted to a girl in high school, frankly one that was, I found, very difficult to accept. We put some barriers in front of her that probably were not the best, appropriate. She tended to hide her sexuality by dating. She dated probably the most popular kid at Booker T. I thought he was a great son-in-law, but he was gay. That’s how these kids survived. You know, that was—I don’t think—unusual in the mid ’80s. She dated Allen for whatever they needed—proms, whatever. She went away to school; she went to Tufts. It was when she was a freshman at Tufts that she really dealt with it. Came home her freshman year and said, “Mom and Dad, I think I’m gay.” Then it’s in our ball park, so then we have to deal with it. I’m sure she felt much better; we felt lousy. That’s when we—then the rest is history; we developed PFLAG. Belmonte So you and Joe started PFLAG. Tell me a little bit about Joe’s part in a lot of your activism. It sounds like he’s been amazingly supportive. McDonald Yeah. Joe’s been absolutely fabulous. He’s always said, “I can’t do those kinds of things because of my work.” An anesthesiologist doesn’t have a lot of control over his time. He’s at the mercy of the hospital and the mercy of the surgeons, but he’s tremendously supportive of what we did and what I was all about and was very much a part of PFLAG. He’s done the support groups for years and years and years. He took a little break from it for a while, but he’s back doing it again. In some ways, Joe’s not very patient with parents. He said, “Get over it. This is a fact. Your child is who she is; she’s been here—she’s been very honest with you and open with you, given you a tremendous gift of honesty. Let us help you understand that. Let us 16 �help you understand homosexuality, but then let’s get beyond that and figure out what we can do collectively and make it better for our kids.” Joe has a lot of empathy but not a lot of patience with people. I think as anybody knows, he’s always there, many times doing a lot of the gut work that people don’t always see or appreciate. I often think about—Joe and I have done PFLAG almost for twenty years, and it’s Joe McDonald that sets it up and takes it down, puts away things, and just does that kind of work. That’s just—that’s our roles. Belmonte Describe to me how the chapter developed. You began mingling with the support groups. Is that correct? McDonald Yeah. Traditionally, if any PFLAG chapter grows, it grows out of support. You have a support group that comes together to offer that support for one another, and it’s really helpful for parents to talk to parents. It’s also helpful for gay and lesbians to talk to parents about what they’re dealing with and how they’re dealing with it and for parents to be available for gays and lesbians who are coming out to talk about what they can expect from parents, how to prepare them for what parents may respond and how they may respond. We were really—interesting enough—and I can’t tell you exactly—we must have been probably the fourteenth or fifteenth chapter organized in the country in PFLAG, so we’re really one of the first. We were right on the brink of support because traditionally, that’s all PFLAG did, was to come together and support. I’ve been very controversial at the national level because I said PFLAG had to move beyond that. PFLAG had to move beyond getting together and holding hands and crying because we had gay and lesbian kids, that we needed to move beyond that and think about how we could make the world better for them. It really, in many ways, although I was not alone, it was another faction within PFLAG that moved PFLAG toward its three-pronged admission that we articulated that we would offer support, support always, in any way that we could, but that we would also be much more aggressive in educating ourselves and the broader community, and that we would finally get involved in advocacy. It was in the late ’80s that a new mission was hammered out for PFLAG, which was to support, to educate, and to advocate on behalf of our GLBT kids. I was sort of at that brink of just making that move in PFLAG. They were moving from what I said, a mom and pop organization run strictly by volunteers, to a national organization with a national presence, with a national stat. I became active in PFLAG at the national level probably 198— very shortly after I started the chapter, ’88, maybe. I forget. Dates just kind of mesh, ’88 maybe. I had gone to the Seattle conference. Joe and I went to our first PFLAG national conference, encouraged my Morva. Morva went with us to the PFLAG conference in Detroit, Michigan, and she met us 17 �there. We had a wonderful time. I think it was the first time that all three of us could be really open and honest in an environment that was supportive. Then the second conference we went to was in Seattle, Washington, and it was so disorganized. It just was not functioning. They asked me if I would be a regional director, and I took that position. I subsequently developed chapters in