Fun, and more, at OkEq’s Equality Ball

Colors of Equality promises more fun than ever

The greatest, craziest, most fun annual event in Oklahoma is Oklahomans for Equality’s annual Equality Gala. This year’s event on April 26, Colors of Equality, promises to be even more fun, if that’s possible.

The Equality Gala is the preeminent fund raising event for Oklahomans for Equality, which depends solely on the generosity of donors and members. In 2013, more than 45,000 individuals were served and participated in the organization’s programs.

This year’s Gala welcomes Prince Manvendra Singh Gohil of India as its honored guest, recognizing his global advocacy for LGBT people. The Prince is from the royal family of the former Indian state of Rajpipla. His family disowned him when he came out as gay in 2006. Homosexual acts in India are punishable with up to ten years in jail. The Prince is the first openly gay person of royal lineage in modern India, and has become a global advocate for those living with HIV/AIDS, and the LGBT community.

OkEq’s Executive Director, Toby Jenkins, explained why it is important to recognize the Prince at the Gala. “While the United States is moving forward with equality, countries such as India, Russia, and Uganda are seeing a rise in violence, and legalized discrimination against LGBT people.

“That’s why we are bringing the Prince in. People in much of the rest of the world are fighting for basic rights, and protection against violence, discrimination and death,” Jenkins said.

Community heroes are recognized each year at the Gala. This year, Arin Andrews, a 19-year-old senior at Owasso High School, receives the Carolyn Wagner Youth Leadership Award. “Arin has raised the visibility and awareness of transgender youth in Oklahoma High Schools. He has been featured in countless documentaries and media broadcasts,” said Jenkins.

Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, Senior Minister at All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa will receive the Russell Bennett Spiritual Inclusion Award. Rev. Lavanhar has been a spiritual leader in Tulsa for the past eight years. He has been a fierce advocate for marriage equality and equal rights for LGBT Oklahomans, and has traveled extensively addressing human rights issues around the globe, most notably in his advocacy for LGBT Ugandans.

In 2014, no event would be complete without recognizing the attorneys and plaintiffs in the Oklahoma Marriage Equality Lawsuit, Bishop v. Oklahoma. In January, plaintiffs Sharon Baldwin and Mary Bishop, Dr. Gay Phillips and Sue Barton, and their attorneys Don Holladay, James Warner and Joseph Thai won a decision recognizing marriage equality in the state.

They continue working, defending the decision which was appealed to the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Award winning videographer Eric Turner has compiled a visual timeline of the plaintiffs ten-year court case, and Rev. Tamara Lebak has written a musical tribute to same-sex couples in Oklahoma. Both will be part of the recognition program.

Special entertainment this year will be Jared Tyler and his band. Tyler is a recording artist with two striking albums to his credit. He’s a singer of effortless beauty and soul, and a writer who disarms with clear-eyed vision, and a talented multi-instrumentalist.

by Rob Howard, Associate Editor

The Gayly – April 7, 2014 @ 2pm

Adding to the excitement for the evening is OkEq’s party organizers make sharing your support with the community so much fun. The event includes a silent auction with hundreds of items. A high point of the evening is the live auction; a professional auctioneer keeps the mood light and the action moving at an exhilarating pace.

Part of the fun is the sartorial splendor on display. Attendees are encouraged to wear formal and colorful attire, or cultural and ethnic dress. Imagine all these well-dressed folk jumping around in the ‘Tops and Bottoms’ game, which has the entire audience jumping up and down, grabbing their heads or tushes.

In conjunction with the 2014 Equality Gala, LGBT youth from Oklahoma high schools join with Equality Gala attendees in what has become known as the ‘Oklahoma Gay High School Prom.’ Sponsors and donors provide free seats for LGBT students who connect with community leaders, elected officials and meet LGBT adults who have succeeded in careers and building fulfilling lives, all while living in Oklahoma. Jenkins said, "Four years ago we realized we were missing a great opportunity to allow LGBT youth to see it does get better and they can find supportive and inclusive communities in Oklahoma." Last year over 230 LGBT students attended the Equality Gala.

The 2014 Equality Gala is Saturday April 26, 6:30pm at the Cox Business Center (formerly Tulsa Convention Ballroom), 100 Civic Center, in Tulsa. Valet Parking is available at the west entrance, at the corner of 4th & Houston.

Tickets are still available at (918) 743-4297, or www.okeq.org.