Oklahomans for Equality

PROJECT PURPOSE

The Purpose of this project is to increase availability of resources, support, and community for LGBTQ+ individuals across Oklahoma. In large part, this project will assist in meeting the goals of the PRISM Project: Tulsa?s Sexual and Gender Minority Community Needs Report, 2019, many of which directed state agencies, non-profits, and providers to collaborate with Oklahomans for Equality (OKEQ) in precisely the work proposed in this project. The PRISM Project was conducted by the University of Oklahoma and surveyed 818 LGBTQ+ Oklahomans. The OKEQ Training Outreach Coordinator will consult with governmental agencies and non-profits to provide training, ongoing coaching, and real-time response modeling. They will also collaborate on agency policy reviews. The OKEQ Resources Outreach Coordinator will identify, develop, and support resources statewide, including: ? Faith Leaders ? Medical & counseling resources ? Additional Affiliates with strong leadership ? Additional PRIDE festivals The activities of this project will function together to create a safer and more inclusive community for LGBTQ+ individuals in Oklahoma.

EVIDENCE

The PRISM project research found that SGM individuals (sexual and gender minority) are more likely to remain involved in their spiritual and religious communities in the past three years if they have had a more SGM-affirming experience. Support provided by a religious or spiritual community and reconciliation of faith and spirit reduces mental health trauma associated with contemplations of suicide and attempts of suicide. State agencies, educational institutions, and many non-profits and churches have developed equity and inclusion goals and plans that are in accord with these goals and plans

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

Oklahoma ACE scores are some of the highest in the country. 37% of PRISM Project respondents reported 4 or more ACEs, compared to 16% nationally. The PRISM Project also showed that Oklahoma LGBTQ+ adults are 6 times more likely to attempt suicide than the national rate, while youth are 3 times more likely. COVID created further isolation and contributed to higher levels of depression and trauma. Eleven OKEQ constituents completed suicide during the initial months of the pandemic. This highlights the importance of the trauma-informed, professional counseling services OKEQ provides and the importance of increasing this availability statewide. Three of five LGBTQ+ individuals surveyed by the PRISM Project who had ever been involved in a spiritual or religious community indicated they left their faith out of fear of rejection or actual rejection. LGBTQ+ people are less secure in their housing and employment, are less likely to have health insurance and, especially if older, are more likely to experience social isolation. They are also more likely to work in the types of work environments that have experienced the highest job losses due to COVID-19. Lack of social opportunities including spiritual, work, and community, increases isolation in an already marginalized LGBTQ+ community

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

We will measure program activities and survey participants as to their increased knowledge and behavior changes. Well-developed OKEQ Affiliates will grow from five to forty (designated leaders will attend national and local leadership training). Faith Leaders who provide spiritual support for LGBTQ+ individuals will increase from 60 to 180, with at least one leader identified in each of the 45 communities with a population of 10,000 or more. Training and policy collaboration with state agencies and non-profits will be reported as they occur (goals are two trainings a month). Increases in availability of other mentioned services will likewise be measured

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma