31 20 681 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/82e1ad4b35fd36fc03c731e87fd62957.pdf 0e8361bba9cc13e68f49514328c5c38f PDF Text Text OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY FY2024 Financial Statements Preliminary-unaudited �Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Statement of Financial Position As of September 30, 2024 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 577,378 Accounts Receivable/POS System 5,007 Endowment-TFC-Capital 27,724 Endowment-TFC-Op 14,139 Prepaid Expenses 62,428 Inventory 8,946 Fixed Assets (Less: Accum. Dep) 1,117,415 TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,813,037 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts Payable 18,199 Deferred Revenue 79,886 Accrued Expenses Payable 1,666 Payroll Payable 7,753 PTO Accrual Payable 19,763 Artists Payable 103 Sales tax to Pay 942 Total Liabilities $ 128,311 Net Assets With Donor Restriction 31,316 Without Donor Restriction 1,653,410 Total Net Assets $ 1,684,726 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 1,813,037 �Oklahoman's for Equality Statement of Activity October 1, 2023 - September 2024 Revenue Grant Revenue Contributions Clinic Services Sales Event/Kitchen Rental EBA/OKEQ Memberships Equality Gala Pride Festival & Bingo Misc Income Investment Income Total Revenue 255,794 324,548 76,030 26,296 26,670 7,881 571,891 11,277 276 231 1,300,893 Expenditures Personnel Contract Services Storage Insurance Office & Utilitie Expenses Business Licenses & Permits Marketing and Advertising Security Clinic Supplies & Lab Program Expenses Non-Cap Equipment Travel Bank Fees & CC Fees Gala Expenses Pride Festival & Bingo Total Expenditures 441,078 98,965 4,482 28,278 130,854 11,417 800 16,503 12,935 70,249 3,180 2,859 13,454 106,912 5,407 947,371 Depreciation-Fixed Assets Amortization-Building & Land Net Revenue over Expenses 7,619 93,384 252,520 � 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 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY FY2024 Financial Statements Preliminary-unaudited Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Statement of Financial Position As of September 30, 2024 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 577,378 Accounts Receivable/POS System 5,007 Endowment-TFC-Capital 27,724 Endowment-TFC-Op 14,139 Prepaid Expenses 62,428 Inventory 8,946 Fixed Assets (Less: Accum. Dep) 1,117,415 TOTAL ASSETS $ 1,813,037 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Liabilities Accounts Payable 18,199 Deferred Revenue 79,886 Accrued Expenses Payable 1,666 Payroll Payable 7,753 PTO Accrual Payable 19,763 Artists Payable 103 Sales tax to Pay 942 Total Liabilities $ 128,311 Net Assets With Donor Restriction 31,316 Without Donor Restriction 1,653,410 Total Net Assets $ 1,684,726 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 1,813,037 Oklahoman's for Equality Statement of Activity October 1, 2023 - September 2024 Revenue Grant Revenue 255,794 Contributions 324,548 Clinic Services 76,030 Sales 26,296 Event/Kitchen Rental 26,670 EBA/OKEQ Memberships 7,881 Equality Gala 571,891 Pride Festival & Bingo 11,277 Misc Income 276 Investment Income 231 Total Revenue 1,300,893 Expenditures Personnel 441,078 Contract Services 98,965 Storage 4,482 Insurance 28,278 Office & Utilitie Expenses 130,854 Business Licenses & Permits 11,417 Marketing and Advertising 800 Security 16,503 Clinic Supplies & Lab 12,935 Program Expenses 70,249 Non-Cap Equipment 3,180 Travel 2,859 Bank Fees & CC Fees 13,454 Gala Expenses 106,912 Pride Festival & Bingo 5,407 Total Expenditures 947,371 Depreciation-Fixed Assets 7,619 Amortization-Building & Land 93,384 Net Revenue over Expenses 252,520 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 [2024] OKEQ FY2024 Financial Statements Unaudited Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Preliminary Unaudited Financial Statements Description An account of the resource 3 pages of financial statements for Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) for the fall period of 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 30, 2024 2023 2024 Financial financial statements OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) statement of activity https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/07f31b1526363bd70f1324014054f91c.pdf 78fdba7bf6ea9f3bdd9b4d9fc2c96023 PDF Text Text REVENUE Grant Revenue Contributions I Am Equality Giving Corps Clinic Services Store/Vending Sales (net) Bar/Concession Sales (net) Rentals (Theater/Kitchen/Event Center) Event/Ticket Sales Equality Business Alliance OKEQ Membership Gala (net proceeds) Pride Festival & Bingo Art Gallery/Misc Investment Income TOTAL REVENUE BUDGET FY2024 266,000 277,600 70,000 10,000 20,000 25,000 25,000 5,000 5,000 350,000 500 1,054,100 EXPENDITURES Salaries & Wages Payroll Taxes and Benefits Contract Services Storage Insurance-Liability & Cyber Insurance-D&O Insurance-Workers Comp Insurance-Property Insurance-Clinic Insurance-Van Utilities/Phone (see tab) Office expenses (see tab) Cleaning & supplies Repairs & Maintenance Business Licenses & Permits Memberships and Subscriptions Marketing and Advertising Security (excluding Pride) Clinic Supplies & Lab Other Program Expenses Community Outreach Library Materials Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) Non-Cap Equipment Vehicle Expenses Meals & Entertainment Travel & Training Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) Bank Fees & Charges Gala Expenses Pride Festival Expenses TOTAL EXPENDITURES* Net Revenue over Expenditures Actual OctAugust 247,294 318,589 67,878 7,190 13,353 26,070 7,565 7,526 571,891 11,398 368 2 1,279,124 BUDGET FY2025 200,000 125,000 125,000 75,000 10,000 15,000 35,000 30,000 10,000 5,000 (net) 225,000 248,924 1,000 2,000 1,106,924 350,000 50,000 100,750 5,000 8,000 2,200 2,500 12,000 1,500 3,000 43,000 20,000 26,000 30,000 13,500 1,000 2,500 20,000 15,875 5,000 1,200 25,000 3,000 1,500 5,000 3,000 16,000 1,625 125,000 893,150 331,127 62,773 87,125 4,084 6,414 2,007 3,323 10,433 991 2,557 33,376 30,100 14,283 35,413 7,213 1,198 85 16,298 10,794 1,122 1,361 10,758 3,180 155 3,298 2,879 11,778 1,209 106,912 3,806 806,052 409,333 71,078 101,850 4,560 8,000 2,200 3,800 12,000 1,500 3,000 34,380 27,000 12,000 20,000 2,000 1,500 1,200 20,000 15,000 7,500 24,000 8,500 15,000 7,500 3,000 5,000 10,000 10,000 500 233,946 1,075,347 160,950 473,072 31,577 (included above) � 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 REVENUE BUDGET FY2024 Actual Oct-August BUDGET FY2025 Grant Revenue 266,000 247,294 200,000 Contributions 277,600 318,589 125,000 I Am Equality Giving Corps - - 125,000 Clinic Services 70,000 67,878 75,000 Store/Vending Sales (net) 10,000 7,190 10,000 Bar/Concession Sales (net) 20,000 13,353 15,000 Rentals (Theater/Kitchen/Event Center) 25,000 26,070 35,000 Event/Ticket Sales 25,000 7,565 30,000 Equality Business Alliance 5,000 7,526 10,000 OKEQ Membership 5,000 (included above) 5,000 Gala (net proceeds) 350,000 571,891 (net) 225,000 Pride Festival & Bingo - 11,398 248,924 Art Gallery/Misc 500 368 1,000 Investment Income - 2 2,000 TOTAL REVENUE 1,054,100 1,279,124 1,106,924 EXPENDITURES Salaries & Wages 350,000 331,127 409,333 Payroll Taxes and Benefits 50,000 62,773 71,078 Contract Services 100,750 87,125 101,850 Storage 5,000 4,084 4,560 Insurance-Liability & Cyber 8,000 6,414 8,000 Insurance-D&O 2,200 2,007 2,200 Insurance-Workers Comp 2,500 3,323 3,800 Insurance-Property 12,000 10,433 12,000 Insurance-Clinic 1,500 991 1,500 Insurance-Van 3,000 2,557 3,000 Utilities/Phone (see tab) 43,000 33,376 34,380 Office expenses (see tab) 20,000 30,100 27,000 Cleaning & supplies 26,000 14,283 12,000 Repairs & Maintenance 30,000 35,413 20,000 Business Licenses & Permits 13,500 7,213 2,000 Memberships and Subscriptions 1,000 1,198 1,500 Marketing and Advertising 2,500 85 1,200 Security (excluding Pride) 20,000 16,298 20,000 Clinic Supplies & Lab 15,875 10,794 15,000 Other Program Expenses 5,000 1,122 7,500 Community Outreach - - 24,000 Library Materials 1,200 1,361 8,500 Event Expenses (excl Pride and Gala) 25,000 10,758 15,000 Non-Cap Equipment 3,000 3,180 7,500 Vehicle Expenses 1,500 155 3,000 Meals & Entertainment 5,000 3,298 5,000 Travel & Training 3,000 2,879 10,000 Transaction Fees (excl Pride and Gala) 16,000 11,778 10,000 Bank Fees & Charges 1,625 1,209 500 Gala Expenses 125,000 106,912 - Pride Festival Expenses - 3,806 233,946 TOTAL EXPENDITURES* 893,150 806,052 1,075,347 Net Revenue over Expenditures 160,950 473,072 31,577 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 [2024] OKEQ FY2025 Budget Approved September 2024 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Fiscal Year 2025 Budget Approved September 2024 Description An account of the resource 1 page of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) budget for the fiscal year of 2025, approved in September 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource September 2024 2024 2025 budget budgeting Financial OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/69ffbd3173a19891e4e35ec57b1a1985.pdf ba216b5df64947e913e202bd9852526f PDF Text Text OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY Finance Report June 2024 unaudited �Oklahoman's for Equality Cash Position As of June 2024 Current Cash Balance Accounts Receivable (Less: Restricted Grants/Funds) (Less: Affiliate/Chapters) Available Unrestricted Funds $ $ 513,427 (5,780) (5,958) 501,689 Restricted Grants/Funds As of June 2024 Balance Grant/Activity Name SAGE USA History Project Coordinator Rainbow Library Van Insurance SAGE-Support Group Total Restricted Grants 612.73 2,880.01 294.47 1,953.00 40.00 5,780 Affiliate Balances As of June 2024 Group Name Balance Green Country Bears SEQ McAlester Chapter Tulsa2Spirit Society Total Affiliates/Chapters 640.21 1,793.83 3,523.89 5,957.93 �Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Revenue Grant Revenue Contributions Clinic Services Pride Store (Net) Bar/Concession (Net) Art Gallery Event/Shows Ticket Sales Event/Kitchen Rental EBA/OKEQ Memberships Equality Gala Pride Festival & Bingo Misc Income Investment Income Total Revenue 266,000 277,600 70,000 10,000 20,000 500 25,000 25,000 10,000 350,000 15,000 1,069,100 249,700 269,628 52,934 7,448 11,915 95 7,565 23,220 6,014 417,105 12,246 10 1,057,879 Expenditures Salaries & Wages Payroll Taxes and Benefits IT Software/Equipment Accounting & Legal Fees Audt & 990 Fees HR Consultant Other Contract Services Storage Insurance-Liability & Cyber Insurance-D&O Insurance-Workers Comp Insurance-Property Insurance-Clinic Insurance-Van Utilities/Phone Office expenses Cleaning & supplies Repairs & Maintenance 350,000 50,000 30,000 26,400 6,600 9,000 28,750 5,000 8,000 2,200 2,500 12,000 1,500 3,000 43,000 20,000 26,000 30,000 281,783 56,099 18,785 18,350 5,800 6,750 15,149 3,313 5,291 1,738 2,655 8,036 811 2,034 22,413 25,701 15,828 26,777 �Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Expenditures Cont. Business Licenses & Permits Memberships and Subscriptions Marketing and Advertising Security (excluding Pride) Clinic Supplies & Lab Other Program Expenses Library Materials Event Expenses (excl Pride and G Non-Cap Equipment Vehicle Expenses Meals & Entertainment Travel Transaction Fees (excl Pride and G Bank Fees & Charges Gala Expenses Pride Festival & Bingo Total Expenditures 13,500 1,000 2,500 20,000 15,875 5,000 1,200 25,000 3,000 1,500 5,000 3,000 16,000 1,625 125,000 893,150 6,723 1,198 85 15,718 8,997 1,247 1,361 8,009 3,180 124 3,158 2,879 11,052 1,209 66,755 2,538 651,543 Release of Restriction to Gala Net Revenue over Expenses 175,950 (25,000) 381,336 �Oklahoman's for Equality Gala 2024 As of 06/30/24 Revenue Sponsorships Contributions Tickets Raffle Auction Live Ask Total Revenue Actual 364,750 29,055 23,300 417,105 Expenditures Cox Business IT Costs Printing Advertising/Marketing Entertainers Other Event Costs Transaction Fees Total Expenditures 48,001 1,200 6,350 7,321 3,883 66,755 Revenue over Expenses 350,350 � 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 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY Finance Report June 2024 unaudited Oklahoman's [sic] for Equality Cash Position As of June 2024 Current Cash Balance $ 513,427 Accounts Receivable - (Less: Restricted Grants/Funds) (5,780) (Less: Affiliate/Chapters) (5,958) Available Unrestricted Funds $ 501,689 Restricted Grants/Funds As of June 2024 Balance Grant/Activity Name SAGE USA 612.73 History Project Coordinator 2,880.01 Rainbow Library 294.47 Van Insurance 1,953.00 SAGE-Support Group 40.00 Total Restricted Grants 5,780 Affiliate Balances As of June 2024 Group Name Balance Green Country Bears 640.21 SEQ McAlester Chapter 1,793.83 Tulsa2Spirit Society 3,523.89 Total Affiliates/Chapters 5,957.93 Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Revenue Grant Revenue 266,000 249,700 Contributions 277,600 269,628 Clinic Services 70,000 52,934 Pride Store (Net) 10,000 7,448 Bar/Concession (Net) 20,000 11,915 Art Gallery 500 95 Event/Shows Ticket Sales 25,000 7,565 Event/Kitchen Rental 25,000 23,220 EBA/OKEQ Memberships 10,000 6,014 Equality Gala 350,000 417,105 Pride Festival & Bingo 15,000 12,246 Misc Income - 10 Investment Income - - Total Revenue 1,069,100 1,057,879 Expenditures Salaries & Wages 350,000 281,783 Payroll Taxes and Benefits 50,000 56,099 IT Software/Equipment 30,000 18,785 Accounting & Legal Fees 26,400 18,350 Audt & 990 Fees 6,600 5,800 HR Consultant 9,000 6,750 Other Contract Services 28,750 15,149 Storage 5,000 3,313 Insurance-Liability & Cyber 8,000 5,291 Insurance-D&O 2,200 1,738 Insurance-Workers Comp 2,500 2,655 Insurance-Property 12,000 8,036 Insurance-Clinic 1,500 811 Insurance-Van 3,000 2,034 Utilities/Phone 43,000 22,413 Office expenses 20,000 25,701 Cleaning & supplies 26,000 15,828 Repairs & Maintenance 30,000 26,777 Oklahoman's for Equality Budget vs Actual October 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 Budget Actual Expenditures Cont. Business Licenses & Permits 13,500 6,723 Memberships and Subscriptions 1,000 1,198 Marketing and Advertising 2,500 85 Security (excluding Pride) 20,000 15,718 Clinic Supplies & Lab 15,875 8,997 Other Program Expenses 5,000 1,247 Library Materials 1,200 1,361 Event Expenses (excl Pride and G 25,000 8,009 Non-Cap Equipment 3,000 3,180 Vehicle Expenses 1,500 124 Meals & Entertainment 5,000 3,158 Travel 3,000 2,879 Transaction Fees (excl Pride and G 16,000 11,052 Bank Fees & Charges 1,625 1,209 Gala Expenses 125,000 66,755 Pride Festival & Bingo - 2,538 Total Expenditures 893,150 651,543 Release of Restriction to Gala (25,000) Net Revenue over Expenses 175,950 381,336 Oklahoman's for Equality Gala 2024 As of 06/30/24 Actual Revenue Sponsorships 364,750 Contributions 29,055 Tickets 23,300 Raffle - Auction - Live Ask - Total Revenue 417,105 Expenditures Cox Business 48,001 IT Costs 1,200 Printing 6,350 Advertising/Marketing - Entertainers - Other Event Costs 7,321 Transaction Fees 3,883 Total Expenditures 66,755 Revenue over Expenses 350,350 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 [2024] OKEQ June 2024 Unaudited Finance Report Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Finance Report for June 2024, Unaudited Description An account of the resource 5 pages of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) finance report for the month of June 2024. Includes the organization's cash position, restricted grants/funds, affiliate balances, budget vs. actual, and Equality Gala revenue over expenses. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource June 30, 2024 2024 budget budgeting Equality Gala Equality Gala 2024 Financial financial reports gala grants OkEq OKEQ financials Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/d5b1521e58237069547f1d28a137397b.pdf fb1c579e8f855c98cf18f017bc85cfa5 PDF Text Text Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-1 OKEQ RESOLUTION ON COMMUNITY INPUT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHEREAS the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) is committed to fostering trust, accountability, transparency and participation amongst our members and community stakeholders, ACKNOWLEDGING that OkEq does not have a formal policy for public and membership input directed at the Board of Directors, independent of the members’ grievance process outlined in the bylaws, RECOGNIZING that the input of diverse voices from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities is beneficial to our organization and necessary for success in our mission, OBSERVING that members of the community have requested more ways to provide meaningful input regarding the direction of the organization, AFFIRMING that our boards, committees, members, and stakeholders are best served by having diverse ways to provide input, as well as diverse avenues for receiving reflection, response, and action, NOTING that our organization is currently in a time of deep transition and transformation with many developments on the horizon, KNOWING that what is needed during our journey can and should change as we continue to advance through this transitional and transformational time, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors, that Oklahomans for Equality takes the following actions forthwith: 1. RECOMMIT to hosting Town Hall events no less than once per quarter for fiscal year 2025 (October 1st, 2024 through September 30th, 2025). �Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 2. HOST no fewer than three (3) Community Café events BEFORE the end of fiscal year 2024 (September 30th, 2024) with the purpose of gathering input from members and community stakeholders as we develop OkEq’s medium and long-term strategic plans. 3. DISSEMINATE a Community Survey to be open until the end of fiscal year 2024 for the purpose of collecting additional qualitative and quantitative data to ensure our future decisions are based in a sound understanding of the needs and desires of the diverse communities that we represent and serve. 4. DIRECT the Governance Committee to continue its investigation into potential benefits, rights, and structures for membership, including development of policies around participation in boards, committees, subcommittees, and meetings. 5. ALLOW for ongoing community input to the board of directors by prominently featuring an open-ended feedback form on the OkEq website. All feedback entered in this form shall be delivered to the Board President, Board Secretary, and Executive Director. If any of these positions are vacant, the feedback will be directed to whomever the board designates as the appropriate person to fill their duties. 6. MANDATE that the Community Relations Committee deliver a report at every regularly scheduled board meeting that must include a high level summary of feedback received through this form since the last report, and an overview of actions taken in response. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. __________________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: ________________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary � 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 oklahomans for equality RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-1 OKEQ RESOLUTION ON COMMUNITY INPUT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WHEREAS the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) is committed to fostering trust, accountability, transparency and participation amongst our members and community stakeholders, ACKNOWLEDGING that OkEq does not have a formal policy for public and membership input directed at the Board of Directors, independent of the members’ grievance process outlined in the bylaws, RECOGNIZING that the input of diverse voices from the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities is beneficial to our organization and necessary for success in our mission, OBSERVING that members of the community have requested more ways to provide meaningful input regarding the direction of the organization, AFFIRMING that our boards, committees, members, and stakeholders are best served by having diverse ways to provide input, as well as diverse avenues for receiving reflection, response, and action, NOTING that our organization is currently in a time of deep transition and transformation with many developments on the horizon, KNOWING that what is needed during our journey can and should change as we continue to advance through this transitional and transformational time, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Directors, that Oklahomans for Equality takes the following actions forthwith: 1. RECOMMIT to hosting Town Hall events no less than once per quarter for fiscal year 2025 (October 1st, 2024 through September 30th, 2025). Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 2. HOST no fewer than three (3) Community Café events BEFORE the end of fiscal year 2024 (September 30th, 2024) with the purpose of gathering input from members and community stakeholders as we develop OkEq’s medium and long-term strategic plans. 3. DISSEMINATE a Community Survey to be open until the end of fiscal year 2024 for the purpose of collecting additional qualitative and quantitative data to ensure our future decisions are based in a sound understanding of the needs and desires of the diverse communities that we represent and serve. 4. DIRECT the Governance Committee to continue its investigation into potential benefits, rights, and structures for membership, including development of policies around participation in boards, committees, subcommittees, and meetings. 5. ALLOW for ongoing community input to the board of directors by prominently featuring an open-ended feedback form on the OkEq website. All feedback entered in this form shall be delivered to the Board President, Board Secretary, and Executive Director. If any of these positions are vacant, the feedback will be directed to whomever the board designates as the appropriate person to fill their duties. 6. MANDATE that the Community Relations Committee deliver a report at every regularly scheduled board meeting that must include a high level summary of feedback received through this form since the last report, and an overview of actions taken in response. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. [Whitney Cipolla's signature] __________________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: [Yonah Jasper's signature] ________________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 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 [2024] OKEQ Resolution FY 24-1 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Resolution No. FY 24-1: OKEQ Resolution on Community Input to the Board of Directors Description An account of the resource 2 pages of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Resolution No. FY 24-1: OKEQ Resolution on Community Input to the Board of Directors. It was adopted by the board on July 18, 2024, and signed and sealed on August 4, 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 4, 2024 2024 Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Yonah Jasper Community Cafe Community Relations Committee community survey Diversity executive director Governance Committee OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Executive Director OKEQ Resolution OKEQ Resolution No. FY-1 Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board resolution resolution adoption Resolution FY 24-1 town hall Whitney Cipolla Yonah Jasper https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/57718ed845d9fc098e2c7c172e75307e.pdf 6f37ea44ed07c65d894381e1a0af4e2a PDF Text Text Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-2 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize the establishment of banking relationships for the corporation. WHEREAS: To effectively manage the funds of the corporation, the Finance Committee of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommends that the Board of Directors approve an extension of the banking relationship the corporation currently holds with Grand Bank by authorizing the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account to allow unused funds to earn interest while remaining easily accessible for the corporation’s operational needs. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. authorizes the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account with Grand Bank. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the signing authority on the account to the following officers of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, and (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4 th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary � 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-2 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize the establishment of banking relationships for the corporation. WHEREAS: To effectively manage the funds of the corporation, the Finance Committee of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommends that the Board of Directors approve an extension of the banking relationship the corporation currently holds with Grand Bank by authorizing the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account to allow unused funds to earn interest while remaining easily accessible for the corporation’s operational needs. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. authorizes the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account with Grand Bank. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the signing authority on the account to the following officers of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, and (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 11 directors were present and with a final vote of 11 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. [Whitney Cipolla's signature] ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: [Yonah Jasper's signature] ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 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 [2024] OKEQ Resolution FY 24-2 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Resolution No. FY 24-2 by the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Description An account of the resource 1 page of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Resolution No. FY 24-2 by the Board of Directors of OKEQ, Inc. regarding the opening of a Money Market/Cash Management account with Grand Bank. It was adopted by the board on July 18, 2024, and signed and sealed on August 4, 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 4, 2024 2024 Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Yonah Jasper Board Treasurer Board Treasurer Eddie Carreno Board Vice President Board Vice President Paula Shannon Eddie Carreno Finance Committee Financial Grand Bank OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Board President OKEQ Board Secretary OKEQ financials OKEQ Resolution OKEQ Resolution No. FY 24-2 Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Paula Shannon resolution resolution adoption Resolution FY 24-2 Treasurer Eddie Carreno Vice President Paula Shannon Whitney Cipolla Yonah Jasper https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/df3afeae778e443958da1aa1edeba2dc.pdf de434f64cde48b6f85350054ced8f1c7 PDF Text Text Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-3 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize officers and/or employees of the corporation to execute contracts and/or disburse payments in the name of the corporation. WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. plans to organize and hold the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities starting on Friday, October 11, 2024, and ending Sunday, October 13, 2024, and as a result will need to begin paying security deposits and executing contracts to ensure the smooth operation of such festivities. WHEREAS: To effectively and responsibly manage the disbursement of funds by the corporation in support of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommend that the Board of Directors grant prior approval for the below listed items that are expected to exceed the $10,000.00 threshold requiring board approval, set forth by the corporation’s bylaws. This prior approval shall grant contracting authority, at the below prescribed limits and for the below defined purposes, so that the relevant officers and/or employees of the corporation may execute any relevant contracts and/or disburse any payments related to any such items. The items referenced above are as follows: (1) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for the purposes of event liability insurance; (2) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs; (3) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed; (4) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. WHEREAS: To effectively plan and execute the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. also recommend that the Board of Directors waive the open competition requirements for the above referenced expenditures, as set forth in Section 6.1 of the Finance Policy Manual. Due to the nature of such expenditures, it may be counterproductive and/or extremely difficult to obtain the required minimum number of bids, and therefore waiving such requirements would reduce administrative burden. This waiver shall only apply to these specific above referenced expenditures for the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. grants prior approval for contracting authority and disbursement of payments, and waives open competition 1 �Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 requirements, for the purposes of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, for the following items: (1) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for event liability insurance, (2) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs, (3) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed, and (4) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the contract authority on the above referenced expenditure items to the following officers and/or employees of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer, and (4) Andi Gunter in her official capacity as Deputy Director. