Oklahoma State Legislator Sally Kern

[a24gimpy]

This is just another example of ignorance in our world...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFxk7glmMbo

She states in this audio clip, "I honestly think it's the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism and Islam." in reference to homosexuals.

The video speaks for itself....

[Joe Brummer]

I sent her this note:

Representative Kern,

I heard your speech attached to the YouTube video regarding gays and lesbians. I can hear in the video, your pain and fear around the exposure to gays and lesbians in our schools. I can hear your frustration with the city council where several of the members of gay or lesbian. I believe if I heard you correctly, that you anguish over having a Gay Straight Alliance come to your school. I hear your need to protect the country, children and yourself from the threat you find with gays and lesbians. I admire your passion and conviction to stand up for your beliefs.

I have to say when I heard your speech, I felt dismayed. I have a need to be seen authentically and accurately and I am not confident that you see me or people like me in that way. In my younger days, I would feel such anger and hostility at hearing a speech like yours, but as I have gotten older I try to hear your needs and feelings. I am realizing that learning about others fears is more of a gift. I want so much to connect with the reasons you would see gays and lesbians the way you do. I would love for you to experience gays and lesbians in a different way. I am sure that you are getting all sorts of emails and letters right now that contain the anger and hostility. Please know that I feel great disappointment knowing some don’t know how to reach out, so they in turn, lash out. I am always hoping we start teaching people better conflict management, but so far MTV teaches them to lash out.

I could spend a lifetime trying to convince you, gays and lesbians don’t indoctrinate youth and that the gay agenda is really about the safety and wellbeing of gay people, but I sense that you may not be in a place where you would hear me. Either way, I invite you to Rhode Island to spend some time with my partner, me and some of our friends. I would love for you to learn about us. I would love for you to see the gay agenda for yourself and see that it has very real families and people attached to it. It is not a vast conspiracy but a word that has real lives attached to it. My partner holds a PhD in community health and I work in mental health training and advocacy. We would feel delighted to have you in our home to meet our friends and see our lives. (I must warn you our life is pretty boring)

I feel grateful you have expressed your needs and fears to the world as you did in this meeting. It again reminds me how many people out there have not experienced gays and lesbians as we are, but as we have been portrayed by right wing organizations. Please feel free to contact me at (xxx) xxx-xxxx or via email at joebrummer@joebrummer.com.


Sincerely and in Peace,
Joe Brummer

[keltic63]

oh Joe, you excellent letter-writer you! and so subversive! no wonder they say we have a gay agenda!

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by keltic63

oh Joe, you excellent letter-writer you! and so subversive! no wonder they say we have a gay agenda!

I was all set to go nutso mockery on this one, but after Joe's post, Daniel's pic came back to mind:

[littlebuddhaboy]

First and foremost, Joe, your letter was brilliant. I only wish Sally Kern had the ability to be as eloquent and tolerant as you!

Upon a little research, I discovered that there is an active Christian college, OCU, in her home city. I've applied as an Equality Rider for this fall, and should I be accepted, I will definitely push for a visit to this school. Again, the college has a zero-tolerance policy for homosexuals, and a visit by the Equality Riders would do some good in at least shaking up ole' Sally. There's a dialogue that needs to happen here, and maybe the best thing we can do is just letting her and OCU know that gays and lesbians aren't here to threaten the country. Some of are here to help save it.

It's never surprised me what people will say when they think no one is listening. But I want to know what she has to say when she's asked point blank.

[Vanessa White]

Ditto, Joe, to what everyone else has said. You have a tremendous way with your words and message. Thank you so much for having done that.

It is a message that could easily hurt in its intent, but I think over the years, as I have grown more self-loving, the words do not hurt or anger as much as they sadden me. Sadden me because they are so narrow minded in their perspective. Sadden me because these people that think in a similar way as she does, see us but don't really SEE us. You are right, Joe, our lives would probably be seen as pretty boring if they were to come for a visit.

The utube video led me to VictoryFund stuff, and another utube video about Matt McCoy, a state representative in Iowa who is openly gay. It was a great seven minute story about his re-election campaign in light of him coming out.

He won almost sixty six percent of the vote in his reelection bid.

I sent him an email, thanking him for living his life truthfully, and having the courage to stand in that truth.

[dont flinch]

http://www.koco.com/index.html

ON THE LEFT SIDE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN. "YES" IS THE VOTE TO MAKE IF YOU THOUGHT HER COMMENTS WERE UGLY AND INAPPROPRIATE LIES.