Kansas, chapters in Oklahoma, and chapters in Texas, chapters in New Mexico, chapters in Colorado, really became active in Colorado in amendment two, organized that year fifteen chapters in Colorado in response to amendment two. Organized chapters in Casper, Wyoming, Cheyenne, Wyoming. I’ve done a lot of organizing: Dallas, San Antonio, Houston. Belmonte What do you think the biggest challenge is you’ve faced in your PFLAG work has been? McDonald The homophobia, the bigotry at the national level by our national leaders. It’s pretty incredible. I testified in congress on ENDA [The Employee NonDiscrimination Act]; I testified on Defense of Marriage Act. I never experienced such incredible hate as I did on the Defense of Marriage Act, the judicial panel. I was on the panel with Andrew Sullivan and with Elizabeth Birch. I think we both know that those were incredible individuals. I saw them just brought to tears by their questioning. You know, I think it was that point I really realized the incredible power of PFLAG because I was the third panel member. I went before the judicial committee, and the environment just changed; it was quiet. You could have heard a pin drop in the room that day. I introduced myself as a mother and a grandmother, and they could identify with that. Hyde, Representative Henry Hyde, was—you know, he said some horrible things, but I’m really proud of that. I never flinched in that. I never lost my composure. Although we lost that Defense of Marriage Act, and Steve Largent was the author, I think in some ways, we began to see the tide turning just a little bit. I testified on the first Employment Non-Discrimination Act with Representative—from New Jersey— Belmonte --D’Amato? McDonald D’Amato. Belmonte From New York. McDonald From New York. [Inaudible] That was a difficult one also, but he was really just, at that point, on a fact-finding mission in that hearing. Then I testified in the House of Representatives again, which was not as difficult as the—the most difficult one was the Defense of Marriage Act. That was really difficult. I think when you asked what are the challenges, the challenges are you just continue to pound away and trying to educate people, educate the 18 �people who are the decision makers and policy makers; that’s where it is. Simple. Belmonte Right. Let’s backtrack in some of the advocacy efforts that the PFLAG chapter in Tulsa has taken on at the local level. I know, for instance, you guys were involved in some issues with the library in the mid ’90s. McDonald Well, we had a lot—the library really didn’t want to have a display of gay and lesbian materials, books, et cetera. We had to go before the library board of trustees. We had some support from the board of trustees, from individual members who then said, “Well, this is blatant discrimination, and they ought to be allowed to have a display.” Our first display was the Ku Klux Klan was in town. Although we were not the original intent of the Ku Klux Klan coming, they learned about our library display and demonstrated in front of the library. It was a pretty incredible experience to look at the Ku Klux Klan in their hoods and to hear such hate. You realize this was the Ku Klux Klan; I mean, this was awful. They denounced our exhibit, but that barrier was broken. We handled that; we just had a display. There was not one complaint filed about our display. We’ve had—this is our fourth year. We have it every other year, so it’s eight years since we’ve done that. We have always met with the editorial board in the Tulsa world. I’ve always felt that it’s much better to be pro-active than after-the-fact. Whenever I felt that there was an issue that they needed to be aware of or that they needed—that we needed to bring attention of the editorial board, I called for a meeting, and they’ve always been receptive. Never once have they ever turned me down. Then I went to the editorial board before I started PFLAG and told them what I was going to do because as a community leader, I’ve certainly had a lot of exposure to the editorial board, and I just knew that was the thing to do. I just knew that it was so much better to meet with them and that they’d have a level of trust and respect for me if I did that. Took on advertising department of Tulsa World. PFLAG chapter changed their policies about—could not buy an ad that used the word gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered, or homosexual in an ad. I took them to task for that, and after—that would be four or five years, finally got that policy changed so we could run an ad. We ran our first project, Open Mind, and could not use those words in the ad that we even paid for. It was a 7,000 dollar ad, and we couldn’t use the words that we wanted to. We certainly have done that. We certainly were involved in Tulsa’s second try to change the [inaudible] policies of the city of Tulsa, served on that subcommittee of the Tulsa Human Rights Commission. I’ve lost track of the number of presentations that PFLAG has made to churches