An Update from JoshUA Payton, co-founder of the OELC
We are $10,000 behind our fundraising budget for 2024. Annually, the OELC requires at least $60,000 ($5,000 each month) to be sustainable. These funds help with overhead and offset the expenses related to our legal services. Every donation you make is critical to directly serve the LGBTQ+ community.
Jenn and I started the OELC to help people. And not just any people – the most vulnerable Oklahomans in today’s misguided war against our LGBTQ+ neighbors. With your financial support, we have been able to help hundreds of Oklahomans who otherwise wouldn’t have access to the legal services they need to live with the dignity they deserve.
To date, we have helped over 210 clients through the Name and Gender Marker Correction Clinic. A process that we pioneered and is now shared by many statewide. A process that has survived multiple executive orders by the Governor AND statutes by the Oklahoma Legislature. A process that has saved lives. But there is a lot more to the OELC than this clinic. Here are just a few examples:
EMANCIPATION TO ATTEND COLLEGE
We helped an 18-year-old through the emancipation process allowing them to be eligible for subsidized student loans and grants enabling them to attend college. Uniquely, despite over 30 years of legal experience, the Judge had never been a part of the emancipation process! We helped our client pro bono – charging them only the filing fee and publication fee. The OELC was able to step in when others couldn’t or wouldn’t to allow this young person the privilege of attending college.
DIVORCE FOR SURVIVOR OF PARTNER ABUSE
Partner abuse is a massive problem in Oklahoma. Our client, who we helped at a significantly reduced rate, had a permanent protective order against their abusive spouse. The OELC helped them through the divorce process maintaining their right to safety. Now, they can begin reclaiming their life.
HOLDING RYAN WALTERS ACCOUNTABLE
You can read about the protective order the OELC together with our partner the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice secured against Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education here: https://www.aol.com/judge-grant-protective-order-requested-202951058.html
contribute today.
Unfortunately, this is not a money-making area of the law. The market will not fix these issues on its own. Thus, the financial burden for critical resources falls on the 2SLGBTQIA+ people who are systemically financially disadvantaged. To make change, save lives, and ensure equal access to critical legal resources for the community – we need funding.
Anonymous
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your assistance. My court experience was a disorienting experience. When you were kind enough to help resolve everything, I was incredibly grateful. The work you do to make sure people feel safe, supported and accepted is invaluable. Thank you again for being there for me.”
Tyler
“I am a transgender man in Oklahoma. Joshua Payton helped me have my gender legally changed through the Oklahoma court system. I initially thought this was impossible and I am grateful he was there to help me navigate this difficult situation. He has most recently helped me by reaching out to other attorneys and putting me in contact with one for a malpractice lawsuit. I am thankful to have an LGBTQ+ accepting attorney to fall back on when I have legal questions.”
Need LEGAL HELP?
We may be able to help you with your legal matter. Please send us a message.
who we are
We are a legal resource center specifically devoted to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
We have been serving clients in the community since 2020, and now we are opening an even more comprehensive legal resource center to meet more needs and serve more people by providing crucial low-cost legal assistance.
We are the only organization in Oklahoma providing direct legal services solely to the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
We are a safe legal resource, meeting people where they are and handling their legal issues so that people know their rights and receive the legal services they need.
what we do
We began as a clinic to help transgender and gender non-conforming Oklahomans correct their identifying documents. OELC is expanding the services provided to serve the legal needs of the broader 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
our vision
Our vision is to change the culture of Oklahoma so that all people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community can normalize their lives as Oklahomans. We will change the legal framework which will impact the cultural framework of Oklahoma.
Our goal is to have a consistent presence in the community to fill the legal resources gap with the overall purpose of changing the hearts and minds of Oklahomans, serving people, and saving lives.