May 2023 Update
ID: “May Monthly Update www.freedomoklahoma.org/news" on an image of 3 people hugging at the 2023 TDOV event at Factory Obscura along with our logo and blue and orange lines and dots.
When you think of the kind of future you want to build, what do you imagine for us?
Thirty years ago, on April 25, 1993, nearly 1,000,000 people marched onto the nation’s capitol in the March on Washington. Three decades later, and our movement still looks to the work of those before us. As we think upon the fights we're facing now, we offer the following update to the preamble and demands of the 1993 march, further rooting our work to our shared liberation, the end of oppression, and the safety for every person to thrive.
Black background with text of the preamble and 7 demands of the April 25 1993 march on Washington. In the foreground are cutouts of photos by Todd Richardson featuring attendees and organizers of the 1993 march. In the lower left is a Freedom Oklahoma logo.
We have thought about the vision of those organizers in 1993, and what it might look like to recreate that preamble and those demands, today. It may read something like: The Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual+ movement recognizes our liberation is fundamentally tied to Black liberation, Indigenous sovereignty, freedom of movement without disruption of borders, economic justice, and equity, the abolition of the criminal punishment system and the prison industrial complex, food justice, disability justice, bodily autonomy, and broader safety that allows everyone to thrive as their whole selves. Our movement demands we stand firmly against all forms of oppression, and in this moment that we speak loudly against the physical and social violence being directed at especially our Two Spirit, transgender, and gender nonconforming community members by state legislatures, attorneys general, school boards, and other policymakers across the country.
We know that in 1993 it was not too much to ask for the safety and equity for our community, and it is not too much to ask now. 2SLGBTQ+ people deserve the safety, not just to survive, but to thrive. For all of the progress made in the last 30 years, we've seen so many of the demands made by the organizers of the 1993 march unmet while too many recent policies implemented have moved us towards hatred, bigotry, and the extermination and further marginalization of 2SLGBTQ+ people.
As we mark the anniversary of the 1993 march, let us reflect on the 7 demands laid out by organizers 30 years ago.
1993 March Demands:
We demand passage of a lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights bill and an end to discrimination by state and federal governments including the military; repeal of all sodomy laws and other laws that criminalize private sexual expression between consenting adults.
We demand a massive increase in funding for AIDS education, research, and patient care; universal access to health care including alternative therapies; and an end to sexism in medical research and health care.
We demand legislation to prevent discrimination against lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people in the areas of family diversity, custody, adoption, and foster care and that the definition of family includes the full diversity of all family structures.
We demand full and equal inclusion of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender people in the educational system, and inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender studies in multicultural curricula.
We demand the right to reproductive freedom and choice, to control our own bodies and an end to sexist discrimination.
We demand an end to racial and ethnic discrimination in all forms.
We demand an end to discrimination and violent oppression based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, identification, race, religion, identity, sex and gender expression, disability, age, class, AIDS/HIV infection.
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Let's reaffirm our commitments to progress not just as recognized in the law or by the courts, but in safety, equity, and community won in our day-to-day lives. In sustainable mutual aid and support structures built to advance that safety. In a growing community that understands our liberation is tied together. What would our demands be today? As we think about the current landscape, we offer:
We demand passage of the federal equality act; an end to discrimination by state, federal, and tribal governments including the military; repeal of all sodomy laws and other laws that criminalize private sexual expression between consenting adults; repeal of all anti-marriage equality laws; repeal of all bans targeting 2STGNC+ people including those impacting our ability to access best practice healthcare, correct government documents, and access to facilities and activities consistent with our identity.
We demand a massive increase in funding for HIV and AIDS education, research, and patient care including prevention; universal access to health care including alternative therapies; an end to discrimination based on gender identity and expression, race, age, citizenship, and socioeconomic status in medical research and health care; the repeal of all remaining laws that criminalize someone differently or solely based on their HIV/AIDS status; and the pardon and release of all people incarcerated because of the criminalization of their HIV/AIDS status.
