Advocacy Alert: Oklahomans for Equality hosts press conference regarding Rep. Sally Kern March 13, 2008
Posted by dhconcerts in Health, Peace, Justice and Equality, Quoting Others, Sally Kearn, Sally Kern, Sally Kern / Sally Kearn.add a comment
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For more from Oklahoman’s For Equality, visit OKEQ.org
Advocacy Alert: Oklahomans for Equality hosts press conference regarding Rep. Sally Kern
In this Advocacy Alert
- OkEq Press Conference
- Tulsa World editorial
- More media coverage
Oklahomans for Equality will host a press conference for community leaders to respond to Sally Kern’s remarks against LGBT people and Muslims, and to advocate for the Oklahoma legislature to hear the hate crimes bills currently in committee. Please join us at this event to show your support and solidarity for LGBT Oklahomans.
Press Conference
Thursday, March 13, 2pm, Equality Center
Speakers will include:
- David Bernstein, Say No to Hate Coalition and the Jewish Federation
- Jerre B. Fine, former US Air Force linguist
- Nancy McDonald, Tulsa PFLAG
- Sheryl Siddiqui, Islamic Society of Tulsa
- Justice Waidner, Oklahomans for Equality
Tulsa World editorial: “When Scary Met Sally”
In 2005, Oklahomans for Equality (OkEq) gave the Tulsa World editorial board a Community Hero Award for their courageous stands on LGBT equality. They continue that brave tradition with today’s editorial on the Sally Kern controversy. Please join OkEq in thanking the Tulsa World for their continued commitment to human rights and a better future for Oklahoma by commenting below the story on their website and demonstrating that there is a voice in Oklahoma standing strongly against bigotry and intolerance.
More coverage
OkEq’s Executive Director Justice Waidner and Board President Laura Belmonte’s comment in the Tulsa World: “Kern cites support from GOP”Oklahoma’s gay legislators, Jim Roth and Al McAffrey, respond in the Tulsa World: “Oklahoma legislator’s anti-gay comments stir hostile reaction“
Kern retracts claim that she’s getting death threats in the Tulsa World: “OSBI reading Kern e-mails“
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More about Sally Kern on Deb’s House Concerts: I’m Listening March 8, 2008 Good As You responds to Sally Kearn’s response to the public’s response to her … March 10, 2008 Oklahomans for Equality Denounce Rep. Sally Kearn’s Anti-Gay Speech March 11, 2008 KOCO Oklahoma City News 5 talks to Sally Kearn, Chuck Wolfe of the Victory Fund, Oklahoma Muslims March 12, 2008 Good As You posts video of Ellen Degeneres calling Oklahoma Representative Sally Kearn March 12, 2008 Absolutely beautiful letter, thoughtful and well written, from an Oklahoma high school senior who lost his mother in the Oklahoma City bombing terrorist attack (to OK Rep. Sally Kearn who said gay people are worse than terrorists) March 13, 2008 My Apology to Sally Kern (formerly referred to as Sally Kearn) March 13, 2008 Advocacy Alert: Oklahomans for Equality hosts press conference regarding Rep. Sally Kern March 13, 2008 Sally, Sally, Sally. You said it’s your right to say anti-gay things. What happened to, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? March 16, 2008 Calling People Terrorists March 17, 2008 Oklahoma Families to Rally at State Capitol and Call for Meeting with Representative Sally Kern * Solidarity Vigil in Tulsa March 18, 2008 Sally Kern, by your definition, you are not a thinker. March 20, 2008 What Sally Has Wrought March 20, 2008…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
My Apology to Sally Kern (formerly referred to as Sally Kearn) March 13, 2008
Posted by dhconcerts in About Life, Letters to Sally Kern, Peace, Justice and Equality, Sally Kearn, Sally Kern, Sally Kern / Sally Kearn.1 comment so far
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Dear Rep. Kern,
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It has come to my attention that I have been using an incorrect spelling of your name. I have named you in many in posts linking to your words about gay people and the responses of others to your comments. I recognize that words do matter, and I am sure the spelling of your name matters to you.
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Rep. Kern I do not agree in any way with your attitudes towards people who want only have the same legal rights every other American has. In fact, I believe the inverse of some of your comments would be more accurate. In no way do I believe gay people are a threat to this country, a threat worse than terrorism. I do, however, believe that words like yours, spoken by people who hold positions of authority, are a form of bullying and abuse. And, bullying and abuse are, in my opinion, based in the same kind of disrespect that can lead to hate and disrespect for the lives of others. Verbal attacks either come from, or lead to, an attitude of disrespect for those being assaulted. This has the potential to lead to physical attacks. For the person being attacked, there is a very real experience of being terrorized emotionally, verbally and physically.
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Rep. Kern, I want to believe that you are a good and caring person. I want to believe that you are simply unaware of how harmful and cruel your words (and the attitude they express) are. I want to believe that you would DO better if you KNEW better.
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Rep. Kern, I believe there are many people who, like you, believe they are doing the right thing when they spread misinformation about people they do not understand. Rep. Kern, I must tell you I disagree with you. I do not believe there is anything good or right about spreading misinformation about groups of people, and in so doing, creating the possibility of violence against anyone perceived to be a member of one of those groups. (You have specifically mentioned gay people and people whose religion is Islam.)
