Cimarron Alliance

Our vision is "a fair and just Oklahoma."

How do we do it?

The Cimarron Alliance is building on a well-earned reputation as a champion for Oklahoma’s LGBT community by employing a threefold approach:

Education

Cimarron Alliance believes that education is essential in working toward the organization’s vision. We have undertaken initiatives to educate policymakers about issues facing LGBT Oklahomans throughout the state. The organization has helped inform legislators how crucial it is to ensure protection in the workplace. While there is currently no law prohibiting discrimination against people who are LGBT or are even presumed to be so, a greater body of elected officials is now concerned about this issue.

We also realize the great need to educate clergy, community leaders, and the public at large about the devastating effects caused by bigotry, discrimination, fear, and ignorance. Although surprising to most, it is legal in Oklahoma to discriminate against lesbians and gay men in areas of employment, housing and public transportation. These individuals can also be denied service in a bar or restaurant with absolutely no recourse.

Working in partnership with allied individuals and organizations, the Cimarron Alliance will continue to provide information and education in order to position LGBT persons on a more equal plane.

Enlightenment

Enlightenment differs from education in that the former involves an ah-ha moment. Education is fundamental to Cimarron’s mission, and its positive effects are multiplied when coupled with opportunities to enlighten individuals and organizations.

One may be educated about the harmful effects of discrimination, but the impact is greater when one sees first-hand the personal harm done to men, women, and young people. Similarly, people become enlightened when they come to understand that LGBT individuals are important, contributing members of society who, in so many cases, improve the quality of life for others.

Cimarron strives to enlighten citizens in many ways, and counts on the newly learned experiences of those citizens to help light the way for others.

Empowerment

While this term is often mistakenly identified only with militancy, empowerment is invaluable to individual lesbians and gay men, and to the LGBT community as a whole. Cimarron endeavors to empower individuals by helping them understand the value of community and demonstrating how there are many Oklahoman’s who share common concerns, hopes, and dreams.

Besides empowering individuals, the Cimarron Alliance Foundation supports the empowerment of other organizations who are also striving for social justice. By providing critical resources - human, financial, and the precious resource of time - to allied groups, Cimarron broadens the support of LGBT and other underserved individuals within the state.

As greater numbers of people feel empowered - and supported - positive change becomes possible. That’s why Cimarron’s vision of a Fair and Just Oklahoma is so much more than a vision statement for one organization; it is a shared vision among many Oklahomans for whom injustice and bigotry hold no place.