Author Michael Roberson speaks during a Pride event at Phllips Theological Seminary on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.

Phillips Theological Seminary hosted its fourth Pride at Phillips event Tuesday night. The celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, done in partnership with Black Queer Tulsa, coincided with National Coming Out Day and Tulsa’s Pride celebrations in October.

About 75 people attended the gathering featuring artist Neil Wade, who grew up in Tulsa. The bulk of his work on display highlighted the intersection of Black identity and queerness. 

Following a short reception, the crowd was greeted with a dance performance from Black Queer Tulsa to the tune of Beyonce’s “Move” and remarks from founder Daniel McHenry. 

The main event featured a lecture from national LGBTQ+ activist Michael Roberson, author of “Ballroom: A History, A Movement, A Celebration.”

Roberson’s talk focused on how dance has become a tool for liberation and the struggles some Black LGBTQ+ members have wrestled with when it comes to religion. 

Phillips Seminary’s next event is scheduled for Nov. 10 to honor Native American Heritage Month. It will feature a film screening of “The Doctrine.”

Neil Wade speaks during a Pride event at Phillips Theological Seminary on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.
Black Queer Tulsa founder Daniel McHenry speaks a Pride event at Phillips Theological Seminary on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.
F. Douglas Powe Jr., president of Phillips Theological Seminary, speaks during an Oct. 13, 2026, Pride event.
Dancers perform during pride at Phllips Theological Seminary on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.
Guests listen during pride at Phllips Theological Seminary on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.

All photos done by Milo Gladstein of the Tulsa Flyer.

Elliot Terrell is the managing editor for The Oklahoma Eagle. Prior to joining The Eagle, he worked as a reporter for NPR affiliates in Milwaukee, Atlanta and Salt Lake City and later Axios.

Milo Gladstein is the visual journalist at Tulsa Flyer. He grew up in southern California and previously served as the sole staff photographer at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle in Cheyenne. He graduated from...