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Rep. Kern, I personally believe that every person has family members or friends who are gay. I’ll use the terms gay and homosexual since you did not specifically mention those who are bisexual and those who transgendered or transexual. And, you did not specifically mention the kids who are afraid they might not fit the expectations of family and society and religion, and are seriously considering killing themselves because they are scared to death that they might be “one of those people”. But, I’m talking about all of those. I have no doubt that people who fit these categories are a part of your life. Some are probably even people you love.
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Rep. Kern, one thing humans share is that we are all beings who love and need to be loved. All humans begin life with the possibility of being able to accept other people and value and respect other people. It is only through life experience, and through indoctrination and teaching that tells us some are good and others are bad, that people learn to divide into groups and believe that humans have different degrees of worth, different values.
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Rep. Kern, I imagine that you may be feeling a bit anxious these days, maybe a little defensive, now that the entire world is hearing things you have said. I imagine that you have received many telephone and email messages that were less than loving. May I invite you to imagine that the level of discomfort you feel now is similar to the level of discomfort gay people (and those perceived as gay) experience every day. Now I invite you to imagine someone you dearly love. Would you ever, in your wildest dreams, want your loved one to feel such an intense experience of unease, anxiety or fear for his or her own safety even for a day? Would you want your loved one to experience these things for weeks? months? years? a lifetime?
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Rep. Kern, life is often like that for those who do not fit your description of how reality should be. More and more people have become active politically, searching for a way to experience the equality and freedom that you take for granted. Those you speak against must struggle to achieve a place of safety and acceptance in this world. The people you speak against are not terrorists, yet your words have the power to encourage acts of terrorism against people perceived to be gay (starting at the level of name calling and bullying). Words matter.
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Rep. Kern, please stop for a moment. Hide away in a quiet place. Think about the people you know. Think about the people you love. Think about your family members and your friends. I do not know any of the people in your life. But, I imagine that you have at least one, if not several, who are deeply hurt every day by your attitudes against them. In my desire to believe that you want to do the right thing, I also want to believe that you would not have or speak the views you have expressed if you realized how much you are hurting the people you love.
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Rep. Kern, I would like to think that many who hold your same views would be saddened if they realized how their words and attitudes hurt those they love. I would hope that you, and others who believe as you, will examine your own hearts and find the love you feel for your own family and your own friends. I hope you will know that the people you speak out against are families and friends, too. People are people, Rep. Kern. Humans are humans. We are all more alike than we will ever be different.
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I want to be open to you, Rep. Kern. I want to believe that you have it in you to recognize that you have more points in common with every other human than you have differences. I ask you to recognize and acknowledge how people are alike. I ask you to treat each person with decency and dignity and respect. We are all the same. Humans are humans. Every person wants to live in a world where he or she is respected and accepted. Every person wants to live in a world where life and love and freedom are a given for every person.
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Rep. Kern, I want to treat you with basic human dignity and respect. I believe every person deserves that much. I hope that you, in the deep and secret places of your heart, will find and nurture that belief, too.
. Deborah Deb’s House Concerts http://dhconcerts.wordpress.com . ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… More about Sally Kern on Deb’s House Concerts: I’m Listening March 8, 2008 Good As You responds to Sally Kearn’s response to the public’s response to her … March 10, 2008 Oklahomans for Equality Denounce Rep. Sally Kearn’s Anti-Gay Speech March 11, 2008 KOCO Oklahoma City News 5 talks to Sally Kearn, Chuck Wolfe of the Victory Fund, Oklahoma Muslims March 12, 2008 Good As You posts video of Ellen Degeneres calling Oklahoma Representative Sally Kearn March 12, 2008 Absolutely beautiful letter, thoughtful and well written, from an Oklahoma high school senior who lost his mother in the Oklahoma City bombing terrorist attack (to OK Rep. Sally Kearn who said gay people are worse than terrorists) March 13, 2008 My Apology to Sally Kern (formerly referred to as Sally Kearn) March 13, 2008 Advocacy Alert: Oklahomans for Equality hosts press conference regarding Rep. Sally Kern March 13, 2008 Sally, Sally, Sally. You said it’s your right to say anti-gay things. What happened to, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? March 16, 2008 Calling People Terrorists March 17, 2008 Oklahoma Families to Rally at State Capitol and Call for Meeting with Representative Sally Kern * Solidarity Vigil in Tulsa March 18, 2008 Sally Kern, by your definition, you are not a thinker. March 20, 2008 What Sally Has Wrought March 20, 2008…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Absolutely beautiful letter, thoughtful and well written, from an Oklahoma high school senior who lost his mother in the Oklahoma City bombing terrorist attack (to OK Rep. Sally Kearn who said gay people are worse than terrorists) March 13, 2008
Posted by dhconcerts in About Life, Health, Peace, Justice and Equality, Quoting Others, Sally Kearn, Sally Kern, Sally Kern / Sally Kearn.8 comments
[UPDATE: March 19, 2008 -
This morning I read a post by Chris at Citizen Crane talking about the urban legend that has sprung up around Sally Kern. One of the aspects of the legend is the Tucker letter (below).
