PFLAG Responds to McCain Remarks on Gay Adoption

Citing research from the American Academy of Pediatrics that children who grow up raised by gay parents "fare as well in emotional, cognitive, social, and sexual functioning as do children whose parents are heterosexual," PFLAG has hit back at Senator John McCain's ignorant remarks to the New York Times over the weekend that he and his wife Cindy and their heterosexual marriage are the ultimate example of what adoptive parents should look like.

Said McCain: "I think that we’ve proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no, I don’t believe in gay adoption."

Responded executive director Jody M. Huckaby: "In a country where more than 125,000 children are waiting for foster parents, Senator McCain would deny loving homes to children who desperately need them simply because of an outdated prejudice about what a family may look like. We are disappointed and saddened that a public leader who is himself an adoptive father would deny the children in America’s foster care system the opportunity to thrive as part of a welcoming family. Love makes a family, but short-sighted positions like Senator McCain’s can certainly tear families apart, too. Senator McCain’s position is out of synch with the research and science and out of step with what is in the best interests of children waiting for a home and a family. PFLAG knows the pain inflicted upon families due to misinformation about LGBT issues. We implore Senator McCain to take a serious look at the overwhelming evidence and listen to the stories of the countless children raised by loving lesbian and gay couples. The evidence is clear: children should not be denied access to the loving homes of gay couples."

PFLAG notes additional research from the AAP: "In fact, growing up with parents who are lesbian or gay may confer some advantages to children. They have been described as more tolerant of diversity and more nurturing toward younger children than children whose parents are heterosexual."

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Towleroad Guide to the Tube #305

BARACK OBAMA: Kicked off his "Change That Works for You" tour in Raleigh, North Carolina yesterday. Here's the full speech. Pam Spaulding notes that Obama said he'll be partnering with Elizabeth Edwards on health care.

LOVE WON OUT: PFLAG protests the "ex-gay" conference held recently in Orlando, Florida.

JIMMY CARTER: McCain attempts to make snappy quip comparing Obama to Jimmy Carter. It fails.

CHANNING TATUM: Loves you guys.

Check out our previous guides to the Tube here.

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PFLAG's Meeting with Sally Kern: The Full 40-Minute Recording

PFLAG today released recordings of their full 40-minute meeting with Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern. Listen to PART ONE, above. Kern met with the group in late March in response to controversy, which is still ongoing, surrounding her remarks that gays are a worse threat to the nation than terrorists.

Following their meeting with Kern, PFLAG reported that Kern said that she agrees that gays and lesbians should not be fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation. Later, Kern said that her views were misrepresented.

Said Kern to the Oklahoman after the meeting: "I unequivocally do not support sexual orientation laws."While I do not advocate employers going on a witch hunt to fire homosexual employees who are performing their jobs in a manner just like any heterosexual employee, I do not support laws that would force employers to check their First Amendment rights to freedom of religion, speech, and association at the workplace door.”

PFLAG disagrees, and says the tapes tell a different story:

"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.' She even says - when asked if she and her husband will join a PFLAG supporter for dinner - 'Sure!' In fact, if you look at PFLAG’s characterization 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."

Listen to Parts 2, 3, 4, and 5 AFTER THE JUMP...

From the Office of Sally Kern [pflag]

Previously
Oklahoman Editor Lament's State's Focus on Sally Kern [tr]
Kern at 1000-Strong 'Rally for Sally': This is Not About Me [tr]
Sally Kern Meets PFLAG, Comes out Against Anti-Gay Discrimination [tr]
OK Rep. Sally Kern and Openly Gay Pastor in Easter Sunday Faceoff [tr]
An Update on the Anti-Gay Sally Kern Saga [tr]

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Sally Kern Meets PFLAG, Comes out Against Anti-Gay Discrimination

Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern met with representatives from the Oklahoma City chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG). The group reports that Kern did not issue an apology for her remarks that homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism, nor was she asked for one.

Via PFLAG: "Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards, president of the Oklahoma City PFLAG chapter, was joined in the meeting by Dr. Rev. Kathy McCallie, pastor of the Church of the Open Arms and Rev. Jim Shields, a retired UnitedMethodistChurch minister from Kern’s district. The group requested a meeting with Kern following a March 18 rally at the state capitol. In her meeting with PFLAG supporters today, Kern said that 'I agree with' the idea that gay and lesbian Americans should not be fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation. 'We appreciate Representative Kern taking the time to meet with us and consider an important, ongoing dialogue about our families and loved ones,' said Rev. Newton-Edwards. '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.'"

Said Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG: "As Representative Kern begins to listen to voices from across her district, and the state, she will hear the stories of hard-working, patriotic men and women who make our communities better, our nation safer and our families stronger. We appreciate this initial meeting, and PFLAG stands ready to be a resource to Kern and a champion for her constituents. We look forward to continuing today’s conversation and working with Kern to move equality forward. Bringing communities together, rather than dividing the public with inflammatory words, should be a top priority of every elected leader. Kern will always find open arms and welcoming families at PFLAG."

On Thursday evening, Kern was the guest speaker for the UCO's College Republicans. The Oklahoman reports: "Kern spent much of her speech explaining why she thought Christianity plays an important role in American government before turning her attention to her previous comments and taking questions from the audience. Most of the questions came from people who disagreed with Kern's views."

At one point, she said, "If I knew it was being recorded, I'd still say the same thing. I will not back down from what I believe the Bible teaches."

Rep. Sally Kern is not asked to quit [the oklahoman]
Kern says she wouldn't change a thing [the oklahoman]
Oklahoma City PFLAG Supporters Meet with Sally Kern [pflag]

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