Religious inclusion is theme of Tulsa’s First Thursday exhibit

(Tulsa) The Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) May First Thursday showcase and exhibit of will feature the Paths of Reconciliation and the Shower of Stoles beginning with a reception on Thursday, May 7.

Upon entering the art gallery at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, one will be surrounded by items from the Shower of Stoles, which represent LGBTQ people of faith who have been excluded from expressing their faith or ministry in their community of faith. The stories on the items take the viewer on a journey of sorrow, pain and hope. Paths of Reconciliation’s display will surround the viewer with items that are testimonies of allies in the communities of belief and faith. We hope that all persons who deal with issues of belief or faith can reconcile their belief or faith to the full inclusion of LGBTQ people.  

The Shower of Stoles project is a program of the Institute for Welcoming Resources at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Paths of Reconciliation is sponsoring the Shower of Stoles display and will have a complimentary display at the opening.

The Shower of Stoles display began as a plea by Martha Juillerat who, upon coming out, chose to set aside her ordination in the Presbyterian Church. She, along with her partner Tammy Lindahl, pressed upon their presbytery that they were only two of hundreds of LGBTQ people of faith who are active participants in the church. After asking LGBT friends and clergy to send a stole to display on the day she was to set aside her ordination, Martha received 80 stoles almost overnight and over 200 by the following spring. The stoles became a symbol of the church’s loss of faithful LGBTQ leaders and clergy. In 2006, Martha Juillerat retired and gave the collection of well over 1000 items to the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Institute for Welcoming Resources.

Paths of Reconciliationis a program at Oklahomans for Equality which attempts to address issues of belief or faith and how they relate to sexuality. Paths of Reconciliation’s display includes items from many different people and organizations of belief or faith. The items represent their inclusiveness of LGBTQ people and their willingness to stand up as allies. These items will be displayed in a space adjacent to the art gallery at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.

The show begins with a reception on Thursday, May 7 from 6-9pm at the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center, 621 E. 4th Street in downtown Tulsa. The show continues throughout the month.

Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1980, Oklahomans for Equality/OkEq is Oklahoma’s oldest gay rights organization. From testing for HIV/AIDS and hosting the annual Tulsa Pride and Diversity Celebration to operating the Equality Center and documenting the Tulsa LGBT community’s rich history, OkEq works for social justice and full inclusion for Oklahoma’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens and their allies. www.okeq.org

The Gayly – May 3, 2015 @ 11:40am.