QUOTE
OF THE DAY
'In arguing against the gay marriage ban,
Sen. Dianne Wilkerson drew upon her experience as a
black woman growing up in Arkansas, where the
hospital did not allow her mother to deliver her
children. "I know the pain of being less than
equal, and I cannot and will not impose that status
on anyone else," a teary-eyed Wilkerson said.
"I could not in good conscience ever vote to
send anyone to that place from which my family fled."' from The
Advocate's report on Wednesday's debate over Gay
marriage in Massachusett's constitutional convention
OKC
MAYOR ELECTION FEB 24
The Oklahoma Gay and Lesbian Political
Caucus sent a survey to the candidates running for
Mayor of Oklahoma City. Jim Tolbert chose NOT TO
RESPOND to the survey. The only candidate who
responded out of the four candidates was Marcus Hayes.
Tolbert also canceled a scheduled appearance at
Wednesday's Stonewall Democrats meeting.
JUDICIARY
COMMITTEE APPROVES ANTI-GLBT RESOLUTION
The following is a press release from
OFEC:
Oklahoma Freedom and Equality Coalition
response to Judiciary Committee vote on HR 1028
(On Monday, February 9,) the Judiciary
Committee of the Oklahoma State House voted to pass
out of committee House Resolution 1028 authored by
Rebecca Hamilton, D-Oklahoma City. This resolution
urges Congress to consider the Federal Marriage
Amendment and states that Oklahoma believes that
marriage is between one man and one woman.
Many bills and resolutions were introduced this year
in the Oklahoma Legislature that condemn Gay,
Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered persons. This
legislation would deny any and all basic human rights
to these persons. While this resolution does not
contain the hateful language of House Resolution 1027
authored by Thad Balkman, R-Norman, and Lance
Cargill, R-Harrah, it is equally objectionable
because it supports discrimination. The purpose of
these bills and resolutions is to tell gay, lesbian,
bisexual, and transgendered persons that they are not
welcome in Oklahoma.
Such a view hurts Oklahoma's economic development.
Oklahoma competes against Indiana for new businesses.
The Indiana Legislature has already decided not to
hear "anti-gay" legislation. Legislators,
who support tort reform and worker's compensation
reform to promote business in Oklahoma, defy logic by
supporting the Cargill/Balkman resolution.
The Oklahoma Freedom and Equality Coalition (OFEC)
represents individuals and organizations, which
believe that everyone has the right to social and
economic security. Two persons who love one another
and are committed to their relationship should be
permitted to receive the same rights and
responsibilities without discrimination.
Many well-intentioned Oklahomans do not understand
that two persons who have lived together for 40 years
in a domestic relationship may be denied access to
each other if one of them is in the hospital.
Currently in Oklahoma a "parent" can walk
away from a child after ten years without any
liability for child support, leaving that child with
the birth mother or adoptive parent. Currently in the
United States, a same gender surviving partner will
not receive survivor's benefits under Social
Security, government employee retirement programs and
almost all pension plans. This has devastating
financial impact on the partner who gave up
employment to care for the couple's home.
OFEC will continue to educate Oklahomans about the
lack of fairness experienced everyday by many of
their fellow taxpayers. OFEC will use all of its
resources to oppose this resolution, as well as other
bills and resolutions introduced which would deny the
possibility of fairness.
RALLY
UPDATE
It now appears almost certain that there
will be a counter-protest to the Balkman-Cargill
rally (see below). When all the details have been
worked out, I will post them on GayOKC.com.
THE
FIGHT IS ON!
I received the following from Floyd Martin:
Forwarding
this email at request of State Representative
Thad Balkman:
Rep. Lance Cargill and I are organizing a Rally
for Traditional Marriage on the steps of the
Capitol Tuesday, February 17th at noon. We need a
BIG turnout so that all legislators and our
governor know that Oklahomans support amending
the Constitution to protect traditional marriage.
Invited guests are Cam Edwards, Michael
Delgiorno, Tom Coburn, JC Watts, and religious
leaders across Oklahoma. We also need people to
donate their time to man a table where people can
sign petitions and "check in." I would
also like to print up banners with pro-family and
marriage slogans. Please spread the word.
