(UPDATE: Oh, the hilarity - you know what Kern is now citing as “proof” of the Homosexual Agenda? The drivel of Matt Bam Bam Barber, policy director for Concerned Women for America and The Peter! — hat tip, Alvin.)

(UPDATE 2: I’ve added contact information for the OK City Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau below the fold. These entities have much at stake since this is Sally Kern’s district. Are her views as a public official representative of the business climate that the city wishes to project? They should be on the record.)

Heaven help the LGBT citizens and allies who are in Oklahoma; there’s a lot of work to do in terms of turning the tide of ignorance and hate when an outrageous homophobe like Sally Kern receives a standing ovation in the legislature. Let all the bigots stand up and be counted, I say. Her colleagues should proudly hold a press conference to declare their support of Kern.

A state lawmaker who declared that homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism said Monday that she received a standing ovation from her fellow Republican legislators Monday.

Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said she has been barraged with more than 5,000 e-mails since she made national headlines over the weekend. Most of the communications were critical, and several contained language that Kern said she has never heard before.

More below the fold.

The lawmaker related some of the e-mails to Republican caucus members in a closed meeting Monday. She later said the group gave her a standing ovation.

Rep. Al McAffrey, the only openly gay member of the state Legislature, said he resents Kern’s assertion that homosexuality is worse than terrorism.

“Gays are law-abiding; they pay taxes. Some have children,” he said, noting that he is a father and grandfather.

… A former teacher, Kern asserted that the government wants to get young children into school at a very early age so it can indoctrinate them.

I love this quote from Laura Belmonte, president of the Tulsa group Oklahomans for Equality: Kern “is not saying anything markedly different than she has over the last several years. The only difference is that she is getting national exposure.”

Let’s look at the homobigoted, fact-free, BS screed captured for all to hear once again:

And that’s the truth. Keep the truth telling coming: Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (sallykern@okhouse.gov). There’s a petition to remove Kern going as well. How about contacting the governor — politely ask him to to take a stand against Representative Kern’s hate filled remarks and publicly condemn them. Rep. Kern’s dehumanizing worldview gives license for those with similar views to harm innocent people.

State Capitol Building
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd., Room 212
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Telephone:(405) 521-2342
Fax:(405) 521-3353

How about Oklahoma residents filling out the governor’s “Suggestions to Improve Government” form?

And what about Sally Kern’s colleagues on the Education Committee? Do they share her views about what children should be told about their fellow citizens who may be LGBT? It would be good to politely ask what Rep. Tad Jones, the Chair of the committee, thinks of Kern’s comments. Folks could ask the same of Rep. Todd Thomsen, the Vice Chair.

Here is the open letter from the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund’s Chuck Wolfe to Kern:

Dear Sally,

I saw the statement you released yesterday in which you said your “hate speech” is merely “free speech.” That’s kind of gross, but it’s also beside the point.

The point is this: your words have consequences. Ask Judy Shepherd — her son, Matthew, was viciously murdered ten years ago this week by people who think like you. Ask the parents of Lawrence King, an openly gay eighth-grader who was gunned down in school last month by a classmate whose fear was stoked by words like yours. Just this past fall, Steven Domer, a 62-year-old gay man was brutally murdered right in your home state of Oklahoma.

What you said is not okay, but that’s not because most sensible people disagree with it. It’s because your words give aid and comfort to those who would hurt, maim and even kill people who are different from you. Comparing gays and lesbians to cancer and terrorism and saying they are the “biggest threat to America,” gives license to others to treat us that way, especially given the leadership position you hold in your community.

I also read that some of your colleagues in the Republican caucus stood and cheered you as you entered their meeting yesterday. How odd and depressing. This isn’t a partisan issue; I know plenty of Republicans who were outraged at your comments, because they themselves are parents, friends and family to gays and lesbians who are at risk when people of your stature say the kinds of things you did.

Whether or not you agree that gay people deserve halfway decent treatment (the fact that you said we were destroying America implies that you don’t), what I want you to understand is that the words you said will have real life implications. Your speech can lead to the murders of more young people. You have outraged hundreds of thousands, but you may have inspired a few people, too. That’s not just sad, it’s evil.

The point of the Victory Fund’s releasing your speech was to draw attention to the fact that even elected leaders like you are saying some nasty and potentially dangerous things about your fellow citizens. Our mission is to elect people to counter your hate and bigotry with honesty and courage.

You may have been applauded by a handful of your colleagues, but more than a half million people are now listening. They heard you loud and clear, and they’re not clapping.

Chuck Wolfe

UPDATE 2: The Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce has much at stake here — check out its mission statement goals:

GOALS
> To create a business climate that attracts new businesses and enhances growth and expansion opportunities for existing businesses.
> To create a community with an irresistible quality of life.
> To create value-added membership opportunities and benefits.

We should politely and rationally point out that Rep. Kern’s POV as the city’s representative of state government isn’t exactly creating a business climate to attract $$$ to the city, or create a quality of life for its LGBT citizens when hate is fomented.

This isn’t about free speech. It’s about the consequences of a public official creating a dehumanizing climate for any LGBT employees of forward-thinking, successful businesses that might want to relocate there who would be paying taxes to enrich the city’s coffers.

Roy Williams - President & CEO
rwilliams@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8939
Fax: 405/297-8908

The Economic Development Committee is here, including:
Robin L. Roberts, Executive Vice President
rroberts@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8945
Fax: 405/297-8908

Michael Chumo - Manager, Business Development
Existing Industry
mchumo@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8803
Fax: 405/297-8908

Michael Ogan - Director of Business Development
Business Recruitment, Business Relocation
mogan@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8956
Fax: 405/297-8908

Marketing and Communications:

Cynthia Reid - Vice President, Marketing and Communications
Economic Development Marketing Initiatives, Media Relations, Chamber Events, Chamber Publications, Capital of the New Century and other Image/Branding Programs, National Advertising, Forward OKC III Investor Relations
creid@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8942
Fax: 405/297-8919

Christine Berney - Manager, Public Relations and Image Development
Local, regional, and national media relations
cberney@okcchamber.com
Ph: 405/297-8990
Fax: 405/297-8919

The board of directors is here. The mayor, Mick Cornett
sits on the board.

Its executive committee is here.

The CVB would also be an entity that should be asked about Kern’s representation.

Oklahoma City Convention & Visitors Bureau
189 W. Sheridan Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Local Phone: (405) 297-8912
Toll Free: 1-800-225-5652
E-mail: okccvb@okccvb.org
Web: www.okccvb.org

Past Blend posts about Sally Kern.