THANKS!

the news station misreported the "no" lead earlier, let's make sure at 10pm it's far enough the other way they have to tell the truth!

[dont flinch]

p.s. I am pretty sure you can vote as many times as you want, just not consecutively. I also think it was this kern nut herself who went crazy voting not to resign...they profiled her making excuses about how she has "proof of everything she (sic) said" on the story, for like 5 minutes (no kidding!).

[Joe Brummer]

dont flinch,
I feel so angry when I see people call this women a nut. She truly believes what she has said and we should respect that it is the misinformation that is the crazy thing, not the person. She seems to want the best things for this country, even if she doesn't understand what that means. I only hope we treat her with love because that is the only thing that can stop hate!

[dont flinch]

well I think she's a nut. she not only tried to say that gay folks are more dangerous than terrorists, she continued on our local news to say she had "facts to back up everything she said" AND turned over a couple emails of some other nuts (or maybe her own cointelpro) threatening her and that was her whole focus, not that she clearly doesn't believe in protecting the rights of ALL of her constituents or is so blinded by her overly zealous bigotry that she couldn't reflect on the craziness of her comments. I watched her in real time on the news for several (prolly 5 - I couldn't believe the coverage they gave her) minutes tonight in addition to the youtube thing and to me it's pretty clear she's a whack job.

AND do you think she provided or commented on one reasonable sounding correspondence such as yours that she got in the news story? the answer is NO! only more hatred designed to make gay folks look like derelict evil-doers.

p.s. they just ran this again on the 10pm newscast so please keep the votes coming! thanks!

[dont flinch]

I have one more thing to say...

I would prefer that this thread have not gotten off on this tangent BUT I have had friends that were BASHED, literally beaten, for being gay. You cannot "love" someone out of that behavior and behavior is driven by thoughts and words, sometimes such as hers.

it is an age old divide in any civil rights community, strictly 'love thy enemy/non-violence' or should oppressed people fight against those who would wrong them either by words or action.

I personally do not believe you will love this hate away.

maybe I should have made my own thread for the voting, so as not to have it distracted from by this stalemated, unresolvable debate.

[dont flinch]

http://www.koco.com/index.html

ON THE LEFT SIDE ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN. "YES" IS THE VOTE TO MAKE IF YOU THOUGHT HER COMMENTS WERE UGLY AND INAPPROPRIATE LIES.

THANKS!

[Zerbie]

Originally Posted by dont flinch

I have one more thing to say...

I would prefer that this thread have not gotten off on this tangent BUT I have had friends that were BASHED, literally beaten, for being gay. You cannot "love" someone out of that behavior and behavior is driven by thoughts and words, sometimes such as hers.

it is an age old divide in any civil rights community, strictly 'love thy enemy/non-violence' or should oppressed people fight against those who would wrong them either by words or action.

I personally do not believe you will love this hate away.

maybe I should have made my own thread for the voting, so as not to have it distracted from by this stalemated, unresolvable debate.

I agree with the idea of a separate thread for the vote thing.

I have very mixed feelings about how to approach an adversary in love and what that means. Does "love" mean "always be 'nice'"?? And what do "nice" and "love" really mean anyway?

Joe's letter amazes me, and I am not in that place right now where I would write it that way - but I also have friends who wrote her some very hateful and viciously worded letters which I doubt would have any effect of inspiring her to pause and think. Maybe Joe's letter might do that; I don't know.

Fwiw, Joe knows a lot about anti-gay violence, and he does not speak or write from a position of ignorance about the matter.

The SF principle of non-violence is really hard in many ways. It is a technique for stopping the cycle of violence by not responding in destructive ways when we are attacked. Vengeance cannot be the goal, rather, *fixing the problem* must be the goal. Which then leads us to the challenge of all trying to agree upon what the problem IS and on what will fix it.

We're all doing our best, and at different times in our lives, we see different "takes" about what the best response is to any situation.

[Daniel]

I really appreciate your perspective, your passion, and the letter that you wrote to Ms. Kern.

What stood out to me are two sentences, an invitation actually...

I have to say when I heard your speech, I felt dismayed. I have a need to be seen authentically and accurately and I am not confident that you see me or people like me in that way. In my younger days, I would feel such anger and hostility at hearing a speech like yours, but as I have gotten older I try to hear your needs and feelings. I am realizing that learning about others fears is more of a gift. I want so much to connect with the reasons you would see gays and lesbians the way you do. I would love for you to experience gays and lesbians in a different way.

