Oklahoma City needs our Pride
by Lauren Zuniga
and Alison Scott
In 2019, Oklahoma City Pride Alliance was formed to build a new model for funding our city’s Pride celebrations. Pride events are intended to boost visibility and affirm our city’s gender and orientation diversity, which is important to our city’s economy and growth.
By creating an alliance of member agencies, we can fundraise for and promote LGBTQ+ issues 365 days a year. Inspired by the Allied Arts model, we can connect with LGBTQ+ inclusive businesses and offer rewards and discounts for being inclusive. With this model, we show how commerce and social movements work together.
Our vision is that in five years, Oklahoma City will have one of the most attended Pride events in the country and that we can use that revenue to contribute to LGBTQ+ serving organizations. These organizations that provide HIV testing and drag shows for youth and counseling for trans or non binary youth are what makes Oklahoma City a better place to live.
The city needs us as much as we need this city.
And, on May 23, OKC Pride, Inc. and Oklahoma City Pride Alliance announced that OKC Pride board members would unite with OKC Pride Alliance to produce the 2019 Oklahoma City Pride.
The OKC Pride, Inc board of directors voted to dissolve the organization after the resignation of Interim President, Brandon Odom. The board has been working for the last seven months to help with the investigation of alleged embezzlement by former President, Lori Honeycutt in 2018.
Odom said in his resignation letter, “I have been able to successfully investigate internally to gather information now being utilized by the Oklahoma State District Attorney’s office to prosecute the [alleged] offending party.”
Board Treasurer, Alison Scott said, “At this point, we just want to do what is best for the community and as a board, we feel like dissolving and putting this chapter behind us is the first step toward healing.”
Former board members, Storm Shenold and Pepper Hamilton, will join the Pride Alliance to help produce this year’s events.
The annual OKC Pride Parade and Festival is June 22. The parade begins at noon and Festival begins at 2 p.m. and goes until the bars close. For more information, visit www.oklahomacitypride.org.
More about events and news surrounding OKC Pride 2019:
This is our story. This is our city. This is our Pride
Celebrate unity and inclusion with Urban Pride
Oklahoma City Pride Alliance announces the return of Family Zone
How we got here: OKC Pride features “Legends & Rebels” in 2019 theme
Take the test and access PrEP during OKC Pride
OKC area welcoming churches to host special Pride service
"Faces of Pride" to premier at historic LGBTQ+ club
OKC Pride, Inc and OKC Pride Alliance join forces
2019 Pride parade in OKC moves to Saturday
Pride without the parade
Copyright The Gayly. 6/19/2019 @7:10 a.m. CST.