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted in executive session at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 12 directors were present and with a final vote of 12 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 2 � 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY RESOLUTION NO. FY 24-3 BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. RESOLUTION WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Oklahoma and is governed by a Board of Directors that has the authority pursuant to the corporation’s bylaws to adopt resolutions and to authorize officers and/or employees of the corporation to execute contracts and/or disburse payments in the name of the corporation. WHEREAS: Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. plans to organize and hold the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities starting on Friday, October 11, 2024, and ending Sunday, October 13, 2024, and as a result will need to begin paying security deposits and executing contracts to ensure the smooth operation of such festivities. WHEREAS: To effectively and responsibly manage the disbursement of funds by the corporation in support of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. recommend that the Board of Directors grant prior approval for the below listed items that are expected to exceed the $10,000.00 threshold requiring board approval, set forth by the corporation’s bylaws. This prior approval shall grant contracting authority, at the below prescribed limits and for the below defined purposes, so that the relevant officers and/or employees of the corporation may execute any relevant contracts and/or disburse any payments related to any such items. The items referenced above are as follows: (1) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for the purposes of event liability insurance; (2) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs; (3) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed; (4) Expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. WHEREAS: To effectively plan and execute the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, the Pride and Finance Committees of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. also recommend that the Board of Directors waive the open competition requirements for the above referenced expenditures, as set forth in Section 6.1 of the Finance Policy Manual. Due to the nature of such expenditures, it may be counterproductive and/or extremely difficult to obtain the required minimum number of bids, and therefore waiving such requirements would reduce administrative burden. This waiver shall only apply to these specific above referenced expenditures for the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. grants prior approval for contracting authority and disbursement of payments, and waives open competition requirements, for the purposes of the 2024 Tulsa Pride festivities, for the following items: (1) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $35,000.00 for event liability insurance, (2) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $36,000.00 for the purposes of renting event stage(s) and any associated lighting needs, (3) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $40,000.00 for the purposes of renting booths, supplies, and other amenities as needed, and (4) expenditures not to exceed a cumulative total of $16,000.00 for the purposes of engaging private event security. 1 Docusign Envelope ID: 581A289A-2131-45B2-81F5-0FCF3C9A3429 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. delegates the contract authority on the above referenced expenditure items to the following officers and/or employees of the corporation: (1) Whitney Cipolla in her official capacity as President, (2) Paula Shannon in her official capacity as Vice President, (3) Eddie Carreno in his official capacity as Treasurer, and (4) Andi Gunter in her official capacity as Deputy Director. ADOPTION This resolution was adopted in executive session at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. held in person and online at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center located at 621 E 4th St, Tulsa, OK 74120 on July 18, 2024, where 12 directors were present and with a final vote of 12 in favor, none against, and none abstaining. Signed and sealed this 4th day of August, 2024 by: OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. [Whitney Cipolla's signature] ______________________________ Whitney Cipolla, President ATTEST: [Yonah Jasper's signature] ______________________________ Yonah Jasper, Secretary 2 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 [2024] OKEQ Resolution FY 24-3 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Resolution No. FY 24-3 by the Board of Directors of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Description An account of the resource 2 pages of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Resolution No. FY 24-3 by the Board of Directors of OKEQ, Inc. regarding the approved spending amounts for certain items for 2024 Tulsa Pride activities. It was adopted by the board on July 18, 2024, and signed and sealed on August 4, 2024. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource August 4, 2024 2024 Andi Gunter Board Deputy Director Andi Gunter Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Yonah Jasper Board Treasurer Board Treasurer Eddie Carreno Board Vice President Paula Shannon Eddie Carreno Finance Committee Financial OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board Deputy Director OKEQ Board Deputy Director Andi Gunter OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Board President OKEQ Board President Whitney Cipolla OKEQ Board Secretary OKEQ Board Secretary Yonah Jasper OKEQ Board Treasurer OKEQ Board Treasurer Eddie Carreno OKEQ Board Vice President OKEQ Board Vice President Paula Shannon OKEQ financials OKEQ Resolution No. FY 24-3 Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Paula Shannon Pride 2024 Pride Committee pride festival pride Parade Pride Parade and festival resolution resolution adoption Resolution FY 24-3 Tulsa Pride Tulsa Pride 2024 Whitney Cipolla Yonah Jasper https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/bd984b4bd1ceb3a8aeadb45903b8a96b.pdf 4578c3bc796e0704e128ba48b46abd41 PDF Text Text Press Release Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000 OKEq board members provide additional information on the state of the organization and announce leadership transition For Immediate Release Tulsa, OK (February 13, 2024) - Following a recent fundraising effort focused on sustaining operations, the Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Board of Directors is providing an update on the organization's financial status. "As of Monday, February 12, OkEq has received just over $70,000 in donations," Board President Eric Wilson said. "We are encouraged by and optimistic about the outpouring of support we've seen over the last few days. We are looking forward to working together as a board and with our donors and volunteers to build a plan that will secure OkEq's future for generations to come." Representatives from OkEq say that the organization's financial challenges are rooted in a few related issues occurring prior to 2022: fiscal mismanagement by a former volunteer, a lack of adequate financial controls to ensure appropriate oversight and accurate accounting, and operating beyond available revenue. Vice President Bob Hanson said, “In February 2022, the former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed.This process was cumbersome and took a great deal of time and volunteer hours.” A police report was filed with the Tulsa Police Department in September 2022. Once the forensic audit was completed in August 2023, it was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. At this time, the OkEq Board awaits further information and updates from the Tulsa Police Department about the status of the ongoing investigation. The Board immediately set out to create appropriate financial oversight and develop a full financial picture. Through this process, the Board of Directors also uncovered that in years prior to 2022, restricted funds were reallocated to cover monthly expenses. Steps were immediately taken to prevent this kind of reallocation from occurring. “So while expenses were covered at any given time, OkEq was spending more non-restricted cash than it had,” explained President Eric Wilson. “It has taken over a year to create a clear financial picture. We have much work to do to better engage with local �philanthropy, historical donors, and our business community. We now have strong fiscal foundations in place to confidently do so.” In the last several months, representatives from the OkEq’s Executive Committee also shared that the organization experienced a decrease in end-of-year giving. Charitable donations in the fall and early winter have historically supported the organization until major spring fundraisers occur. In the last 18 months, OKEq’s executive director and board members have worked urgently to implement rigorous financial controls, including: ● ● ● ● In October 2022, engaged with an accounting firm, with expertise in non-profit accounting to handle all of the finances for the organization. In November 2022, Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit which was completed in August 2023. The new Treasurer, who has an extensive background in finance, implemented necessary controls and processes to ensure accuracy and transparency. Some of the new controls and processes include multiple layers of approval for all invoices, specific approval from the executive committee for the use of restricted funds to ensure that funds are used for intended purposes, elimination of all credit cards, monthly meetings between the external accounting firm and the Finance Committee. An external Certified Public Accounting Firm was hired to complete a financial audit. This was completed and reviewed by the Board in January 2024. The results of the audit demonstrated that the organization now has all of the needed and recommended financial controls in place. This audit can be reviewed here. The Board of Directors and Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard have also worked with staff and community members to identify and prioritize OkEq's most essential services. Maintaining the health clinic, mental health services, and youth and elder programming are at the top of the list. Even with improved controls and prioritized services, OKEq’s Board and staff will urgently pursue continued fundraising efforts with intentional outreach to Tulsa’s philanthropic and business communities, long-standing donors of the Center, and local and national grant opportunities. Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard has made incredible strides in steering OkEq’s restructuring and stabilization through the strategic plan developed under her leadership. She recently stepped back to ensure that work could continue as she focuses on meeting serious health challenges. “My time at OkEq has been an honor and a privilege that now must sadly end. The Board had been working with me to ensure a smooth transition as I face these critical health challenges but the remaining deficit in our funding required I take that step sooner to ensure staff and programming could be preserved” said Ballard. “I’m proud of all we have accomplished and will remain an active advocate of OkEq, its mission, and our community.” �Vice President Hanson shared, “We thank Des for her work, passion, and love for the Tulsa 2SLGBTQIA+ community.” Over the next few months, the OkEq Board will take urgent steps to chart a sustainable path forward for the Center. Some key next steps are to Identify an interim executive director, to work with staff to determine how to best support essential programming at the Center as existing revenue is maximized, and to continue to engage local foundations and long-term donors and supporters in fundraising efforts. Community members interested in supporting OkEq can visit https://OkEq.org/donate/ to make a tax-deductible donation. ### �The information below provides a high-level overview of the actions taken by OkEq’s Board of Directors as it navigated through a set of organizational and financial challenges from February 2022 through present. One timeline shares the steps taken to create effective financial oversight. The second timeline provides information about fundraising efforts. Creating Financial Oversight February 2022: The former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed. In addition, the Board added members with strong financial backgrounds to provide stronger oversight. September 2022: Initial report filed about potential embezzlement with Tulsa Police Department October 2022: The Board contracted with Oklahoma Nonprofit Partners, an outside accounting firm who specializes in non-profit accounting, to handle all of the finances for the organization. November 2022: Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit. Letter shared with OkEq members and community to explain the potential embezzlement and steps taken. April 2023: The Board voted unanimously to amend the bylaws to require the Treasurer be a member of the Board of Directors and subject the position to term limits in line with all of the other executive committee officers. August 2023: The forensic audit was completed. A copy of the audit report was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. October 2023: Certified Public Accounting firm hired to complete a standard annual financial audit. January 2024: Annual financial audit completed for the first time since 2015. This audit also allows OkEq to seek more funding opportunities. �Fundraising April 2022: The 2022 Equality Gala generated enough revenue to sustain the organization for several months. Summer and Fall of 2022: Several Tulsa area foundations supported the organization with enough funding to maintain operations through 2022. January/February 2023: Additional funding was given by individuals and area foundations that ensured the continued operation of the organization. May 2023: The 2023 Equality Gala raised enough donations to sustain the organization for several months. June–September 2023: OkEq hired a grant coordinator to focus on identifying and writing for new grants. A number of grant applications for grants which were attainable without a financial audit were submitted. OkEq also received funding from several area foundations that were able to assist to get us through 2023. January 2024: It becomes clear to the Board that OkEq received much less in end-of-year giving than typical. This lack of revenue significantly impacted revenue and cash flow. February 2024: OkEq launches the “100K to Valentine’s Day” fundraiser. ED Dorothy ‘Des’ Ballard elects to step away as a cost saving measure. � 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 <div style="text-align:center;">Press Release</div> <div style="text-align:center;">Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000</div> <div style="text-align:center;">OKEq board members provide additional information on the state of the organization and announce leadership transition For Immediate Release </div> Tulsa, OK (February 13, 2024) - Following a recent fundraising effort focused on sustaining operations, the Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Board of Directors is providing an update on the organization's financial status. "As of Monday, February 12, OkEq has received just over $70,000 in donations," Board President Eric Wilson said. "We are encouraged by and optimistic about the outpouring of support we've seen over the last few days. We are looking forward to working together as a board and with our donors and volunteers to build a plan that will secure OkEq's future for generations to come." Representatives from OkEq say that the organization's financial challenges are rooted in a few related issues occurring prior to 2022: fiscal mismanagement by a former volunteer, a lack of adequate financial controls to ensure appropriate oversight and accurate accounting, and operating beyond available revenue. Vice President Bob Hanson said, “In February 2022, the former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed.This process was cumbersome and took a great deal of time and volunteer hours.” A police report was filed with the Tulsa Police Department in September 2022. Once the forensic audit was completed in August 2023, it was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. At this time, the OkEq Board awaits further information and updates from the Tulsa Police Department about the status of the ongoing investigation. The Board immediately set out to create appropriate financial oversight and develop a full financial picture. Through this process, the Board of Directors also uncovered that in years prior to 2022, restricted funds were reallocated to cover monthly expenses. Steps were immediately taken to prevent this kind of reallocation from occurring. “So while expenses were covered at any given time, OkEq was spending more non-restricted cash than it had,” explained President Eric Wilson. “It has taken over a year to create a clear financial picture. We have much work to do to better engage with local philanthropy, historical donors, and our business community. We now have strong fiscal foundations in place to confidently do so.” In the last several months, representatives from the OkEq’s Executive Committee also shared that the organization experienced a decrease in end-of-year giving. Charitable donations in the fall and early winter have historically supported the organization until major spring fundraisers occur. In the last 18 months, OKEq’s executive director and board members have worked urgently to implement rigorous financial controls, including: ● In October 2022, engaged with an accounting firm, with expertise in non-profit accounting to handle all of the finances for the organization. ● In November 2022, Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit which was completed in August 2023. ● The new Treasurer, who has an extensive background in finance, implemented necessary controls and processes to ensure accuracy and transparency. Some of the new controls and processes include multiple layers of approval for all invoices, specific approval from the executive committee for the use of restricted funds to ensure that funds are used for intended purposes, elimination of all credit cards, monthly meetings between the external accounting firm and the Finance Committee. ● An external Certified Public Accounting Firm was hired to complete a financial audit. This was completed and reviewed by the Board in January 2024. The results of the audit demonstrated that the organization now has all of the needed and recommended financial controls in place. This audit can be reviewed here. The Board of Directors and Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard have also worked with staff and community members to identify and prioritize OkEq's most essential services. Maintaining the health clinic, mental health services, and youth and elder programming are at the top of the list. Even with improved controls and prioritized services, OKEq’s Board and staff will urgently pursue continued fundraising efforts with intentional outreach to Tulsa’s philanthropic and business communities, long-standing donors of the Center, and local and national grant opportunities. Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard has made incredible strides in steering OkEq’s restructuring and stabilization through the strategic plan developed under her leadership. She recently stepped back to ensure that work could continue as she focuses on meeting serious health challenges. “My time at OkEq has been an honor and a privilege that now must sadly end. The Board had been working with me to ensure a smooth transition as I face these critical health challenges but the remaining deficit in our funding required I take that step sooner to ensure staff and programming could be preserved” said Ballard. “I’m proud of all we have accomplished and will remain an active advocate of OkEq, its mission, and our community.” Vice President Hanson shared, “We thank Des for her work, passion, and love for the Tulsa 2SLGBTQIA+ community.” Over the next few months, the OkEq Board will take urgent steps to chart a sustainable path forward for the Center. Some key next steps are to Identify an interim executive director, to work with staff to determine how to best support essential programming at the Center as existing revenue is maximized, and to continue to engage local foundations and long-term donors and supporters in fundraising efforts. Community members interested in supporting OkEq can visit https://OkEq.org/donate/ to make a tax-deductible donation. <div style="text-align:center;"> ###</div> The information below provides a high-level overview of the actions taken by OkEq’s Board of Directors as it navigated through a set of organizational and financial challenges from February 2022 through present. One timeline shares the steps taken to create effective financial oversight. The second timeline provides information about fundraising efforts. <div style="text-align:center;">Creating Financial Oversight</div> February 2022: The former volunteer Treasurer presented a falsified audit report to the Board, and the Board discovered this within 24 hours of receiving it. The individual was immediately dismissed, and the Board began reviewing the financial structure of the organization and identified numerous gaps that needed to be addressed. In addition, the Board added members with strong financial backgrounds to provide stronger oversight. September 2022: Initial report filed about potential embezzlement with Tulsa Police Department October 2022: The Board contracted with Oklahoma Nonprofit Partners, an outside accounting firm who specializes in non-profit accounting, to handle all of the finances for the organization. November 2022: Workman Forensics was contracted to conduct a forensic audit. Letter shared with OkEq members and community to explain the potential embezzlement and steps taken. April 2023: The Board voted unanimously to amend the bylaws to require the Treasurer be a member of the Board of Directors and subject the position to term limits in line with all of the other executive committee officers. August 2023: The forensic audit was completed. A copy of the audit report was provided to the Tulsa Police Department. October 2023: Certified Public Accounting firm hired to complete a standard annual financial audit. January 2024: Annual financial audit completed for the first time since 2015. This audit also allows OkEq to seek more funding opportunities. <div style="text-align:center;">Fundraising</div> April 2022: The 2022 Equality Gala generated enough revenue to sustain the organization for several months. Summer and Fall of 2022: Several Tulsa area foundations supported the organization with enough funding to maintain operations through 2022. January/February 2023: Additional funding was given by individuals and area foundations that ensured the continued operation of the organization. May 2023: The 2023 Equality Gala raised enough donations to sustain the organization for several months. June–September 2023: OkEq hired a grant coordinator to focus on identifying and writing for new grants. A number of grant applications for grants which were attainable without a financial audit were submitted. OkEq also received funding from several area foundations that were able to assist to get us through 2023. January 2024: It becomes clear to the Board that OkEq received much less in end-of-year giving than typical. This lack of revenue significantly impacted revenue and cash flow. February 2024: OkEq launches the “100K to Valentine’s Day” fundraiser. ED Dorothy ‘Des’ Ballard elects to step away as a cost saving measure. 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 [2024] Press Release: "Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000" Subject The topic of the resource 2024 Press Release: "Oklahomans for Equality fundraiser reaches $70,000: OKEq board members provide additional information on the state of the organization and announce leadership transition" Description An account of the resource A 5 page document from Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) outlining the money donated to the organization during a fundraising event and the transfer of leadership from Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard. Includes two charts tracking the timelines of OkEq's financial oversights and fundraising. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource February 13, 2024 100k to Valentine's Day 2024 Board President Eric Wilson Bob Hanson Des Ballard donations donors Dorothy (Des) Ballard Dorothy Ballard Eric Wilson executive director Executive Director Des Ballard Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard fundraisers fundraising OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ Board President OKEQ Board President Eric Wilson OKEQ Board Vice President OKEQ donations OKEQ donors OKEQ Executive Committee OKEQ Executive Director OKEQ Executive Director Des Ballard OKEQ Executive Director Dorothy (Des) Ballard OKEQ fundraising OKEQ Vice President Bob Hanson Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Oklahomans for Equality Executive Director Oklahomans for Equality fundraising press release Vice President Bob Hanson https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/c4e4ab6a86452eca7ce441241c62a20b.pdf 33021efb3fdc448bab9ce21e290a91e0 PDF Text Text 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory  Vernon Leon Jones May 03, 1935 - February 05, 2024 Share:    Obituary Event & Services Charities & Donations Gallery Videos https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 1/4 �2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Guestbook Send Flowers Obituary Vernon Leon Jones, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, left this earthly plane to be with his late partner Phil Wiley, on February 5th, 2024. He was born in Oklahoma, on May 3rd, 1935. As a gay man, born and raised here, Vernon’s chosen family is vast. He is survived by Hayward Jones, Nekesha Jones, JaKobe Jones, Sue Davis, Fred Hilliard, Arlowe Clementine, Mason Thomas, Rey Thomas, and so many other individuals that claimed Vernon as their friend, family, and elder. Vernon was an active learner, even in his later years. He was always working to understand the world around him and was eternally hopeful for a better world. He was a strong advocate for marginalized peoples and was particularly committed to Queer and Black Liberation. Vernon was a clear Taurus. He was intelligent, dependable, logical, honest, and generous. Vernon spent most of his life focused on making his community better. He was a holder of receipts. A maker of spreadsheets. A true community historian and archivist. Vernon was dedicated to making people safer, both in his career in emergency management and his activist work in the fight against AIDS. He was not a stranger to controversy and was unrelenting in speaking his truth and the truth of the people he loved. In the years before his death, Vernon worked hard to ensure that the legacy of LGBTQ activism in Tulsa was properly recorded and preserved for current and future generations. His substantial archive is now housed in Oklahoma State University’s Archives. This collection will be witnessed by researchers and community members for years to come. Vernon was a connector. He worked hard to bring people together and was always willing to give someone support that needed it. Even in his death, he is connecting individuals over their shared love and respect for him and his life. Vernon fought hard for his community and the legacy of his late partner Phil Wiley. Anyone who knew Vernon was graced with stories of Phil’s life and legacy as well as their love for one another. