FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:   

Laura Belmonte
President, Board of Directors

Oklahomans for Equality

(918) 906-2134

president@okeq.org 

 

Justice Waidner

Executive Director
Oklahomans for Equality
(918) 408-1821
ED@okeq.org
www.okeq.org

 
OkEq Denounces Rep. Sally Kern's Anti-Gay Tirade
 
Tulsa, Okla - March 10, 2008 -- Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) deplores the sentiments expressed by Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern (R-Oklahoma City) in a YouTube video now generating a firestorm. National and local media outlets are closely covering the controversy sparked by Kern's claim that homosexuality is "the biggest threat that our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam."
 

In a triple play of intolerance, Rep. Kern offends lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans, thousands of women and men defending the United States from terrorist attacks, and Muslims worldwide. Yet, she remains completely unapologetic, citing her right to freedom of speech and claiming, "I have never endorsed or supported any hateful action targeting individuals on the other side of this debate and never will."

 
Rep. Kern's legislative track record belies her remarks. In 2006, Rep. Kern sponsored legislation that would have denied funding to public libraries that refused to segregate books addressing LGBT themes. Rep. Kern has repeatedly used her public office to demonize LGBT Oklahomans and to attempt to deny them the exact same civil liberties she now defends so passionately. This is the height of hypocrisy.

 
"OkEq firmly supports Rep. Kern's constitutional right to express her views, but vociferously objects to the actions she takes to prevent LGBT Oklahomans from attaining justice and equality. 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," asserts Justice Waidner, OkEq Executive Director.
 

OkEq calls upon the many fair-minded members of the Oklahoma legislature to condemn Rep. Kern's comments and to pass immediately a state hate crimes law that encompasses sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. We ask for the House and Senate leadership to allow the five hate crimes bills currently before them to receive full consideration on the floor.

 
On Tuesday, March 11th at 2 p.m., Oklahomans for Equality will participate in a press conference organized by the Cimarron Alliance Foundation. The press conference will be held at the Church of the Open Arms at 3131 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Oklahoma City (map).

 
Founded by a dedicated group of volunteers in 1980, Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) is Oklahoma's oldest gay rights organization. OkEq seeks equal rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.