To date, this young man has not been identified in person. So, the actual source of this letter is in question.
The unanswered question about who authored this letter takes nothing away from the fact that this is an excellent letter and makes some very important points. I do hope that if Tucker is the child of a woman who died in the OKC bombing, he will come forth publicly and claim ownership of this excellent letter.]
You can read Tucker’s letter at PHB (with comments by others who’ve read it), or read it below:
Rep Kern:
On April 19, 1995, in Oklahoma City a terrorist detonated a bomb that killed my mother and 167 others. 19 children died that day. Had I not had the chicken pox that day, the body count would’ve likely have included one more. Over 800 other Oklahomans were injured that day and many of those still suffer through their permanent wounds.
That terrorist was neither a homosexual or was he involved in Islam. He was an extremist Christian forcing his views through a body count. He held his beliefs and made those who didn’t live up to them pay with their lives.
As you were not a resident of Oklahoma on that day, it could be explained why you so carelessly chose words saying that the homosexual agenda is worst than terrorism. I can most certainly tell you through my own experience that is not true. I am sure there are many people in your voting district that laid a loved one to death after the terrorist attack on Oklahoma City. I kind of doubt you’ll find one of them that will agree with you.
I was five years old when my mother died. I remember what a beautiful, wise, and remarkable woman she was. I miss her. Your harsh words and misguided beliefs brought me to tears, because you told me that my mother’s killer was a better person than a group of people that are seeking safety and tolerance for themselves.
As someone left motherless and victimized by terrorists, I say to you very clearly you are absolutely wrong.
You represent a district in Oklahoma City and you very coldly express a lack of love, sympathy or understanding for what they’ve been through. Can I ask if you might have chosen wiser words were you a real Oklahoman that was here to share the suffering with Oklahoma City? Might your heart be a bit less cold had you been around to see the small bodies of children being pulled out of rubble and carried away by weeping firemen?
I’ve spent 12 years in Oklahoma public schools and never once have I had anyone try to force a gay agenda on me. I have seen, however, many gay students beat up and there’s never a day in school that has went by when I haven’t heard the word **** slung at someone. I’ve been called gay slurs many times and they hurt and I am not even gay so I can just imagine how a real gay person feels. You were a school teacher and you have seen those things too. How could you care so little about the suffering of some of your students?
Let me tell you the result of your words in my school. Every openly gay and suspected gay in the school were having to walk together Monday for protection. They looked scared. They’ve already experienced enough hate and now your words gave other students even more motivation to sneer at them and call them names. Afterall, you are a teacher and a lawmaker, many young people have taken your words to heart. That happens when you assume a role of responsibility in your community. I seriously think before this week ends that some kids here will be going home bruised and bloody because of what you said.
I wish you could’ve met my mom. Maybe she could’ve guided you in how a real Christian should be acting and speaking.
I have not had a mother for nearly 13 years now and wonder if there were fewer people like you around, people with more love and tolerance in their hearts instead of strife, if my mom would be here to watch me graduate from high school this spring. Now she won’t be there. So I’ll be packing my things and leaving Oklahoma to go to college elsewhere and one day be a writer and I have no intentions to ever return here. I have no doubt that people like you will incite crazy people to build more bombs and kill more people again. I don’t want to be here for that. I just can’t go through that again.
You may just see me as a kid, but let me try to teach you something. The old saying is sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you. Well, your words hurt me. Your words disrespected the memory of my mom. Your words can cause others to pick up sticks and stones and hurt others.
Sincerely
Tucker
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More about Sally Kern on Deb’s House Concerts: I’m Listening March 8, 2008 Good As You responds to Sally Kearn’s response to the public’s response to her … March 10, 2008 Oklahomans for Equality Denounce Rep. Sally Kearn’s Anti-Gay Speech March 11, 2008 KOCO Oklahoma City News 5 talks to Sally Kearn, Chuck Wolfe of the Victory Fund, Oklahoma Muslims March 12, 2008 Good As You posts video of Ellen Degeneres calling Oklahoma Representative Sally Kearn March 12, 2008 Absolutely beautiful letter, thoughtful and well written, from an Oklahoma high school senior who lost his mother in the Oklahoma City bombing terrorist attack (to OK Rep. Sally Kearn who said gay people are worse than terrorists) March 13, 2008 My Apology to Sally Kern (formerly referred to as Sally Kearn) March 13, 2008 Advocacy Alert: Oklahomans for Equality hosts press conference regarding Rep. Sally Kern March 13, 2008 Sally, Sally, Sally. You said it’s your right to say anti-gay things. What happened to, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? March 16, 2008 Calling People Terrorists March 17, 2008 Oklahoma Families to Rally at State Capitol and Call for Meeting with Representative Sally Kern * Solidarity Vigil in Tulsa March 18, 2008 Sally Kern, by your definition, you are not a thinker. March 20, 2008 What Sally Has Wrought March 20, 2008…………………………………………………………………………………………………………