and civic groups and organizations, and schools, and all of that, and the educational outreach. Call that advocacy, you could call it education; it’s all about changing policies. Certainly 19 �changed the Tulsa Public School’s policies on the inclusion of Title IX and discrimination against gays and lesbians, harassment policies. Went before the executive committee of Tulsa Public Schools, and those were changed immediately. There was no trouble, which was very fortunate. John Thompson did it. We were very fortunate. Belmonte What do you think are the biggest issues facing the local GLBT community now? McDonald Well, the biggest one is, of course, the constitutional amendment—the proposed Oklahoma constitutional amendment. Personally, I don’t think there’s any chance of it being defeated; I think that if it’s defeated, it will have to be in a technicality withdrawn from the ballot. Nevertheless, you have to put every effort to making that you educate as many people as possible that this is wrong. This is institutionalized discrimination. It’s wrong. We live in a state that, unfortunately, is very conservative and [inaudible]. Belmonte Has the PFLAG chapter had any success in being racially inclusive? This is an issue that TOHR has never been successful with. McDonald No, we have not. There’s hope, but we’ve not been successful at the national level with PFLAG. This has been a big issue. I think what you have to do is you have to recognize the fact that you’re dealing with different cultures. The African American community is not—it’s not part of their culture to have support groups to get together to talk about their gay and lesbian kids. It’s just not going to happen. I mean, we’ve learned that the hard way. You have to look at a different avenue of delivering information and education to a culture, be it Hispanic, be it Native American, be it African American. You know, the Caucasians, we like to get together, hold hands, and talk about it. That’s not true for the black community. That’s not true in the Hispanic or the Asian American community. What we’ve seen happen is that we have seen the Latino, Hispanic, African American, Asian American people come together to design what it is they need within this arena of support, education, and advocacy. It takes different forms. We learn from the Asian American community that for them, it’s best to have a video that they check out and take home and watch. We’ve learned with the African American community that it’s important to find a religious community that’s supportive and that perhaps through that religious community—I learned this from the Reverend Tim McDonald, who is one of Martin Luther King’s followers in Atlanta and the minister at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. I met with him when I was national president, and he really taught me a lot about how to work within the African American community to try to reach them with PFLAG’s mission. He said if you can identify African American religious leaders who 20 �understand your message, then they in turn then can help you identify your parent support group or define it. In Tulsa—and here again, I think this happened certainly because I—it may be my own ego, but credibility within the black community—so that I could go to some of the black ministers and talk to them about homosexuality. Consequently, they were willing to meet with us, so we had a meeting—I took two young, African American gay men with me. We had two absolutely incredible meetings with them just these past couple months. Did we change any ideas or any of their attitudes? Yes and no. What did emerge out of there was interesting; we identified a minister who was very supportive and who took our video, “All in the Family,” which is a video produced by [inaudible]—I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but it’s wonderful. It has, interesting enough, a native Tulsan, whose name is going to escape me now. He’s a professor of African American studies at Harvard, just moved to Princeton— Belmonte Cornel West. McDonald Cornel West. He’s a graduate of Booker T. He’s on the video, and so some of these black ministers knew him, which was very interesting. Anyway, one of the black ministers said, “You know, I think what we could do, Nancy, is we could do a PFLAG chapter in North Tulsa, and I’m willing to host it.” You know, you never know. Sometimes things happen. I was at a meeting a couple months ago for the League of Women Voters, and an African American woman came up to me, who I’ve known for thirty-seven years, and she said, “I need to talk to you, Nancy.” When anybody says that, I know what I’m going to deal with. She said—her son happened to be our son’s roommate at Harvard—and she said, “I need to tell you that my son is gay. You’re the first person I’ve told outside of the family,” and she said, “and I need to find a new church.” She said, “Because I can’t go to this church anymore because every time I go to church, this minister stands up and talks about how awful