Herland Sister Resources

By Laura A. Belmonte, Ph.D. President, Oklahomans for Equality

It will not likely surprise most of you to learn that Oklahoma ranks as one of the worst states in the nation in regard to equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. At a time when 300 cities in the United States (and 86% of Fortune 500 companies) have non-discrimination policies that encompass sexual orientation, no city in Oklahoma does. In Oklahoma (and 32 other states), it remains entirely legal to fire someone, deny them a lease, or ask them vacate a public establishment simply because he or she is LGBT. In 2005, 75% of Oklahoma voters elected to amend the state constitution to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. And now, while several state legislatures and cities are passing laws extending some basic rights to domestic partners, a new piece of legislation seeks to outlaw civil unions in Oklahoma.

As the president of Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) (formerly Tulsa Oklahomans for Human Rights/TOHR), the state’s oldest gay rights organization, I care very passionately about these issues. But I know that many of you do as well, whether you are LGBT or not. Many of you represent organizations that support equal rights for LGBT Oklahomans. Many of you long for an Oklahoma where diversity is a reality and not a buzzword. My question then is, why aren’t we working together? Why are we not joining forces on the myriad issues where our interests obviously overlap such as civil liberties, economic justice, and human rights as well as those where our common ground may be more subtle such as the environment, immigration, health care and education? Building a truly progressive, inclusive, and effective LGBT rights coalition in Oklahoma is my dream and I respectfully seek your help in making it come true.

I will soon be posting an online survey in which OkEq will be assessing what issues are of most pressing concern to LGBT Oklahomans and their allies. The data will enable us to pinpoint where activists are, especially those who may be disconnected from larger LGBT communities. All respondents will be invited to attend a statewide “creation weekend” on March 24-25, 2007 at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center in Tulsa. During this historic gathering, we will build an agenda, formulate a steering committee, and develop a launch plan for statewide LGBT organizing. I would be honored to have the assistance of fellow Oklahoma progressives in helping OkEq disseminate this survey widely - and more significantly, in aligning yourselves and your organizations with this ambitious endeavor. Please contact me at labelmonte@hotmail.com or 918.906.2134 if you would like to join us in the effort to make Oklahoma a better place for all her citizens.