The Gayly Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 1, Ed. 1 Sunday, January 1, 2006 Page: 4 of 28
twenty eight pages : ill. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
• t « . * « , 4 ' >
4 the gayly Oklahoman • January 1,2006
times feel isolated and alone," said
McDonald. "But we know as parents,
friends, and family members that they
are beautiful gifts to all of us, and that
we celebrate them."
Brandy Spillman and Brad York
of Families First presented the first
award to Steve Lockhart and Leslie
Puntillo for founding and co-chairing
the gay parents group. "Thanks to the
vision, hard work, and dedication
of our 2 award recipients, there is a
Tulsa resource to help glbt parents
succeed at the single, most important
job in the world, and that is raising
a happy, healthy, and productive
child." Puntillo was not present, and
Lockhart accepted the award, stating,
"Being able to walk out to the grocery
store or into the school system with
our families and tell people, 'Yes, I am
a gay man. This is my family/--That's
what this group is about."
Kerry Lewis presented the next
award to Doug and Sue Gronberg,
who have taught at various schools
during their careers. For several
years, they both taught at Booker T.
Washington High School "About 7 or
8 years ago, they had created enough
trust with their students, that they had
been approached by some of the glbt
students about issues and questions,
and they recognized that there was
a need out there," said Lewis. "And
so, they formed the Gay/Straight
Alliance at Booker T. Washington."
The Gronbergs were nearly speech-
less at the surprise of receiving their
award. "We can't wait to get home
and call Eric," said Doug Gronberg,
referring to their son who came out to
them after they had helped start the
Gay/Straight Alliance.
Mary Waidner and her daughter
Justice presented a Swan Award to
Rick Fortner for founding the Council
Oak Men's Chorale. Several years
ago, Fortner, the music director of All
Souls Unitarian Church, was asked to
put together a vocal group to sing at
a World AIDS Day service. It became
Fortner's dream to develop a gay
men's chorus in Tulsa. The group was
asked to perform at a PFLAG regional
conference in Tulsa, and after doing
so, PFLAG took up a collection to buy
sheet music for the group. Though
Fortner no longer leads the Chorale,
he was asked to attend the dinner and
awards ceremony to lead the audience
in singing Christmas songs, unaware
of the award. "Like the coupie that
was here before me, I'm just speech-
less, and so grateful," said Fortner. "I
really thought that I was just going to
come and lead some caroling."
Nancy McDonald presented the
final award to J. Don Wood, who has
served as Tulsa PFLAG's treasurer for
16 years. After both of his children
had come out to their parents, Wood
realized that he was also gay, and
came out to his then-wife, Carolyn.
"I first met his wife when Joe and I
were looking for PFLAG in this com-
munity," recalled McDonald. "And it
was her encouragement that pushed
us to organize the Tulsa PFLAG chap-
ter. And of course, Don came with
Carolyn." Wood (not to be confused
with former TV meteorologist Don
Woods) accepted the award saying,
"I'm not sure that I've done all that
much to deserve it, but I'm thrilled
to have it." Wood, a PFLAG member
since 1988, has recently given up his
position as treasurer.
The evening did end with Fortner
leading the diners in Christmas car-
oling. Fortner said that, in choosing
songs, he knew that "Deck The Halls"
with its line about "gay apparel" was a
must. "I happen to see that quite a few
of you have some gay apparel. It looks
like you've all been in your Christmas
closets," he quipped.
Thank You
By the end of 2003 Van Krevelen
and Heidi Ruster at CarePoint realized
that their programs were duplicating
some services and that they were
competing for scarce funds because of
budget cuts. They started a campaign
to merge the organizations in an ef-
fort to streamline their services and
volunteer activities so that they could
meet the demands of a growing client
base. The result of this merger is RAIN
Oklahoma.
"Things are better than ever. I
know we made the right decision to
join and tackle the complex issues
surrounding HIV/AIDS in our state,"
Van Kreveien said. "I really do think
that RAIN Oklahoma is in a very
stable place."
Though Van Krevelen will not
take the credit for RAIN's resurgence,
it is obvious that she was the right
person at the right time, the key in-
gredient of a catalytic recovery. It also
seems, that the Cascade AIDS Project
(known to locals as CAP) in Portland,
Oregon thinks the same.
Recently, CAP launched a na-
tionwide search for a new Executive
Director. Becky Harmon, CAP'S
Interim Executive Director, said that
Jean Ann Van Krevelen topped the
list of 86 applicants from across the
nation.
"She was our first choice, and
we are thrilled to have her," Harmon
said. "Jean Ann's passion and deter-
mination set her apart from the very
beginning."
The Cascade AIDS Project is very
similar to RAIN Oklahoma in that it
is the result of a merger between two
vibrant organizations, a volunteer
organization and a service provider.
"CAP came together in 1983 and is
the oldest and largest provider of com-
munity-based HIV services, housing,
education and advocacy in Oregon
and southwest Washington," said
Harmon.
