Background

In 1995 the Cimarron Alliance Group political action committee was founded by a group of Oklahoma gays and lesbians. The goal to unite the Oklahoma gay and lesbian community into a strong and influential political action committee was successful. Through the success of Cimarron Alliance Group the Cimarron Alliance Foundation was formed in 1997 as a Section 501(c)(3) organization to focus on educational issues facing gays and lesbians.

Enlightenment

Cimarron's efforts have enlightened Oklahomans about important issues concerning gays and lesbians. For example, a sizable percentage of Oklahoma's public officials, candidates, and citizens were unaware that despite any improper conduct or inadequate job performance gays and lesbians can be fired from their jobs simply because of perceptions about their sexual orientation. Oklahoma's gays and lesbians also can be denied public transportation, housing, or service in public restaurants without any legal recourse.

The educational challenge facing our community is formidable. Much work is needed in order to remind Oklahomans that the legal vestiges of hate and official discrimination should be eliminated. Although polls consistently show that most Americans and most Oklahomans do not believe that people should be subject to job firing solely because they are gay or lesbian, the same polls indicate that most people mistakenly believe that job protection already is secure for gays and lesbians.

Broad educational efforts must be initiated in order to enlighten Oklahomans about discrimination suffered by gays and lesbians. Cimarron Alliance Foundation provides the community with important resources to meet its educational goals. This non-profit Foundation develops wide-reaching educational strategies aimed at confronting bigotry and ignorance to portray an accurate picture of our honest, civic-minded Oklahoma gay and lesbian community. The foundation's mission requires the steadfast support of all members of our community.