July 2023 Update
ID: "July Monthly Update. www.freedomoklahoma.org/news" on a black background with the Disability Pride flag stripes in the bottom left corner, and a collage of Oklahomans wearing masks and wearing "There's 2SLGBTQ+ Folks in Oklahoma Too!" T-shirts.
As we look back on the joyful spaces we created together in June, let's ask ourselves: who were those spaces not accessible to?
As we close out 2SLGBTQ+ pride month, July brings us into disability pride month. An important time to ground our movement work in disability justice, and remind one another that our liberation is tied to the liberation of our disabled siblings. As we look back on the joyful spaces we gathered together in June to restore our sense of community, we also have to ask ourselves: who those spaces weren’t accessible to? Who was left out of the joy and celebration and grounding? And how can we urgently commit to doing better to clearing the ramp in our movement for collective liberation that not only considers but welcomes comrades across the disability spectrum?
Disability justice is rooted in the truth that collective liberation will not be the result of the elimination of impairments, but rather the elimination of barriers to access so that every person has access, without obstacles, to community, and what they require to meet their needs. Nobody and no mind will be left behind. One of our key steps in disentangling our own internalized and socialized ableism must be understanding that liberation is not tied to removing disability, but providing access for all, inclusive and mindful and intentional of disabilities of all kinds.
Thinking about accessibility is the place most of us need to start. In organizing and meeting spaces, that often requires asking a few questions:
What barriers might exist to people being in this space?
How are we clearing the ramp, or removing barriers for as many people as possible, without demanding they ask for accessibility?
Who isn’t in this space that we’d like to be? Can we figure out why?
What are disabled organizers and advocates demanding? How can we show up for and with them for their work? Our work?
And looking to the resources that already exist as a foundation for how we ensure our planning centers accessibility, while also acknowledging there is no comprehensive checklist, and that this work has to be rooted in being in community with disabled folks.
As we ground ourselves in this work, we think about the ways that early COVID-19 mitigation actually made so many 2SLGBTQ+ spaces accessible for disabled folks for the first time. And we ask you to not leave behind those lessons and practices as this pandemic continues yet the status quo response changes. Wear masks, so that immunocompromised folks can access spaces, include streaming options and ways to provide virtual engagement, and ask folks to test and stay home if they’ve been exposed to COVID or are feeling unwell. And do this as a practice not out of fear or shame, but out of love for our disabled community members, out of a commitment to a future that considers and includes them and their needs, by doing what we can to consider and meet those access needs in the present.
Audre Lorde reminded us that we do not live single-issue lives, so know that even across our small team at Freedom Oklahoma, we have as much diversity in disability represented as we do diversity in gender and sexuality. Our work in disability justice is intrinsic to our own experiences in sustaining ourselves and creating access for folks like us in this work. Along with folks not like us, folks who haven’t found that access or space in our movement, yet.
At a time when anti-2SLGBTQ+ movements are also leaning into attacking especially our community members who are autistic, who have diagnoses of depression or anxiety, or who live with other disabilities, we know that it is increasingly more urgent our movement centers the work of disability justice. We know that even as there are rallying cries to trust doctors and parents to try to protect access to best-practice medical care, our disabled relatives, our fat relatives, and our relatives in survival economies face discrimination from these decision-makers and the institutions they work within. Let’s take a moment to pause and consider that as we work to build the future where we all have the safety to thrive.
In solidarity,
Nicole McAfee
Important Links and updates:
#GiveOUtDay THANK YOU!
THANK YOU!
We are filled with overwhelming gratitude as we express our deepest thanks to each and every one of you who generously supported our Give Out Day campaign. Your incredible donations have made a tremendous impact on our mission to advance 2SLGBTQ+ rights in our community and beyond.
Together, we are creating positive change and fostering a more inclusive world. We are truly humbled by the outpouring of support and the solidarity we've witnessed during this campaign. Your dedication and compassion inspire us to keep pushing forward, striving for a world where every person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, is treated with dignity and respect.
But our journey doesn't end here. We invite you to stay engaged with us as we continue our fight for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. Continue to follow us for updates, join our community events, and consider volunteering your time and skills. Your continued involvement helps us amplify our collective voice and bring about lasting change.
Once again, THANK YOU for being a part of our Give Out Day campaign. Your generosity is an incredible testament to the power of unity and compassion. Together, we are building a brighter future for all.
Navy background. Arched photo with folks making signs at Alibi's in Oklahoma City, a person with cropped hair in a black shirt and mask holding up a sign to show other folks that reads "Trans Kids Belong in Oklahoma". Text around the photo reads "With Gratitude". In the bottom center is a Freedom Oklahoma logo.
Out of office
Starting Monday, July 10th, the Freedom Oklahoma staff will be taking a few days out of office, to rest and recover after a busy Oklahoma Legislative session that led right into a beautiful Pride Month. We realize it's a privilege to do this work, and we take the responsibility of it very seriously. And with that, we hope to model radical vulnerability and space for rest.
Because this work is heavy and exhausting, and it cannot be done if our shared expectation is rooted in unsustainable levels of performance and burnout. We know the work never stops, but we're especially grateful for everyone to allow us this moment of pause, reflection, and recovery, as we look towards a busy fall season, and another busy year ahead. We're grateful to do this work with you.
Photo of a disco ball at Factory Obscura. In the center, an orange shape and Freedom Oklahoma logo surrounded by text "Out of Office" repeated 2 times.
Continue Pride Celebrations with Prague Pride
Keep the Pride celebrations going with Prague Oklahoma’s first Pride event! Join them on Saturday, July 22nd from 5 pm - 7 pm at Prague Park @501 US-62 (Look for the Pride flags). This is an all-ages event with live music and open speeches. Bring water, sunscreen, and lawn seats.
“Rural Oklahoma Pride presents: Prague Oklahoma’s first Pride event. Sat July 22 @ 5pm - 7pm at Prague Park @ 501 US-62 (Look for the Pride flags)" along with some text scattered throughout: “All for love & love for all” “All ages” “No hate” “"Love” “Live music, open speeches. Bring water, sun screen, and lawn seats.” The graphic is rainbow with a fist that also looks like the outline of the profile of a face near the thumb.
need help with quitting smoking?
Are you thinking about quitting smoking? We’re here to help! OUHSC is conducting a research study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of an empowerment approach to tobacco cessation assistance with the aim to improve the lives of 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans. Participants will be compensated for their time and will get to volunteer with Freedom Oklahoma during the process!
Interested in joining the study?
"Are you thinking about quitting smoking? You don't have to do it alone! Smoking cessation study for 2SLGBTQ+ Oklahomans" on a blue background with a graphic of two people in bubbles to show them connecting from afar. The OU Health Sciences Center and FOK logos are at the bottom.