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you remember Vernon by learning something new, taking a stand on social issues that are important to you, and keeping his life and legacy alive through storytelling. https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 2/4 �2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Vernon’s memorial service will take place March 1st at 11 AM at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home (2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104). ABOUT US “We will always be kind and we will never take advantage of you or your family at your saddest time” is our promise to you. BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME  2103 E 3rd St Tulsa, OK 74104  (918) 587-7000  info@butler-stumpff.com  Available 24/7 https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 3/4 �2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory VISIT US Butler-Stumpff … View larger map Map data ©2025 Report a map error © Copyright 2025 | Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory | Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved | Blog https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 4/4 � 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 Physical Media: Digital Media: 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 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Butler-Stumpff & Dyer funeral home, crematory, cemetery Vernon Leon Jones May 03, 1935 - February 05, 2024 Share:    Obituary Event & Services Charities & Donations Gallery Videos https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 1/4 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Guestbook Send Flowers Obituary Vernon Leon Jones, 88, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, left this earthly plane to be with his late partner Phil Wiley, on February 5th, 2024. He was born in Oklahoma, on May 3rd, 1935. As a gay man, born and raised here, Vernon’s chosen family is vast. He is survived by Hayward Jones, Nekesha Jones, JaKobe Jones, Sue Davis, Fred Hilliard, Arlowe Clementine, Mason Thomas, Rey Thomas, and so many other individuals that claimed Vernon as their friend, family, and elder. Vernon was an active learner, even in his later years. He was always working to understand the world around him and was eternally hopeful for a better world. He was a strong advocate for marginalized peoples and was particularly committed to Queer and Black Liberation. Vernon was a clear Taurus. He was intelligent, dependable, logical, honest, and generous. Vernon spent most of his life focused on making his community better. He was a holder of receipts. A maker of spreadsheets. A true community historian and archivist. Vernon was dedicated to making people safer, both in his career in emergency management and his activist work in the ght against AIDS. He was not a stranger to controversy and was unrelenting in speaking his truth and the truth of the people he loved. In the years before his death, Vernon worked hard to ensure that the legacy of LGBTQ activism in Tulsa was properly recorded and preserved for current and future generations. His substantial archive is now housed in Oklahoma State University’s Archives. This collection will be witnessed by researchers and community members for years to come. Vernon was a connector. He worked hard to bring people together and was always willing to give someone support that needed it. Even in his death, he is connecting individuals over their shared love and respect for him and his life. Vernon fought hard for his community and the legacy of his late partner Phil Wiley. Anyone who knew Vernon was graced with stories of Phil’s life and legacy as well as their love for one another. In lieu of owers, we ask that you remember Vernon by learning something new, taking a stand on social issues that are important to you, and keeping his life and legacy alive through storytelling. https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 2/4 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory Vernon’s memorial service will take place March 1 at 11 AM at Butler-Stump & Dyer Funeral Home (2103 E 3rd St, Tulsa, OK 74104). ABOUT US Butler-Stumpff & Dyer funeral home, crematory, cemetary “We will always be kind and we will never take advantage of you or your family at your saddest time” is our promise to you. BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME BUTLER-STUMPFF & DYER FUNERAL HOME  2103 E 3rd St Tulsa, OK 74104  (918) 587-7000  info@butler-stump.com  Available 24/7 https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 3/4 2/28/25, 2:45 PM Vernon Leon Jones - Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory VISIT US Butler-Stumpff … View larger map Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home Map data ©2025 Report a map error © Copyright 2025 | Butler-Stump & Dyer Funeral Home & Crematory | Privacy Policy | All Rights Reserved | Blog https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ 4/4 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 [2024] Vernon Jones Obituary Subject The topic of the resource Vernon Leon Jones, May 3, 1935 - February 5, 2024 Description An account of the resource Four pages of an obituary for Vernon Leon Jones, who lived May 3, 1935 to February 5, 2024, published by Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home. A service was planned for March 1, 2024 at Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.butler-stumpff.com/obituaries/vernon-leon-jones/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource March 1, 2024 2024 Butler-Stumpff & Dyer Funeral Home Butler-Stumpff and Dyer Butler-Stumpff and Dyer Funeral Home in memoriam memoriam Obituaries Obituary Oklahoma State University Oklahoma State University (OSU) Oklahoma State University Archives OSU OSU Archives Phil Wiley Vernon Jones Vernon Leon Jones https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/f9b1e8d9473f37a0ef1163eecab2efe1.pdf ba168f62a92aab503fddbb4e5a32c5f9 PDF Text Text OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY BOARD REPORT - NOVEMBER, DECEMBER, & JANUARY Executive Summary FY26 Grant :Funding Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) advocates for equal rights for Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, lntersex, and Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, community partnerships, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. • Secured Funding 0 Anne & Henry Zarrow Foundation o GKFF o Sanford & Irene Burnstein Family Foundation o Schusterman Family Programs & Services Philanthropies o Coretz Family Foundation (new • Affirming Health Care • Affinity & Social Groups funding) • Legal Advocacy & Support • Basic Needs & Referral o Flint Family Foundation (new • Visual & Performing Arts Support revenue) • On Site Mental Health & • 2SLGBTQIA+ Resource & o HarvardAvenue Christian Church Lending Library Counseling Services • Awaiting Response • Youth & Young Adult • Rural Pride Outreach & o Lawrence Foundation (new Programming Support revenue) • Tulsa Fringe Festival • Peer & Identity Based o Vision Arts Grant (new funding) Support Groups • Tulsa Pride • In Progress o William K Warren Foundation (new funding) Volunteer Engagement • Prospects o Hardesty Family Foundation ° Cresap Family Foundation November Community Meal+ Rainbow Harvest: Sixteen volunteers participated, including support from community partners such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Tulsa Zoo, and Laureate Brain Institute. Volunteer Orientation: Six new volunteers completed orientation. Im hailey.briggs@okeq.org \. 918-442-8665 ~ okeq.org �December Fairy Tree: In collaboration w ith Tulsa Cares, we fulfilled holiday wish lists for 22 families in need. Clothing Swap & Winter Clothing Drive: Four volunteers supported the event, benefiting approximately 50 community members. An estimated 200 pounds of clothing, shoes, and outerwear were collected and redistributed. Maker's Market: Four volunteers supported the event, which f eatured 17 vendors and local artists and welcomed approximately 50 community m embers. Rainbow H arvest: Six volunteers participated. Volunteer Orientation: Four new volunteers completed orientation. Giving Tuesday & End of Year Giving Our 2025 Giving Tuesday and end-of-year giving campaign reinforced the importance of consistent, accessible communication with our community and the impact of clearly telling OKEQ's story. The campaigns utilized a combination of email outreach, social media, mailed letters, and a live ask at our Annual Community Dinner ensuring we reached supporters across multiple platforms and preferences. Giving Tuesday was a series of social media posts highlighting different aspects of the Center and OKEQ's programs over t he course of 2.5 weeks followed by a live ask at the Annual Community Meal. In total we generated $3,283.50. Our end of year letter cost the site approximately $75 for paper and postage, and has generated roughly $35,121.00 to date, demonstrating a strong return on investment and the effectiveness of low-cost, relationship- centered fundraising strategies. Beyond revenue, this campaign highlighted how regu lar communication builds trust, keeps our community connected to our mission, and makes giving to OKEQ accessible to t he general public. By clearly sharing our impact and offering multiple, straightforward ways to give, we reduced barriers to participation and invited broader engagement in sustaining our work. This approach underscores that storytelling, consistency, and accessibility are essential to long-term fundraising success and community support. �Equality Business Alliance Overview The Equality Business Alliance (EBA) Steering Committee is comprised of 10 d iverse members of the local business community, representing a range of industries and varying levels of experience w ith the EBA. This group has come together w it h a shared commitment to relaunch the Equality Business Alliance in a way that is values- driven and d irectly informed by the needs of the queer and affirming business community. The committee will m eet twice monthly to guide this work. Key Outcomes During a recent meeting, the Steering Committee engaged in a SOAR framework (Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, Results) to assess the current state of the EBA and identify priorities for relaunch. Strengths: Members affirmed the strong credibility of Oklahomans for Equalit y, deep community trust, and a shared commitment to affirming and inclusive business practices. Opportunities: The group identified t he need for c learer membership benefits, increased visibility for affirming businesses, and more intentional pathways for engagement, accountability, and growth within the alliance. Aspirations: The committee articu lated a s hared vis ion for a revitalized Equality Business Alliance that supports business owners, aligns with OKEQ values, and meaningfully benefits LGBTQ+ community members. Results: There was strong alignment around developing a c lear, trusted EBA framework w ith defined member benefits, t ransparent vetting standards, and programming that members find genuinely valuable. Next Steps • Cont inue twice-monthly Steering Committee meetings to maintain momentum. • Draft a revised EBA framework out lining membership benefits, expectations, and accountability standards. • Refine the vett ing process to ensure t ransparency, consistency, and alignment w ith OKEQ values. • Develop programming and engagement opportunities that respond directly to the expressed needs of queer and affirming businesses. Strategic Impact This work represents a s ignificant step toward relaunching the Equality Business Alliance as a sustainable, community-informed program. By centering the lived experience and expertise of local business owners, the EBA is being rebuilt in a way that strengthens affirming businesses while advancing OKEQ's broader mission of equit y, inclusion, and community care EBA Steering Committee Members Aubrey Naiman - Tulsa Library-Economic & Community Development Camille Diaz - Serenity Financial Courtney Ivy - Next Level Senior Advisors Kathy Clarke - Energy Environments Sally Mercedes - Magic City Books Tiyanah Garrett - Chamber of Commerce Eric Eastland-Jones - Advocacy Resources Kevin Eastland- Jones - Advocacy Resources The Steering Committee will continue this work at its next meeting on Friday, ;January 23, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. �Dear friends, As we reach the close of 2025, I've been reflecting on the foundations of Oklahomans for Equality, where we came from, who we have become, and what still calls us forward. Our story began decades ago, in the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, with a group of volunteers who saw the dire unmet needs of 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Tulsa and refused to look away. They pooled their time, resources, determination, and belief in community care to create something that did not yet exist. These qualities are still built into the bones of this organization today. That commitment drives us to provide vital, affirming, and affordable medical care to hundreds of people each year. This year alone, 422 individuals received care through our medical clinic, many experiencing respectful and identity-affirming healthcare for the first time. It is the same approach that fuels our partnerships with embedded mental health and legal providers, who support hundreds of community members each year seeking counseling, advocacy, and guidance in moments when they need it most. It is what inspires volunteers to show up week after week, leading support groups, facilitating programs, sorting food, hosting events, and creating spaces of belonging. This year, 178 volunteers lent their time, energy, and heart to OKEQ, proving that community care is not just a value here, it is a practice and a shared responsibility. It is also the energy behind programs like Rainbow Harvest, a low-barrier farmers market that has provided fresh and shelf-stable groceries to 447 people in its first six months, supporting community members facing food insecurity. �It is what carried us across the state to 10 rural Pride events this year, ensuring support, visibility, and connection even in the smallest corners of Oklahoma. And it empowers us to host citywide events like Tulsa Pride, creating vital opportunities for joy, celebration, solidarity, and visibility for tens of thousands of people each year. This is what it means to stay proximate to our community's needs. This is the work we do because of you. FOREQU TULS FliH FEST IV September 19 &20 821 [ 4~St. lulsa. OK As we look toward 2026, t he need for affirming, life-changing care and safe spaces in Oklahoma remains urgent, especially in a political climate that continues to target 2S LGBTQIA+ rights and access to essential services. We cannot meet these needs without your support. If you are in a position to make a year end gift, your donation, no matter the size, directly sustains the programs people rely on for safety, support, and dignity. If you are able to volunteer, your time becomes part of the legacy t hat has carried us from our earliest days. And if this is not the season where either is possible, your continued connection - reading our newsletters, attending events, stopping by the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center is deeply valued. Staying proximate to th is work is its own form of generosity. As we prepare for the year ahead, I am profoundly grateful for your trust, for your care, and for your continued commitment to the belief that every 2S LGBTQIA+ person in Oklahoma deserves access to reso urces, support and dignity. With gratitude and determination, Hailey Briggs Executive Director Oklahomans for Equality Donate or volunteer by using the QR code above or by visiting our website at https://okeq.org/donatE!/ � https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/429a5d5e3ba794e46ee9f05118ba6659.jpg 869b61f842d8520fdc8cc2da39a30b20 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/232b19a66aa75684344a87a1ea869c7d.jpg d1fd1709268158ce1b04844d9d39be94 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/0c6ecf4209c219fa5c7af099fcd37d6d.jpg e663b2383c6758df49adc1d519ad9c91 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/2999919a60916612d6790f1fd840c36e.jpg 05da7f9710163fb1f779166ac27b9043 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/6946ecfb78faf3877005d005b6385da7.jpg 1b4c7924bf4125d9de6cebcb281a82d3 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 [2025-2026] OKEQ Board Report for November 2025 - January 2026 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality Board Report - November, December, & January 2025-2026 Description An account of the resource 1 5-page document and 5 scanned images of the Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Board Report for the months of November and December in 2025, and January 2026. Includes letter from Executive Director Hailey Briggs. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ), Hailey Briggs Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource November 2025 - January 2026 2025 2026 Executive Director Hailey Briggs Hailey Briggs OkEq OKEQ Board Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/9412165f4a234a41ee1ebdd9c91696b2.MP4 72dcbb43213916554236bd2b5c2ffff2 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] Amesha Barlow Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/e6f155f60ac976a9f69ff51765f97d2e.MP4 f0a7944041e691c4ab59b38bfdc3e196 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] Comfort Keidel Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/591097169e8d9edcf90d2a5179493d5d.MP4 9eb05f1481de95791fedb7ea47c7922d 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] Cory Ross Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/eadf1c072db2c6688196bb39138060b2.MP4 8d7290b2bda1a56fbb71cbbe81374bec 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] Joan Bjornsgard Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/9aaefe23c50b8136e1ed7e24d9c9d898.mp4 1b5aa0179d697ac638be3a4f2011a766 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] John Coffman Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/4d63c6816fa2a71ba7ca0dfee00aeeb0.MP4 0538f3e0181536b6fee0319911ada6b6 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] Julia Clayton Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/b418b81f6d3161bea3adbd38969f2ee7.mp4 6ef8807e5b1b421285ba179ca06e3042 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/56ba85886deb39b4fd73cb848661163a.pdf 9d05b88c5606cc5f8d604ff051d3c330 PDF Text Text Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview with Kelly Kirby Interview Conducted by Toby Jenkins Date: April 9th, 2025 Edited By: Dennis Neill using Reduct.Video February 17, 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 �About Kelly Kirby Keywords LGBTQ, equality, inclusion, military service, advocacy, personal journey, Kelly Kirby, Oklahoma, history Takeaways ● Kelly Kirby shares his journey of self-discovery and acceptance. ● He became aware of his sexual orientation at a young age. ● Military service provided a unique perspective on identity and acceptance. ● Kelly faced challenges in relationships due to societal expectations. ● He became an advocate for LGBTQ rights in his community. ● His experiences shaped his views on equality and inclusion. ● Kelly's family played a significant role in his life and advocacy. ● He faced threats and discrimination for being openly gay. ● Kelly's involvement in various organizations highlights his commitment to advocacy. ● His reflections on life emphasize the importance of authenticity and acceptance. Summary 2 �This conversation with Kelly Kirby explores his life journey, from his early awareness of his sexual orientation to his military service and subsequent advocacy for LGBTQ rights. Kelly shares personal stories about his family, relationships, and the challenges he faced as an openly gay man in Oklahoma. His commitment to equality and inclusion is evident through his involvement in various organizations and his reflections on the importance of authenticity in one's life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kelly Kirby and Background 02:53 Early Life and Education 06:08 Family Dynamics and Community Influence 09:08 Awareness of Sexual Orientation 12:07 Coming Out and Early Relationships 15:00 Military Experience and Identity 17:50 Life in the Military and Relationships 20:53 Navigating Identity in a Conservative Environment 40:01 Exploring the Diversity of Gay Bars 44:00 Life in the Military: Relationships and Identity 46:57 Awareness of Military Policies and Purges 50:13 Navigating Personal Identity and Family Dynamics 53:48 The Impact of Religious Beliefs on Sexual Identity 01:00:00 Transitioning from Religious Constraints to Self-Acceptance 01:05:01 The Journey of Self-Discovery and Acceptance 01:09:59 Building a New Life: Career and Family Dynamics 01:14:59 Reflections on World AIDS Day and Personal Advocacy 01:20:57 Coming Out and Embracing Identity 01:21:54 Leadership in LGBTQ+ Organizations 01:29:15 Media Representation and Advocacy 01:34:09 Challenges of Visibility and Advocacy 01:39:08 Recognition and Legacy 01:46:06 Family Life and Personal Relationships 3 �01:48:12 Final Thoughts and Community Involvement Kelly Kirby Oral History Interview 2025 Toby Jenkins: Good afternoon, can you tell me your name? Kelly Kirby: Kelly Kirby, K-E-L-L-Y-K-I-R-B-Y. Toby Jenkins: And we're here in your beautiful home, and we wanted to be in front of this beautiful portrait back here that you have, I just love it, kind of fits with our theme today, we're talking about equality and inclusion and LGBTQ history in this part of the country. How old are you, and when were you born? Kelly Kirby: I'm 71, I was born in 1953. Toby Jenkins: And where were you born? Kelly Kirby: Pittsburgh, Kansas. Toby Jenkins: Pittsburgh, Kansas. How did you, what brought you to Oklahoma? Kelly Kirby: Well, after grad school, college, Philips Petroleum recruited me, and so I came to Bartlesville, and then, after a year, I was like, I don't want this kind of a career, and so I went to a tax accountant down in Oklahoma City, and worked for him for a couple years, and then I hung out my shingle, and that was in 1982. And, yeah, and that was in Oklahoma City, and ultimately, in 1986, I moved up here because I had more clients in Tulsa than Oklahoma City, and I've been here ever since, 1986. Toby Jenkins: And that would have been, you were a CPA. Kelly Krby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Where did you graduate high school, Pittsburgh? Kelly Kirby: Well, so Pittsburgh State University is one of the state colleges, but they had a teacher school when it was first started, and so I went to a, what I would call, guinea pig school, because we were on the campus, and I went, my kindergarten through my master's in business administration in that same campus. Toby Jenkins: Now, were, was this open to everybody, or did you have to have some kind of unusual academic achievement, or did they see promise in you that you were allowed to attend this particular school, this private school on this campus? Kelly Kirby: Right, well, it was the balance of the students, which were almost, I would say, in any given year, 30 students on each grade level, from K to 12, and about half of them, I would say, were kids of somebody that had something to do with the university, professors, et cetera, kids, and then the other half was from the community of Pittsburgh. So, Pittsburgh is 20,000 people, but we also had 7,000 students on that campus. 4 �Toby Jenkins: Now, what did your parents do in this community? Was this where they had always lived? I mean, were they associated with the university? Kelly Kirby: No, my dad actually grew up in Iowa on a farm, and he, in World War II, he came to Pittsburgh, Kansas to a flying school, and then when he was there, he met my mom, and then he went off to war, and then came back and married her, and she was there, that was her home at Pittsburgh where she was born. Toby Jenkins: And what did your father do for a career after he got out of the military? Kelly Kirby: Well, he actually stayed in the military reserve as an officer. So he had, I don't know, one weekend a month that he had to go a couple of days or something like that, and then a couple of weeks once a year. And he did that for twenty-five or six or seven years. I forget exactly how many. But then also, he went on to become a postman. And that thing came from my mother's side of the thing, because her dad, her uncle, her mother, my grandma, my grandpa, my uncle, great-uncles, and all that, were all in the Postal Service. So my dad retired in the mid-'60s from the military and in the mid-'70s from the post office and had two pensions. Toby Jenkins: Now, did your mother work outside the home, or did she? Kelly Kirby: Well, so my mother was a telephone, what do you call it? Toby Jenkins: Operator? Kelly Kirby: Operator, yeah, exactly. And this was, you know, is this Mrs., you know? If you think Lily Tomlin, that was my mother. Toby Jenkins: One ringy dingy. Kelly Kirby: Yes, exactly, exactly. They started having kids. They had three together. My older sister Susie was born in 47. And so six years later, I came along. And then Linda was the last, and she was born in 56. Susie now still lives in Joplin. Linda's in Wichita, and I'm in Tulsa. So we're still, none of us are still in Pittsburgh, but we're, it's an easy way to see each other. And we have good… Toby Jenkins: Now, I'm just curious, what year did you technically graduate from high school, even though you were going to this school on the Pittsburgh campus? Kelly Kirby: 1971 was when I got my, and I want to just put a little piece in here. My mother died when I was five. And, you know, Linda and Susie being the same amount of, she had cancer, and she died at the age of 36. My dad remarried three years later to a widow whose husband had been killed in a fire. And she came along with a son, one child. It's 10 years older than me. So I have a brother also, although he is now deceased. But so that was four kids, and we just meshed. And so I just wanted to put that in there. Toby Jenkins: Now, did your father and your stepmother have any children together? Kelly Kirby: No. 5 �Toby Jenkins: OK, well, I was going to ask you, you graduated in 1971. You went to this school that was on Pittsburgh State University's campus. Was it integrated? Kelly Kirby: Yes, I would say. I don't think that I could say what their policy was. But the kids that were in my classroom, you know, they might be from the Far East or the Near East because of the university. And there was a Black family back across the alley from where in our house was six blocks from the university. So I mean, we just I didn't really know what integration was. It just was, looking back. We're going to get to this, but I, in 1972, after one first semester of college, I enlisted in the United States Air Force. Vietnam was going on, and anyway, and my dad was military, so it was kind of that, and I was going to, my dad flew, actually, because that, I told you before, and so I thought, oh, well, I want to go be in the Air Force and be a pilot. Then I went into the Air Force, totally integrated, I mean, I don't know, somebody may have other, I don't want to make it all whatever, but for the time, I guess, I don't know, but it was just, color was blind to me. Toby Jenkins: So you had gone to school, even though you had gone to school in the 60s, you don't remember integration being an issue, unlike it was here in Tulsa, where they were threatened if they didn't integrate, they were going to force them, they were going to force them to. Kelly Kirby: I don't think that the university would have to have done that. I don't know what, before me, or whatever, and there was, Pittsburgh had two other schools also, one was the public school, and they also had a Catholic school, so there's, there were three, you know, full K through 12 in town. Don't know about, I had some friends from the other schools, but I don't really, I couldn't say what it was like for them, but for me, I, when I really, I guess maybe, probably in the latter 60s, I became aware, I suppose, of people that were being discriminated against. Toby Jenkins: So we talked a little bit about how you came to Oklahoma, I'm just curious, when were you aware of, how do you, what is your sexual orientation, how do you identify? Kelly Kirby: I'm gay. Toby Jenkins: Gay. Kelly Kirby: Yeah. Toby Jenkins: When did you become aware of that? I mean, were you in high school, college? Kelly Kirby: Well, I'll tell you what, I would say, a light went on that I couldn't decipher of what it was, when my cousin got his elbow, no, he had his arm broken in a football field and during a game, and I went with my dad and my uncle and into the, the locker room, yeah, which I had not been in one of those, and this would, I would have only been 11, and yeah. Toby Jenkins: So the awareness of male bodies. 