04/02/2008
Kern at 1000-Strong 'Rally for Sally': This is Not About Me
NOTE: This is an update of an earlier post...and it's worth pointing out that while AP puts the numbers at the protest at 1,000, a local news station puts them at 300, while the wishful thinkers at right-wing religious outlet WingNut Daily put them at 2,000.
Early reports are beginning to come in on the "Rally for Sally" sponsored by several right-wing religious "pro-family" groups along with over 50 pastors.
Via AP: "More than 1,000 people streamed into the Oklahoma Capitol Wednesday for a rally in support of state Rep. Sally Kern, the Republican lawmaker who drew national condemnation for anti-gay remarks caught in a YouTube audio clip. A 'We Stand With Sally Kern,' sign was posted in the Capitol's first-floor rotunda, where the rally was being held. Kern drew widespread criticism for her comments, including a remark that homosexuals are a greater threat than terrorists. Kern has rejected demands by gay and lesbian groups that she apologize for her remarks."
Above, Kern is pictured with state Rep. Mike Reynolds (R-Oklahoma City).
The Oklahoman reports: "Kern (pictured here with Jack Bettis and Americans for Truth's Peter LaBarbera) and several others, including a man who said he was gay until he found Jesus Christ, often quoted Scriptures while speaking to the crowd. Kern...said after the rally she was humbled by the turnout. 'This is not about me,' Kern told those at the rally. 'It's about the church having the right to speak out about the redeeming love of Jesus Christ Who died to set us all free from our sins.' Kern's husband, the Rev. Steve Kern, said it wasn't the purpose of the rally to bash homosexuals. 'We love them,' said Rev. Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in Oklahoma City... Kern said a biblical verse came to her after her comments were posted last month on the Internet. The passage is Philippians 1:12, where the apostle Paul wrote, 'I want you to know that what has happened to me has served to the advancement of the gospel. And that's the way I'm looking at this to God be the glory,' she said. Kern said again today she is not going to apologize. She said her comments were not against homosexuals, but were directed at the strategy of gay rights supporters to defeat conservative candidates. Kern's husband said he wasn't asking anyone to apologize for the thousands who sent hate mail to his wife's Capitol office and to their home or said mean things about their family. 'We forgive you,' he said. 'We have no animosity in our hearts toward you.'"
The Oklahoman earlier today published an editorial calling Kern a "one-trick pony" who should "work to do something constructive" with her time.
The Oklahoman wrote in an editorial: "Last week Kern met with one of the groups (PFLAG), based in Oklahoma City, and afterward its president called it 'a very productive conversation' and backed off the call for Kern to step down. But the next day, Kern said the group had taken her remarks from the meeting 'and spun them to make it appear that I am backing off my comments that homosexuality is a sin ... and that I am in favor of sexual orientation laws.' She said neither could be further from the truth, and that the group had shown a 'lack of integrity' by twisting her words to fit its purposes. Oh, and she won't meet again with members. That's disappointing, but hardly surprising. Kern's main focus in the Legislature has been on anti-gay initiatives, such as trying to determine where libraries should place books with homosexual themes. 'God's Word does not change. ... Therefore, my opinion also will not change,' she said last week. Kern will be shown a little love today when the American Family Association holds a rally in her support at the Capitol. Perhaps constituents ought to hold a rally of their own, urging this one-trick pony to put her tiresome personal agenda aside and work to do something constructive."
'Sally Rally' draws more than 1,000 Kern supporters [the oklahoman]
Sally Rally: People gather to support state lawmaker who made anti-gay remarks [tulsa world]
She said, she said: Lawmaker won't let issue go [the oklahoman]
Posted 5:30 PM EST by Andy Towle in News, Oklahoma, Sally Kern | Permalink
Like it?
Subscribe to FREE Towleroad daily headlines with our RSS feed!
RECENT STORIES:
Comments
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Girl really needs to do something about that hair.
Posted by: Sayke | Apr 2, 2008 8:21:36 PM
And they have the nerve to say that they love homosexuals. To equate homosexuals to terrorists doesn't sound very loving - at least not in my house. One trick pony indeed!
But I disagree 100% with the person who suggested posting pictures and information on her gay son. He's done nothing wrong. I would be interested, however, to see if he's made any sort of public statement.
Posted by: Mike | Apr 2, 2008 8:30:51 PM
Sorry RAD but I think you're wrong on this one. This is about MUCH more than the word "marriage". These people HATE gays and they would hate us even if we weren't asking for civil rights, marriage rights or any other kind of rights.
