9/14/2011

Washington – The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization – is calling on Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and the state’s top lawmakers to denounce dangerous anti-gay remarks State Sen. Sally Kern recently made while promoting her new book. In an interview, Kern said young people learn that homosexuality is “normal and natural” because they’re “bombarded” with it every day. As a result, Kern claims, homosexuality presents a bigger threat to the United States than terrorism.

Kern also implied gay Americans were responsible for the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Oklahoma lawmaker went on to say that homosexuality is eroding the “principles of religion and morality” the nation was founded on and “without virtue this nation will not survive.”

“Sally Kern’s remarks aren’t just offensive – they’re irresponsible, particularly coming from an elected official,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Comparing gay Americans to terrorists is dangerous and could potentially incite violence against LGBT people. Governor Fallin and the legislative leadership in Oklahoma must do the right thing and immediately denounce Kern’s remarks.”

This isn’t the first time Kern has attacked gay Americans. In 2008, she was caught on tape making similar comparisons to homosexuality and terrorism, and also said: “No society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted for more than, you know, a few decades.” In the same speech, Kern said “What’s happening now is they’re going after, in schools, two-year-olds.” In her new book, Kern says she is standing tall in the face of “angry homosexuals” who speak out against her extremism.

Kern’s remarks come as a number of extremist political figures and candidates adopt anti-gay messaging. HRC is tracking these activities through its Call it Out campaign – such as presidential hopeful Michele Bachmann supporting the scientifically rejected “reparative therapy” and likening being gay to “Satan;” or Texas Governor Rick Perry partnering with some of the nation’s leading anti-gay groups in a Christian-only day of prayer. As Election Day 2012 draws nearer, HRC will continue exposing the false and dangerous rhetoric of those like Kern, Bachmann and Perry.

HRC is asking its members and supporters to join in calling on Governor Fallin and the state’s top lawmakers to speak out against Sally Kern. Learn more at www.hrc.org/callitout.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.