We Need to Stand Up Against This Kind of Hate Speech!

You've probably heard by now about the charming speech Rep. Sally Kern, a member of the Oklahoma legislature, recently gave. If you didn't, you should.

From the Dallas Morning News:

A Republican member of the Oklahoma Legislature has received death threats since telling a political group that "the homosexual agenda is just destroying this nation" and poses a bigger threat to the U.S. than terrorism or Islam.

"I'm not gay-bashing. But according to God's word that is not the right kind of lifestyle," Rep. Sally Kern of Oklahoma City said during an appearance before a group of Republicans. Her comments were recorded and posted on the video sharing Web site YouTube on Friday by the Washington, D.C.-based Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

"Studies show no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than a few decades," Kern says in the recorded comments. "It is not a lifestyle that is good for this nation."
On Monday, Kern said her comments were edited and taken out of context. Kern said they were directed at wealthy, politically active homosexuals who are contributing money to gay and lesbian candidates for public office in Oklahoma and other states.

"I was talking about an agenda. I was not talking about individuals," said Kern, the wife of a Baptist minister. "They have the right to choose that lifestyle. They do not have the right to force it down our throat.

"I have never said hate speech against anybody. I would never do that."

Kern said she has received more than 3,000 e-mails and hundreds of telephone calls since her comments were posted online. She said a few supported her comments but that most condemned them and that some contained death threats and obscenities.

Here is a link to the video

I post this here not to rile people up even further but to point out how important it is to react to this and let our elected officials know this type of narrow-minded bigotry and ignorance is unacceptable. Do we want people with beliefs like this actually having a vote regarding the laws of our states or our nation? I know I don't, and I don't think you do either.

I find it very encouraging that so many people have already watched the video and flooded the repreresentative with calls and e-mails (let's skip the death threats though, okay?). Not that it is likely to change her mind, but let it be a cautionary tale for all of our elected officials.

The GLBT community and its allies will not stand idly by when someone publicly takes a swipe at them and their "agenda" of equal rights! We will not let someone spew hatred comparing GLBT people (unfavorably) to terrorists! We will not allow someone to rant about how GLBT people are ruining this country!

Let's work together to make sure Rep. Kern not only does not get reelected but chooses not to even run for office again. She has a right to her beliefs, but someone who demonstrates such hate and bigotry should not have the right to represent anyone!