Oklahoma progressives, are you ready to lobby?

Several upcoming events are designed to help citizens do their civic duty of participation during the 2009 session of the Oklahoma Legislature. These are some that focus on progressive issues (content copied from emails and online sources). If you can, please participate in one of these activities to hone your knowledge or skills, or make your advocacy for peace and justice on your own during this legislative session (Feb. 2 – May 29).

I hope to do a compendium of bills proposed in this session that concern progressives. Stay tuned.

ACLU of Oklahoma Legislative Workshop

The ACLU of Oklahoma will be hosting the 3rd annual Keith Smith Legislative Workshop on January 31, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event location is at the First Unitarian Church, 600 NW 13th St., Oklahoma City. The workshop will be free, with an optional lunch available for $5. Come learn how you, as a regular citizen, can approach your representatives.

For more information or to RSVP, please call (405) 524-8511 or email katyj @ acluok . org.

Oklahoma Conference of Churches Day at the Legislature

Tue Feb 10, 7:45am – 3:15pm – Oklahoma State Capitol

I’m trying to get more info on this, and I’ll update this if and when I do. The group’s web site does not include this event as of this writing. But I did hear that this year they are focusing on addressing poverty, thus the inclusion here.

State Capitol “Teach In” on Equal Rights for LGBT

On February 14th, 2009 there will be an “Equal Rights In Every State” Teach In from noon to 6 p.m. on the South steps of the State House in Oklahoma City. This event will focus on creating a better understanding of the struggle for equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender citizens, with a goal of enlightening each other and non-LGBT members of society on the importance of providing civil protections and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people.

In the State of Oklahoma, and 31 other states, it is currently legal to discriminate in housing and employment based on sexual orientation. While race, age, gender, and disability are all covered under federal and state anti-discrimination laws, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered citizens of Oklahoma remain at risk. It wasn’t until 1964 that race was included under protection and as recent as 1991 that disability was added. It’s time to work for our inclusion.

Speakers from the Faith oriented community, Political community, Science community and Social Services community will speak about the importance of acceptance and the justice of inclusion in equality for all at the event on February 14, 2009.

Some of the speakers scheduled to attend:

Mary Lou Wallner, Teach Ministries
Featured in the movie “For the bible tells me so”
PFLAG

President Barack Obama recently invited us, the citizens of the United States, to bring about change in our communities in order to bring change to America. Those citizens in the LGBT community want change and deserve protection. Now is the time to make it happen. But, as we’ve seen in other states that have had ballots or laws that effect the LGBT community, we have to be READY when those laws and ballots come up to the voters on election day. We must first bring about a clear understanding to the citizens that vote. We need to teach every man, woman, and child in Oklahoma that we are their friends, neighbors, sisters, brothers, church members, caregivers, co-workers, doctors, and teachers. Most importantly, we have to teach them to accept that we are their equal.

We’re not going to get our rights without asking for them and we’re not going to get our rights without teaching….

Be a part of the pledge “…with liberty and justice for all.”

For further information, contact Peter Myers at 405-815-4059

I got the above from a email forward. If you have more info about who is sponsoring the event, please let me know.

Women’s Coalition Advocacy Day at the Capitol, February 18

Did you know Oklahoma has been ranked the 3rd worst state for women?? We rank #1 in Incarcerated Women, #1 in Child Abuse, #1 in the Divorce Rate, #7 in Teen Births, #42 in overall women’s health, #45 in women in professional jobs. The list goes on and on.

The newly formed, non-partisan Oklahoma Women’s Coalition is out to change these statistics. Please join us for Oklahoma Women: Advocate! on February 18 at the State Capitol as we make history for Oklahoma women and girls.

The day will begin with a press conference to officially launch the Coalition, followed by sessions where state leaders will provide updates on key issues and legislation affecting women and girls. We will also learn effective advocacy techniques to have our voices heard.

To download a registration form for Oklahoma Women: Advocate! just click HERE. Seating is limited, so send in your registration as soon as possible.

Whether or not you are able attend the Advocacy Day in February, I urge you to become a member of the Oklahoma Women’s Coalition now. Together, we can create significant change for Oklahoma women and girls! To download the Membership Application Form, just click HERE.

Other resources:

• Oklahoma Sierra Club Legislative action alert email list

I’ll add more here as I find them.