We demand legislation to prevent discrimination against Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, polyamorous, and disabled people in the areas of family diversity, custody, adoption, and foster care and that the definition of family includes the full diversity of all family structures.
We demand full and equal inclusion of Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual people in the educational system, including the ability to play sports and use facilities consistent with our identity. As well as the inclusion of our community in educational materials, inclusive of library media, history, and health education.
We demand the right to reproductive freedom, including abortion access, and bodily autonomy with regard to care that affirms our gender, centers our wellness, and cares for our emotional as well as physical health. At every age.
We demand an end to racial and ethnic discrimination in all forms.
We demand an end to discrimination and violent oppression based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, identification, race, religion, identity, sex and gender expression, disability, age, class, AIDS/HIV status, immigration status, or history of conviction or arrest. Through a real commitment to community education, harm reduction, and violence disruption, not the further expansion of a criminal punishment system that disproportionately harms 2SLGBTQ+ people.
We demand an end to the prison industrial complex and the carceral systems that disproportionately cage members of our community. We demand investment in real safety, rooted in community, not policing. We demand an end to the criminalization of survival economies, including sex work. We demand an end to the war on drugs, and a shift in resources to focus on safe use, drug safety education, and regulation of safe supplies.
In 2023, what would your demands be? When you think of the kind of future you want to build, what do you imagine for us?
In solidarity,
Freedom Oklahoma
Important Links and updates:
Volunteer with us!
We have several different opportunities for you to plug into the work Freedom Oklahoma is doing with the community!
Research School Board District Information: We want to make sure that every voice is heard when it comes to the policies governed for Oklahoma students.
Research the history of HIV/AIDS in Oklahoma: We want to create a better state for all Oklahomans, including those living with HIV/AIDS. Help research archives, legal cases, legislative sessions, and resources tied to HIV/AIDS issues in Oklahoma.
Name Change and Gender Marker Correction Clinic Phone Banking: We want to ensure a streamlined process for those needing these services; check in with participants to see if they need support or assistance throughout their NCGMCC process.
If any of these opportunities sound good to you, then contact us at info@freedomoklahoma.org with the subject line: FOK Volunteer Here! We look forward to the opportunity to serve with you.
"Want to volunteer?" on a white background with the FOK logo and hands inside a heart.
MAY Community Groups
Join us for our monthly community gathering events! We will be two weeks out until the end of the 2023 Legislative Session--come get updates and chat with us about what's going on in your communities. We will also be updating on any Pride events we know happening throughout the state. We look forward to seeing you and sharing in community!
Schedule:
Teachers/School Staff: Tuesday, 5/16 from 4pm - 5:30 pm
Parents/Guardians: Wednesday, 5/17 from 4:30 - 6pm
Students: Thursday, 5/18 from 5-6 pm
A geometric-style graphic in FOK colors with an image of a parent and their child smiling while taking a selfie along with the graphic text: virtual 2SLGBTQ+ Community Groups. Teachers, Educators & School Staff: Tuesday, May 16th 4:00pm - 5:30pm. Parents, Guardians & Caregivers: Wednesday, May 17th 4:30pm - 6:00pm. Students & Youth: Thursday, May 18th 5:00pm - 6:00pm.
Queer artists wanted:
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS:
The OKC Metropolitan Library System is celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ art this Pride Month at the Downtown Library! If you are a 2SLGBTQ-identified visual artist, they want to display your work. Scan the SQ code to complete the submission form to be considered for the Queer Art Showcase from June 1st - 30th, 2023.
"Call for Submissions! LGBTQ+ Art Showcase. We're celebrating 2SLGBTQIA+ art this Pride Month at the Downtown Library! If you are a LGBTQ-identified visual artist, we want to display your work. Scan the SQ code and complete the submission form to be considered for the Queer Art Showcase from June 1st - 30th, 2023." with a house icon and text: Downtown Library and "Submit your art here" with an arrow pointing to their QR code. The text is on a pink, yellow, blue, and green wavy iridescent background.
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.