homosexuals are.” She said, “I can’t stand it anymore because my son’s wonderful, and he’s a physician in Chicago.” She said, “You know how bright he is.” “I know.” I said, “Well, why don’t you go to this church?” knowing darn good and well I was setting her up because now I have a minister and a mother. I’m going to meet with them this week about starting a chapter. I think maybe this might be how we get it going because over the years, I’ve collected all of these names of these African American parents who have called, many of whom I know, but who feel alone and isolated and not willing to come out. Maybe, it just may be that I can get them together now with this woman who’s—everybody knows in this community, and she’s willing to step up. That might work. I don’t know. 21 �Belmonte Worth a try. McDonald Worth a try, but it will have to be done very quietly. I don’t care. As long as it’s there and it’s servicing the needs of people, it will gain momentum and slowly, slowly gain enough confidence to be open enough. What’s that timeline? I don’t know. Belmonte You’ve described some positive experience with religious leaders in this community, and I can’t imagine you haven’t had many negative ones. Can you just tell us a little more about some of the resistance you have gotten? McDonald Well, it’s interesting. There’s certainly been some resistance publicly. One from a minister of a denomination here in Tulsa who’s, interesting enough, was a roommate of the president of the Houston PFLAG chapter, who’s also a minister, Methodist minister. Now I’ve given it away, haven’t I? Don’s son was murdered in Houston. He became very active in the PFLAG chapter in Houston. His roommate is the minister in Tulsa. This minister—every time we go to this church, he will not deal with me. He’ll refer me down to his assistants. He doesn’t want to recognize or will he take a stand on behalf of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender people in this community. He’s wellthought of in this community; he’s a religious leader in this community, but he will not touch this subject. I always—sometimes it feels sort of devious. He’s been very active in another organization, a not-for-profit organization and just finished his leadership, and I wrote him a thank-you because he did an incredible job as a leader. He wrote back to me, and he said, “Nancy, I appreciate your note of thanks,” but he said, “I want to tell you, and it means a lot to me because I really respect all that you have done in this community on behalf of gay people.” That’s one-on-one, you see. He can deal with that, but publicly, in his denomination, he just can’t make that bridge. What do you do? Another Baptist minister. Well, I have to tell you, I was scared to death to go see. Absolutely scared to death, because this man is powerful, he is well-known in this community, he sits on the board of trustees at Hillcrest Hospital with me for twelve years. I went to see William about Project Open Mind, and I was scared because this man is incredible; everybody respects him. I got into his office, and he was sitting in his office with his arms folded, and I thought, “Oh, this is going to be awful.” He kept talking, and I kept talking about Project Open Mind with this other PFLAG member who was a member of his church. He finally leaned forward, and he said, “Let me tell you something, Nancy,” and I knew it was just going to be awful. He said, “I want to tell you something. I have a lesbian sister. I can’t do anything from my pulpit, but what do you want me to do individually?” I think that in some ways just tells you what the challenges are within the denom. It’s the denominational challenge collectively. It’s their doctrine, their dogma. 22 �There are not strong enough individuals or enough individuals to raise the questions or make the challenge. Will it come? I don’t know. That’s just sort of how I see it. They operate out here individually. I believe they know what’s right, and yet they do not have enough courage or backbone to step up and make a difference. It takes a real special individual to do that. It’s their job, it’s their denomination, it’s—defines them, and they’re not really willing to buck it. Belmonte Moving to another subject, some of our interviewees have talked a lot about a club called Zipper’s that existed in the ’80s here, and there used to be a lot of police harassment of people who went to this club. You and I discussed privately that—your relation with the Tulsa Police Department. Has PFLAG encountered a lot of victims of hate crimes, and how has PFLAG tried to work with the police department? McDonald I think we’ve seen tremendous changes in the police department, incredible changes within the police department, part of it because of Drew Diamond, part of it I think was a change in the culture of the police department as a whole. I think we have—as an organization, certainly we’re aware of harassment: we’ve had some calls on the help line, we’ve had some calls from individual families