Homophobic politician meets gay family group
An Oklahoma politician who described gay people as a bigger threat to America than terrorism has met with local members of the advocacy group Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG).
Representative Sally Kern received international attention after her homophobic speech to a group of fellow Republicans was posted on YouTube earlier this month by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund.
Her supporters claim she has been subject to death threats, something denied by state police.
Her son has been forced to deny he is gay after news reports he was censured while at college for cruising for sex in toilets.
Kern accused homosexuals of pushing a “gay agenda” and trying to “indoctrinate” children as young as two years old through tolerance education and gay-straight alliances.
“This stuff, it’s deadly and it’s spreading, and it will destroy our young people,” Kern said.
“It will destroy this nation.”
She met with PFLAG members yesterday.
“We appreciate Representative Kern taking the time to meet with us and consider an important, ongoing dialogue about our families and loved ones,” PFLAG’s Oklahoma City chapter President Loyce Newton-Edwards said after the meeting.
“Representative Kern expressed a commendable desire to consider every family, every Oklahoman, and every constituent.
“Today she took an important first step forward that, we hope, will be the beginning of many conversations with our families and our community.”
The Demcratic party has announced that Ron Marlett, a 59-year-old social worker, will challenge Kern for the Oklahoma City seat in the state House of Representatives in November’s election.
In 2004 Kern was elected for the first time with 67.65% of the vote.
Her Democrat opponent, Ronald E. Wasson, won 4,215 votes or 32.35%.
In 2006 she ran unopposed.
In her short time in the House she has built a reputation for homophobia.
Two years ago she sponsored legislation compelling libraries to move “gay themed” books to adult sections.
“If we expose children to sexual material without parental knowledge and guidance, we’re programming them for destruction,” she said.
