Oklahoma Independent Media Center

Friday and Saturday, March 7th and 8th
at University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK

Central Oklahoma faith communities and organizations proclaiming that homosexuality is neither sickness nor sin are announcing a two-day "Sexual Identity & Spirituality Conference," to be held March 7 and 8, on the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma, in Edmond, OK.

"We support the full inclusion of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in the life of all faith communities, and offer this conference to share scholarly interpretations of scriptures making exactly that point," said Rev. Kathy McCallie of Oklahoma City's Church of the Open Arms, UCC, a conference organizer.

The conference begins on Friday, March 7th, at 7:00 p.m., with a keynote lecture by Dr. Deborah Appler, professor of Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) at Moravian College, in Bethlehem, PA. Appler's lecture will be held in the Liberal Arts Building, on the UCO campus.

OKC Faith Leaders Protest Hate Crimes and Support Federal Anti-Hate Crimes Legislation
(S 1105, Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 )

Events planned in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, December 4, will respond to the recent hate murder in the city of Steven Domer, targetted, according to Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater, because of his sexual orientation.

Procreation Uber Alles

The highest court of the state of Maryland has recently joined New York and Washington state in ruling that because same-gendered people can't procreate they can not be married in the same way that opposite-gendered people can.

Reading between the lines it seems straight people who have the corresponding slot A and tab B are automatically entitled to the approximately 1,400 Federal and state benefits that accrue with state-sponsored marriage.

I always thought that paying taxes made one a citizen.

Readers,

Not being one who has ever solicited anonymous, or even well-known, sexual liaisons in public settings, I wasn't aware of the Larry Craig foot-tapping dance which seems so imitative of certain insects that tap on leaves and stems to communicate either territorial limits or a need for mating. Thanks to Senator Craig America has received a birds-and-bees nature lore lesson hitherto known only to a relatively few wildlife specialists.

But I do know there is a wafting of sexual pheromones in public parks after dark at certain locations in Oklahoma City (OKC), Will Rogers Park being one of them.

Moderator's note: Robyn's article follows this introduction

Readers,

Robyn Lemon Sellers, the daughter of Bob Lemon, is a chip off the old block when it comes to defending and advocating for gay/lesbian equality.

The Lemon family is one of the staunchest and most supportive Democratic grassroots families in Oklahoma. All progressive Democrats would be the poorer in spirit if it were not for their collective efforts on behalf of a better state and country.

In the OK Gazette of August 22, on page 15, is a paid advertisement placed by Ms. Lemon Sellers that clearly outlines the scurrilous nature of the editorial page of the Joke-lahoman, dba, Oklahoman, otherwise known as the worst daily newspaper in the USA as summarized by the Columbia Journalism Review.

Parking Lot of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center at 621 East 4th Street in Tulsa

This Saturday, July 28th, 8:00 am till 2:00 pm

Sofas, love seats, recliners, armoires, TV's, electronics, home improvements, office furnishings, blinds, shades, window treatments,

Drag Queen clothing and shoes, toys, tables of books, collectibles, vintage clothing, artwork, tons of videos, bathroom repairs, constructions supplies, curios, dinette sets, book shelves, desks, ceramic tile, lighting fixtures, video equipment, posters, pet supplies, and historical memorabilia.

Everything Must Go

Tying the Knot With the 2008 elections approaching, marriage equality should once again prove a divisive issue for the country. Tying the Knot shows what can happen, and did happen, when anti-gay long-lost relatives reappear in the wake of a loss. The film, sponsored by PFLAG Tulsa, plays at the Circle Cinema, 1 S Lewis, at 7:00 PM, with a 6:30 wine & cheese reception prior to the film. Admission is free. About Tying the Knot When a bank robber's bullet ends the life of police officer Lois Marrero, her wife of thirteen years, Mickie, is honored as her surviving spouse but denied all pension benefits. When Sam, an Oklahoma rancher, loses his beloved husband of 22 years, long-estranged cousins of his late spouse try to lay claim to everything Sam has. As Mickie and Sam's lives are put on trial, they are forced to confront the tragic reality that in the eyes of the law their marriages mean nothing. From an historical trip to the Middle Ages, to gay hippies storming the Manhattan marriage bureau in 1971, Tying the Knot digs deeply into the past and present to uncover the meaning of civil marriage in America today.

Concert Held to Benefit UCO’s College of Arts, Media & Design Scholarship Fund, GATE, AND OKC PRIDE, Inc

"Jazz Hands," a concert and film screening will be held June 13 at the UCO Jazz Lab at 5th and Littler in Edmond.

The event includes two sets by the music group "Miss Brown to You," at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Also, the deadCenter Film Festival will screen two short films, Courage Doesn’t Ask by director Joe Acton and We Belong by director Joe Wilson at 7:30 p.m.

"Jazz Hands will be an evening promoting diversity in the arts," said Andrea Bair, UCO College of Arts, Media & Design Director of Donor Relations. "We hope to encourage cultural awareness while supporting the CAMD scholarship fund."

Tickets to the event are $25 and can be purchased by calling (405) 974-3794.

Groups benefiting from the event include GATE, UCO’s gay and lesbian student organization and OKC Pride, Inc and the scholarship fund of UCO’s College of Art, Media and Design.

For more information, contact Bair at 974-3794.

Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie of Church of the Open Arms in Oklahoma City (foreground, right)

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie was honored and celebrated today by her congregation, family and friends from throughout the Oklahoma City metro area, upon the 20th anniversary of her ordination.

Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie of Church of the Open Arms in Oklahoma City