Third annual run benefits equality

(Oklahoma City) To benefit the tireless efforts of Freedom Oklahoma, Oklahoma’s statewide LGBT advocacy organization, the third annual Equality Run - 5K/10K/1mi. - will be held Saturday, June 20, along the Oklahoma River at Wiley Post Park, just south of downtown OKC.

“I am excited to help organize and be the presenting sponsor again for this event,” said Marlo Miller D.D.S. “Most importantly, all the proceeds go to a worthy cause promoting diversity, equality, acceptance, peace, fun and wellness.” Dr. Miller is an orthodontist in the OKC metro area.

Because of sponsorship support, each dollar from every race entry will help Freedom Oklahoma advance equality for all Oklahomans.

The 2015 Equality Run is a kickoff to Oklahoma City’s official “Pride Weekend.” Individuals or teams of runners, walkers, wheelers and spectators are welcome to participate in the event. Pets on leashes are allowed and encouraged. Every participant registered before June 1 is guaranteed an event shirt and medal.

“With record numbers of discriminatory legislation introduced [this year] against women, people of color, the LGBT community, and other groups - people are fired-up and ready to race,” said Equality Run co-director Joshua Sauer.

Earlier this year, the Oklahoma Legislature received national attention as they introduced 18 anti-LGBT bills. Freedom Oklahoma was instrumental in ensuring all 18 of these bills were defeated.

In a statement from Freedom Oklahoma’s Executive Director, Troy Stevenson said, “The Equality Run will be more than a recognition of LGBT pride, it will truly be a celebration of an amazing year for Freedom Oklahoma, and every Oklahoman who believes freedom means freedom for everyone. Our volunteers and sponsors have put a tremendous amount of effort into creating a community led and family friendly event; it will be a great day.”

The 2015 Equality Run is presented by Marlo A. Miller D.D.S., M.S. Orthodontics and sponsored by Marty Coltrane; Entrust Realty, Mark Henricksen; The Henricksen Law Office; Joe E. Poe; The Gayly newspaper; Printing Products Inc.; Dorothy E. Heim, Attorney at Law; Penney Wise Wealth Advisors, LLC; Susan Penney; Curt Stamp; Jim Roth; A New Energy; Frederick Redwine; and Allyson Coffey Insurance.

The 2015 Equality Run Grand Marshal will be State Representative Emily Virgin. The event will be held at 8:30am, Saturday, June 20, along the Oklahoma River at Wiley Post Park, just south of Downtown OKC.

The 5K run fee is $40, the 10K run is $45 and the 1 mile is $20 before June 11. To register or learn more about Freedom Oklahoma and to see all of the sponsors, please visit www.FreedomOklahoma.org or www.Facebook.com/EqualityRunOK.

Freedom Oklahoma is Oklahoma's statewide LGBT advocacy organization, and a proud member of the Equality Federation. Freedom Oklahoma is the unified organization resulting from the merger of The Equality Network, a 501 (c) (4) organization that lobbies for pro-equality legislation and public policies; and the Cimarron Alliance Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) organization that engaged in public education in support of the LGBT community.

The Gayly – June 15, 2015 @ 3:30pm.