October 2023 Update
ID: "October Monthly Update. www.freedomoklahoma.org/news" on a background image of a youth and an adult holding hands while wearing a Nonbinary Pride flag and a Trans Pride flag as capes and rainbow hats. There are blue and orange lines and dots on the left and right of the image and the FOK logo is in the center.
Hope Can Live Anywhere
You’ve probably heard me quote Mariame Kaba’s mantra “hope is a discipline,” more than once. I often have to remind myself that hope takes effort, community, to be realized, especially somewhere like Oklahoma. I’m reminded of this whenever folks from out of state encounter Oklahoma advocates and remark their surprise about the depth of art, solidarity, and hope they encounter here. This summer, I saw a variation on the theme of hope from the Let’s Get Free Project, messages to people serving life without parole in Pennsylvania, this one read “Hope Can Live Anywhere.” And it immediately resonated. Hope, the seed that we carry inside of us, can blossom in even the harshest conditions if we tend to it. Even in places like Oklahoma, where too many people think there are too many things working against the ability of hope. Hope has been similized and anthropomorphized into seemingly everything: a feathered thing, a flower, a flame…and however you envision it, we all know the importance of hope to fuel a movement. So, this 2SLGBTQ+ history month, we’re centering hope, right here in Oklahoma. The way we’ve always been able to foster it, practice it, share it among our community.
Earlier this year I said that many look to Oklahoma as a warning, a siren, a bellwether of the worst kind. But I think too of every time someone from outside Oklahoma has come into contact with the organizers, artists, makers, movement builders, working in Oklahoma, shocked by the community, art, and culture we’re building towards a future where we all have the safety to thrive. And, it makes me wonder if maybe people could look to us as a source of hope, inspiration, as we continue to build together. What are the words of hope you want to share with the world? Where have you been able to practice hope, even in the face of hardship? We’ve created these templates, that you’ll see across our social media this month, to share some words of hope with you. We hope you’ll use these to amplify that message and share your own practices of hope with us and the world throughout this 2SLGBTQ+ history month and beyond.
To kick us off, here are a few pieces of Oklahoma 2SLGBTQ+ community happenings from which I draw hope, inspiration, and joy:
All of the 2023 Oklahoma Quilt Memorial Project, organized by Katrina Ward, and especially this Greenwood quilt block made with scraps from an AIDS memorial quilt for Clinton Wilding Smith.
Three photographs. The first shows Katrina Ward in a mask and a red sweatshirt, quilting the Greenwood Quilt Block outdoors. The second is a photo of the Greenwood Quilt Block, made of scraps of green, brown, black, and grey, on a black background with a red border. The third image is from the perspective of the person binding the Greenwood Quilt Block, looking at a table of quilting supplies and a laptop, towards Freedom Oklahoma Executive Director Nicole McAfee in a hat and mask, handsewing the binding of a quilt.
Our 2023 Trans Day of Visibility celebration at Factory Obscura, with pizza from Empire Slice House, photos by Katrina Ward of Half Design, and drag by Absinthe, Mystique Enchantment, and Anna Flactic-Shoqqqq.
Three photographs by Katrina Ward of Half Design. The first shows drag performer Absinthe duck walking during a Trans Day of Visibility show at Factory Obscura. The second image shows David Rackley of 84 Hospitality bringing Empire Slice House pizza boxes into a crowded area to feed attendees at Trans Day of Visibility at Factory Obscura. The third image is of drag performer Mystique Enchantment, performing in a cow print top and blue pants at Trans Day of Visibility at Factory Obscura.
Our first People’s Hearing, where we made space together for 2SLGBTQ+ stories at the Oklahoma Capitol. Video by Stephanie Montelongo.
Our first iteration of The Freedom Sessions, dreamed up by Freedom Oklahoma staff Mataia Blackwell and Taylor Raye.
AJ Stegall’s ongoing project, with support from Taylor Eisenmann, Rainbow Mosaic.
Four graphics on a purple background. The first has a photo of Freedom Oklahoma Executive Director Nicole McAfee and their partner, sitting back to back, with text noting their names and answers to questions about queer identity and community, continued over the next 2 graphics, alongside photos of the couple together.
The very visible trans resistance at the Oklahoma Capitol during the 2023 State of the State address, or the standing-room-only crowd to fight legislative attacks on drag.
Two photographs. the first shows a crowd in front of the Oklahoma Capitol, several trans pride flags are visible. The second image shows two people holding handmade signs, one "Drag is for the People!" and "Drag does not belong to the govt!"
All of the love you shared as part of our Love Letters to Trans Oklahomans project.
