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Anti-gay remarks blasted

Jerre Fine (right), a former linguist for the Air Force, speaks Thursday during a press conference criticizing recent comments by state Rep. Sally Kern. David Bernstein (left) and Jim Langdon are seated. JAMES PLUMLEE / Tulsa World

 
By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Published: 3/14/2008  1:17 AM
Last Modified: 3/14/2008  2:47 PM


Watch video of Thursday’s press conference.
www.tulsaworld.com/videos

Video: Listen to Sally Kern's controversial speech.

Complete coverage: Oklahoma legislator's anti-gay comments stir hostile reaction :: Kern cites support from GOP :: OSBI reading Kern e-mails :: Local gay organization denounces Kern's comments against homosexuality :: Ellen calls Sally Kern :: Kern's son denies reports he is gay

Vote in a poll: Would you sign the petition to have Sally Kern removed from office?


Community leaders on Thursday denounced state Rep. Sally Kern's

recent comments about homosexuality and asked legislators to respond by passing hate crimes legislation that encompasses sexual orientation and gender identity.

Nancy McDonald, the president of the Tulsa Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays also called on Kern, R-Oklahoma City, to make a public apology for saying she thinks homosexuality is "the biggest threat that our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam."

Justice Waidner, executive director of Oklahomans for Equality, which organized the press conference, said, "When elected officials use their power to defame entire categories of people, they abuse the freedom of speech embedded in the First Amendment and violate their responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of their constituents."

Kern's anti-gay comments, made in January in front of a group of Republicans, have received national attention since they were posted on the video-sharing Web site YouTube on March 7. Kern, who said she has received hundreds of phone calls and more than 7,000 e-mails in response, has since said the comments were taken out of context and that she was speaking about individuals and not groups.

Citing recent acts of violence against gay and transgender people, Waidner said comments such as Kern's have dangerous effects.

"Rep. Kern has repeatedly used her public office to demonize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Oklahomans and to attempt to deny them the exact same civil liberties she now defends so passionately," Waidner said. "This is the height of hypocrisy."

In 2006, Kern sponsored a bill to deny public money to libraries that did not segregate books that were determined to have gay themes.

A representative of the Islamic Society of Tulsa criticized Kern's statement about Islam and said Oklahoma Muslims positively contribute to the state.

"Rep. Kern's divisive comments are counterproductive and distract our Legislature and all Oklahomans from far more important issues that this state and nation must focus on," said Sheryl Siddiqui, the society's director of community relations.

Jerre Fine, a former Air Force linguist who has studied the culture of Islam, called Kern's remarks absurd and ignorant.

Fine, who is gay, said she was particularly offended as a person who has served the country by fighting terrorism.

"We need protection not only from outside sources looking to destroy America; we need protection from within by people like Sally Kern," Fine said.

The video of Kern had been viewed more than 800,000 times on YouTube by Thursday afternoon. In it, Kern, a former teacher, says children in public schools are being indoctrinated by a "homosexual agenda" and that gay-straight alliances at schools are "ruining lives."

On Monday, Kern said Re publican caucus members gave her a standing ovation after she read to them some of the e-mails she received. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the e-mails and phone calls to assess whether they contain threats of violence.

Kern's statements have put all Oklahomans in a bad light, said Jim Langdon, board president of the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice.

"Her statement perpetuates the wrongful stereotype that Oklahoma is a backward state," he said. "Every proud Oklahoman deserves to be disgusted at her ridiculous rant."

Kern's comments also do not represent Christian thinking, said the Rev. Jim Mishler, executive director of the Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry.

"We take exception to her claiming the Christian territory for her viewpoints," he said.


Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer

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Report Comment
JWB, Laguna Woods, CA (3/14/2008 7:35:17 AM)
Was an "Anti-gay remarks supported" article ever considered? Will one be published later?
Report Comment
Dover, (3/14/2008 7:36:22 AM)
14. 3/14/2008 6:56:26 AM, mike, tulsa
You must be one of those gay weirdos. It is a sick disease and people use they cant help it as an excuse for not being able to be in a successful relationship with the opposite sex, thats all!
Report Comment
Lawrence, Tulsa (3/14/2008 7:27:29 AM)
This isn't a free speech issue. Voicing disagreement with someone is not violating their freedom of speech.
Report Comment
Lawrence, Tulsa (3/14/2008 7:25:32 AM)
Sexual orientation is not a choice.
Report Comment
Chad, Broken Arrow (3/14/2008 7:47:50 AM)
GO SALLY! I SUPPORT YOU 100%

We need more strong willed lawmakers like Sally Kern. I applaud her for saying what needs to be said....and sticking with it.

Report Comment
J, Tulsa (3/14/2008 7:51:03 AM)
#7 consider this anyone who attends a church of any kind and is employed pays income tax. Secondly I choose to believe the teachings in the Bible and I hardly think of myself as a freeloader. I have served my country, I hold down a full time job and pay taxes, I am a volunteer firefighter, I coach youth sports, and I finacially support a number of charities. Bashing the religious community makes you just like those that critize you.
Report Comment
Chad, Broken Arrow (3/14/2008 7:52:40 AM)
Only the vocal minority is denouncing Sally Kern's statements (the same vocal minority that force-feeds their perverted homosexuality into our society).

The silent majority is CHEERING!!!!!

Don't back down Sally!
Report Comment
Jim Lewis, Juneau, Wisconsi (3/14/2008 7:55:12 AM)
Good to know free speech is alive and well. Have we forgotten that we allow speech and still defend the other persons right to it?

Disagree agreeably.
Report Comment
john miller, (3/14/2008 7:18:19 AM)

This lady should be given a "hugh" raise, and a "big" promotion. Stand by your guns Sally Kern, don't give in to these perverts.
Report Comment
JOHN KLINE, TULSA (3/14/2008 7:15:41 AM)
I think Kern was just trying to make a name for herself. That she did--unfortunately it cannot be used in public.
Report Comment
MOVIE???????, OKLAHOMA (3/14/2008 8:08:27 AM)
THIS HAS ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR A GREAT MOVIE.
OR A WORLD TITLE SMACK DOWN . ALL OF THIS IS COMEDY
ANY WAY.
SALLY KERNS FOR GOVERNOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Comment
kg, Bartlesville (3/14/2008 8:15:20 AM)
So this grandmotherly looking lady is in fact a bigot.
Is Hate a GOP family value?
Does anyone else belong to her hating church? - much evil has been in the name of some god or other.
She should be impeached.
Over 1,000,000 views on You-Tube - what great publicity for Okiehoma.
Report Comment
Tim Roberts, Tulsa (3/14/2008 7:15:23 AM)

what would Jesus do?

To tell the thousand of children who have lost a parent to terrorism, the tens of thousands of parents who have lost a child to terrorism and the war on terrorism - that their loss was less significant than how 2 people fall in love is a horrible horrible act.