6 �Kelly Kirby: Yes, exactly. Toby Jenkins: So you would have had that awareness, you went to college there, and you were in the military and all of these, you were still quite young. Any awareness, like, on the campus, on the college campus, were you aware of other gay people? Kelly Kirby: Well, the first time, actually, that I was, I was around them, but I didn't actually know that that was what was going on until...I'm trying to think about when I want to say that. Let's see, Christmas of 1970. Susie left Pittsburgh and went to live in Omaha for three years. And after she was partway through her college as well, her college, because remember she’s six years older than me. So, we all got degrees from that university as well. And but she had a layout period and she came back at Christmas. And I had been going into this bar in Pittsburgh, Kansas, I think I started going in 1969. And it was like a pizza place. And it was just called the Alley. And it was like a downstairs thing in the in the downtown. Twenty thousand people. Kansas and not only for Kansas, you know, but anyway, I started going in there. It wasn't until I said I'd been, maybe 68, 69, 70, but in the 70, Susie and I, we went out and I told her I had this little bar that I could get into because it was Kansas was 18 beer. Although I was not I was going in there when I was 15. But but because of the pizza, it was kind of like a little…. it was Susie and I, we wanted to go out just and just have a time for ourselves. And so we went in there and in the bar was not very busy and we sat at the bar and the guy that was behind the bar Susie graduated from high school. And as as we drove home, to my parents home after we came out of the Alley, she said, do you know that this man is gay? I don't know exactly what words, but the bartender? And so, you know, it's kind of like, where do you get the information in that young place and, you know, no Will and Grace. No, none of that. You know, there really wasn't much of anything good or bad. It was just there. Toby Jenkins: But when she said this to you, I'm not sure exactly what your age was, you said it was Christmas 1970. Kelly Kirby: So I would have just turned 17. Toby Jenkins: So you hadn't went into the military yet. When she said, did you know he's gay, you knew what that meant or you had more questions about it? Kelly Kirby: I can't be that really exactly what that is. But yeah, I don't know that I could pinpoint, but it started something that it was to me. I'll tell you what, I think this is probably the best way to say it. It was I was curious. And so I started going down to the Alley. Sometimes I'd been going with buddies or whatever, whatever. But I just went down there by myself. And I went several times. I don't know. I did probably when I could get out to that place. I went down there. And so about….It was March, so not quite three months, a guy came and sat down by me in the bar and he had seen me in there. He was also a friend of my sister's from the university. And I guess I had a date. I didn't know that that's what it was, anything to call it. But we went to the movies. Went with this guy. We went back to the bar on Saturday night. And then on Sunday, we got in my car and went out in the country just outside of Pittsburgh or whatever. And and then my car. So something happened. I don't know…I ran out of gas or something. My car 7 �quit. And so we went to a farmhouse and got somebody to one of his friends to bring it back to Pittsburg. And so the friend, I don't remember the name, Larry. Larry is the guy that was I was talking to. I don't remember the other guy's name. But anyway, we went back to this guy's house. This guy disappeared and Larry got me in bed. Toby Jenkins: That was your first… So you had car broke down and you that was your first same sex intimate romance. Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: OK. So Pittsburgh, Kansas. Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Kelly Kirby kissed a boy and decided he liked it. Kelly Kirby: Yeah. And a little bit more than kiss. Toby Jenkins: So you were there and going to school. You left school to go into the service military service. Well, I want to know about that. Kelly Kirby: March of 71, I met Larry, and I sent Susie a letter and said, told her that I had a boyfriend that it was, and it was him, Larry. And she came back from Omaha for just for a weekend and just to see what's going on with Kelly. And so, you know, we, in the long run, my sisters were just so helpful. And, and we were three kids with, we lost our mother. And, you know, there's a, there's a stepmother and all that. But, but we were just really, we were tight. I mean we're still very close. And so Susie and I talked to Linda about it. Susie must have told me it might not be good to tell our parents. And there's a long story about that, and that's not necessary. That's, that's enough said about that. So I didn't come out to my parents then, but I did go back to school, a senior, 17 years old, and I started telling some of my friends that I was gay. I don't even know really what the hell that was, but I did kind of. And Larry was a two or three weeks thing. I was like, I clutched to him and, and it was like, he wasn't ready for clutch. He stayed nice to me and all that stuff. But I was going down there [the Alley]. I didn't know, but I went in there on like 10 o'clock on Saturday night. And there's men dancing and in Pittsburgh, Kansas. So I came out to a group of people at that time. I didn't know a hell lot, a lot more than, than what they did, but most of them were interested. And like my whole class knew that I was gay, Whatever they were saying behind my back, I don't know, but nobody punched me in the nose or called...Well, I actually did have a, one guy called me a queer and that was when I was 16 and it was in school showers, guy here in the, in the shower. And I'm looking at him and he said, what are you looking at queer? So that was the first time I know that, that word even, you know, anyway, sorry, sidebar. Toby Jenkins: No, but important. Kelly Kirby: Yes. Yeah, exactly. 8 �Toby Jenkins: First time you really felt public shame or, or him trying to humiliate you because he, so I think that's an important part for all of us. First time we felt public humiliation because of something about us that we don't even realize people can see.. Remarkable that you, your sister may not have understood it, but supported it and that you were out to kids in your high school. Kelly Kirby: Well, Susie, I obviously had some friends that were gay and from college. Toby Jenkins: Now question, do you feel like perhaps the fact that you were on an academic campus, a university setting, which would have emphasized liberal arts and probably more progressive thoughts? I mean, I keep saying this, Kansas, Pittsburgh, Kansas, middle of the country. You think you probably were in a bubble of awareness that maybe somebody else living in Kansas wouldn't have even… Kelly Kirby: I don't know. I know that I can say I had a really good education. I didn't know that's what I had. I just figured everybody that went to school got what I got. And you are right. It was liberal and inclusive. I don't know about homosexuality, but at least it worked in race and those sort of things. Maybe not the whole town, but the campus was largely that way. Toby Jenkins: So you went into the military. Kelly Kirby: Right. Toby Jenkins: I know it was the Vietnam War. Were you drafted? Kelly Kirby: No.Drafting then was kind of like a bingo where the letters come out and they put all the birthdays in the bucket. And the order that the numbers come out were the person who was most likely to be drafted. And the year before me, the highest one, it was 90 out of 365, of course. That's everybody's birthdays, actually. Toby Jenkins: But you weren't drafted. Kelly Kirby: I was not. Toby Jenkins: Were you in the ROTC at the university? Kelly Kirby: I enlisted. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Kelly Kirby: I enlisted because my birthday was pulled out of the hat by number 25. And so it was imminent that I would be, would be… my brother had been drafted. My two cousins had been drafted and all older than me. And I wanted what my dad did. And that wouldn't be Army or Navy. One of my cousins was in the Navy. But what I wanted was, I wanted to fly. I wanted to be a flyer. Toby Jenkins: Right. Kelly Kirby: And anyway, so I went in the Air Force. 9 �Toby Jenkins: I have a question. So already you are kind of aware that you are sexually attracted to your own sex. You're homosexual. You've already had some gay intimate moments. And you decide to go into the military. Was there, and surely you're aware that at that time you were going to be questioned about your sexuality as an induction? They were going to ask you, were you homosexual? Kelly Kirby: Well, I did. They did. I didn't know they were going to, but they did. Toby Jenkins: Oh, you weren't aware. Kelly Kirby: Yeah, I wasn't aware they were going to do it, but they did. And I just denied. You know, I said no. I answered the question no, and then they went on. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Well, that was, you weren't aware that they were going to ask that. So you get into it. Kelly Kirby: Right. Toby Jenkins: Where did you go to basic? Kelly Kirby: Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. I was there for a couple months. Then I went to Keesler, it's in Mississippi, on the coast. And I knew some guys in basic that were gay. I knew some people in, and actually what I would call have boyfriends in training for a couple of months or a little over that. All clandestine…That was it. I was strictly from 17 to 21, and we'll get to that. But I was only dated men. Toby Jenkins: Yeah. So you went through basic, then did you become a pilot? Kelly Kirby: Well, no, actually they had too many. Because it was kind of running, winding down a little bit. What they needed was more, they didn't need white boy me. I couldn't go to flying school. They needed blacks orToby Jenkins: Or Latinos. Kelly Kirby: Yeah, because they did have actually integrated the military at that time. And… Toby Jenkins: So they saw the importance of diversity and, yeah. Kelly Kirby: Or there was, I mean, you look at Johnson and Nixon. Those were the years where a whole lot of thatToby Jenkins: Affirmative action programs. Kelly Kirby: Exactly. Toby Jenkins: So where did you get assigned? Kelly Kirby: So I got, I had a desk for the Air Force. I was administrative, and I was in assignments. Basically, I was, my job was to do, assign other people to do whatever. So my first duty station was Vandenberg in California. It's on the ocean. And so there was a gay guy in my little pod there. And so we kind of had friends. And an hour away was 10 �Santa Barbara. And so I would go on the weekend to the gay bars down in Santa Barbara. And I had some boyfriends or whatever. Toby Jenkins: And did you go with another group of gay guys from your base? Like y'all had made friends, or did you just drive down there by yourself? Kelly Kirby: Mostly myself. Toby Jenkins: And when you got down there, Kelly, did you ever see other military personnel who were down in Santa Barbara? I mean, did you, because that's what, about 45 miles away? Kelly Kirby: Yeah, it's about an hour, yeah, so. Toby Jenkins: I mean, was the purpose of going there, was so that you could put some distance between you andKelly Kirby: Well, it's where the gay bar is. I was aware, particularly, too, for the women. The lesbians, you know, we all had to hang together and be helpful to each other and put up for each other and be damn quiet about it. Toby Jenkins: So you knew lesbian women in the military? Kelly Kirby: Oh, yeah, in my office. Toby Jenkins: Wow, impressive. And you kind of covered for each other? Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Did you have a boyfriend when you were in the military? Kelly Kirby: I had several. Toby Jenkins: Okay. I got, I just, out of curiosity, that gay bar that you went to, kind of describe what it was like, the environment. Kelly Kirby: I mean- You're talking about back in Pittsburgh or in- Santa Barbara. Toby Jenkins: Santa Barbara. Because to me, you're in a larger urban area. Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: It's on the West Coast. Kelly Kirby: Where the age was 21, which I was not, but I could still get in. Toby Jenkins: So we kind of, in our mind, we kind of imagine what a gay bar looks like today. So was this an integrated space? Were there people of all races in this bar? Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: What about genders? Were there female persons, male persons? Did you see cross-dressers, transsexuals, transgender persons? 11 �Kelly Kirby: As to the latter two, that was not a thing that you knew that somebody was. I mean, who is it that was? There was somebody in, went to Sweden, or, and that's 1969, is that right? Toby Jenkins: Christine Jorgensen Kelly Kirby: and that's 1969, is that right? Toby Jenkins: Yeah. Kelly Kirby: It's not as big a thing. Toby Jenkins: So would there have been cross-dressers in the bar? Kelly Kirby: Maybe. Toby Jenkins: But male persons and female persons were in the same bar. Kelly Kirby: I think they were probably the girls had one bar and the guys had about three in Santa Barbara at that time, and that's probably where they- but that doesn't mean they didn't go into the other. Toby Jenkins: Or were there drag queens performing? Kelly Kirby: No, not that I recall. Toby Jenkins: Okay, what about leather fetish, kink identities? Were those playing out in the clubs at the time? Kelly Kirby: A man from Los Angeles came into the bar in Santa Barbara and I had an office job, so eight to five, got my weekends off. This guy said: you know, would you like to come down to…You know you want to come down and spend the night and I'll show you around on Saturday. I think he was probably 40, and I was 18 or 19 by that time. I couldn't tell you his name and I was the only one who probably saw him maybe once before, but I got exposed to some of the leather king, fetish and and probably the drag queens and and some of that. I don't know how much. Toby Jenkins: You're in the military. And then how did the rest of your life play out with that, your career, your military career, your, your relationships? Kelly Kirby: So I was at Vandenberg for a year and a half. I was in a short assignment of, I think, about four or five months in Omaha and by that time, I was at the place where I went to the bar in Omaha and met a guy there. And, we just kind of hit it off, and three months we were going on. And then when I was going back to Vandenberg, he came with me, and we were going to get an apartment. And so, that's where I was. In the end, that didn't really work out. My next assignment, after another four or five months in California, I went to Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska. So that was my last place, duty station. And I was there for 13 months or something like that. Toby Jenkins: Were there gay people in Alaska? 12 �Kelly Kirby: Yes, yes, there was a gay bar in Fairbanks, a town of 40,000, which was the second biggest town in Alaska at the time. The pipeline, I don't know if you know that or have any… So they were building it, and it went across the base. So there's all these men that go or were here and going up the line. And, oh, I had a boyfriend that was an Eskimo. I mean… Toby Jenkins: An indigenous person. Kelly Kirby: Yeah, exactly. At least I had some dates with him. And he took me around up to the Arctic Circle. And, you know, we went to a hotel and stuff like that, spent the weekends and everything. Toby Jenkins: Now, Kelly, I'm curious. To me, you sound like your life was pretty comfortable. Were you aware e of people being kicked out of the military because they were gay? Kelly Kirby: Oh, yes. So there was an officer who got caught fucking an airman, and he got sent to Leavenworth, like prison. So, yeah, I was aware of that. Toby Jenkins: Because of the rank? Kelly Kirby: Because of the rank and because you don't fraternize, the enlisted people and the officers. They're, you know, whatever. But so, yeah, I knew what was out. And after, let's see, I left Vandenberg in June of 74. And in August of 74, they had a clean house witch hunt. And 110 people male and female were purged from the with bad dishonorable discharge. Toby Jenkins: This would have been what year? Did you say 74? Kelly Kirby: Yeah. Toby Jenkins: And that was in San Diego or? Kelly Kirby: It was Vandenberg. Vandenberg. Yeah, that's where I was. So, you know, I could have been swept up into that, except I was three months gone. Toby Jenkins: Do you think some of the people told on the other people for reduced sentences? Kelly Kirby: Yeah, there might be. Actually, I think there were plants and things like that, or somebody that got caught. They want them to get to tell on other people. And they will give you this or I'll give you a general instead of an undesirable or a dishonorable. Yeah, there's also there was those four that they can… Toby Jenkins: So just curious at this time when you were living your best life, were you and you were interacting with so many LGBT people. And also you were dealing with the military's…You could not be in the military. I mean, it was the express rule. It wasn't Don't tell you just could not be in it at all. Kelly Kirby: Yes. 13 �Toby Jenkins: Were you also aware of stuff going on nationally? I mean, like, had you heard of the Stonewall riots? Kelly Kirby: Oh, I knew that. Toby Jenkins: Have you heard of gay pride parades? Kelly Kirby: I knew about Stonewall from Pittsburgh, Kansas, at the Alley Bar. So, yes. Toby Jenkins: So you were aware of it? Kelly Kirby: Oh, yeah, I was. Toby Jenkins: Nationally, LGBT people were beginning to resist and demand. And even within the military, there was a strong advocacy to try to pressure Congress to change the rules. Kelly Kirby: Yeah. Well, OK, so let's there's one thing that I wanted to say about six months going back to when I had Larry, the boyfriend in 1971, when I was still in high school, six months in there…. I got drunk and I went home at two in the morning and my dad was sitting up waiting for me and I had a card that I had somebody given me in the Alley that said gay pride or gay… It was something gay pride or something, something I don't remember. It was gay something. Anyway, I remember. And it was like a calling card, you know. And so he's like, where have you been? What you've been doing? And I've flippantly threw the card at him. When I did that, it was like the first time I told my dad I was gay. I want to say I'll capitalize it as five minutes, 30 seconds for me to blurt it out, four and a half minutes for him to yell at me. And we never talked about it again until 20 years later. So. This holds over me through that 20 years. So, I know what's in me, but…'ll be thrown away from my family and I don’t want to say go too much about Susie. Other than she didn't go to Omaha by choice. It was by force. Toby Jenkins: This is your sister. Kelly Kirby: Yes. Kelly Kirby: And so and that was why Susie told me, don't tell your parents, because that's why she was coming back down just to see me. To just help me out and whatever. And I actually lived after I graduated from high school, I moved up to Omaha for the summer and lived with her in an apartment. Toby Jenkins: And so how long were you in the military? Kelly Kirby: Three years, one month and 21 days. Toby Jenkins: I wish you could remember the details of that. So you get out of the military, go back to school. Kelly Kirby: OK, there's a piece of this in the latter part of the going to Alaska. I had Mark, a boyfriend that I met pretty early since when I went in there and maybe a couple of weeks after. There was actually even the day that I got there, there was this guy at the gas station on base. And I was you know, I drove up there. And so I went and this gorgeous man. I just knew that he was hitting on me. And and so this first guy, my first 14 �friend, even whether or not he was gay or not, I was I was really my gaydar went like this, and I kept seeing him in the chow hall and around the base, and then he invited me to come to a, I don't remember how he encapsulated it, and what I didn't know then, until for a long time afterwards, what was going on, was a, it was a cult. It was the Way. Toby Jenkins: A religious cult? Kelly Kirby: Yes, religious cult. I went into one of some guy's room, and there was about eight or ten or twelve guys, and they had Bibles and whatever, but this guy invited me to this, and I was like, I would have done anything to get in his pants, you know, and I thought that's what he had in mind, and otherwise, it was the Way International. And so, from there, I'm 21 now, I go over some of that through my Alaska, and then, when I came back to Pittsburgh to go back to college, they had the Way, they had the chapter, and I stayed from 75 to 77. I just gradually stopped fucking guys, and, can I say that? And I started dating women. Toby Jenkins: So it was through this, this guy invited you, you had an attraction for him, but he was interested in recruiting you and proselytizing you, and so you began to buy into the Bible study and their programs and the things they were saying, had you told this group that you had been intimate with men, had you told them you were gay? Kelly Kirby: Not while I was in Alaska, but when I was in back in Pittsburgh, within the first semester, I told somebody, you know, and, you know, their thing is, if you're, if you're homosexual, you have a devil spirit, and they are making you do what you're doing, and you know, I'm, you know, why am I, why am I gay? You know, that's what, you know, that's what I have been up to that, even though through four years, I just wasn't like the Kelly Kirby that you know. I was still scared, my family…you're not going to, you'll never get a job, you'll, you know, whatever, all that stuff, and anyway, so he said, this guy that I talked to from the Way… Toby Jenkins: Okay, so you have came back to Kansas, is that right? Kelly Kirby: Right. Toby Jenkins: And you've connected to a religious group, and began to kind of discover perhaps maybe you're not going to live as a gay person. You're adopting kind of their position and I think earlier you mentioned the Way they identified it is if you act on your sexuality, if you are intimate with somebody of the same sex, it's a demon forcing you to do that, trying to control you and so the... Kelly Kirby: Right and so it's not me that's getting pleasure from this, it's the devil spirit that's in me and the devil spirit will give you some little bite of something, something that keeps you on a hook and so the only thing you can do is... I don't know exactly how the words work. I don't remember. Essentially, you get the devil spirit out of you. Toby Jenkins: Resisting. Kelly Kirby: Yeah. So, I got married. I had... 15 �Toby Jenkins: Was the person you married, were they a part of this religious group? Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: So you met your wife... Right. ...through this religious group? Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Now, I think I asked you earlier, but I just want clarification. Had you communicated to anybody in the group that you struggle with same-sex attraction? Kelly Kirby: Well, one of the guys that I, like I already said, he was the one that had told me all of this stuff. And I don't know if I told everybody. I don't think I did. I really don't, but I might in some somebody. I don't really remember exactly. I know some guys that were same thing as me. I mean, and in fact, I had some lesbians as well, but all of them were... Toby Jenkins: Ex-gay. Kelly Kirby: Yes, yeah, exactly. Toby Jenkins: So, did they dangle a carrot over you that, you know, maybe you had this issue with your father not being supportive, and you knew that society didn't support it, and that the Bible didn't support it, and God... I mean, did they dangle this carrot that there was a way that you could be normal, you could just be regular? Kelly Kirby: It wasn't the other, all of other things you said. It's just God. God will help you, and you have to be strong, and... Toby Jenkins: So, was your wife, was she from Pittsburgh? Kelly Kirby: She was, and she actually knew that I was was gay before we got married, and I'll say, and to give her some... I don't know what to say, what an adjective. She knew that I was. I was not the one to tell her. It was somebody else, and I... She knew that I was trying not to be. Let's put it that way, and I didn't have sex with a man for 13 years. I was monogamous with her. The one and one time only, I found a porno magazine that I... I don't remember how I found it, and then I was like, ah, and I was like, I was taste, taste, you know, it was like, this is like 10 years into my marriage, and I hid it, and I looked at it, and I, and it just ate me up, and I threw it away, but it's still, that thing was there, and... Toby Jenkins: Do you remember the magazine? Was it Blue Boy? Kelly Kirby: It could have been... Kelly Kirby: Playgirl? Toby Jenkins: Maybe a Playgirl magazine. Kelly Kirby: That's possible. Toby Jenkins: They had started showing full frontal nudity. 16 �Kelly Kirby: Yes, yeah. If you want to know what was the turning point for me was... The head of the Way died in 1985. It came apart. A lot of the people that I knew, in fact a whole lot of people that we socialized and all that started seeing that we had been lied to and et cetera. Some of them may split off and have still that kind of... But about a year or so after he died Joyce and I pulled out of the Way and we went to go to a… Toby Jenkins: Counselor. Kelly Kirby: Thank you. A while we went for couples and the guy that was doing it once, he was on 35th and Harvard at one of those... Is it a Methodist church there? They had some kind of a bunch of... You could get counseling there for a small amount of money. And basically he said you've got a good marriage. I don't see that you really need this. And we of course had to undo a lot of the not just the gay, but just the whole thing of the Way. But... In the end the thing that I got to was after about 12, 18 months is here's what…I mean if somebody told me that this is how you get out of being gay and you'll never be and you'll be fine. And if they lied to me with that, then what about everything else? What did they do to me? I got into my own... Not with Joyce, but just me in counseling. And over a three-year period I just figured out that first of all I said instead of... I went from it's not okay for anybody to be gay to gay is okay for some people, just not for Kelly. And then I went to a different person and then that's when I just really could pull out what I was and said I'm gay. And there's nothing wrong with it. Not for anybody. There's people that are bad people, but that's not the point. I went to some support groups, SSA and things like that, and that was like, okay, that's not me, it's not, it's, I'm not a sex addict. I'm a very... Toby Jenkins: SSA is Sexual Survivors, Sexual Anonymous, Sex Anonymous. Kelly Kirby: Sex Addicts Anonymous. Yeah. Toby Jenkins: It's like AA, but it's for... Kelly Kirby: Yes, exactly. Toby Jenkins: For people who feel like they have sex addictions. Kelly Kirby: Yes, exactly. And I, some of my gay friends in town here, I met in a group. Toby Jenkins: And so you had come to Tulsa, you started out in Oklahoma City, came to Tulsa. Had you already started, established your CPA firm by then? Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: And you, how many children did you have? Kelly Kirby: All of them. Toby Jenkins: Four. You had four children. Kelly Kirby: Yeah, yeah, four children. Yeah. 17 �Toby Jenkins: And you're married, in your business, and you're going to get help, professional help. Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: And you, in a course of three years... Kelly Kirby: The reason is I had more clients here. There was one big client that I had, a client that I had had almost for 10 years or eight years. When they had five people on, they had up to now 100 employees, and they were just…was just going wild. Anyway, in terms of getting big, the owners then decided that they wanted to sell it, and I was their accountant. I was in their building, and I was doing accounting work for them two days a week. And three days a week, I have an office, and I can do taxes and whatever. So, that's kind of how I got to Tulsa. So they wanted to sell it. Three of the five that were there eight years ago…these three guys came to me and said, Charlie wants to sell, and I said, yeah, I know. And he says, well, we'd like to buy it. Do you think we could do that? And I was like, yeah, you could. There's capital here. I mean, the kids, these three men, they didn't have any more money than I did. They had kids and a house, but they probably lived week to week or whatever. But I found a way for them, and they said to me, they went out and came back and said, if you can make this work, then we'll give you 10%. So, they had each one of those three got 30%. I got 1%, or 10%. So, going on, that was 89. In 91, I'm out of the house from Joyce and whatever. Toby Jenkins: So, y'all separated or divorced? Kelly Kirby: Yeah, well, yeah. I left the house in 90, November. It took 15 months to get the divorce done. Toby Jenkins: How old were the kids? Kelly Kirby: So, when I went out, let's see, nine, eight, five and four. Toby Jenkins: Oh, Erin, this one was four. Kelly Kirby: Yeah, Erin. Yeah. Toby Jenkins: Okay. Kelly Kirby: And anyway, jumped forth two years. No, it was one year. December 1st of 1991, World AIDS Day, I went down the road to 5th and Main… it was a candlelight... [service starting at] Bartlett Square. But it was sleeting and there was about 50 people there and we got candles, we had a little bit of something there and then we walked to the Episcopal Church, the Cathedral... Trinity. All I was doing there was just being there and walking a candle and I got my picture taken by the Tulsa World and I was on the next day's second page. And my three partners in this... I'm not going to say which company in town this is, okay, and I'll tell you why in a bit if you want. They saw the picture and the president, the new 18 �president there, we've been two years [since the sale], Charlie's gone and whatever, he said, see your picture in the paper. And I said, yes. And he said, okay. And then he came back, he left and he came back to my office a little while longer. This was all in one day. He said, there's a lot of talk coming in the office. There's a hundred people working there and they're talking. By the way, these three men are... well, actually, Charlie is also Southern Baptist. They all went to the same church. So, he came back to me again and he said, can I ask you a question? And I said, sure. And he said, Kelly, if you had an opportunity to make a statement for... If you had a chance to talk, to speak about this, of your cause, was what he said, your cause, would you do it? And I thought, hmm, that's an interesting thing. And I don't remember if he left and I went to him or whether I told him just right then. I don't know exactly. I don't remember exactly, but within hours, at least, I went back and I said, you know, I think I would. And I did. Oh, God. I wasn't going to let anybody push me anymore, and I'm not going to have any clients that don’t know that I'm gay, because I don't want to be that vulnerable, and I mean, I didn't say they had to be gay to be my clients. I just wanted them to not discriminate against me or make their questions, to be answered in a way that they don't want, and all right, let me think of this right. I came into, let's step forward a little bit. I, in the summer, or I think September, I guess, when the elections were, they asked me to be on the board, and… Toby Jenkins: For Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights. Kelly Kirby: Yes. TOHR. Toby Jenkins: Today it is known as Oklahomans for Equality. Kelly Kirby: Exactly. I went on the board as, and treasurer, because I'm an accountant, and so, 93 to 94, I did that, and then they made me president, and I was for two years from 94 to 96, and then my third, or my fourth year, I was on the board. I was back to being treasurer I went back to the Disciples of Christ, Christian Church of Disciples. That was what I was raised. I was the president of District 8 for the state of Kansas of the CYF my senior year, and that includes when I came out, and I went from there to the Way, and I came back, and it's my family. The first one I went to when I came back here was Forest Park. Mike, I can't think of his last name as a minister there. Joyce and I went there with our kids, and then when we split, I wanted Joyce and the kids to have Forest Park, and I went to see where I could go, which ended up to be First Christian downtown, and that's the time that I met Richard Ziegler, and of course, you know, his son is gay. When I had a boyfriend then, Rick, we wanted to make a civil union. So, we went to Richard Ziegler and said, would you do this for us? And he said, I've never done one, but I've been waiting for somebody to ask me. We're still close. He got kicked out. And that's a whole other thing. Toby Jenkins: So, he did, he blessed your civil union. 19 �Kelly Kirby: At Harwelden. My family, my dad and my stepmother came to that. And Nancy McDonald was helpful to getting me to get my parents to come to my civil union. That's where I came from. At that time, I picked up PFLAG. Toby Jenkins: And so, Nancy McDonald was the president of PFLAG locally, but also. Kelly Kirby: She was on the [national] board. And then, she was, she, and I think by 95, I'm going to do a timeline, but I'll try to not make it, let's give you some snippets. Anyway, so I went into office of TOHR. And 20 days later, Bill Clinton got inaugurated. And on the next day, he made an executive order that being homosexual was not a reason to get kicked out of the military. And of course, he had to back down, way back down. And, you know, people say, oh, he was just, the man took the big step. And yeah, it took another two or three, however many different presidents…Took three. Well, it was him, and then George, and then Obama. The media [called the TOHR Helpline] and somebody, whoever it was, got the message and called me. And so, I called back this reporter, and I met him in Sam's Club parking lot, and did an interview. Between then and the next 15 years, I probably did 200 interviews. I did those interviews because nobody else would do it. Now, you know, if there's a, you know, 100 things to be said, it should come from 100 people. You know, instead, I was the face. I was the face of Tulsa and Nancy. Kelly Kirby: TOHR 91 to 95. In 93, the disciples contingent that had a, they have a different name now, but tell me, tell me what it was. Toby Jenkins: Disciples of Christ, they're affirming inclusive. Kelly Kirby: Yes. I went on a national board. And I did that for four years. So that was from three to 93 to 97. In 95, Nancy asked me to come on the national PFLAG, and I was, I came on as a board member in the 95, and then in 96, she became the national president. And I was a treasurer, and I was doing that for, so for seven years. So I was on the board for PFLAG. Another of the things that I've done, I hate saying that. I feel like I'm trying my best. I did this because it needed to be done, and I wanted to do it. So, anyway, maybe that's why people ask me. I don't know. Toby Jenkins: Well, at that time, visibility was critical to our survival, as it is today. And for someone to be visible in Oklahoma, they could either lose their jobs, be disowned by their families, or kicked out of their church, and you had already traversed all of that. You were self-employed, you were in an affirming church, and your family already was aware. So you had those credentials that made you be able to be more visible. Was it during this time that you served on the ACLU board in the state of Oklahoma? Kelly Kirby: So, no, I was on PFLAG, then…Another church, it was another Disciples they did camp, they sent people into camps and summer camps for youth. And you know, that was like any kind of a cause that the church should be cognizant about and it was like that. And I was on the National Board for 8 years on that one. It wasn't just gay and whatever, it was a lot of other things. 20 �And then they sent me to the ICCR, Interfaith Center for Corporate Responsibility. And that's out of New York. I was on that national team, as a representative of the whole Disciples of Christ denomination. You know, millions of members. Toby Jenkins: Let me ask you a few questions. Kelly Kirby: Okay. Toby Jenkins: So, during this period, you had come out, you had divorced, you had your children, you had your partner, and you became kind of the person that they threw out in front when they needed a spokesperson. So, I'm just going to ask you a couple of questions. Toby Jenkins: Did you ever have to give any public interviews on marriage equality? Were you ever interviewed for that? Kelly Kirby: Oh, yes. Toby Jenkins: Were you ever interviewed for gays in the military? Kelly Kirby: Well, yes, I did. I did it in 93. Toby Jenkins: Were you ever interviewed for discrimination policies? Kelly Kirby: Absolutely. Toby Jenkins: Were you ever interviewed for LGBTQ health care issues, such as HIV, AIDS? Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: Were you ever interviewed for faith and spirituality and sexuality issues? Kelly Kirby: Yes. Toby Jenkins: So, we've just covered, what about, were you ever interviewed whenever the sodomy laws were struck down? Kelly Kirby: Yes, yeah. Toby Jenkins: So, Kelly, I'm going to ask you, and this is not a court of law, but I want you to testify faithfully. Have you, to the best of your ability, for the last 20 years… Kelly Kirby: 30 years, 35 years. Toby Jenkins: Stood up and stood step forth and advocated for LGBTQ plus individuals and with a clear conscience? Kelly Kirby: Well, I got recognized for it. And I said, you know what? Toby Jenkins: You know you did your part. Kelly Kirby: This is in 2010. 21 �Toby Jenkins: Yeah. Kelly Kirby: It's 15 years later now, and I said, you know, this lifetime achievement [shows Lifetime Achievement Award from Oklahomans for Equality], I said, my life is not gone. I'm going to be here, you know, and here I am. Toby Jenkins: You, earlier in the interview, acted like you were a little bit embarrassed because you felt like you were touting your achievements. But I want to? Weren't you? Were you proud to represent the LGBTQ community? Kelly Kirby: Yes, yeah. Toby Jenkins: But it came with a cost, didn't? Kelly Kirby: Well, yes. Toby Jenkins: Were you threatened? Did you lose clients? Kelly Kirby: There was on my porch ... .If you're going shooting range and they have the [target] on the house and on the car, scratched in the paint, threatening life-threatening to me. I called the police. What was the question? Toby Jenkins: Did it come with a cost being visible? Kelly Kirby: Yes. So, because I was on the board of the Human Rights Commission, I know who to talk to, and I talked to that person and he said: I can't do this, but I know who in the police department can and will. It was a kid at Edison High School. They took him out of high school and suitably told him, you don't do that and you better not do that. And here's why you need not to do that and no more, no more trouble, Toby Jenkins: In 2010, you'll kind of hold that up and face towards the camera so we can….Okay, so you receive that Lifetime Achievement Award at the Equality Gala that year. So a couple of things. I know, you have always to my…. As many years as I've known you, and that's been since 96- you've always been a pretty family man and you and your partners at the time, were very involved in your children… Kelly Kirby: You know well, Charles and I were together 17 years. His twins are three weeks older than my second born, Rachel, and when Charles and I met in 1999, he moved from Edmond to here. The kids were most well, they were junior high and high school and middle school, and we were six kids and two gay dads and we were this, the Brady Bunch minus Alice. So, yes, Toby Jenkins: And I remember your partner, Charles Johnson, may his memory be blessed- I know that he also did some interviews for us in the media over issues over books being banned in our libraries when legislators are trying to ban those, an interview on kids being bullied in school because of their sexual orientation. Because he was an open out schoolteacher for Union Public Schools- was it Union? Kelly Kirby: Yes, yeah, 22 �Toby Jenkins: And was famous for every year he would take how many students to see the opera, the grade school kids? Kelly Kirby: Every kid in his school of the fifth grade. Toby Jenkins: Yeah, did that every year for years. Kelly Kirby: Yes, sadly he died for something that was probably there when he was born, but it just didn't anyway, at 58 he died, and so that's been nine years. Toby Jenkins: And you have a husband now. Kelly Kirby: Yes, Rod Benham. Yeah, so I've had three marriages and only one was a divorce. A divorce, a death, and a man who loves me now still, Toby Jenkins: And your children kind of following your footsteps, their advocates for equality. Kelly Kirby: Yes Toby Jenkins: If you were, let's say, you know you had a tombstone and you had to write something on it that you want to say about your life. Do you have a motto that you'd like to put on a tombstone, or do you have an epitaph? You know, some people have things like that. Is there something like that? As you, you know, think about life, careers, serving others, serving our country, defending our country, raising your children and all the things that you've done. Kelly Kirby: It's already on the tombstone in that cemetery down on 91st Street and it's got Charles and my name is there, with no date and…but yes, it was like you can just there's a, there's a row of those things in some succinct but yeah, Toby Jenkins: Anything else you want to make sure we have as a part of this history archive. Kelly Kirby: Another alliance, the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry. I was on that board for four years. But you ask about the ACLU. That was in the latter part of the like, maybe 2007 to 2011 or something like that. I don't know, that's not something in that neighborhood. Toby Jenkins: So, in closing, I just want to tell you one of my favorite memories. You were the gay convertible, and by that I mean you were one of the guys who I knew had a convertible and if I needed somebody to ride in the Oklahoma City parade or the Tulsa parade I would call you, and many times you were the escort driver for whatever Grand Marshal or whatever bride, king or queen we had, and in Oklahoma City parade and Tulsa parade. Kelly Kirby: And one time, even just on two hours notice, it was somebody else that whatever happened to them, you know, I don't know, it was probably something that was on and I'm just like, okay, I'll be there. What time do you need me? Toby Jenkins: Well, thank you so much. I appreciate you spending this time with us all right. 23 � 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 Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: 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] Kelly Kirby Interview Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Kelly Kirby, Toby Jenkins Subject The topic of the resource Kelly Kirby Oral History Project Interview from April 9, 2025 Description An account of the resource This conversation with Kelly Kirby explores his life journey, from his early awareness of his sexual orientation to his military service and subsequent advocacy for LGBTQ rights. Kelly shares personal stories about his family, relationships, and the challenges he faced as an openly gay man in Oklahoma. His commitment to equality and inclusion is evident through his involvement in various organizations and his reflections on the importance of authenticity in one's life. Interview conducted by Toby Jenkins on April 9, 2025, transcript edited by Dennis Neill on February 17, 2026. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource April 9, 2025; February 17, 2026 2025 advocacy AIDS AIDS/HIV coming out community Dennis Neill equality Gay Bars Gay Rights HIV/AIDs interview Kelly Kirby LGBT history military military inclusion OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project representation sexual orientation discrimination Toby Jenkins video Visibility World AIDS day https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/023559720fd72ce52b47697fd079f211.JPG 4dfd0f8858284e1c50788f51c9ec4b9f https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/b5fde90b2684c2ec8438e2718e52f8c4.mp4 122ef854ea8cc57b0d701b3a8e39f867 https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/a6620e81230ea3ccbc140ceb3d612311.pdf 9a54b9df7d6c3a4103fec956642cb721 PDF Text Text Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Interview with Kent Harrell (AKA Anita Richards) Interview Conducted by Toby Jenkins Date: December 23, 2025 Transcribed and Edited By: Dennis Neill using Riverside Studio.ai Restrictions: Interviewee requested: N/A Oklahomans for Equality History Project 621 E. 4th Street Tulsa, OK. 74120 918.743.4297 historyproject@okeq.org 1 �Oklahomans for Equality Oral History Project Interview December 23, 2025 Interview of Kent Harrell (AKA Anita Richards) by Toby Jenkins Addendum - Kent Harrell Show Notes from Riverside Studio AI Topics include: Drag performance, LGBT community, family dynamics, AIDS awareness, personal identity, marriage equality, pageant culture, early life, career beginnings Summary This conversation explores the life and experiences of Kent Wilson Harrell Jr., focusing on his journey through early life, family dynamics, understanding his sexual orientation, and his career in drag performance. Kent shares insights into the challenges faced by the LGBT community, particularly during the AIDS crisis, and reflects on his personal relationships, including his marriage to Taylor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and offers advice for future generations. Takeaways Kent's family background includes a strong connection to the Air Force and NASA. Childhood experiences shaped Kent's understanding of gender identity. Acceptance of sexual orientation can be a challenging journey with family. Kent's drag career began in the late 1970s, inspired by performances he witnessed. The drag community has evolved significantly over the decades. Pageants in the LGBT community serve as both a platform for talent and a source of competition. 2 �The AIDS crisis had a profound impact on the LGBT community, leading to increased awareness and activism. Marriage equality has been a significant milestone for the LGBT community. Being true to oneself is essential for a fulfilling life Chapters 01:16 Introduction and Early Life 04:24 Family Dynamics and Schooling 07:23 Self-Discovery and Identity 10:21 Relationship Journey 13:21 Coming Out and Family Acceptance 20:13 Career Beginnings in Performance 25:15 Memorable Performances and Clubs 31:59 The Journey of a Performer 33:25 Pageant Culture in the LGBT Community 36:01 The Evolution of Pride Festivals 39:00 The Impact of AIDS on the Community 54:18 Love and Commitment in the LGBT Community ________________________________________________________________________Interview starts – Toby – please tell us your name. My name is Kent Wilson Harrell Jr. Toby - And for purposes of documentation, could you tell us your date of birth and how old you are at the time of this interview? 3 �March the 4th, 1960 and I am currently 65 years and about 9 months old I guess. Toby - Let's talk a little bit about how you got to us. The day of your appearance here in the world. So tell us where you were born, what city, and a little bit about your family. Well, my father worked for the federal government, and he worked for NASA. And he and my mother both were employees of Tinker Air Force Base. They worked for the Air Force. And my dad was constantly going for, what he did was quality assurance. Whenever the federal government would contract with an Air Force base to build a specific part for a plane or a rocket, or whatever and they needed a particular piece or something built, it was his responsibility to make sure that thing met government specifications. So he was constantly being moved to Air Force Base, Air Force Base, Air Force Base. So how I came into the world, he had been in Duluth, Minnesota for about six months, about four or five months, and my mother went to see him one weekend. And at this time, my dad was 43 years old and my mother was 39. They had a 17-year-old daughter and a seven year old daughter. So about a week or two weeks after that fact, they were out in an amusement park and my mother was a roller coaster fanatic and rode a roller coaster and got violently ill and went to the doctor the next day and the doctor said, you need to go to an obstetrician. And she went to the obstetrician. The obstetrician said, Mrs. Harold, you're pregnant. And she called my dad in Minnesota and said, guess what? We're going to have a new addition to my family. He said, no way. You're kidding. Anyway, long story short. That's how I came into the world from a weekend visit from Minnesota anyway. Toby - and they were living in Oklahoma City at the time. So you were born in Oklahoma City. Did you go to school in Oklahoma City? 4 �No, we lived in Oklahoma City until, well, for a long time, about two years, my dad was transferred to Vermont and New York State and then came back to our house in Oklahoma City after that and he came back to Tinker and then was transferred to North America Rockwell in December of 1964. So I was about four years and seven months old or so. So we moved to Tulsa and the first place we moved to was over on the west side. And we lived in an addition that's still in existence called Mountain Manor off of Southwest 33rd. The early days were Crystal City, shopping center and all that area around. Toby - and you went to school over in West Tulsa. Well, I started out, the situation was, in so much as both were working at North American Rockwell, my mother got a job there too. She was a statistician. And what they would do, they would drive from that area town towards North American Rockwell, and there was a little nursery school over on North Sheridan. And that's where they put me in daycare centers, we call them now. And so when I turned five, I had to go to kindergarten, of course, and the closest kindergarten to that daycare was Burbank Elementary, which is now the Bell Junior High School annex. And that's where I started my academia was at Burbank Elementary. Toby - Now, did you graduate from a Tulsa High School? No, as time went on, we ended up going from first to Tulsa, then they moved to Broken Arrow, and then from Broken Arrow to Rogers County and the Rogers County area. And we started out in Claremore and then moved to Oologah. So from seventh grade till my senior year, I went to high school and junior high in Oologah. And the reason I did that, my middle sister, because of my dad's position, had been moved from pillar to post, state to state, school to school. And when we finally settled in Oologah, I said, I'm not moving. I said, I'm not going to be transferred to any other schools. I'm going to stay here and graduate at this school. And if you don't like it, you're going to have to get me a transfer. And so that's what we did. And I spent from seventh to senior year in a very wonderful environment, a great, great school, and had a very normal academic situation in high school. 5 �Toby - and what high school. Oologah class of 197(?) Toby - For our viewing audience, I'm going to share a photo. How old are you in this photo? You're just a child. Six. Six years old. in this photo... Toby - You're dressed in a dress, looks like makeup. Tell us a little bit about, can you remember that event? My mother said once many, many years after the fact, she said, you know, when you were clumping down the hallway in my high heel shoes, I never expected you to turn it into a 45 year career. But I guess the situation was, I'm not going to say that I was, you know, you hear the stereotypical stories of a passive father, aggressive mother and all that kind of world. Not necessarily so with me, but my mother was a very gregarious individual. She was a wonderful personality and was a very colorful dresser. And she loved oranges and reds and greens and all vibrant colors. Well, men at that time were reduced to gray suits, blue suits, know, black suits. And here was this burden paradise in my household that was constantly looking so fabulous. And I thought that's what I, that's exactly how I'd like to be. so as stereotypical, I've heard this story from many, many gay individuals. I was attracted to, it was a crazy thing. I had my Tonka toys, had my GI Joes, I had my fire trucks, the whole rigmarole. But I also loved, my mom's high heels and all the bright colors and all the things and coming from that era no one ever specifically said to me you have to have a baseball or a basketball or a football or whatever. Whatever I wanted I got. It didn't matter to my dad whether I wanted a football which I had or a Barbie doll. Nobody ever cared. Which was so unusual from that time period. But you don't know it's unusual because it's your life, you know. Toby - So at six years old when you've got on makeup and a dress and high heels they thought it was 6 �They thought it was hysterical. My sister, at the time was 13, thought it was deplorable and that I was something to be hidden away as far as she was concerned. But no one ever took it seriously. They just thought it was funny. Toby - Now, how do you identify? What is your sexual orientation? How do you identify? You mean like of course I'm gay but I've always said male people have asked me it took me many, many years to make people in my family understand just because I was an entertainer a drag entertainer that I didn't necessarily want to be transgender full-time seven days a week Toby - Well thank you for sharing for that. Now you have a relationship. Tell us a little bit about your relationship. Taylor, my dear husband, Taylor and I met online when he was 19 years old. I didn't know how old he was. We got in contact on Facebook, and he got in contact with me instead of vice versa. I was just intrigued by this individual. I took a look at this face that I like, no face I'd ever seen before in my entire life. And something about him just was interesting. And I got to talking with him, asking who he was, where he was from. He told me he was from Minneapolis. I had no idea he was 19 years old. So when I found that out, I said, at that point in time, Facebook was talking to people or reporting that there were police departments around the United States that were using young men to entrap older gentlemen. you know, not knowing this person as I didn't, I didn't know whether that might have been the case also. So I found, once I found out specifically how old that he was, I said, I'm, I can't talk to you anymore. I'm sorry. And he said, but why? I said, well, you're just, you're too young. So I didn't speak to him for about close to a year and I did keep looking at his pictures and he kept looking at mine which I didn't realize till finally one day he messaged me and he said well, I'm 20 He said aren't I old enough for you to talk to now? Yes, I guess so and the situation was Taylor was Taylor felt he was transgender and from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and he was undergoing hormone therapy at that time. And he was engaged to be married to a gentleman that he was living with. But the gentleman that he was engaged to had a 7 �hard and fast rule. He said, if you want to take these hormones, that's your business and I can't stop you. But you will never, as long as you live under my roof, dress in female attire. And Taylor explained this to me and I said, you know, nobody has a right to tell you what you can and cannot be. If this is who you think you are, then you have every right on the face of the earth to be that. And I said, I'm going to give you an opportunity. I said, if you want to come to Tulsa and live with me, I said, I will make sure that you get the best medical attention. I will make sure in one way the other that you get the best best psychotherapy that you're going to have to have to do this. And I said, I will make sure that you get under the best medical care that you can have that we can find for you. If this is the person, you know, the avenue that you intend to be and who you feel you really are. So he said, he finally agreed to it. And he, and I said, well, then here's the, well, I said, I'm not rich. I have no money. I can't afford to send you here on a plane. But I said, I will try to get you here the best way I can. So bless his heart. He rode 17 and a half hours by bus to get here to Tulsa and as I told him We did get him under therapy Then he went through about and a half year worth of hormone therapy but somewhere along the way he didn't realize that it's a very hard and complicated thing to be a woman to there are certain things that you have to do in your day-to-day life that he really just didn't want to do so finally an individual who is very close to us who was trans sat him down and said Taylor you're about as female as the wall you're sitting against and I think you need to wean yourself off this medication and sit down and figure out who you really are and live your life, which is what he