....to see and be seen.

I think that's what it's all about.

I bow to the light within you.

[Joe Brummer]

For the record flich,
I have been bashed twice. Once in 1990, I was beaten so bad my head swelled 4 or 5 times its normal size and mu face had a hole in it. Still have the scars. The second time, I was leaving a bar and got body slammed by some kids running down the street yelling anti-gay stuff. I broke my collar-bone and was knocked out.

Despite this violence, I still believe love will stop hate faster than more hate.

[Daniel]

In checking the news at Towleroad....here's the lastest on this issue.

http://www.towleroad.com/2008/03/sally-kern.html

On Monday, the Dallas News reported that Kern had received over 3,000 emails and hundreds of telephone calls, some containing death threats.

Said Kern, who is the wife of a Baptist minister (which explains a lot): "I was talking about an agenda. I was not talking about individuals. 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."

Tulsa World reported the number of emails Kern had received at 5,000: "Most of the communications were critical, and several contained language that Kern said she has never heard before. 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."

Kern believes she has the first amendment right to defame an entire group of people. Said Kern, in her statement released yesterday: "To put this simply: As a Christian I believe homosexuality is not moral. Obviously, you have the right as an American to choose that lifestyle, but I also have the right to express my views, and my fellow Oklahomans have the right to debate these issues."

Laura Belmonte, president of the Tulsa group Oklahomans for Equality, responded to that defense: "'I find it particularly interesting that she (Kern) is invoking freedom of speech for these remarks,' Belmonte said, noting that Kern sponsored a bill a few years ago to restrict access to library books that might contain gay or les bian themes or information."

Kern has vowed not to apologize.

Yesterday, GLAAD called on the media to hold Kern accountable for her remarks.

Said GLAAD President Neil Giuliano: "This type of hateful and defamatory language from our public officials is completely unacceptable. GLAAD calls on its members and allies to stand together to hold elected officials like Kern, pledged to serve all the people, accountable for promoting hatred and bigotry. Media have a responsibility to cover Kern's ugly remarks, not only to hold her accountable for her misinformed, inaccurate claims about gay and lesbian people, but also to bring to light the anti-gay attitudes and beliefs that are still all too common in our country, Kern's hateful assertions highlight the need for media to examine how the anti-gay attitudes of elected officials impact their diverse constituencies."

[NathanATX]

Okay... so at 10 am I was speaking about responding to homophobia with nonviolence at a conference in Oklahoma City. I think I even warned my audience along the lines of "be careful... when you commit to something like nonviolence, you will have every opportunity to mess up in that commitment."

Later that night... around 10 or so, someone emailed me the youtube video of Kern's rant. I quickly wrote the following email and fired it off to her and *lots* of other people, including posting it on my blog.

Now, I'm realizing that it maybe isn't the most "nonviolent" thing I could have written. Some parts of it were a little catty.

I'm really interested in your thoughts and ideas about restating/rewriting this letter. I like Joe's letter, but I don't know if I think it's effective/strong enough. Maybe I'm still angry. Anyway... Here's what I wrote... (not on behalf of anyone or organization)

Representative Sally Kern,

I know that your faith informs your prejudice towards the gay & lesbian citizens of Oklahoma, including those in your district.

I realize that you believe being gay is wrong and, that despite mountains of evidence to the contrary, you believe the Bible supports your view. It would be your right to believe the earth was flat, if you so desired.

However, I take deep offense that you would invoke the name of Christ in one breath and in the next say that I and my family are worse than terrorists.

Maam, you may not remember what happened on 9-11. You may have forgotten what happened at the Murrah building. But I haven't. I remember that religious extremists both Muslim and Christian were responsible for the heartbreaking loss of life.

You are a pastor's wife and an elected official, yet you lack dignity, wisdom and grace.

You have not done well in your commitment to represent Christ and you have certainly failed to truly represent all of the citizens of your district.

It is my hope that you will recant your statements about gay & lesbian people and that you will reevaluate your methods of garnering support from those in your district. If you are truly a person of integrity and purpose, you will not need to resort to inciting fear and hate to gain power.

I am praying for your reconciliation to a sincere walk of Christian love.

Sincerely,

Nate Black

This is important because I'm not the only one struggling with how to respond powerfully, effectively, compassionately and nonviolently. Our entire community has been so beaten down here in Oklahoma... there isn't really a strong voice of leadership to respond to things like this. I clearly have work to do before I assume any larger role in this arena.