As long as we insist on living our lives honestly and openly they will continue their assaults on us. In their minds, the only good gays are "ex"-gays, closeted married gays and dead gays.
Don't be fooled, marriage is just their latest excuse to justify their attacks on us.
Posted by: Zeke | Apr 2, 2008 8:31:45 PM
I agree, Zeke. While I'm all for finding more commonality within the gay community, handing over the word "marriage" (in favor of some supposedly more palatable word) isn't going to help matters in OK, where it's not like marriage is on the table. (It is on the table in VT, and VTers, gay and straight, are supporting it.)
In not so many years, these people will go down in history as being on the wrong side of history. What bugs me is that, in their self-righteous ignorance, they actually believe they "love" homosexuals (some of them--many commenting in the OK press are open haters) and believe that Sally's free speech rights were somehow infringed upon. What they don't understand, of course, is that free speech goes both ways, it comes with consequences, and that there is, or is supposed to be, a separation of church and state in this country.
Posted by: Ernie | Apr 2, 2008 8:54:26 PM
The best way to react to these people is to hit them where it hurts -- run someone more qualified against them in the next election. Also, look at their campaign contributions -- its pretty much impossible today to be squeaky clean in local elections. Since she has a teaching degree and her husband is a pastor at Olivet Baptist Church, its unlikely she could afford the kind of accounting and legal help to keep her within the very gray boundaries of campaign contribution law I've already asked for her state filings. The Senate censured Larry Craig more for campaign contribution misdeeds than his "wide stance".
Bigots think they are beyond the law. Which is why I became a lawyer...
Posted by: BH Heretic | Apr 2, 2008 9:00:51 PM
The best way to react to these people is to hit them where it hurts -- run someone more qualified against them in the next election. Also, look at their campaign contributions -- its pretty much impossible today to be squeaky clean in local elections. Since she has a teaching degree and her husband is a pastor at Olivet Baptist Church, its unlikely she could afford the kind of accounting and legal help to keep her within the very gray boundaries of campaign contribution law I've already asked for her state filings. The Senate censured Larry Craig more for campaign contribution misdeeds than his "wide stance".
Bigots think they are beyond the law. Which is why I became a lawyer...
Posted by: BH Heretic | Apr 2, 2008 9:01:53 PM
I hope she is defeated when her term is up.
Posted by: David | Apr 2, 2008 9:26:34 PM
"no society that has embraced homosexuality has lasted more than a few decades"
Tick tock tick tock, the Netherlands should implode any minute, followed by several Scandinavian countries"
How about a gathering of 1000 queers over 50 on the statehouse to prove her wrong about our 'destructive lifestyle"
Posted by: qjersey | Apr 2, 2008 10:25:42 PM
I guess she's a typical white person like BO's grandma, except with a homophobic twist. Lady, live and let live.
Posted by: kc | Apr 2, 2008 10:52:35 PM
You know, I would call for the states Kern insulted (and there are many) to initiate a vigorous program of divestment from Oklahoma, as well as a tourism boycott.
But then who's investing money and time in Oklahoma anyway? It's a redneck shithole in the middle of nowhere.
Posted by: John | Apr 3, 2008 12:12:24 AM
BTW, where are those wonderful Log Cabin Repugs when you need them? This is a member of their own party, attacking their own "kind". Hmm... Now HOW do you justify this, Loggers? I have never been able to understand the existence of that group. It just seems so contradictory. Wouldn't this be an opportunity for them to step forward and make a stand? It's hard to be the hated member of the family, I suppose.
Posted by: Reggie | Apr 3, 2008 12:25:28 AM
I'm officially over this cunt. I'm sick of hearing about her...talk about 15 minutes of fame, some backward-ass nutcase from Oklahoma...leave the bigot to stew in her own juices, she has had more than enough publicity by now...let her face down the PFLAG families with her bile. She will be shown to be the monster.
Posted by: So Left I'm Right | Apr 3, 2008 12:30:50 AM
Look at them, celebrating their ignorance, bigotry and stupidity. These people are nothing but a waste. In the end, they'll contribute nothing to the world.
Posted by: David T | Apr 3, 2008 12:54:44 AM
I love that she and her husband give the façade of being accepting and tolerance, when they have been anything BUT accepting and tolerant.
Also, a clip that might be of interest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IHdaJOZe7E
Posted by: Lucas Witherspoon | Apr 3, 2008 3:19:16 AM
*tolerant
Posted by: lucas Witherspoon | Apr 3, 2008 3:20:33 AM
GOOD POST..
I will send it to my friends on ~~~ Tallmeet.com ~~~~..I find many friends there and I share my life with them..many people there upload their nice pics there..