Thanks, Thad
OFEC
TRACKS ANTI-GLBT BILLS
A list of the anti-GLBT bills that have been
introduced in this session of the Oklahoma
legislature is now online at the website of the
Oklahoma Freedom and Equality Coalition.
www.ofec.org/ActionAlerts.htm
GROWING
& LEARNING WITH SISSY
NEWEST WEBISODE
Growing and Learning with Sissy's Latest
Webisode - Just in time for Valentine's Day, Sissy,
played by David Mays, takes a dare and meets his
first love but how long will it last? Find out in the
webisode titled, Truth or Dare Pt.1: Dare. Aaron
Bennett, a Theatre student from Stillwater's Oklahoma
State University, plays Sissy's First Love.
http://www.tarsplace.com/Webisode_Six.htm
TOLBERT
FUNDRAISER
Jim Tolbert For Mayor of Oklahoma City
Fundraiser
Friday, February 13th, 5:30p.m. - 7:00p.m.
TAP Architecture, 415 Broadway
Underwriters: Bob & Mary Lou Lemon Family and
Richard Ogden
Hosts: Hon. Debbie & Bob Blackburn, Anthony
McDermid, Terry Gatewood, Scott Wilson
Sponsors: Margaret Cox, Bill Hawk and David Nickel,
Chris Hake, Rob Howard, and the Hon. Jim Roth, Jeff
Erwing & Sam Blackstock, Joe Freeman &
Michael Tone, Gaylon & Jane Stacey, and J.B.
Scheulein
Please R.S.V.P. to 842-1824 or tgatewood@cox.net
If you are
unable to attend but would like to contribute, please
contact the campaign at the above phone number and/or
addresses.
ANDREA
RATKOVIC'S MALLORCA JOURNAL
Norman-based out lesbian athlete Andrea
Ratkovic is currently at a training camp in Spain
preparing to try out for the Olympic cycling team and
has offered to write about her experience for GayOKC.com.
www.gayokc.com/ratkovicjournal.htm
MAY
MUSIC FEST
RAIN Oklahoma and CarePoint present, once
again, the May Music Fest, Saturday, May 8 at the
Farmer's Market. Performers will include Pinkie &
the Snakeshakers, Wendy Woo and Shelly Phelps. More
info is at www.rainoklahoma.org and www.care-point.org.
NUUF
MARRIAGE AD
Speaking of marriage rights, Susan Cogan at
the Norman
Unitarian Church has put together an ad which they
would like to place in the Norman Transcript.
The half-page ad will cost $825. According to Susan:
"This is beyond the means of our tiny church and
we are asking for donations to help pay for it."
If you would like to donate to the cost of running
the ad, Mail Checks to:
NUUF
1309 W. Boyd
Norman, OK 73069
Please make out checks to "NUUF" with
"marriage ad" on the memo line. Include a
note indicating whether or not you want your name to
appear on the ad. These donations are tax deductible.
Here is a pdf of the ad: http://www.nuuf.org/ad_for_transcript.pdf
You can reach Susan at susan-brassfield@ou.edu.
THANKS
FOR VISITING!
Looking for something? Find
it at The Database - GayOKC.com's online directory of
All Things GLBT in OKC! Directory>
Central Oklahoma HIV/AIDS
Resource Guide AIDS
& Health Info>
Search GayOKC.com! Search>
What's your opinion?
Join the discussion on GayOKC.com's Message Board! Message
Board>
Looking for Personal Websites
of GLBT Oklahomans? Personal
Websites>
Jobs>
Visiting
OKC? New here? Looking for links to OKC
info? Need a map? Visitor's
center>
Got
News? GayOKC.com depends on your emails for
news tips! Send them to rabiera@gayokc.com!
Targeting the OKC-area GLBT
market? GayOKC.com is the BEST place for
your online ad! Advertising>
How do you meet GLBT
people online? Coming soon!
Visit GayOKC.com's guide to planning a
commitment ceremony! Coming
soon!
Find the latest & hottest books
on GLBT issues at the GayOKC.com bookstore! Coming
soon!
How am I doing? GayOKC.com welcomes
your comments & suggestions!
Send them to rabiera@gayokc.com!
i 
