Oklahoma LGBT Organization Opens New Office, Names First Executive Director

Online, February 15, 2010 (Newswire.com) - February 11, 2010, Oklahoma City-The Cimarron Alliance Foundation, Oklahoma's premier organization supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons, has named its first full-time executive director, and will officially open its new office this week, according to board co-chair Clayton Hickox.

While many nonprofit organizations are curtailing growth efforts in the present economic climate, the Cimarron board moved forward with a national search for an executive director, and spent several months viewing potential office space. Both efforts came to fruition at almost the same time.

Scott J. Hamilton, a native Oklahoman who has worked in New York City for the past 24 years, was tapped to helm the organization. Hamilton is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, and brings significant nonprofit experience to Cimarron. He was a vocal advocate of the LGBT community in New York, particularly for those living with HIV and AIDS, and senior lesbians and gay men.

Margaret Cox, board past chair and a member of the search team, said the organization is fortunate to have attracted an individual with broad nonprofit and LGBT experience, coupled with an understanding of Oklahoma's political landscape.
"I can think of no one better to be our first full-time executive director. Scott has the skills, the experience, and the heart to do great things for Cimarrron and for our community, our city, and our state."

Shortly before the first of the year, Hamilton left his husband (they were married legally in Connecticut) in Brooklyn to sell their home, and worked with the Cimarron board to develop a 12-month strategic roadmap for the organization. According to Hamilton, Cimarron will strengthen existing programs while developing new initiatives and services.

"Cimarron has had tremendous success in educating teachers and school administrators about the dangers gay kids are exposed to as a result of bullying. Our efforts have resulted in creating bully-free schools and, in the case of the Oklahoma City Public School System, had an impact in changing policy to explicitly protect LGBT young people from bullying. We will continue this program in 2010 when we hold Stop Hate in the Hallways 3," Hamilton said.

He also said that Cimarron is developing a new program directly for members of Oklahoma City's LGBT community. Hamilton explained that finishing touches are still being added to the program, but promised that a detailed announcement would be made in early March.

As Hamilton was coming aboard in this newly created role, the Cimarron board was signing a lease for office space at 729 NW 17. The board felt that the location, 17th and N. Shartel in Oklahoma City, would be easily accessible from anywhere in the metropolitan area.

Laurette Taylor, board co-chair, said the challenge was finding space that was at once visible, and still provide a degree of privacy. "We recognize that many lesbians and gay men in Oklahoma are not out, or perhaps are not out at work, and we wanted to provide a space where everyone would feel comfortable and welcome. Our new office really meets this criteria," she said. Taylor also noted that the new office is fully handicapped accessible.

The Cimarron Alliance Foundation will have a ribbon-cutting at 5:00 o'clock on Thursday, February 18, followed by an open house until 7:00. Hickox said everyone is encouraged to stop by, meet Hamilton and the board, and learn more about the plans that Cimarron has for the year ahead.