Posted by: Corey | Apr 3, 2008 5:18:50 AM
Do you suppose that the mysterious "gay agenda" is in that folder she's carrying? I for one want to read that. I have no idea what I'm supposed to be doing.
Posted by: Emmy | Apr 3, 2008 5:54:22 AM
KC: What is a "typical white person?" That kind of bigoted bullshit statement is exactly what spews from Kern's mouth.
Posted by: Shane | Apr 3, 2008 7:05:43 AM
Does the bible really make a big deal about people making love to someone of the same sex? Last time I checked there was no Commandment addressing the issue one way or the other. It seems that the only negative perspective relating to homosexual encounteres were man-made. God didn't say anything against gay men or women (that I know about).
Posted by: Charles | Apr 3, 2008 7:31:46 AM
Please don't lump all Oklahomans in with Kern. Yes, Oklahoma's image is suffering because of her, but this situation is also an opportunity to affect change. For those who disagree -- and there are many -- to voice their disgust, just as The Oklahoman did in its editorial. But change is too often too slow. Divestment and boycotts show no leadership; it's the easy way out, and only leaves the bigoted to their own devices. Be seen, be heard, be present. Time is on our side.
Posted by: Eddie | Apr 3, 2008 7:46:44 AM
Zeke I agree with your comments up to a point. While I do not believe Kern "hates" us the way the Phelps clan does, I do believe that she has a personal agenda to strip us of any civil rights. This is a very difficult process for deeply religeous people! It is not what anyone here wants to hear, but we are asking for those individuals to step through their faith and accept something that they truly believe to be a sin.
While I am in no way defending her statement, I do understand faith and its power on the individual. I suppose it comes from growing up a preacher's kid in the rural south. However, I do not ask for them to accept me in a religeous sense, it will never happen, I do expect to be treated equally under civil law.
Not all of the Christian right hate us like the Phelps clan! My mother is deeply religeous and yet continues to love both my brother and myself. Imagine being a Southern preacher's wife with two gay sons! She treats my partner's son equally to my children at holidays but I know that she struggles with the concept of homosexuality. Her faith will not allow her to fully give in. But she is an active part in our lives, she loves us and supports our right to live happily.
I do not know Kern personally and cannot discern if she is a supporter of Phelps or is more like my mother. I do know that I am not worse for America than a terrorist! For that comment she should apologize. I do not think she should apologize for making the comment that being gay is a sin. She is intitled to her opinion. I suppose I can see a little bit of both sides. So long as the person is not actively working to put me in jail or taking any rights from me I am ok with their opinion that it is a sin. When it is all said and done, I will answer for me and me only. They will have to answer for themselves, hate included!
Posted by: RB | Apr 3, 2008 8:19:55 AM
I agree with Sally Kern's comments. I hope she runs for office in NYC so I can vote for her.
Posted by: mike | Apr 3, 2008 9:13:50 AM
Ms Kern is entitled to her opinion...but ASA PUBLIC official who represents ALL the people, and NOT just her "Christian" friends....she does NOT have a right to condemm,and accuse Tax paying,law abiding citizens of being terrorist...she makes me sick, and ashamed that America is such an Infantile Nation...that needs to GROW UP! Liberty and Justice for All...as of now...are JUST WORDS...they mean nothing in America! (and MIKE...go move to Oklahoma..if you like her so much)--geeez it must bother you to live in NYC huh...all those sinners runnin' wild...you freak.
Posted by: Disgusted American | Apr 3, 2008 10:25:35 AM
"Disgusted American".. your comments are more offensive than Sallys'. If you are so disgusted, maybe you should find another place to live. I subscribe to the theory that actions speak louder than words... so I made a generous donation to "Oklahomans for Equality",(918) 409-1821, www.okeq.org.
Oh and by the way, do you really believe NYC has sinner running wild or were you being sarcastic... I'm sure Mike didn't get the newsletter that you were the only one allowed to do so.
You are an ASS and one of the problems with this posting board.
Posted by: Leslie | Apr 3, 2008 11:49:20 AM
You fuckin' people and your "SIN". There's no such thing. The word was invented to control human beings. The rich wanted to make sure the poor would tow the line and by giving them consequences of hellfire and damnation, they could control them. Fuck Sally Kern, karma will bite her in the ass and all you self loathing queers who go along with the bible quoting, queer hating public need a good swift kick in the ass too. Any gay republican or gay "Christian" is just an Uncle Tom to Jim Crow.
Posted by: Bobby | Apr 3, 2008 12:10:48 PM