An incomplete list of all the ways I find hope together, in community with all of you. Let’s keep hoping, visioning, and making real the Two Spirit, trans, and queer futures we know are possible. I remain hopeful for the future. A hope that lives right here in Oklahoma.
In Solidarity,
Nicole McAfee
Important Links and updates:
TICKETS ON SALE for our Community Skate!
Join us for an unforgettable night of unity, fun, and community support! In response to the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and our commitment to making our event accessible to all, we are excited to introduce a new and exciting fundraiser: Freedom Oklahoma's Community Skate Night!
We understand that times have been tough, and we want to create an event that brings our community together, regardless of age, financial situation, or background. This year, we're shifting gears from our traditional Unity Gala to a vibrant and inclusive skate night that celebrates the spirit of togetherness.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 21st, and lace up your skates because we're taking the UNITY in Community to Scissortail Skyrink. This is an opportunity to have a blast with friends and neighbors, all while supporting Freedom Oklahoma's vital work. Tickets are on sale NOW!
If you or anyone you know is interested in being a sponsor at a corporate level or community level, you can contact our Development & Operations Manager Christina at christina@freedomoklahoma.org
White bubble text reads "Freedom Oklahoma presents" with "Community" in blue bubble letters and "Skate" in red bubble letters. "a fundraiser for Freedom Oklahoma" is in white with "october 21,2023 4pm-6pm scissortail skyrink" in white. The background is black with red & blue ribbons in the left & right corner. Stars in pink, white and blue across the image.
ICYMI: Name & Gender Marker Correction Clinic and Assistance Program Update
While we continue to work through the unknowns of pending litigation surrounding access to gender marker corrections for Oklahoma birth certificates, we knew it was time to do some streamlining of our process, review of our paperwork, and take steps to make our support around name changes, gender marker corrections, and financial assistance more accessible, more timely, and better suited to the needs of the community members we serve. Our clinic is rooted in the knowledge that this process cannot and should not be one co-opted or gate kept by attorneys. 2STGNC+ folks have always engaged in these processes pro se, and we want to maximize access and accessibility for as much of our community as possible, while also expanding the number of folks in the legal field who have knowledge and experience around the name change and gender marker correction process.
In order to do that, and as we’ve adjusted to staff changes and shifts in responsibility around the clinic, we’ve also taken the steps to engage stakeholders to ensure paperwork accuracy, maximize the time of clinic participants, and compile information to help folks have the best starting point for the process in all 77 counties across Oklahoma. If you’ve registered over the summer as we’ve engaged in this work, we apologize for any lapse in communication. You should have received e-mail communication about setting up a meeting to get support around your paperwork. If you haven't, you can contact us at namechange@freedomoklahoma.org.
We’ll be working through our waitlist over the next month, and then hope to re-open our regular clinic times at the end of the year. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our clinic email directly for support, and we appreciate your patience as we work within our capacity to respond.
Pink and blue gradient background. In the center of the image is a rendering of a pop-up computer window. Text "Name and Gender Marker Correction Clinic Update" In the lower right, the arrow from a computer mouse hovers just under a Freedom Oklahoma logo.
Coming Up: OU vs TX Fundraiser with Equality Texas
Are you ready for OU vs. Texas this year? We sure are! From October 2nd to October 7th, we're challenging Equality Texas to see who can raise the most funds for 2SLGBTQ+ liberation! For each donation we get, we'll get one point. Whoever gets the most points WINS (bragging rights for the next year).
Be on the lookout on our social media to get access to the donation link and stay updated on how the challenge is going!
“Who will win? Throwdown at Red River Showdown. Give to Freedom Oklahoma between Oct 2 - Oct 7 to help us beat Equality Texas!” on a maroon and orange graphic with football helmets showcasing the Equality Texas and Freedom Oklahoma logos.
October Community Groups
It's Fall, Y'all! Come share with us in community as we celebrate our lives and share in the obstacles our community continues to face in Oklahoma. If you have questions about healthcare, school districts, etc, we would love to help navigate issues with you. Please join as you are able, and we look forward to seeing you there!
Educators, Teachers, & School Staff: Tuesday, October 10th, 4-5:30pm
Parents, Guardians, & Caregivers: Wednesday, October 11th, 4:30-6pm
Students & Youth: Thursday, October 12th, 4:30-5:30pm
Image of people walking in a Pride parade with a dark blue overlay. Our logo is in the top left corner and the text reads: virtual 2SLGBTQ+ Community Groups. Educators, Teachers, & School Staff: Tue, Oct 10th, 4-5:30pm Parents, Guardians, & Caregivers: Wed, Oct 11th, 4:30-6pm Students & Youth: Thurs, Oct 12th, 4:30-5:30pm.