She should be ashamed of this politically opportunistic talk, and when she is burning in hell, I hope she realizes that you in no way did she act the way Jesus would.
Report Comment
WilliamTheArtist, Tulsa (3/14/2008 8:25:23 AM)
I found it interesting how she said something to the effect... not everyones lifestyles are equal, not everyones religions are equal.... you can tell because, they have more suicides, more illnesses, their lifespans are shorter.... If thats true what does it say about Oklahomans? Oklahomans have shorter lifespans, more suicides, more illnesses, more divorce, more drug use, more child abuse, more homeless and poor, etc. etc. Is it because we are Oklahomans or because of other factors? Is it because some are gay that they may have those problems, or is it because of other factors like being thrown out of their families and churches, "away from the good people and good exampes", are not encouraged to be in stable relationships, are actually discouraged from forming stable relationships, are teased, made fun of, harassed, have to worry about being fired if they come out, etc. etc. ? Again, what do all those negative factors say about Oklahomans and their lifestyles?
Report Comment
WilliamTheArtist, Tulsa (3/14/2008 8:27:10 AM)
I found it interesting how she said something to the effect... not everyones lifestyles are equal, not everyones religions are equal.... you can tell because, they have more suicides, more illnesses, their lifespans are shorter.... If thats true what does it say about Oklahomans? Oklahomans have shorter lifespans, more suicides, more illnesses, more divorce, more drug use, more child abuse, more homeless and poor, etc. etc. Is it because we are Oklahomans or because of other factors? Is it because some are gay that they may have those problems, or is it because of other factors like being thrown out of their families and churches, "away from the good people and good exampes", are not encouraged to be in stable relationships, are actually discouraged from forming stable relationships, are teased, made fun of, harassed, have to worry about being fired if they come out, etc. etc. ? Again, what do all those negative factors say about Oklahomans and their lifestyles? Are Oklahomans worse than terrorists too?
Report Comment
What Happened?, (3/14/2008 7:05:20 AM)
What happened to free speech? You see Christians getting slammed all the time and no one cares. But voice your opinion about gays and gird your loins!!!!
Report Comment
SODOM FIRE, TULSA (3/14/2008 8:31:09 AM)
#42
His exact words were as he torched SODOM
THE ROOF, THE ROOF. THE ROOF IS ON FIRE.
DONT GET THE WATER .LET THE MF BURN.
Report Comment
Mandi, Oklahoma City (3/14/2008 8:34:49 AM)
To RC FROM JENKS--Pardon me sir or madam, or whoever you are but you need to do your research. Homosexuality in the animal kingdom has been studied and documented and is actually quite common. It is BECAUSE people like you, who tend to demonize entire segments of the population, who do not educate themselves that make us look backwards and foolish. Don't start spouting crap off that you obviously have absolutely NO knowledge on...you're an idiot.
Report Comment
RC, jenks (3/14/2008 6:58:03 AM)
Come on people. this is so simple look at the animals even they know its wrong, how many Bulls do you see courting each other in the pasture, zero or how many male Lions do you see lying down together in the Serengeti, Zero they have females around them, what would happen to our population if we all were Homosexual. We would be extinct. We were not created or designed that way.
Report Comment
What's wrong with being straight?, Tulsa (3/14/2008 8:40:56 AM)
It's funny how when gays make fun of straight people it's ok, but if straight people make fun of gays it's called spreading hate.

Gays DO make fun of straight people for not being gay. They call us breeders! LOL! What the heck is wrong with THAT?

Don't they realize they're making fun of their parents, too?
Report Comment
Dover, (3/14/2008 8:41:01 AM)
36. 3/14/2008 8:07:56 AM, Samantha, Tulsa
In a way they can be a greater threat than terrorism. They can wipe out human life!!!!! Totally. If everyone was gay weirdos there would be no reproduction. It is like the earlier comment. Even wild animals know it is wrong. And we are supposed to be the ones with intelligence! I guess the majority of us are. Why dont we wall off a city and give it to the gays then we wouldnt have to be constantly offended by them and their behavior. It is sick! Does anyone remember the city of babalon........... Huh I wonder why God did that?????????
Report Comment
wmcol, Tulsa (3/14/2008 8:42:40 AM)
Lower animals not capable of homosexuality. Homo root means human/man, and no one has seen a human horse, dog or cat yet.
Report Comment
mike, tulsa (3/14/2008 6:56:26 AM)
dover, its wacko idiots like you and "Sally" that worship your precious "bible book" that need to be removed from the public and private forum period. Go back to your trailer.........geeze rednecks and homophobes they need each other!
Report Comment
kg, Bartlesville (3/14/2008 8:44:04 AM)
It probably will turn out that Kern is gay. So many GOP legislators who are very anti-gay use it as a cover. Think Senator Craig,
Report Comment
PC, Tulsa (3/14/2008 8:45:56 AM)
Sally, Is it true that you have a son who is gay? Maybe you might recall the story about people who live in glass house should not cast the first stone. GOD BLESS YOUR POOR POOR SOUL!!
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