With a population of 2 million
people, Portland is significantly larger
than Oklahoma City and thus has
much more resource* and a larger staff
than RAIN Oklahoma. Van Krevelen
admitted that this opportunity is an
irresistible career move. "Portland has
a lot more people with HIV/AIDS, and
they have a lot more programs and a
more developed delivery system," she
explained.
Van Krevelen admitted that she is
looking forward to the challenges and
opportunities that moving to Portland
will present. She also mentioned that
it will be a relief to be in a more lib-
eral city that is more accepting of glbt
people. "The idea of walking down the
street and holding my partner's hand
is very appealing to me. Portland is a
place where there's not a straight com-
munity and a gay community. It's just
a community."
Though Portland itself is a place
that demonstrates a progressive at-
titude, Van Krevelen is very aware
that Oregon was among eleven states
that voted to amend their state con-
stitutions to ban same-sex marriage
in November 2004. "We still have our
challenges no matter where we go."
Van Krevelen will assume her
responsibilities at CAP on January 3,
2006 and her partner, Tracy will be
following her to Portland soon after.
When asked about whether or not she
is fleeing an oppressive environment
toward glbt people in Oklahoma City,
Van Krevelen paused thoughtfully,
choking back tears*. "This community
and this agency have been really good
to me. RAIN Oklahoma has been my
child."
Jean Ann Van Krevelen has been
a good mother to her child, and like
any good mother knows, there comes
a day to move on.
We here at The Gayly Oklahoman
are thankful to Jean Ann Van Krevelen
for her passion, commitment, and
friendship, and we wish her the very
best as she continues to serve people
living with HIV/AIDS in Portland,
Oregon. We will miss her.
Those who wish to stay in touch
with Jean Ann can e-mail her at www.
cascadeaids.org.
00110010100110O0O1 loioovom lonmorv
we are where your clients are.
v*> ow * * ^ 3 yl y * ^\d,v,G i $ i n ^
t«»H dril.i stiuarn. no
gayly Oklahoman
Vol. 24, Issue 1 •
January 1,2006
Copyright 2006
Gayly Incorporated
PO Box 60930
Oklahoma City, OK
73146
OKC: (405) 528-0800
Tulsa: (918) 599-9380
Fax: (405) 528-0796
info@gayly.com
www.gayly.com
"A
Editor In Chief
Don Hawkins * donhawkins@gayiy.com
Business Manager
Mick Shirron • mickshirron@gayly.com
Production Manager
J Scott Pitman • scottpitman@gayly.com
Out & About Editor
Victor Gorin • vgorin@gayly.com
Health Editor
Dianne Jones • diannejones@gayly.com
Staff Writers • OKC
Paula Sophia * paulasophia@gayiy.com
Travis Vaughn • travisvaughn@gayly.com
Staff Wriiters • Tulsa
Andrew Hicks • andrewiiickb@gayiy.com
Advertising Representatives
Rik Godbey • rik@gayly.com
Victor Gorin • vgorin@gayly.com
National Advertising Representative
Rivendell Media (212) 242-6863
Contributing Writers: Ray Williams, Donald Pile, Christine
Pappas, Jennifer Vanasco, Michael Yellope, Jr., Peaches
Lennox, Russ Pollock, Julia McConnell, Mick Shirron, Matt
McNeil, Don Rush, Jr. and Kevin Isom.
Deadline: 1st & 15th of each month
Subscriptions
12 mo. $39.95 / 6 mo. $24.95 / singles $3
check or money order
Distribution: The Gayty Oklahoman newspaper (GO!) is available on the 1st
and 15th of each month, free of charge at authorized distribution sites, one copy
per person. Additional copies of GO! newspaper may be purchased for $3 each,
payable in advance at GOI newspaper offices or via US Mail. GO! is delivered only
to authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of The
Gayly Oklahoman, take more than one copy of GO! newspaper. Any person who
takes more than one copy may be held liable for theft, including but not limited to civil
damages and or criminal prosecution.
Copyright & Limit of Liability: Reproduction of editorial, photographic or
<njvetiiaii.y coTnSr.t wShcyt written ccri?®"* •*«» Publisher is strictly prohibited.
Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and reserves the
right to reject any advertising. Publication of the name or photograph of any person
or organization in articles or advertising is not to be considered an indication of the
sexual orientation or HIV status of such person or organization. Publisher assumes
no responsibility for the loss or damage of materials submitted
Opinion* Expressed, other than those in Editorials, are not necessarily those of
The Gayiy Oklahoman, its staff or advertisers.
Charter Member of trie
METRO
DIVERSITY BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
tulsa Oklahomans
for human rights
Oklahoma Gay Rodeo
Association
Oklahoma
Gay A Lesbian
Political Caucus
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Hawkins, Don. The Gayly Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Vol. 24, No. 1, Ed. 1 Sunday, January 1, 2006, newspaper, January 1, 2006; Oklahoma City, Okla.. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc825024/m1/4/: accessed July 3, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.