did. Toby - Thank you so much for sharing that. I want to talk to you a little bit about, this is your senior picture. Graduated from Oologah. Just curious, Kent, when was it that you realized that you were gay? I can tell you specifically. Toby - And tell us a little bit about maybe your interaction with your family. Because you and Taylor are legally married. And you're old enough to remember when same-sex marriage was not legal in Oklahoma. But tell us 8 �when you accepted your sexual orientation and maybe a little bit abouthow your family handled that identity. When I first realized that my attraction was more to the male gender, my mother and dad allowed me to go to a movie. I was 12 years old. There was a film that came out that year in 1972 called 40 Carrots. And it was about a lady who, a 40-year-old lady who on her birthday took a trip to Europe. And so on the prior was starring Liv Ullmann was the gal. And so in the process of this movie, she's driving along through Italy and her car stalls and she's on a bridge. And as she's out in the middle of nowhere, she doesn't know what she's going to do. And she walks over to the edge of this bridge and she looks down in this water. And there in this water is swimming this beautiful young man in a tiny yellow Speedo bikini. The yellow, the man in the bikini was Edward Albert Jr. And when he came up out of that water in this glistening, glistening photo, know, film, he came up out of that water. I was like, ha ha ha ha ha. And I knew right then that there was something a little different for me than most people. Or so I thought. I didn't know if I was the only individual like that or not. But that was the very first kind of initiation. Toby - You know, like all kids growing up in the 70s, you thought you were the only one on the face of the earth. You didn't talk about it. You know, I remember my mother and dad in a warehouse market and I was a movie magazine fanatic. And I was looking at some movie magazines and I was thumbing through and I looked down on the floor and there was a centerfold from that first, the very first edition of Playgirl magazine. And I unfolded that centerfold, went, holy cow. I folded it back up and put it in my pocket and it home. I stole it. Toby - You stole it.. I stole that sin and needless to say that was my little secret thing but there again I didn't you know I didn't discuss it with anybody really and to tell you the honest truth my parents were not they they you know as time went by of course you have revealed eventually you know they've put 9 �two and two together were they happy about it no no they weren't happy and there was a point in time where I finally said you know, you can't deal with this and I don't want to deal with you either. I, for my own purpose reasons, I moved to Tulsa. My sister said, you know, leave home, come to Tulsa. I was 19 and I moved to Tulsa. got a job. I went over and I moved into a place called Harvard Terrace Apartments around 21st and Harvard. I lived my own life and I didn't speak to my folks for over a year. It was a ridiculous thing to do because I was a very sheltered individual. I didn't know how to pay bills. I didn't know where you paid the water bill, the gas bill, blah, blah. Eventually lost the apartment, ended up homeless and still wouldn't go home. Still wouldn't go home. Lived in my car and then one day out of the blue I happened to see my parents. I was basically starving now. I had been doing drag all along. I had been doing drag here in Tulsa. I started in 1979 and but things weren't going great and being hungry as I was, I saw my mother dad drive down the street one day in their car and I thought, I'm going to go home, I'm tired, I'm starving, I'm going to go home and went home for two or three years, about three years and tried to live the life that I thought that's who they wanted me to be and then realized you just can't do it. You have to be who you are. You can't let somebody subjugate you into being somebody that you're not. And finally at the age of about 23 or 24, I came back to Tulsa. Toby - during that time had they resolved it that they come to accept that you were Well, a way, my mother once asked me, she said, you know, she said, I don't understand. She said, can't you just, you know, it's fine. That's your attraction is to men, but do you have to participate in that? Can't you just go over to the, you know, just stop it? And I said, mother, it's who you are. I said, you can't go off and you just, can't turn it off like a light switch at the wall. You can't just stop being who you are. It's who I am. I was born this way. You have to accept that. they did do it in time. But the real catalyst of the whole thing was when I was 26, I met an individual by the name of Larry Guz, who was my first long-term relationship. And he said, Kent, you've 10 �got to stop this. You've got to confront this. You've got to make them understand. If they can't love you for what you are, then they have to love you for who you are. And if they can't do that, they don't need you anyway. Toby – I want our audience to see a picture of your beautiful mom and dad. And they finally, my dad came to Larry and I and he finally said, if this is who you are, this is who you are and we accept you 150%. So that kind of, took a long, time, but they finally did. Toby - So, you're very. well known in Tulsa as Anita Richards. So I want us to kind to talk, begin to talk about your career as a performer. You said, you told us earlier that in 1979, and you would have been 19 years old, you already had started doing performance. Did you? How did you? How did come about that? I had never even heard of a drag queen. I didn't know there was any avenue that a guy could dress in female attire in public. I had no idea. From the time I was eight years old, was out in my mother's and dad's garage with a record player lip syncing to Funny Girl. I learned the lyrics to Don't Rain On My Parade before I could practically walk. I knew automatically and of course my parents thought I was nuts. You're hearing this kid who's out doing these big jaw long jams. So I knew that was something I wanted to do but I didn't know there was an avenue for it until one night there was a very fabulous nightclub here in Tulsa across the street from what is now TCC called Caruso's. And it had been there since the 1950s. It was a very sophisticated nightclub in the 50s called the Queen of Hearts. But by the time I came along, it had become a gay bar and was called Caruso's and it had a huge showroom that held about 250 people. And one night a young boy that I was dating said, let's go to Caruso's. He said, I'm going to sneak you in. He said, a friend of mine is performing on stage and needs a shirt from me. I'm gonna sneak you in and you sit in the back and I'm gonna go to the dressing room and give him the shirt and I'll come back and we'll watch 11 �his number and then we'll leave and get out of here before we get caught. So this boy, the gentleman performing his name was Samoy Alexander and he went by the name of Tracy Chateau, I'll never forget him. And he came out on stage, he was doing a song called The Deputy of Love and my friend brought him this western shirt covered with silver fringe and I saw Tracy come out and perform and I was like... Oh my Lord, can't, I want to do this, I want to do this. And the next individual that came out, I'll never forget it, was Trudy Tyler, who was, at that time, it was so funny, I was 19, Trudy was 21 and was already in Miss Gay Oklahoma of America. And when she came out on stage, it was a complete vision, I was just, it raptured. And I thought, this is something I'm going to do one of these days. So I... went back to work at Target and one Christmas we got some glittering ladies clothes and I saved up some money and bought a dress and the next thing you know I went to What Is Now the Eagle. This was 1979 mind you. I went to What Is Now the Eagle at that time it was Tracy's New Edition was what it was called and they had show nights, amateur nights on Monday and there was an intimate Queen there and I went in and brought a record and performed. My initial name was Anita Trick. And how that came by, I was standing there, the show director at that time, Tracy's was another very well-known Queen here in town, by the name of Miko Kassadine. to Miko Kassadine, she said, what's your name honey? And I said, My name's Kent. She said, no, what's your show name? And I said, I don't have one. She said, you have two entertainers ahead of you. You better find one, get one quickly so I can introduce you. And I'm standing there thinking, now, know, no one had checked IDs in those days. And here I am, this kid, I'm standing here thinking, what am I going to do? What am I going to do? And a guy walked by me, he said, my God, I need a drink. And I turned around and I looked at me, and I said, my name's I Need a Trick. Well, she said, what? I said, my name's, I need a drink well she immediately thought I said Anita like Anita Bryant and she did introduce me on stage as Anita Trick and that was the first performance I ever did and so every time the Eagle holds much nostalgia for me you know but that anyway that started it out. Toby - You were talking about the performance in those days, this would have been in 1979. You get a record, you had to give them a… 12 �Yeah, you know cassette, no cassettes no CDs. The well-known Queens here in Tulsa they had these large leather cases and you put your record albums in the leather cases and they had a long strap you put the strap on the side of your shoulder carried it in with your luggage and the funny thing about 45 some odd years later Chris Cole and I were working at the Bamboo and someone came up with the grand idea that they wanted to do an old-fashioned drag show and they asked they said let's do this with albums, no cassettes, no CDs, let all the performers bring record albums. And so we had a little cast put together and the young people all agreed to it. They all said, we'll go out, we'll go research and go to the record stores and we'll find record albums and so forth. Which they did. And another gentleman who was one of the people that came to Bamboo brought a portable turntable sound system, which we used. But the funny thing about it was, in the days when those shows were done, Chris and I never were responsible for putting the show together. We were never responsible for the lineup of the entertainers and so forth. And you know that night we had 15 entertainers. Every single entertainer was doing three songs a piece. Every single song was on a specific album, so we're dealing with 45 record albums and having to label them and put them and I looked at Chris and I said it didn't use it was not this hard when we were kids. She said we were responsible for this movie. Well, didn't know any different. No, no, no, that's all we did. Toby – You talked about Caruso's, talked about Queen of Hearts, E-Ball, Tracy's. Tell us some of the other clubs where you performed. Oh, was some of them were clubs, some of them were dives. There was one downtown called Friends Lounge. I don't know if you remember, if you probably don't remember that. There was one... Well, the main club in those days, the very first bar that I was supposed to go to attend, we had a huge club here in Tulsa called the Old Plantation. You remember Old Plantation? And the very night I was supposed Where was it? I can't remember. It was 51st and Sheridan. The night I was supposed to go to the Plantation, one of the patrons set it on fire and burned it to the ground. So I didn't get to attend that club, but so the next largest club that everyone wanted to 13 �entertain at besides Caruso’s downtown was Zippers at 32nd and S. Yale. And that's predominantly where I started really, really entertaining was in Zippers. John Willis who owned Zippers was a very good friend of mine. It was a gay bar. It was a big disco. It held probably a hundred and maybe a hundred and fifty people. And I performed there for quite a while until they brought in a door lady and her name was Patty Murray Handley. And we all know Patty very dearly. And it was her first job. And I walked in with my suitcase one day for a performance and she said, I need to see your ID. And I of course automatically knew I'm 20 years old. I said, well, I left it out in the car. She said, no, I need to see the ID. She said, you can't perform in here. I said, I've been performing here for over a year. She said, well, you're not going to perform in here tonight because I'm not letting you in the door. You can come back four months from now when you're 21 years old. And I had to tell everybody and I turned around and walked out. Fast forward 40 plus years, I walk into a doctor's office of Dr. Jeff Beal and I had not seen this young lady since that probably about that time. And I walk in for my doctor's appointment and she's sitting at the admissions desk. And she took one look at my name and she remembered my face. And after she checked me in, I was sitting there in the waiting room and she said, could you come over here? Could you come over here? She said do you remember me and I said well I don't think so and she explained who she was and she said I have to tell you I want to apologize she said I have thought about this for over whatever it was 35 years I have felt guilty ever since that night that I didn't allow you to come into that club and perform like you had been I was just scared if I did I'd lose my job and she said do you ever forgive me I said I wouldn't remember this if you hadn't even mentioned it but of course I did anyway. She was following the law and I told her, I you know, I don't blame you. But you should follow the law. I don't blame her one bit. Toby - Well she was following the law. We here at Oklahomans for Equality believe that... What other clubs stand out in your mind? 14 �Really those are probably the most, there was a very place, I hate to use the term seedy, that's not a very good description, but there was a place downtown called, on 11th, called The Mining Company. And I performed there a few times, but predominantly Zippers, predominantly Tracy's. Toby -Now, during this time, you were a performer. Did you ever travel to other states? Not until later. I was the first individual from the city of Tulsa to ever perform at Angles. This would have been right because I was in Oklahoma City. As I say, I performed here in Tulsa from 1979 to about 1982 and that was when I decided to move back to Tulsa, move back to with my parents, which they were living 100 miles south from here, little town called Weleetka, Oklahoma. I stayed there two years and came back and once I came back in 84, I think it was 83 or 84, I started performing again and have continued on as a regular basis ever since that time. But in 1986, Angles in Oklahoma City had opened their very first talent show you might say. It was called Drag Off or Drag Race or something like that. Anyway, I won it. And by winning it, you had to come back, was the process of elimination. And by winning it and becoming the champion, I won a two weekend a month spot on the Sunday showcase at Angles. And so ended up being the first person from the city of Tulsa ever to work there on regular basis. As Ginger Lamar referred to me, I was the queen of the Turner Turnpike. She's the only queen in town that's got tire tracks up her back. Anyway, it was a lot of fun. Toby - So I know that you have won some titles and you participated in pageants. Tell us a little bit about the pageant culture within the LGBT community. You know today it's mainstream. There's you know top-tier shows that people sit every night and watch. But I always like them. But it was not necessarily in Oklahoma, but really it was. Miss Oklahoma, the America pageant system, course, is the oldest Miss gay America is the oldest pageant system in the United States. And it was it was formed in 1972 by the late Norman Jones, Norma Christie, and has continued on. And it wasn't until about 1977 that she released the royalty rights to permit, I guess you'd say preliminary pageants to get contestants for her Miss America pageant. You had to go through and still to this day have to go through a system. You win a preliminary title. Then if you go from 15 �there that sponsors you into a state title, which of course is like say you Miss Gay Tulsa of America, then you're sponsored into Miss gay Oklahoma of America. If you win Miss gay Oklahoma of America, you immediately are responsible to represent your state at Miss America, wherever it's held, Dallas or wherever. And that's still the same. It's been since 1972 and it's still the same way. Of course, as you say, now they're much more mainstream. I really personally, for me, my personal goal was predominantly entertainment. I wasn't I was not that much interested I did miss Tulsa USA in 1987 I think I did Miss Tulsa of America probably about 1988. But I wasn't necessarily interested in entertaining in pageants because in my estimation, a title was for a year. You spent a lot of money. Sometimes you won, sometimes you didn't. And I saw very negative aspects of the pageant system that I thought I just don't need to be a part of this. There's good aspects and bad aspects of everything and I saw both. And I thought my goal is to entertain in the public. That's what I want to do. I was happy to bring a little happiness into life and into other people's lives. But it wasn't until I was 57 years old a friend of mine opened a pageant system called American National Star, an independent offshoot. I told Taylor, I said, know, I wonder if I can do this. And he said, well, why don't you start a little late? And I said, well, long as you're breathing, that's my goal. As long as you're breathing, you have a chance and you can still move and God gives you decent health, go for it. So I entered American National Star Classic and won that and of course people said some of the judges said you know what is your goal here I said to prove that no matter how old you are if there's a goal that you want to accomplish you can go for it as long as your health holds out you feel like you're physically able to do it you do it well lo and behold I won that pageant and then went on to their state title and won that too. And then, so by me doing that, I was asked by my dear friend, Brandon Patrick, aka Chanel Sterling, to at 58 years old to enter the Miss Gay Tulsa pageant. She said, have you ever been Miss Gay Tulsa? And it was a rumor from a thousand years that I was at one time a Miss Gay Tulsa, which I never had even entered the pageant except once. So I had done that. I entered Miss Gay Tulsa of America. It was majestic and came up first runner up. And then was responsible to go to Miss Oklahoma and one first 16 �run up out of 13 other kids at 59 years old and the reigning Miss Gay America walked up to me that evening and said, you are who I want to be when I grow up. And I thought that was so precious. And I am proud to say I have the highest standing score of any individual in personal interview of any Miss Oklahoma of America pageant that's ever been. And the current Miss America that year. She said, now when you go to nationals, she said, I want you to do something for me. And I said, what's that? She said, I want you to be just exactly who you are right now. Because she said, if you are, she said, they'll fall in love with you just like I have. I thought that was so sweet. Sad to say, God and nature had other plans. Because after the four day Miss Oklahoma pageant, I came down with arthritic neuropathy. And was unable to practically walk for about the next month. And so I wasn't able to attend Miss America Pageant, but things work out for the best, guess. I don't know. Anyway. Toby - Did you ever perform at Pride? Only for about 25 years. Toby - First Pride Festival. I don't know, I couldn't honestly tell you the first one I performed at, the first one that I went to was in 1993 when we were out at Mohawk Park when it was considered a... was sort of, were all sort of, people were separated. Remember, I didn't see a lot of unity out there because there were different groups sitting all around. I was glad when it finally got more unified and moved downtown. But the first Pride I ever performed at I think was about 1996. Toby - So that's the first pride you ever went to. I don't know, 1993 was the first one. Toby - Now you eventually became... Queen of Tulsa Pride. I think so. One of my proudest moments. 17 �Toby - You're still considered the… So you talked about your love of drag was you wanted to entertain I can remember you being a regular cast member at Twisted Theater at Renegades. And you were a part of the Twisted Theater with Tabitha and I can remember you were a hit as Rose on the go. You were part of the Golden Girls cast and played Rose. You remember performing at Pride Day? Yeah, that's what is the what's the park? Toby - Well today it's called Veterans Park, but at the time it was Centennial Park. That was without a doubt. we all, all of us who participated in the Twisted Theater performances consider those our happiest days. We all still talk about it. Toby - Record crowds. And Tabitha Taylor, who is now Brielle Cassell, gave me the opportunity to perform roles that I would never in my entire life had a chance to do otherwise and it was the most unique experience. we all, she stretched all of us to the full capacity that she thought we were capable of performing. And I mean, I got to do things like Betty Davis or Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, as you say, Rose in the Golden Girls, and Sissy in the Sorted Lives, and all those, we performed. Toby - I remember some beach movie. Frankie Avalon, was Frankie Avalon and the footage of Beach Blanket Bingo was one of those we did. And then Little Shop of Horrors. Basically, for those who might not understand what we're talking about, Twisted Theater was where basically they chose a film. Did a little shopping, cut out all the unnecessary subplot, kept the main storyline, and added music to accentuate the story and to move it along. The most famous one, I believe, that was ever done was The Exorcist. what the director would do, he would take out the subplot, look at the film, use music to accentuate the different part, and sometimes there would be music that didn't even have anything to do or wasn't any part of the particular film, but it still was relevant to the story itself. And that's kind of what Twisted Theater 18 �was. was like, for instance, probably one of the most famous ones was we did the Wizard of Oz. But when Dorothy came and knocked on the wizard's door, instead of the, she and the scarecrow and the cowardly lion got to Oz, instead of meeting the wizard, when she opened the door, she was confronted by by Dr. Frankenfurter from Rocky Horror Picture Show. And that particular instance, Dr. Frankenfurter happened to be me. So that's kind of what it was anyway. And it was a wonderful opportunity to perform. I don't know if we'll ever see those days again. But there have been people who have tried to copy that format. And some of them have been very successful. Probably the single most successful use of that format is is Chanel Sterling, who is without a doubt one of the single most all around talented individuals drag or otherwise I have ever known or ever met in my entire life. And a treasured treasured friend. Toby - Let's talk a little bit about your 65. So you've talked about the 1970s all the way to the present. Tell me about the first time you heard about AIDS. I was sitting in a club. I had just come back to Tulsa, as I said, in 1983, I think, 83, 84. And I was sitting in a club and a former boyfriend of mine came in and sat down. He had just come back from New York and we got acquainted and we began to visit. And I said, how was New York, Dean? And it was Dean Martin. He said, oh, kid, he said, it's horrifying. I said, horrifying? What are you talking about? He said, there's something going on there. They call it gay cancer. I said, gay cancer? What do you mean? He said, it's a disease. He said, it's killing people just right and left. He said, you'll see someone out at a bar on a Monday and they'll be gone by Thursday. And he said, it's it's unexplainable. And I never heard of it. I didn't know what it was. didn't know. I didn't understand that it was how it was transmitted and so forth. The first person in Tulsa that ever passed away that was the first person that anyone knew about that came in contact with HIV and passed away from the disease was a young man by the name of Paul Pack, who was a bartender at a club downtown called Tim's Playroom owned by... was Tim Turner, Tim Turner. And his lover was a very well-known female 19 �impersonator here in Tulsa, she was Shawna Michaels. And all we knew was that Paul got very sick and he was the first person that anyone had ever heard of that had, was Kaposi Sarcoma. And we all knew that he had... away, well automatically that kind of put a face to the situation here in Tulsa specifically. And we didn't, any of us, know, you know, what it was, how we basically came in contact with it. And we knew how it was transmitted, of course, but we didn't know the ins or outs of the disease. everyone automatically started getting tested. And I remember the very first test that I ever took was in 1986. I was 26 years old. I was terrified, absolutely terrified. And the health department. Toby – That’s where you took that test? And once they found out what you were in there, they treated you like what you were there for… they treated you like basically you were a vermin, you know, and you're just non-human. And as time went by, after, by 1987, I was with, as I said, my other half, Larry, who was a patient of Dr. Jeff Beal. And Jeff was the first medical physician that I'd ever come in contact who knew what was going on. And he basically held meetings and tried to explain to people the severity of what was happening and how there needed to be funding for research and so forth. And was very much on the forefront of that. And we realized then the enormity of the situation we were in. And the very first time, I will tell you. I didn't think I was going to get emotional about this. The first time I ever was confronted with it completely. I was at a pride celebration on the campus of the University of California in Irvine. And they had brought the AIDS quilt to the campus and they put it in the Student Union and it was in different levels of the Student Union. So they divided it up so that you could go and see it. And I was a member of the court system in California, in Orange County at that time and I was there with one of their booths. And I left during a break and I went to the Student Union and walked through and I can tell you that I don't normally get emotional in public. I'm not that kind of an individual. But when I was confronted with those faces and with the, all the, just the whole enormity of the quilt itself, I just fell into pieces. The next thing I knew, they were picking me up off the floor and handing me a box of Kleenex. And I kept saying, I'm so sorry. I said, no. Toby - Do you remember what year that was? 20 �19, let's see, I moved to California in November of 1988. So this would have been about 1990. And it was just, you know, it just hit you directly in the face. But I... After I came back to Tulsa in 92, I lost a number of friends, personal friends that passed away with AIDS. And like we were talking about on the phone last night, one of the individuals was 33 years old. And he had come in contact with it through the first sexual partner that he had ever physically been with and had been dealing with the disease from the time he was 20 until he was 33. And he was a patient of Dr. Beal’s. And I remember him saying to me, he said, I don't understand it. said, you know, you, I haven't lived any different life than you have. You and I, we've had the same experiences. Why am I in this situation that you're not? And I truthfully didn't. I said, Michael, I don't know. I don't know. But I said, all I know is I want to help you as much as I possibly can. And I watched that poor young thing, young man, 33 years old, pass away, the most horrific death I've ever seen in my life. And you just, and I struggled with the guilt. You do, you can't help it. Because you think, how did this get me? And all I can say is that I think I have been put here for a purpose. Obviously there must be some reason or another or otherwise it would have been I would have been in the same situation and the only thing that I could do in help with him there was a doctor here in town the name of Ralph Richter who was participating in a study through a company called VaxGen and a doctor had developed what he said was a vaccination for the AIDS virus. And they were doing a blind test study through this doctor's office and I participated in it. And they basically, they gave you shots of the synthetic antibodies, basically what they were. You didn't