Jennifer Van Burkleo - UNREGISTERED VERSION

Step 1: Standing with you, fighting for equality

Here I am palms sweaty, anxiously waiting to hear the results for who will be elected on to the Board of Directors for Oklahomans for Equality. The room is packed for the annual meeting. We go over what the organization contributes to the community and the finances. But this year is a little different; this year we have a special guest.
Let me take you back to the beginning of my journey with OkEq, which started about two years ago. When we first moved to Tulsa we attended the Tulsa Pride Festival. Different from Wichita, Tulsa has a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing awareness and fighting for equality of the LGBT community. After reporting in a town that is the home to the Westboro Baptist Church (don’t worry, that’s all I will mention of them) I was afraid to be out in fear that my station, who was going through a sale, would be protested; that kind of publicity wasn’t good for the station. I reported on stories of equality and marches to the capital, but something was missing. I was behind the camera, filming, when I wanted to be in front of the camera partaking in the change.

Moving to Tulsa has been a blessing and after attending Tulsa Pride, I went to the feedback meeting and asked if I could volunteer to be on the Pride committee. I was welcomed with open arms. I started working with the team as the Marketing Coordinator, and later filled-in as the Parade Coordinator. I love what Pride represents but I had a hunger for something more.
(Tulsa Pride Committee 2012)

Change is inevitable and I want to look back and know that I was a part of that. I was encouraged by volunteers at OkEq to run for the Board of Directors. I went through interviews, wrote a little something about why I was to running and campaigned my butt off, via social media.
Thursday night was the moment of truth for me. Would I be elected?
So here I am, palms sweaty as names are announced for the newly elected board members. My name is finally called. Whew! I am extremely thankful for the continued support of my friends, family and the OkEq members who voted for me.
Not only was this a special moment for me, this night was special for OkEq. Waiting patiently, shaking hands and taking notes of important issues to Tulsa and Oklahoma is Gautam Raghavan, the LGBT Liason with the White House, Office of Public Engagement. He has a special connection to Oklahoma. His husband, Andrew Masloski’s brother lives in Stillwater. Raghavan spoke on issues of anti-bullying and President Obama’s achievements for the LGBT community. He also spoke on his own hard ships and frustrations of not being able to have joint healthcare with his husband.

After the meeting, by invite only, we went to another location for a more intimate setting to enjoy hors d'oeuvres and drinks. I can tell you we knew how to celebrate, popping of more than a dozen bottles of champagne. OkEq has had the pleasure to visit the White House three times this year and it was an honor to be able to meet such an advocate.
Upon leaving the reception he had a proclamation for the LGBT Pride Month, signed by Obama, which was given to the attendees of the reception. Cheers to the newly elected Board of Directors!

*Side note* The rights of the LGBT community should not be in the hands of those who want to deny us the rights we were born with. To take those away is inhumane. The divorce rate continues to rise, so how is the relationship between two men or two women ruining the sanction of marriage? We are every bit as part of this society. We all deserve equality.

If you would like to read more on Raghavan at OkEq: Click here
Quote: “At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black.” ― George Clooney

Music:  Tegan and Sara – “Living Room”