9/14/2011

Washington – In the past eight hours alone, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) members and supporters have generated 145,000 emails to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and state legislative leaders calling on them to denounce State Rep. Sally Kern’s dangerous anti-LGBT remarks. In a recent interview with the hate group Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, 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. She also implied gay Americans were responsible for the HIV/AIDS crisis.

“Americans are sending a message loud and clear to Oklahoma’s leadership – Sally Kern’s brand of bigotry is entirely unacceptable,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Her dangerous remarks stand to incite violence against LGBT Americans, and are so far out of the mainstream that they cannot go unnoticed. At a time when the majority of the nation is showing support for a wide array of equality issues, Sally Kern is spreading a false message of hate that must be stopped.”

Kern made similar remarks in 2008 comparing homosexuality to terrorism. Her statements last week come at a time when a number of extremist political figures and candidates are adopting anti-gay messaging.

HRC is calling on its members and supporters to keep the pressure up on Governor Fallin and the state’s legislative leaders, and to rally friends and family to join in taking action.  For the latest, visit 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.