Oklahoma families
are rallying at the state capitol in Oklahoma City on
Tuesday, March 18, to protest the antigay comments of state
representative Sally Kern, according to a press release from
the Oklahoma chapter of Parents, Family, and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays. Kern's comments -- such as
calling LGBT people "the biggest threat our nation
has, even more so than terrorism" -- made to a small
gathering of fellow Republicans, were taped and have
subsequently played on YouTube to the outrage of many
across the country.
Speakers at the
event will include the Reverend Loyce Newton-Edwards,
president of the Oklahoma chapter of PFLAG; chapter vice
president Conna Wilkinson; and attorney Richard Ogden,
chairman of the Cimarron Alliance Foundation.
"Representative
Kern's remarks undermine our nation's commitment to
'liberty and justice for all,' and do a great disservice to
our families and communities," PFLAG said in its
statement. "Every Oklahoman and every American
deserves a public servant who believes in the dignity
of all our children and who refuses to take part in divisive
and counterproductive attacks on our families. Words
matter, and Representative Kern's statement sent a
clear message that she condones second-class
citizenship for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender
community. Her remarks disrespect our GLBT loved ones,
dishonor the service of nearly 10,000 lesbian and gay
veterans in Oklahoma, and disregard her duty to uphold
our country's most noble values. Representative Kern
owes her constituents an explanation and our families
an apology."
The rally takes
place noon to 1 p.m., Tuesday, March 18, in the
first-floor rotunda of the Oklahoma state capitol,
located on North Lincoln Boulevard at N.E. 23rd Street
in Oklahoma City. (The Advocate)