of kids being harassed by police with their driving on Memorial or 11th Street or wherever. Here again, I think we’ve had some good relations with the police department, where we can call them and talk to them about it and have some of those issues addressed. I still think there’s a lot of work to be done in the police department, and part of it is in their training program. They use a program—a canned program—out of Dallas called Pace. It’s really very vague; it doesn’t talk about specifics of cultures, and we need to make it much more relevant for police officers. Had some conversations with Chief Dean about it. There’s a lot of inertia right now with the police department and Bill LaFortune, and the race relations committee has been abandoned. He’s organizing a new kind of commission under the auspices of the mayor’s office. Chief Dean will talk to me a little bit about it. I’m not sure where that’s happening. Belmonte Jenny, can you think of any areas that we didn’t touch on? Davis Well, I noticed that you’re experienced in the medical field. How hard is it for a GLBT person in Tulsa to find a supportive doctor or someone that they can talk to about—have you run into that? McDonald There’s evidence, the documents. There’s evidence in the needs assessment that we’ve just completed, the Tulsa Reaches Out needs assessment, which has some specific questions about their physicians. Difficult, which points to the need that there will have to be some work done in the medical society in raising the level of awareness of their gay and lesbian clientele. It’s documented; it’s there. 23 �Belmonte Is there anything you’d like to add? McDonald I could go on and on, Laura. (Laughter) A thousand and one things. Belmonte We appreciate your time. Thank you. That concludes this interview. ------- End of interview ------- Addendum (Dennis Neill January 14, 2026) Nancy McDonald of Tulsa, Oklahoma June 4, 1936 - October 24, 2023 Nancy McDonald, a longtime Tulsa community volunteer and activist, died Tuesday. She was 87. A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. Nov. 12 at All Souls Unitarian Church, with a reception to follow. Per McDonald’s wishes, her family invites everyone attending the reception to bring homemade cookies. Known for her vision and tenacity, McDonald was a force for change in Tulsa for well over 50 years, embracing a variety of causes including public school integration, the arts and LGBTQ rights. Notably with the latter, her influence extended throughout Oklahoma and beyond. McDonald and her husband, Joe, were the founders of the Tulsa chapter of Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, the first in Oklahoma, and she later served as president of the national PFLAG organization. It was during her tenure as president, in 1998, that the organization extended its mission to include transgender people. McDonald was active on a state and national level in promoting legislation that advanced LGBTQ rights. And when a proposed law threatened that advancement, she was there to fight it. That included testifying before Congress in 1996 in opposition to the federal Defense of Marriage Act. Toby Jenkins, former director of Oklahomans for Equality, said McDonald was a source of needed encouragement for her fellow LGBTQ rights advocates, assuring them that “incrementally, bit by bit, relationships would form and change would come.” “Nancy taught us to show respect and civility to everyone, even if they were hateful to you,” Jenkins said. “If they spoke that way, she believed it was just that their hearts and minds had not been opened or challenged. Eventually the change of heart would come. I will miss that most about her.” A Nebraska native and graduate of the University of Nebraska, McDonald moved to Tulsa with her family in 1966. She didn’t waste any time getting involved in her new community. As a parent of school-age children and PTA member, she joined a small group of Tulsa Public Schools parents in helping with voluntary integration, starting with Burroughs Elementary School. Then, in 1973, district officials turned to McDonald to help integrate Booker T. Washington High School. 24 �Chairing a committee for volunteer recruitment, McDonald led the successful effort to recruit white student volunteers to attend the previously all-Black school, holding a series of meetings with students and parents. Her volunteering led to a full-time job with TPS, coordinating volunteers and leading the further development of the magnet school concept. Motivating more community volunteers to get involved in their public schools was at the heart of McDonald’s love for the Partners in Education program. She participated in a related White House Symposium and wrote the guidelines for PIE groups that were published as a book. She remained involved with PIE through the end of her life. McDonald was also passionate about scouting. She was a former board member and president of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma. In that role, she helped