PFLAG accuse homophobic politician of lying
Advocacy group Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) has released new audio footage of politician Sally Kern that contradicts her statements to the press.
The Oklahoma state representative, who described gay people as a bigger threat to America than terrorism, met with three PFLAG representatives last month.
Both sides described the encounter as polite and cordial but just hours after the meeting, she said she was being misrepresented.
Ms Kern told The Oklahoman that the group took her statements and “spun them” to misrepresent her views on gay job discrimination.
PFLAG denied any such misrepresentation, but Kern was on the attack.
She wrote a rambling letter to a local newspaper, citing research into homosexuality conducted in the early 1950s and stating:
“Homosexuals are already citizens who have equal rights. They want “special rights” for the acceptance of their deviant lifestyle.
“I’m thankful that Oklahoma is different than California and New York. I pray it stays that way.”
As a result of the media storm surrounding her original comments her son was forced to deny he is gay after news reports he was censured while at college for repeatedly cruising for sex in toilets.
In a speech to a group of fellow Republicans, posted on YouTube last month by the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund, Ms 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.
PFLAG has revealed that the entire 40-minute meeting between Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards, Rev. Dr. Kathy McCallie and Rev. Jim Shields of PFLAG and Ms Kern was taped, and has released the recording on YouTube.
“Sally pontificates on job discrimination, gay millionaires, lesbian golfers, and a little boy named Jimmy,” said Steve Ralls of PFLAG.
“As the full 40-minute audio recording released this morning by PFLAG proves, Kern said not once (at about 15 minutes and 30 seconds in) that she does not believe GLBT people should be fired from their jobs, but she said it twice (again at about 33:15), confirming her stance when Rev. Kelly McCallie recaps the meeting near its end.
“And, when asked by Rev. Newton-Edwards if she would consider attending future PFLAG meetings to hear from other families in her district, Kern says, almost joyfully, ‘maybe.’
“In fact, if you look at PFLAG’s characterisation of the meeting last week, and Kern’s version of the encounter in the local press, there is no question that Sally flat-out lied to reporters.”
Click here to hear the recording of the meeting.
Mr Ralls added:
“Sally’s most poignant moment is one that exists only in her head.
“Midway through the conversation, and clearly an hour or so before her next round of medication is due, Kern waxes philosophical on the awesome power of teachers … to convince our children they’re gay.
“It is the story of little Jimmy, a theoretical Oklahoma school boy who leaves home one day, presumably heterosexual, and heads off to learn his ABCs.
“But little Jimmy is unaware that his teacher has an entirely different ‘to-do list’ for the day.
“The teacher, Kern explains, lines the children up on the playground and begins to count off: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and then, abruptly, declares little Jimmy to be a little bit gay.”
The Democratic 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.