We need a hero/shero.

peace,
Nate

[ladyinred]

Here is Blender Fritz's response to Kern, Oklahoma: mind-blowing anti-gay tirade by state representative (above) Got this off of Pam's house blend (parody)

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by ladyinred

Here is Blender Fritz's response to Kern, Oklahoma: mind-blowing anti-gay tirade by state representative (above) Got this off of Pam's house blend (parody)

He covers all the bases, and more.

"I'm taking a big risk coming to speak to you today"
-Persecution complex

"Dirty, disgusting, smelly trolls."
-The "ick" factor

"Don't trolls just live under bridges and freeway overpasses?"
-In the closet.

"A conspiracy to make baby eating legal."
-A threat closer and worse than terrorism.

"Also want to make it legal to share human restrooms"
-Re transgender anti-discrimination laws.
--
It's mockery, but it's dead on, and therefore in my view, productive.

~~~

Here's another one I consider to be productive. Moreso than that even, this one's powerful.

The Ballad of Sally Kern

Dr. Suess would be proud..

[Emproph]

Originally Posted by NathanATX

I'm really interested in your thoughts and ideas about restating/rewriting this letter. I like Joe's letter, but I don't know if I think it's effective/strong enough. Maybe I'm still angry. Anyway... Here's what I wrote... (not on behalf of anyone or organization)

Big-long-evil-mean-monster-letter.

No guttural emotion at play there eh Nate?

Me neither..

Originally Posted by NathanATX

This is important because I'm not the only one struggling with how to respond powerfully, effectively, compassionately and nonviolently. Our entire community has been so beaten down here in Oklahoma... there isn't really a strong voice of leadership to respond to things like this. I clearly have work to do before I assume any larger role in this arena.

As per Daniel’s Towleroad link:

After 3,000 emails and hundreds of telephone calls:

Kern: They have the right to choose that lifestyle.

3000 reminders that it's neither a choice, nor a lifestyle, yet her response is: "They have the right to choose that lifestyle."

At that point, I love her like I love wild animals. Dangerous, unpredictable, and willfully ignorant.

In addition, she is surrounded by a multitude of those who are as steeped in their own supremacism as she is.

To that extent, I see reaching out to her as reaching into a bottomless black hole of unrefined need. Logistically speaking, it’s suicide.

I see responses like Joe Brummer’s as being effective in convincing that movable middle of that fact, by sheer virtue of demonstrating that we are "better than" them.

I'm saying this within the context that we are seen as though our every move is necessarily a part of some nefarious plot or conspiracy (or "agenda"). So if you're gay, even a stellar letter like Joe's, will often, if not mostly, be interpreted as calculated manipulation.

Now, that black hole of faithlessness, desperation, and need (ok, I've refined it for them..), that they share individually, just like us, 'cept they consider it their religion, could be transformed in an instant if the handful of leaders who propagate it were willing to change their tune.

However, unfortunately, it appears to me, that they (those in charge) are idolaters to the core. Worshipers of fame, fortune, and power -- for all that they can get -- whilst they remain alive. (Just in case there aint no god, they're gonna make sure to get theirs...)

Long story short, they need to be reached on their terms, lovingly, and without condemnation, with truth -- sharp, harsh, and in no uncertain terms -- but truth as they know it.

Pam posted a letter that attempts this:

Here is [part of] the open letter from the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund's Chuck Wolfe to Kern:

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.

And one of my recent comments at EGW was this:

JOHN: “and suggesting that anyone who does not agree is filled with hate”

EMPROPH: John, when you and Rep. Kern insinuate that every single homosexual human being on the planet is HIV+ and is spreading it, it’s about disagreement of reality.

You’re not only in factual error John, but you’re in factual error intentionally John — as obviously you have access to Google — but you also claim this error in the name of the epitome of love, Jesus. — and this John, is what makes it hateful on your and Rep. Kern’s part.

Those comments, like your letter Nate, still, admittedly, need honing as far as non-condemnation goes, but I think it’s possible to merry them with the sentiments and approach that Joe exemplifies, without diluting either priority.

But don't look to me for any further advice on any of that, I'm not even playing. I've fully let myself go on the non-violence front, and am very much looking foreward to giving that bitch an unedited piece of my mind!

P.S. And no, I'm not tacking a big grin smiley onto the end of that, because-it's-distracting.