guide the organization through the tumultuous time following the 1977 murders of three girls at summer camp. McDonald was recipient of a number of honors and awards. They included induction into the Tulsa Hall of Fame and the dedication of the Nancy & Joe McDonald Rainbow Library in her and her husband’s honor at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. McDonald’s commitment to the LGBTQ cause began in the 1980s when one of her daughters came out as a lesbian. The experience of supporting her daughter would shape McDonald, and later she became a mother figure to many LGBTQ people who found themselves facing alienation from friends and family. “We called her ‘everybody’s mother,’” Jenkins said. “She was a surrogate parent for so many whose families had rejected them or had not accepted or understood them. There are national LGBTQ leaders who came out of Oklahoma who Nancy mentored about family relationships.” And her motherly influence didn’t end with the LGBTQ community, Jenkins said. “If anyone was marginalized, it became her cause,” he said. Morva McDonald, McDonald’s daughter, said her mother was “just so good at seeing every individual.” “At her core, she was always trying her best to help people be seen, be recognized for who they were. And that’s what allowed her to reach across so many different causes and arenas.” “The issue for her was always helping people be seen. It was a tremendous gift.” For her mother, part of valuing people as individuals included helping them find ways to participate, Morva added. “That’s why we’re asking people to bring homemade cookies to the reception. It was her idea. Baking was a favorite activity of Mom’s with her grandchildren. “Even at the end she was thinking about how everyone could share and participate.” McDonald’s survivors include her husband, Joe McDonald; four children, JoElyn Newcomb, Paul McDonald, Jason McDonald and Morva McDonald; eight grandchildren; a brother, Howard Nellor; and a sister, Sharlene Clatanoff. Memorial donations may be made to the Foundation for Tulsa Schools’ Partners in Education program. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Nancy McDonald, please click here to visit our sympathy store. 25 �Services Celebration of Life Sunday, November 12, 2023 4:00 PM All Souls Unitarian Church 2952 S. Peoria Ave Tulsa, OK 74114 26 � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [Series] Oral Histories Project > Interviews Description An account of the resource <strong>Physical Media:</strong> <br />Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program<br />Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007<br /><br /><strong>Digital Media:</strong> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [2004] Nancy McDonald Interview Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource July 18, 2004 Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcript of oral history interview with Laura Belmonte on July 18, 2004. Nancy was born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised on a farm near Beemer, Nebraska. She graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Medical Technology. She married Joe McDonald when he was a senior in medical school. They worked with the Air Force in medical fields for 10 years and settled in Tulsa in 1966 where Joe continued his medical practice. While facing a great deal of pushback, In the early 1970’s , Nancy became one of the leaders of the successful effort to voluntarily integrate the Tulsa Public Schools. She was further involved in the public sphere as head of the Girl Scout Council when 3 girls were murdered at Camp Scott in 1977. She became involved with the Tulsa Boy’s Home where Joe and Nancy soon helped raise the first Afro-American boy admitted to the home. They helped him through school and as a star player on the University of Tulsa Basketball team. Joe and Nancy became involved in the Tulsa LGBT scene as one of their daughters came out in 1986. At that time, Nancy had recently learned of PFLAG and set about creating a Tulsa chapter. Soon after, she became aware of Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights and its work addressing the AIDS crisis. With Joe’s support, she developed a very effective chapter and served as national president of PFLAG and also served on the board of TOHR. She testified before the U.S. Congress against the Defense of Marriage Act. She arranged for pride month displays at the downtown Tulsa City- County Library and led so many other efforts to improve education, children’s welfare, LGBTQ+ acceptance and the work to support open and affirming churches as noted in the interview. An addendum to her transcript includes an obituary as Nancy passed on October 23, 2023. Her beloved and constant supporter Joe McDonald, passed on February 12, 2026. Subject The topic of the resource Nancy McDonald Oral History Project Interview from July 18, 2004 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nancy McDonald, Laura Belmonte, Dennis Neill 2004 AIDS AIDS/HIV Air Force Defense of Marriage Act Girl Scouts HIV/AIDs interview Joe McDonald Laura A. