Rally in support of politician who thinks gays worse than terrorists
More than 1,000 people gathered in the Oklahoma capital on Wednesday to show their support for state representative Sally Kern.
Kern came under fire last month after an audio recording was leaked of her comparing gays to terrorists and saying the “homosexual agenda is destroying this nation.”
The YouTube video posted last month by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund featured Kern speaking out against gays to a group of Republicans who had invited her to express her views about homosexuality.
In the speech, Kern says homosexuality, “according to God’s word, that is not the right kind of lifestyle.
“It has deadly consequences for those people involved in it.”
Although she claims she is “not gay-bashing,” Kern continued by saying gays “have more suicide, there’s more illness, their life spans are shorter.
“Studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades.”
Kern also accuses homosexuals of pushing a “gay agenda” and trying to “indoctrinate” children as young as 2-years-old through tolerance education and gay-straight alliances.
“This stuff-it’s deadly,” Kern says, “and it’s spreading, and it will destroy our young people. It will destroy this nation.”
Kern’s speech sparked outrage from many, but the Oklahoma state representative defended her words, telling the press: “What I’m saying, I believe in.” In an interview with News9.com about the statements made in the leaked speech, Kern refused to apologise for her words or her views on homosexuality.
“What I’m saying, I believe in,” she said.
“There are indisputable facts that show it’s a deadly lifestyle. What is wrong with me, as an American, exercising my free speech rights?”
Gay rights groups across the US have been calling for Kern to apologise for her statements, but she has expressed no willingness to do so.
Kern did meet with representatives from the Oklahoma chapter of Parents Families and Friends of Lesbian and Gays (PFLAG) last month, but refused to offer any regret over her words.
However, she did tell representatives of the group that she agreed with the idea that GLBT people should be protected from workplace discrimination.
Yesterday more than 1,000 people marched on the state Capitol in Oklahoma to show their support for Kern.
A large “We Stand With Sally Kern” sign was displayed in the Capitol’s first floor rotunda, according to KOCO.com.
The rally was sponsored by Concerned Women for America and a group of church pastors who support Kern.
Speaking to the crowd, Kern stated once again that she is not going to apologise for her comments about homosexuality.
“This is not about me,” Kern stated. “It’s about the church having the right to speak out for the redeeming love of Jesus Christ who died to set us all from sin.
“What has happened to me has served to advance the gospel.”
Chuck Wolfe, President of CEO of the Gay Lesbian Victory Fund, released a statement following the rally saying:
“Today Sally and her admirers trotted out their favorite talking point: they don’t hate gay people, they love us and want us to change.
“Well, nobody who ever loved me talked to me the way she did when she compared us to terrorists and cancer.
“That’s not the language of love or even tough love. It’s the language of fear, division and yes, hate.
“Across America, Sally and her friends in the anti-gay industry are backing narrow-minded, extremist candidates who want to implement her world view, a world in which gay people are encouraged to fake being straight or to simply disappear altogether,” Wolfe said.
“If you’re gay, or if you are related to or know people who are gay, you understand how dangerous and misguided that message is.”
© 2008 GayWired.com; All Rights Reserved.