know whether you were getting the placebo or whether you were getting the vaccination itself. There was a series of 10 shots that she took once a month, 10 months. Midway through, I began to start getting ferocious colds and illnesses and coming up with all kinds of strange bruises and so forth. I finally asked one of the medical people in his office, said, how does my body know that what you're and you couldn't tell have an AIDS test because if you did you automatically came up positive. Anyway I asked the nurse, I said how does my body know that I'm not getting the actual antibodies? I said how does my body know that it's 21 �synthetic? And she really couldn't answer so I quit participating. And about four months later right before the study was over with they explained to me they said you know we were just getting ready to close we wish that you would come back and continue this and I went ahead and did it. I went ahead and finished the test honey and lo and behold After it was all over they sent me notification that I hadn't been given the vaccination Now what was sad about that? One of the reasons that I quit was I didn't know at the time that this shot these inoculations were $900 apiece and I asked the Representatives of the company that were in the doctor's office. I said what makes you think that any young gay individual walking down the street is going to have $900 or basically $9,000 on 10 shots to be able to afford this. They can't do it. I said, how many insurance companies are going to sponsor this? Well, they had no, you know, they had no response to that really. Anyway, lo and behold, of the gentleman who invented the vaccination to try to get the American Medical Association to approve it. He was a doctor of course who dealt with aged patients. He took the blood samples, drew blood from his most terminally ill patient and transfused the blood into him, so the contaminated blood into his own body. And he never came up with the disease. And he tried to present that as a case to the AMA that for sure that this vaccination actually did work and they still refused to approve it. So it was all that trouble for nothing basically. Toby - I can remember you helping us raise money to buy this building. You would perform at some of the big events that we would have. I can remember you and Chris Cole performing at the old Brady Mansion on Denver. That was such a unique experience to come down those stairs and see all those people at the foot of it made you feel quite like a celebrity. Toby - What about, let's, you and Taylor were able to be legally married. I want to share your picture. And y'all got married in drag. He was still, he was the guest speaker that year 2014, November 2014 at the transgender day of remembrance. We had been together by this time three years. And as you all know, we had gone through our first initial commitment ceremony here, but I knew that he was scheduled to go up to Oklahoma City tonspeak at that organizational meeting. And he was 22 �involved at that time with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, which that organization. And he was very good friends of the individual who officiated our ceremony, who had gone through a minister, what's the correct term? Toby - A minister ordination. And that gentleman, the clinic, called me one day and he said, I have to tell you something. And he said, I think you should know. I said, what's that? He said, Taylor is preparing to surprise you with something. And I said, what's he going to surprise me with? He said he's bought a ring and he intends to propose marriage to you after he gets done with his speech at the organization meeting. And he said, I want to know, are you going to say yes because we've got to buy license. We've got to get everything together beforehand. We just can't throw away, have a ceremony. We need to do all this legally and I want to get it all prepared. I was quite frankly aghast. I didn't know what to say. Because the idea of being legally married had never really entered my mind. But I got to thinking personally about the situation and I thought this is this way I know that he is taken care of. I said, I know he's going to be taken care of, that there's nobody in my family that can come in and take anything away from him. That if it's all legally shared together. So I thought this is probably the best thing we can do for each other. And so he didn't know I knew anything about what was going to happen. So after he got done making his speech, he said, now I want to bring my other half up to, we were all outside with the candlelight ceremony. then I came up and he got down on his hands and knees, or she, she I should say, she got down on her hands and knees at that time and proposed. And I said, of course, yes. Well, we went into the building we were all attending this meeting. And Robin Dorner was the president of the gala, she'd already gone and bought the wedding cake and the whole nine yards had the license and everything there. The funny situation about it was we were standing on a platform about as high as this table when we to officiate the ceremony and go through the nuptials and when Clint said, 23 �do you, take this individual to be your lawfully wedded spouse to have and to hold until you part? When he had gotten aware of the situation it hit point blank in his face and he fainted. I was standing there. I watched his eyes roll, her eyes as I said she was a drag. I watched her eyes roll completely back on her head, turned snow white and started to fall. And I just grabbed her by the hand and jerked her back. He came back and I asked him, I said, what happened. He said, because I realized that this was for real, for real. This was this was going to be the lasting thing. There was no turning back, you know, the enormity of the situation. He looked me square in the face and he said, I'm glad we did it My father bless his heart. I loved him so dearly. He, when Taylor decided to become transgender or thought she was transgender. I didn't think I was going get emotional. My mother had left a pair of earrings on the table. And he had lived at this table all the time. My mother had been gone about a year. Excuse me, I can't believe this. This is crazy. She'd been gone about a year. And I didn't know what he thought about Taylor all of a sudden assuming a female identity, which he hadn't been when he came here. Because as everyone does when you're transgender you have to spend a year living in you know in your chosen attire what she was doing at the time and My dad walked over and he took the earrings off this table and he put them in Taylor's open hand And he said Mrs. Harold would be proud of you for having the courage to be who you feel that you really are. And he said, nobody can take that away from you. And that to me was just unbelievable. As time went on, Taylor decided that wasn't who he actually truthfully thought he was. Who he thought he was wasn't who he was anyway. But it was a situation that my dad did that. And I will tell you that when my father passed away, it affected Taylor almost more than it did me because he was, for the first time, had been totally accepted 100 % in that world. I had a very, very, very unique set of parents. Toby - This has been wonderful. Is there anything else you would like to say before we close out this interview? A message you might give to generations who come after you and watch this video. 24 �Be who you are. Don't let anybody, don't let anybody try to hold you down and try to make you who you aren't. You only have one chance at life and the thing you have to do with that one chance is to make the most of it as you possibly can and that's being true to yourself. That's the main goal in life is to always be true to yourself. Toby - One more time for the camera, your full legal name. Kent Wilson Harrell. Jr. 25 � 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 Physical Media: Box 7, Folder 7 - Dr. Leisa Meyer Program Box 7, Folder 8 - Interviewees Materials, Original Series 2003-2007 Digital Media: 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] Kent Harrell Interview Description An account of the resource Video recording and transcription of Toby Jenkin’s December 23, 2025, interview. The interview explores his life and experiences focusing on his journey through early life, family dynamics, understanding his sexual orientation, and his career in drag performance. Kent shares insights into the challenges faced by the LGBT community, particularly during the AIDS crisis, and reflects on his personal relationships, including his marriage to Taylor. The discussion emphasizes the importance of being true to oneself and offers advice for future generations. Subject The topic of the resource Kent Harrell Oral History Project Interview Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Kent Harrell, Toby Jenkins, Dennis Neill Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource December 23, 2025 2025 AIDS AIDS/HIV Dennis Neill HIV HIV/AIDs interview Kent Harrell OKEQ Oral History Project oral history oral history interview Oral History Project oral history transcript Toby Jenkins transcript video https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/36abeea08430c8f39650f48b7da1e24d.MOV eb1572adf4b3bf18f1f47c11e90ef2b0 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] Kevin Lovelace Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/bb45d6f0326d983ca527673a88fd5984.MOV a131e82ed673721844cbd57a12c8c69e 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 > Our Community Photoshoot and Storytelling 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] Mikala Phillips Interview https://www.history.okeq.org/files/original/931ca8ee760f61e0ca774790cf7a08b6.pdf 04313a6cf8c4c3141058993dc2a9d086 PDF Text Text FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOMPANYING INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS FOR 2023 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Board of Directors .............................................................................................................................. 3 Independent Auditor’s Report ......................................................................................................... 4-5 Financial Statements Statements of Financial Position .......................................................................................... 6 Statements of Activities ........................................................................................................ 7 Statements of Functional Expenses....................................................................................... 8 Statements of Cash Flows .....................................................................................................9 Notes to the Financial Statements ................................................................................. 10-15 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 Whitney Cipolla Paula Shannon Kaylyn Compton Liz Ortiz Eddie Carreno William Mark Bonney Yonah Jasper Julia Fletcher Grace Fallon Stephen Haney Kasey Rhone Zoe Brett Lollie Moore President Vice-President/Treasurer Secretary Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member at large 3 �124 S. Main Street, Miami, Oklahoma 74354 6 South Adair, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 918-542-4401 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT Senior Management and Board of Directors Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma OPINION We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. (a nonprofit organization), which comprise the statements of financial position as of September 30, 2024, and the related statements of activities, statements of functional expenses, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. as of September 30, 2024, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. BASIS FOR OPINION We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.'s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, 4 �To the Board of Directors Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Page 2 individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements. In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, we:  Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.  Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit. REPORT ON SUMMARIZED COMPARATIVE INFORMATION We have previously audited Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s 2023 financial statements, and we expressed an unmodified audit opinion on those audited financial statements, in our report dated December 22, 2023. In our opinion, the summarized comparative information presented herein, as of and for the year ended September 30, 2023, is consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial statements from which it has been derived. OBER & LITTLEFIELD Certified Public Accountants, PLLC Miami, Oklahoma May 7, 2025 5 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents - restricted Investments held by others Inventory Prepaid insurance Other assets Total Current Assets $ Noncurrent Assets: Furniture and Fixtures Buildings and Improvements Computers and Software Less: Accumulated Depreciation Total Noncurrent Assets Total Assets $ Liabilities Current Liabilities: Accounts payable Accrued expenses Deferred revenue Payroll liabilities Sales tax payable Total Liabilities $ Net Assets Net assets without donor restrictions Net assets with donor restrictions Total Net Assets 549,201.46 31,159.19 50,934.96 8,946.43 62,428.14 2,024.30 704,694.48 134,098.46 2,013,376.54 15,080.30 (1,045,140.26) 1,117,415.04 1,822,109.52 18,301.75 1,665.79 79,886.00 25,596.87 941.77 126,392.18 2023 $ $ $ 1,664,558.15 31,159.19 1,695,717.34 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 1,822,109.52 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 6 80,446.42 97,766.15 43,994.38 13,004.85 19,590.23 22,690.07 277,492.10 134,098.46 2,013,376.54 15,080.30 (944,137.42) 1,218,417.88 1,495,909.98 26,862.12 32,186.42 1,723.75 856.31 138.24 61,766.84 1,336,376.99 97,766.15 1,434,143.14 $ 1,495,909.98 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Without Donor With Donor Restriction Restriction Total Total Revenues, gains, and other support Support: Grants 244,549.50 36,244.00 280,793.50 309,922.57 Contributions 287,931.49 50,515.71 338,447.20 376,482.68 Membership income Sponsorship 7,881.45 - 7,881.45 18,891.05 455,731.44 - 455,731.44 184,589.10 Other Income 149,658.96 Total Support 1,145,752.84 86,759.71 - Net assets released from restrictions 153,366.67 (153,366.67) Total support 1,299,119.51 (66,606.96) 149,658.96 293,140.47 1,232,512.55 1,203,300.87 1,232,512.55 1,203,300.87 Revenues and gains/(losses): Unrealized gain/(loss) on investment 7,172.06 - 7,172.06 2,462.20 Total revenue and gains/(losses) 7,172.06 - 7,172.06 2,462.20 1,239,684.61 1,205,763.07 Total revenues, gains/(losses), and other support 1,306,291.57 (66,606.96) EXPENSES: Program Services 568,246.63 - 568,246.63 792,989.54 Support Services: Fundraising 63,545.67 - 63,545.67 48,454.12 Support Services: General and Administrative 346,318.11 - 346,318.11 345,035.04 Total expenses 978,110.41 - 978,110.41 1,186,478.70 Increase (decrease) in net assets 328,181.16 (66,606.96) 261,574.20 19,284.37 Net assets, beginning of year 1,336,376.99 97,766.15 1,434,143.14 1,414,858.77 31,159.19 $ 1,695,717.34 $ 1,434,143.14 Net assets, end of year $ 1,664,558.15 $ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 7 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 Program Advertising $ Fundraising 567.07 $ - 2023 General & Admin $ 233.00 $ 800.07 $ 4,300.20 1,609.92 Chapter and Affiliate Expense 64,621.75 - Computer and Software 3,830.15 5,321.26 Contracted Services 10,670.00 - 19,149.00 Cost of Goods Sold 13,028.83 - - - 1,198.00 1,198.00 8,964.00 4,210.00 12,503.21 32,528.37 10,848.68 - 8,416.63 104,013.62 - 16,003.10 - Employee benefits 15,815.16 Event expense 8,416.63 Fundraising Costs 12,305.65 Total Bank Fees Dues, Fees and Registrations - Total - - 16,003.10 13,915.57 19,891.05 - 64,621.75 59,601.61 8,979.93 18,131.34 13,984.93 29,819.00 49,125.50 13,028.83 34,681.62 - Insurance 6,068.23 - 22,209.99 28,278.22 40,746.16 Meals 2,764.93 - 566.56 3,331.49 4,250.59 Miscellaneous 957.50 - 6,704.20 7,661.70 3,442.38 Office/Postage Expense 2,645.76 - 12,802.68 15,448.44 2,488.59 Payroll tax expense 19,937.83 3,136.10 9,494.27 32,568.20 26,467.17 Program Expenses 20,790.68 - - 20,790.68 46,093.70 Printing/Copying Expense 3,654.60 - 2,111.96 5,766.56 6,440.97 Professional Services 17,911.90 - 51,535.54 69,447.44 107,928.40 Repairs and Maintenance 28,926.24 Salaries and Wages 231,660.80 Security 12,825.00 34,875.21 12,229.54 41,155.78 27,384.37 107,615.09 374,151.10 348,783.13 63,265.85 - 3,677.50 16,502.50 - - 96.00 96.00 495.00 3,952.76 - 17,638.23 21,590.99 34,280.84 Travel Expense 354.96 - 2,679.55 3,034.51 4,222.21 Utilities Expense 33,912.51 - 4,908.79 38,821.30 43,888.85 Total Expenses Before Depreciation 504,923.21 308,638.69 877,107.57 1,080,518.07 Depreciation 63,323.42 37,679.42 101,002.84 105,960.63 978,110.41 $ 1,186,478.70 Staff and Board Development Supplies Total Expenses $ 568,246.63 63,545.67 $ 63,545.67 $ 346,318.11 $ The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 8 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 $ 261,574.20 $ 19,284.37 101,002.84 (6,940.58) 105,960.63 (2,444.51) 20,665.77 4,058.42 (42,837.91) (22,690.07) 2,696.63 (19,590.23) (39,081.00) 24,740.56 803.53 78,162.25 402,148.08 23,950.68 (5,848.74) 951.47 1,723.75 103,993.98 Cash flows from operating activities Change in net assets Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation expense Unrealized gain on investments (Increase)/decrease in operating assets: Promises to give Inventory Prepaid expenses Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses Payroll liabilities Sales tax payable Unearned revenue Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property and equipment Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities Net increase/(decrease) in cash Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year Cash and cash equivalents, end of year - (24,021.91) (24,021.91) 402,148.08 178,212.57 $ 580,360.65 79,972.07 98,240.50 $ 178,212.57 $ 549,201.46 31,159.19 $ 580,360.65 $ 80,446.42 97,766.15 $ 178,212.57 Reconciliation to statement of financial position: Cash and cash equivalents Restricted cash The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 9 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 1 – Nature of the Organization The Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. (the “Organization”), is an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation, incorporated on November 20th, 2006. Oklahomans for Equality, Inc., formerly known as Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), have served the Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) community since the organization was founded in 1980. The Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. seeks equal rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Accounting – The financial statements are prepared using the accrual basis of accounting. Accordingly, revenue is recorded when earned, and expenses are recorded when incurred. The financial statements are presented in accordance with authoritative accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. As such, the standards require contributions to be recognized as revenue when they are received, or unconditionally pledged, and net assets to be classified as net assets with donor restrictions or net assets without donor restrictions, depending on the limitations placed on the contributions when received. Income Taxes – The Organization is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes. In addition, the Organization has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service not to be a private foundation, within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Organization’s Forms 990, Organization Exempt from Income Tax, for the years ending 2021, 2022, and 2023 are subject to examination by the IRS, generally for three years after they were filed. Estimates – The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates, and assumptions, that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include all monies in banks, and highly liquid investments, with maturity dates of less than twelve months. The carrying value of cash, and cash equivalents, approximates fair value because of the short maturities of those financial instruments. Concentrations of Credit and Market Risk – Financial instruments that potentially expose the Organization to concentrations of credit, and market risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and investments. Cash equivalents are maintained at high-quality financial institutions, and credit risk exposure is limited at any one institution. The Organization has not experienced any losses on its cash equivalents. Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost. The Organization capitalizes assets with a cost greater than $2,500. Betterments and renewals are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations when incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method, over the following estimated useful lives: Building and improvements Equipment Vehicles 40 years 3-10 years 3 years 10 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: (continued) Classification of Net Assets - Net assets of the Organization shall be classified based upon the existence, or absence, of donor-imposed restrictions, as follows: Net Assets without Donor Restrictions - Net assets that are not subject to donor-imposed stipulations. Net Assets with Donor Restrictions - Net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that may, or will be, satisfied through the actions of the Organization, and/or the passage of time. Net assets accumulated by the Organization that are not subject to donor-imposed restrictions, but which the Board of Directors of the Organization has earmarked for specific uses, shall be segregated in the accounting records as "board-designated" funds, within the category of net assets without donor restrictions. Note 3 – Concentrations of Credit Risk Custodial credit risk is the risk that, in the event of a bank failure, the Organization’s deposits may not be returned to it. The Organization’s cash deposits, including interest-bearing certificates of deposit, are maintained in financial institutions. The Organization has a deposit policy for custodial credit risk to move funds to another institution if the balance exceeds FDIC coverage. Demand deposits Total $ $ A 500,000.00 500,000.00 Category B $ $ - C $ 80,360.65 $ 80,360.65 Carrying Amount $ 580,360.65 $ 580,360.65 Bank Balance $ 576,802.34 $ 576,802.34 Category A – Cash and cash equivalents that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or collateralized with securities held by the Organization, or its agent, in the Organization’s name. Category B – Collateralized with securities held by the pledging financial institution’s trust department, or agent, in the Organization’s name. Category C – Uninsured or unregistered investments for which securities are held by the pledging financial institution’s trust department, or agent, but not in the Organization’s name. Note 4 – Promises to Give Promises to give are majorly comprised of contributions awarded by third parties but not received prior to yearend. There were $0 promises to give as of September 30, 2024. 11 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 5 – Restricted Cash As of September 30, 2024, the Organization had restricted cash in the amount of $31,159.19. Restricted as follows: Restricted Purpose Chapter and Affiliates Food Insecurity Grant History Project Lynn Riggs/Kitchen Van Insurance Rainbow Room Various >$2K Total $ $ Amount 5,957.93 10,594.00 8,360.01 1,789.37 1,167.75 2,500.00 790.13 31,159.19 Note 6 – Investments Held by Others Investments held by others, as of September 30, 2024, consist of two investment funds held by Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF): The OkEq Operating Endowment Fund and the OkEq Capital Campaign Fund. These funds are invested in pooled funds, cash, and equivalents. The investments are carried on the Organization’s books at fair market value. These funds are component funds of Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF). As defined by the United States Treasury Regulations, TCF has the right to modify the terms of the fund agreement. This is sometimes referred to as “variance power”. As a result of the variance power all component funds are considered to be part of a single public charity, TCF. TCF is the legal owner of all assets contributed to any of its component funds. Financial Accounting Standards Board requires that if TCF accepts contributions from the Organization and agrees to transfer those assets and the return on investment of those assets back to the Organization, then these contributions are to be reported on the financial statements of the Organization. The OkEq Operating Endowment Fund -This fund was established as Oklahomans for Equality Fund, a TCF Agency Fund, in April 2001. It transitioned to the OkEq Operating Endowment Fund on 12/30/2010. Current fund advisors are Board President, Vice President, and Treasurer. With 2/3 of the Advisors, TCF can accept annual distribution requests and make changes to the fund including the investment strategy. The portion allocated to the Organization, and reported as investments held by others, is $16,369.53. The portion of funds contributed to TCF by unrelated third-party donors and not reported as investments held by others on the Organizations books is $15,238.78. The OkEq Capital Campaign Fund - This fund was originally established by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human, Rights, Inc. as the Pyramid Project Capital Campaign Reserve Fund, a TCF agency reserve fund, in April 2002. It was renamed to the OkEq Capital Campaign Fund in TCF records. It is an agency reserve fund, and the funds are available to purchase , furnish, maintain, or make improvements to a building to house the Tulsa gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Community Center owned by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights. Current fund advisors are Board President, Vice President, and Treasurer. With 2/3 of the Advisors, TCF can accept annual distribution requests and make changes to the fund including the investment strategy. The portion allocated to the Organization and reported as investments held by others $34,565.43. The portion of funds contributed to TCF by unrelated third-party donors and not reported as investments held by others on the Organization’s books is $122,904.98. 13 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 6 – Investments Held by Others (continued) As of September 30, 2024, the balances are insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), up to $500,000. Cash coverage is limited at $250,000. At times, the Organization’s deposits may exceed insured amounts. Management believes the funds are not exposed to any significant risk due to the diversity of high-grade financial instruments held by the fund, and management’s routine assessment of the portfolio. Investment Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates will adversely affect the fair value of an investment. Generally, the longer the maturity of an investment, the greater the sensitivity of its fair value to changes in market interest rates. Note 7 – Fair Value Measurements The Organization reports fair value measurements of its assets and liabilities using a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy, established by GAAP, requires that entities maximize the use of observable inputs, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, when measuring fair value. The assets or liability’s measurement within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement. The three levels of input used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1. Quoted prices are for identical assets or liabilities in active markets to which the Organization has access at the measurement date. Level 2. Inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include:     Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active; Observable inputs other than quoted prices for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates and yield curves); and Inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation, or by other means. Level 3. Unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs should be used to measure the fair value if observable inputs are not available. When available, the Organization measures fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value. However, Level 1 inputs are not available for many of the assets and liabilities that the Organization is required to measure at fair value (for example, unconditional promise to give and in-kind contributions). The primary uses of fair value measurements in the Organization’s financial statements are the initial measurement of noncash gifts, gifts of investment assets, if any, including unconditional promises to give, and recurring measurement of short-term and long-term investments. 