Tulsa minister releases album to benefit marriage equality efforts

Tulsa – An Oklahoma minister launches her first album to raise money for marriage equality, May 16, from 5:30-7:30 at All Souls Unitarian Church, 2952 S. Peoria in Tulsa, OK. 

Rev. Tamara Lebak, minister and singer/songwriter stated, “The title song, Dear Oklahoma, is a love letter to Oklahoma. My work, my heart, my soul, my church, my spouse and my family are in this state. The song asks ‘Why is it so hard to love us back?’”

Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex unions is at the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals awaiting a decision. “I pray that this song will speak to the hearts and minds of those living in our state who may not realize that there are hardworking, religious people who share their heritage and their core values who are denied the freedom to marry.”

The album features instrumentation and vocals by local musician Jared Tyler and the band Emma’s Revolution. “My parents were born in Oklahoma. I was raised in Oklahoma. This album is an expression of the Oklahoma I know and love.” A music video directed and produced by local documentary filmmaker Todd Roberts will premiere at 6:15 and 7pm.

A portion of the proceeds from every album sold by Rev. Lebak will go to support the four plaintiffs in the Oklahoma case. The event will have representatives from Freedom Oklahoma, a subsidiary of The Equality Network, Oklahomans For Equality, OK We’re Ready! and Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). “I would like this event to bring people and organizations together who support marriage equality.”

Rev. Tamara Lebak is currently a Unitarian Universalist minister at All Souls in Tulsa where she has served for eight years as their first openly gay minister. Tamara and her partner have been together for 18 years and have a daughter who turns four in June.

Listen to "Dear Oklahoma" here: https://soundcloud.com/tamara-lebak/01-dear-oklahoma/s-GJ9Aw

The Gayly – May 14, 2014 @ 11:50am