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [1996] National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Files Subject The topic of the resource Advocacy Description An account of the resource Files related to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1996 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Press releases Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Advocacy Activism https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/10f1b5999791efbbfb496d3dd7a04056.pdf 3a0b80d556c0a920500462cc4a65f09a PDF Text Text �� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [1996] NGLTF - Barney Frank and June Jordan at Creating Change Conference Description An account of the resource Two pages of a press release from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) on June 27, 1996, detailing featured speakers for their Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference. Barney Frank's address will open the event on November 7, 1996, with June Jordan presenting the First Annual Vito Russo Lecture on Art and Politics the following day. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 27, 1996 Subject The topic of the resource 1996 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force - Barney Frank to Analyze Presidential Election at Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference; Writer/Artist/Activist June Jordan to Deliver First Annual Vito Russo Lecture on Art & Politics Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) 1996 1996 Creating Change Conference 1st Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture 9th Annual Creating Change Conference Barney Frank Carmen Vasquez conference Creating Change Creating Change Conference 1996 First Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture June Jordan National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) NGLTF NGLTF Creating Change Conference Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference press release Vito Russo Memorial Lecture Vito Russo Memorial Lecture on Art and Politics https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/b0e3b63de5e866960bcdd84c87847153.pdf b253798e0780107cefa52f19816117f5 PDF Text Text ��������������� Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource [1995-1996] NGLTF - Media Releases Description An account of the resource 15 pages of various media/press releases from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force:<br /><br />- NGLTF Applauds Congressional Passage of Church Arson Prevention Act; Permanently Reauthorizes Hate Crime Statistics Act (2 pages)<br /><br />- Barney Frank to Analyze Presidential Election at Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference; Writer/Artist/Activist June Jordan to Deliver First Annual Vito Russo Lecture on Art &amp; Politics (2 pages)<br /><br />- The Marriage Debate by John D'Emilio (3 pages)<br /><br />- Attorney General Reno Responds to Task Force Inquiry; Assures NGLTF That Anti-Lesbian Bias is Being Considered in Slayings of Women in Shenandoah National Park (3 pages, includes Reno's response letter)<br /><br />- 1996 State Marriage Legislation; Real Discrimination, Real Rights and Responsibilities (2 pages)<br /><br />- NGLTF Urges Attorney General Reno to Intervene in Wake of Murders on Appalachian Trail; Asks Confirmation that Possible Anti-Lesbian Bias is Explored by Investigators (3 pages, includes Melinda Paras' letter to Reno) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 20, 1995 - June 27, 1996 Subject The topic of the resource 1995-1996 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media and Press Releases Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Melinda Paras, Tracey Conaty, John D'Emilio, Janet Reno 1995 1996 1996 Creating Change Conference 1st Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture 9th Annual Creating Change Conference arson Attorney General Janet Reno Barney Frank Carmen Vasquez church Church Arson Prevention Act Church Arson Prevention Act 1996 Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 churches conference Congress Creating Change Creating Change Conference Creating Change Conference 1996 Defense of Marriage Act First Annual Vito Russo Memorial Lecture Gay marriage gay marriage ban hate crime hate crime bill Hate crime legislation Hate Crime Statistics Act Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA) HCSA Janet Reno John D'Emilio Julianne Williams Julie Williams June Jordan Laura Winans LGBT marriage Lollie Winans marriage equality Melinda Paras Murder National Gay and Lesbian Task Force National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) NGLTF NGLTF Creating Change Conference Ninth Annual Creating Change Conference press release same sex marriage same-sex marriage Shenandoah National Park Shenandoah National Park murders Sue Hyde Tracey Conaty Vito Russo Memorial Lecture Vito Russo Memorial Lecture on Art and Politics