13 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 8 – Property and Equipment The following is an analysis of property and equipment, at cost, and related depreciation at September 30, 2024: Beginning of Year Furniture and Fixtures Building and Improvements Computers and Software Total Capital Assets Less: Accumulated Depreciation Net Book Value $ 134,098.46 2,013,376.54 15,080.30 2,162,555.30 (944,137.42) 1,218,417.88 Additions $ (101,002.84) (101,002.84) Deletions $ - End of Year 134,098.46 2,013,376.54 15,080.30 2,162,555.30 (1,045,140.26) $ 1,117,415.04 Note 9 – Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue represents payments received for events occurring subsequent to year end. Note 10 – Note Payable The Organization had no notes payable as of September 30, 2024. Note 11 – Donated Services The Organization receives a significant amount of donated services from unpaid volunteers, who assist in fundraising and special projects. No amounts have been recognized in the statement of activities because the criteria for the recognition, under authoritative accounting standards, have not been satisfied. Note 12 – Functional Allocation of Expenses The costs of providing the various programs, and supporting services, have been summarized on a functional basis, in the statement of functional expenses. Costs that are not directly associated with providing specific services have been allocated based on the relative time spent by the employees providing these services. Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies As of the date of this report, the Organization had no commitments or contingencies other than those reported on the statement of financial position. 14 �OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 14 – Liquidity and Availability Financial assets available for general expenditure, that is, without donor or other restrictions limiting their use, within one year of September 30, 2024, are: Cash and cash equivalents Investments Other assets Total financial assets, at year end Less those unavailable for general expenditures within on year, due to: Contractual or donor-imposed restrictions Restricted by donor with time or purpose restrictions Financial assets available to meet cash needs for general expenditures within one year $ 580,360.65 50,934.96 2,024.30 633,319.91 31,159.19 $ 602,160.72 Note 15 – Net Assets with Donor Restrictions The Organization has $31,159.19 net assets with donor restrictions at September 30, 2024. Restricted Purpose Chapter and Affiliates Food Insecurity Grant History Project Lynn Riggs/Kitchen Van Insurance Rainbow Room Various >$2K Total $ $ Amount 5,957.93 10,594.00 8,360.01 1,789.37 1,167.75 2,500.00 790.13 31,159.19 Note 16 – Evaluation of Subsequent Events The Organization has evaluated subsequent events through May 7, 2025, the date which the financial statements were available to be issued, and no additional disclosures are required. 15 � 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 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ACCOMPANYING INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS FOR 2023 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Board of Directors .............................................................................................................................. 3 Independent Auditor’s Report ......................................................................................................... 4-5 Financial Statements Statements of Financial Position .......................................................................................... 6 Statements of Activities ........................................................................................................ 7 Statements of Functional Expenses ....................................................................................... 8 Statements of Cash Flows ..................................................................................................... 9 Notes to the Financial Statements ................................................................................. 10-15 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 Whitney Cipolla President Paula Shannon Vice-President/Treasurer Kaylyn Compton Secretary Liz Ortiz Member Eddie Carreno Member William Mark Bonney Member Yonah Jasper Member Julia Fletcher Member Grace Fallon Member Stephen Haney Member Kasey Rhone Member Zoe Brett Member Lollie Moore Member at large 3 OBER & LITTLEFIELD Certified Public Accountants, PLLC 124 S. Main Street, Miami, Oklahoma 74354 6 South Adair, Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 918-542-4401 INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT Senior Management and Board of Directors Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma OPINION We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. (a nonprofit organization), which comprise the statements of financial position as of September 30, 2024, and the related statements of activities, statements of functional expenses, and cash flows for the year then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. as of September 30, 2024, and the changes in its net assets and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. BASIS FOR OPINION We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of the Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. and to meet our other ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinions. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MANAGEMENT FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.'s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. AUDITOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE AUDIT OF THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance and therefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered material if there is a substantial likelihood that, individually or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgment made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements. 4 To the Board of Directors Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Page 2 In performing an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, we:  Exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit.  Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks. Such procedures include examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed.  Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of the financial statements.  Conclude whether, in our judgment, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control related matters that we identified during the audit. REPORT ON SUMMARIZED COMPARATIVE INFORMATION We have previously audited Oklahomans for Equality, Inc.’s 2023 financial statements, and we expressed an unmodified audit opinion on those audited financial statements, in our report dated December 22, 2023. In our opinion, the summarized comparative information presented herein, as of and for the year ended September 30, 2023, is consistent, in all material respects, with the audited financial statements from which it has been derived. [Signature: Ober & Littlefied, PLLC] OBER & LITTLEFIELD Certified Public Accountants, PLLC Miami, Oklahoma May 7, 2025 5 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $549,201.46 $80,446.42 Cash and cash equivalents - restricted 31,159.19 97,766.15 Investments held by others 50,934.96 43,994.38 Inventory 13,004.85 8,946.43 Prepaid insurance 62,428.14 19,590.23 Other assets 22,690.07 2,024.30 Total Current Assets 704,694.48 277,492.10 Noncurrent Assets: Furniture and Fixtures 134,098.46 134,098.46 Buildings and Improvements 2,013,376.54 2,013,376.54 Computers and Software 15,080.30 15,080.30 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (1,045,140.26) (944,137.42) Total Noncurrent Assets 1,117,415.04 1,218,417.88 Total Assets $1,822,109.52 $1,495,909.98 Liabilities Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $18,301.75 $26,862.12 Accrued expenses 1,665.79 32,186.42 Deferred revenue 79,886.00 1,723.75 Payroll liabilities 25,596.87 856.31 Sales tax payable 941.77 138.24 Total Liabilities 126,392.18 61,766.84 Net Assets Net assets without donor restrictions 1,664,558.15 1,336,376.99 Net assets with donor restrictions 31,159.19 97,766.15 Total Net Assets 1,695,717.34 1,434,143.14 Total Liabilities and Net Assets $1,822,109.52 $1,495,909.98 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 6 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Without Donor Restriction With Donor Restriction Total Total Revenues, gains, and other support Support: Grants 244,549.50 36,244.00 280,793.50 309,922.57 Contributions 287,931.49 50,515.71 338,447.20 376,482.68 Membership income 7,881.45 - 7,881.45 18,891.05 Sponsorship 455,731.44 - 455,731.44 184,589.10 Other Income 149,658.96 - 149,658.96 293,140.47 Total Support 1,145,752.84 86,759.71 1,232,512.55 1,203,300.87 Net assets released from restrictions 153,366.67 (153,366.67) - - Total support 1,299,119.51 (66,606.96) 1,232,512.55 1,203,300.87 Revenues and gains/(losses): Unrealized gain/(loss) on investment 7,172.06 - 7,172.06 2,462.20 Total revenue and gains/(losses) 7,172.06 - 7,172.06 2,462.20 Total revenues, gains/(losses), and other support 1,306,291.57 (66,606.96) 1,239,684.61 1,205,763.07 EXPENSES: Program Services 568,246.63 - 568,246.63 792,989.54 Support Services: Fundraising 63,545.67 - 63,545.67 48,454.12 Support Services: General and Administrative 346,318.11 - 346,318.11 345,035.04 Total expenses 978,110.41 - 978,110.41 1,186,478.70 Increase (decrease) in net assets 328,181.16 (66,606.96) 261,574.20 19,284.37 Net assets, beginning of year 1,336,376.99 97,766.15 1,434,143.14 1,414,858.77 Net assets, end of year $1,664,558.15 $31,159.19 $1,695,717.34 $1,434,143.14 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 7 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF FUNCTIONAL EXPENSES FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Program Fundraising General & Admin Total Total Advertising $567.07 - $233.00 $800.07 $4,300.20 Bank Fees 1,609.92 - 12,305.65 13,915.57 19,891.05 Chapter and Affiliate Expense 64,621.75 - - 64,621.75 59,601.61 Computer and Software 3,830.15 5,321.26 8,979.93 18,131.34 13,984.93 Contracted Services 10,670.00 - 19,149.00 29,819.00 49,125.50 Cost of Goods Sold 13,028.83 - - 13,028.83 34,681.62 Dues, Fees and Registrations - - 1,198.00 1,198.00 8,964.00 Employee benefits 15,815.16 4,210.00 12,503.21 32,528.37 10,848.68 Event expense 8,416.63 - - 8,416.63 104,013.62 Fundraising Costs - 16,003.10 - 16,003.10 - Insurance 6,068.23 - 22,209.99 28,278.22 40,746.16 Meals 2,764.93 - 566.56 3,331.49 4,250.59 Miscellaneous 957.50 - 6,704.20 7,661.70 3,442.38 Office/Postage Expense 2,645.76 - 12,802.68 15,448.44 2,488.59 Payroll tax expense 19,937.83 3,136.10 9,494.27 32,568.20 26,467.17 Program Expenses 20,790.68 - - 20,790.68 46,093.70 Printing/Copying Expense 3,654.60 - 2,111.96 5,766.56 6,440.97 Professional Services 17,911.90 - 51,535.54 69,447.44 107,928.40 Repairs and Maintenance 28,926.24 - 12,229.54 41,155.78 27,384.37 Salaries and Wages 231,660.80 34,875.21 107,615.09 374,151.10 348,783.13 Security 12,825.00 - 3,677.50 16,502.50 63,265.85 Staff and Board Development - - 96.00 96.00 495.00 Supplies 3,952.76 - 17,638.23 21,590.99 34,280.84 Travel Expense 354.96 - 2,679.55 3,034.51 4,222.21 Utilities Expense 33,912.51 - 4,908.79 38,821.30 43,888.85 Total Expenses Before Depreciation 504,923.21 63,545.67 308,638.69 877,107.57 1,080,518.07 Depreciation 63,323.42 - 37,679.42 101,002.84 105,960.63 Total Expenses $568,246.63 $63,545.67 $346,318.11 $978,110.41 $1,186,478.70 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 8 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 2024 2023 Cash flows from operating activities Change in net assets $261,574.20 $19,284.37 Adjustments to reconcile change in net assets to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation expense 101,002.84 105,960.63 Unrealized gain on investments (6,940.58) (2,444.51) (Increase)/decrease in operating assets: Promises to give 20,665.77 (22,690.07) Inventory 4,058.42 2,696.63 Prepaid expenses (42,837.91) (19,590.23) Increase/(decrease) in operating liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses (39,081.00) 23,950.68 Payroll liabilities 24,740.56 (5,848.74) Sales tax payable 803.53 951.47 Unearned revenue 78,162.25 1,723.75 Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities 402,148.08 103,993.98 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of property and equipment - (24,021.91) Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities - (24,021.91) Net increase/(decrease) in cash 402,148.08 79,972.07 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 178,212.57 98,240.50 Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $580,360.65 $178,212.57 Reconciliation to statement of financial position: Cash and cash equivalents $549,201.46 $80,446.42 Restricted cash 31,159.19 97,766.15 $178,212.57 $580,360.65 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 9 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 1 – Nature of the Organization The Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. (the “Organization”), is an Oklahoma nonprofit corporation, incorporated on November 20th, 2006. Oklahomans for Equality, Inc., formerly known as Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights (TOHR), have served the Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, and Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) community since the organization was founded in 1980. The Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. seeks equal rights for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center. Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Accounting – The financial statements are prepared using the accrual basis of accounting. Accordingly, revenue is recorded when earned, and expenses are recorded when incurred. The financial statements are presented in accordance with authoritative accounting standards for not-for-profit organizations. As such, the standards require contributions to be recognized as revenue when they are received, or unconditionally pledged, and net assets to be classified as net assets with donor restrictions or net assets without donor restrictions, depending on the limitations placed on the contributions when received. Income Taxes – The Organization is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. As such, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes. In addition, the Organization has been determined by the Internal Revenue Service not to be a private foundation, within the meaning of Section 509(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Organization’s Forms 990, Organization Exempt from Income Tax, for the years ending 2021, 2022, and 2023 are subject to examination by the IRS, generally for three years after they were filed. Estimates – The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates, and assumptions, that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents include all monies in banks, and highly liquid investments, with maturity dates of less than twelve months. The carrying value of cash, and cash equivalents, approximates fair value because of the short maturities of those financial instruments. Concentrations of Credit and Market Risk – Financial instruments that potentially expose the Organization to concentrations of credit, and market risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and investments. Cash equivalents are maintained at high-quality financial institutions, and credit risk exposure is limited at any one institution. The Organization has not experienced any losses on its cash equivalents. Property and Equipment – Property and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost. The Organization capitalizes assets with a cost greater than $2,500. Betterments and renewals are capitalized. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations when incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method, over the following estimated useful lives: Building and improvements 40 years Equipment 3-10 years Vehicles 3 years 10 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: (continued) Classification of Net Assets - Net assets of the Organization shall be classified based upon the existence, or absence, of donor-imposed restrictions, as follows: Net Assets without Donor Restrictions - Net assets that are not subject to donor-imposed stipulations. Net Assets with Donor Restrictions - Net assets subject to donor-imposed stipulations that may, or will be, satisfied through the actions of the Organization, and/or the passage of time. Net assets accumulated by the Organization that are not subject to donor-imposed restrictions, but which the Board of Directors of the Organization has earmarked for specific uses, shall be segregated in the accounting records as "board-designated" funds, within the category of net assets without donor restrictions. Note 3 – Concentrations of Credit Risk Custodial credit risk is the risk that, in the event of a bank failure, the Organization’s deposits may not be returned to it. The Organization’s cash deposits, including interest-bearing certificates of deposit, are maintained in financial institutions. The Organization has a deposit policy for custodial credit risk to move funds to another institution if the balance exceeds FDIC coverage. Category Carrying Bank A B C Amount Balance Demand deposits $500,000.00 $ - $80,360.65 $580,360.65 $576,802.34 Total $500,000.00 - $80,360.65 $580,360.65 $576,802.34 Category A – Cash and cash equivalents that are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or collateralized with securities held by the Organization, or its agent, in the Organization’s name. Category B – Collateralized with securities held by the pledging financial institution’s trust department, or agent, in the Organization’s name. Category C – Uninsured or unregistered investments for which securities are held by the pledging financial institution’s trust department, or agent, but not in the Organization’s name. Note 4 – Promises to Give Promises to give are majorly comprised of contributions awarded by third parties but not received prior to year-end. There were $0 promises to give as of September 30, 2024. 11 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 5 – Restricted Cash As of September 30, 2024, the Organization had restricted cash in the amount of $31,159.19. Restricted as follows: Restricted Purpose Amount Chapter and Affiliates $5,957.93 Food Insecurity Grant 10,594.00 History Project 8,360.01 Lynn Riggs/Kitchen 1,789.37 Van Insurance 1,167.75 Rainbow Room 2,500.00 Various >$2K 790.13 Total $31,159.19 Note 6 – Investments Held by Others Investments held by others, as of September 30, 2024, consist of two investment funds held by Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF): The OkEq Operating Endowment Fund and the OkEq Capital Campaign Fund. These funds are invested in pooled funds, cash, and equivalents. The investments are carried on the Organization’s books at fair market value. These funds are component funds of Tulsa Community Foundation (TCF). As defined by the United States Treasury Regulations, TCF has the right to modify the terms of the fund agreement. This is sometimes referred to as “variance power”. As a result of the variance power all component funds are considered to be part of a single public charity, TCF. TCF is the legal owner of all assets contributed to any of its component funds. Financial Accounting Standards Board requires that if TCF accepts contributions from the Organization and agrees to transfer those assets and the return on investment of those assets back to the Organization, then these contributions are to be reported on the financial statements of the Organization. The OkEq Operating Endowment Fund -This fund was established as Oklahomans for Equality Fund, a TCF Agency Fund, in April 2001. It transitioned to the OkEq Operating Endowment Fund on 12/30/2010. Current fund advisors are Board President, Vice President, and Treasurer. With 2/3 of the Advisors, TCF can accept annual distribution requests and make changes to the fund including the investment strategy. The portion allocated to the Organization, and reported as investments held by others, is $16,369.53. The portion of funds contributed to TCF by unrelated third-party donors and not reported as investments held by others on the Organizations books is $15,238.78. The OkEq Capital Campaign Fund - This fund was originally established by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human, Rights, Inc. as the Pyramid Project Capital Campaign Reserve Fund, a TCF agency reserve fund, in April 2002. It was renamed to the OkEq Capital Campaign Fund in TCF records. It is an agency reserve fund, and the funds are available to purchase , furnish, maintain, or make improvements to a building to house the Tulsa gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Community Center owned by Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights. Current fund advisors are Board President, Vice President, and Treasurer. With 2/3 of the Advisors, TCF can accept annual distribution requests and make changes to the fund including the investment strategy. The portion allocated to the Organization and reported as investments held by others $34,565.43. The portion of funds contributed to TCF by unrelated third-party donors and not reported as investments held by others on the Organization’s books is $122,904.98. 13 [sic.] OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 6 – Investments Held by Others (continued) As of September 30, 2024, the balances are insured by the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), up to $500,000. Cash coverage is limited at $250,000. At times, the Organization’s deposits may exceed insured amounts. Management believes the funds are not exposed to any significant risk due to the diversity of high-grade financial instruments held by the fund, and management’s routine assessment of the portfolio. Investment Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in market interest rates will adversely affect the fair value of an investment. Generally, the longer the maturity of an investment, the greater the sensitivity of its fair value to changes in market interest rates. Note 7 – Fair Value Measurements The Organization reports fair value measurements of its assets and liabilities using a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy, established by GAAP, requires that entities maximize the use of observable inputs, and minimize the use of unobservable inputs, when measuring fair value. The assets or liability’s measurement within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the measurement. The three levels of input used to measure fair value are as follows: Level 1. Quoted prices are for identical assets or liabilities in active markets to which the Organization has access at the measurement date. Level 2. Inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1 that are observable for the assets or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs include:  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active;  Observable inputs other than quoted prices for the asset or liability (for example, interest rates and yield curves); and  Inputs derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation, or by other means. Level 3. Unobservable inputs for the assets or liabilities. Unobservable inputs should be used to measure the fair value if observable inputs are not available. When available, the Organization measures fair value using Level 1 inputs because they generally provide the most reliable evidence of fair value. However, Level 1 inputs are not available for many of the assets and liabilities that the Organization is required to measure at fair value (for example, unconditional promise to give and in-kind contributions). The primary uses of fair value measurements in the Organization’s financial statements are the initial measurement of noncash gifts, gifts of investment assets, if any, including unconditional promises to give, and recurring measurement of short-term and long-term investments. 13 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 8 – Property and Equipment The following is an analysis of property and equipment, at cost, and related depreciation at September 30, 2024: Beginning of Year Additions Deletions End of Year Furniture and Fixtures 134,098.46 - - 134,098.46 Building and Improvements 2,013,376.54 - - 2,013,376.54 Computers and Software 15,080.30 - - 15,080.30 Total Capital Assets 2,162,555.30 - - 2,162,555.30 Less: Accumulated Depreciation (944,137.42) (101,002.84) - (1,045,140.26) Net Book Value $1,218,417.88 $(101,002.84) $ - $1,117,415.04 Note 9 – Deferred Revenue Deferred revenue represents payments received for events occurring subsequent to year end. Note 10 – Note Payable The Organization had no notes payable as of September 30, 2024. Note 11 – Donated Services The Organization receives a significant amount of donated services from unpaid volunteers, who assist in fundraising and special projects. No amounts have been recognized in the statement of activities because the criteria for the recognition, under authoritative accounting standards, have not been satisfied. Note 12 – Functional Allocation of Expenses The costs of providing the various programs, and supporting services, have been summarized on a functional basis, in the statement of functional expenses. Costs that are not directly associated with providing specific services have been allocated based on the relative time spent by the employees providing these services. Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies As of the date of this report, the Organization had no commitments or contingencies other than those reported on the statement of financial position. 14 OKLAHOMANS FOR EQUALITY, INC. NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 WITH COMPARATIVE TOTALS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 Note 14 – Liquidity and Availability Financial assets available for general expenditure, that is, without donor or other restrictions limiting their use, within one year of September 30, 2024, are: Cash and cash equivalents $580,360.65 Investments 50,934.96 Other assets 2,024.30 Total financial assets, at year end 633,319.91 Less those unavailable for general expenditures within on year, due to: Contractual or donor-imposed restrictions Restricted by donor with time or purpose restrictions 31,159.19 Financial assets available to meet cash needs for general expenditures within one year $602,160.72 Note 15 – Net Assets with Donor Restrictions The Organization has $31,159.19 net assets with donor restrictions at September 30, 2024. Restricted Purpose Amount Chapter and Affiliates $5,957.93 Food Insecurity Grant 10,594.00 History Project 8,360.01 Lynn Riggs/Kitchen 1,789.37 Van Insurance 1,167.75 Rainbow Room 2,500.00 Various >$2K 790.13 Total $31,159.19 Note 16 – Evaluation of Subsequent Events The Organization has evaluated subsequent events through May 7, 2025, the date which the financial statements were available to be issued, and no additional disclosures are required. 15 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] OKEQ Financial Statements and Auditor's Report from September 2024 Subject The topic of the resource Oklahomans for Equality, Inc. Financial Statements and Accompanying Independent Auditor's Report for the Year Ended September 30, 2024 with Comparative Totals for 2023 Description An account of the resource 15 pages of Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ)'s financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2024, with an independent auditor's report done by Ober & Littlefield and comparative totals for the year of 2023. Issued on May 7, 2025. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://okeq.org/bylaws/ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource May 7, 2025 2024 2025 auditor's report Board President Board President Whitney Cipolla Board Secretary Board Secretary Kaylyn Compton Board Vice President Board Vice President Paula Shannon Eddie Carreno Financial financial statements Grace Fallon independent auditor's report Julia Fletcher Kasey Rhone Kaylyn Compton Liz Ortiz Lollie Moore Mark Bonney Ober & Littlefield Ober and Littlefield OkEq OKEQ Board OKEQ Board of Directors OKEQ financials OKEQ President of the Board OKEQ Secretary of the Board OKEQ Treasurer of the Board Oklahomans for Equality Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) Oklahomans for Equality Board Paula Shannon statement of activity Stephen Haney Whitney Cipolla William Mark Bonney Yonah Jasper Zoe Brett