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Sally Kern (born 27 November 1946 in Jonesboro, Arkansas) is an Oklahoma state legislator from Oklahoma City. Kern, a member of the Republican party, represents House District 84. A former teacher, she graduated from the University of Texas and East Texas State University. She is married to Steve Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church and has two adult sons, Jesse and Nathan.

Election history

• 2008 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84

• 2006 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84

• 2004 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84

Statements on Homosexuality

In March 2008, Kern made national headlines when she stated:

"Studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades. So it's the death knell of this country. I honestly think it's the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam — which I think is a big threat, okay? Cause what's happening now is they are going after, in schools, two-year olds...And this stuff is deadly, and it's spreading, and it will destroy our young people, it will destroy this nation."

After receiving attention for the remarks, Kern said "I said nothing that was not true" and refused to apologize. She received a standing ovation from fellow Republican legislators in a private meeting a few days later. In response to Kern's comments, hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters protested at the Oklahoma State Capitol on March 18. Over 1000 later turned out at the Capitol in support of her.

Shortly after her statements became public, rumors surfaced that one of her sons is gay. The spread of these rumors prompted public denials by both her and her son.

Although Kern claimed in some Christian news sources to have received death threats that caused her to retain a bodyguard, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officer who reviewed Kern's emails said, "I wouldn't characterize them as death threats."

Kern's statements were addressed on the Ellen Degeneres Show in a segment where Ellen left a voicemail message on Kern's office phone. Comedian Margaret Cho also discussed Kern's statements on the Oklahoma City stop of the True Colors Tour 2008.

Firearm Possession

On July 23, 2008, Kern was stopped by security guards in the Oklahoma State Capitol when she tried bringing a loaded gun into the building. The gun was a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun. Kern had a permit for the gun and claimed she brought it into the building on accident. It was later confirmed that a second incident in which Kern made it into the building with a gun occurred in June 2008. Kern was not charged for either incident.

Political Career

Kern authored a bill, which passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives in March of 2008, mandating that students who espouse Young Earth creationism still receive passing grades in Earth science classes. After being passed in the house, it died in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate.

Kern co-authored the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act that included the provision "Students shall not be penalized or rewarded on account of the religious content of their work", which was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry.

References

1. "General Election November 5, 2002 Summary Results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 2008-03-12. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
2. ^ Oklahoma House of Representatives - Sally Kern
3. "Kern foe files; Terrill, Cargill draw opponents". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
4. "Unopposed Candidates Elected" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
5. "General Election November 4, 2004 Summary Results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved 2008-03-12.
6. ^ "Oklahoma State Rep.: Gays "Biggest Threat" to US". DemocracyNow.com. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2008-03-14. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
7. Anti-gay stance hits YouTube: An Oklahoma lawmaker's anti-gay comments are attracting national attention.
8. Kern vows not to apologize for remarks against homosexuals
9. PlanetOut online news
10. JMBzine: Rep. Sally Kern responds to anti-gay hate speech
11. Hinton, Mick (2008-03-11). "Kern cites support from GOP". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2008-03-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
12. Branson, Hailey (2008-03-19). "Oklahoma: Lawmaker's Comments Bring Protest". New York: The New York Times. p. A17. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
13. McNutt, Michael (2008-04-03). "Amid Controversy, Kern Gets Support". The Oklahoman. Retrieved 2008-04-03. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
14. Hinton, Mick. "Sally Kern's son denies reports he is gay". Tulsa World. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
15. "State Representative Under Attack by Anti-Christian Homosexual Hate Groups". www.CWFA.org. Concerned Women for America. 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2008-03-16. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
16. Phan, Katherine T. (2008-03-15). "Lawmaker Threatened for Comparing Gay Lifestyle to Terrorism". Christian Post Reporter. The Christian Post. Retrieved 2008-03-16. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
17. Hinton, Mick (2008-03-14). "OSBI Reading Kern E-Mails". Tulsa World.
18. mpatter572 (2008-03-12). "Ellen DeGeneres Calls Sally Kern". YouTube. Retrieved 2008-08-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
19. Langewis, Nick (2008-03-12). "Gay talk show host attempts to contact Oklahoma Rep. Kern during television broadcast". PageOneQ. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
20. Jenkins, Ron (2008-07-23). "Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker caught with gun at Capitol". Associated Press. The Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
21. "Oklahoma: One Step From Doom".
22. "Legislative: HB 2211 Passes House Education Committee. Help Defeat this Very Bad Bill!". Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education. Retrieved 2008-03-11. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
23. "HOUSE BILL 2211 (KERN'S 'RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS ANTIDISCRIMINATION ACT') DIES IN COMMITTEE". Retrieved 2008-04-16.
24. "Henry vetoes 'Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act'". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2008-06-10.

External links

• Legislative homepage

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