Kern Meets With PFLAG Group

[ccharles000]

Kern Meets With PFLAG Group
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

(Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Members of the Oklahoma City Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays met Thursday with Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) to express concern about her recent comment that gays are "the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism."

She made the remarks in a speech earlier this month to a small gathering but did not know they were being recorded. The tape fell into the hands of The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund which then posted it on YouTube. (story)

"The homosexual agenda is destroying this nation; it's just a fact," Kern declared in the speech. I'm not gay bashing, but according to God's word that is not the right kind of lifestyle," she said. "It has deadly consequences."

Joining PFLAG at Thursday's meeting at Kern's office at the state Capitol were two pastors - Dr. Rev. Kathy McCallie, pastor of the Church of the Open Arms and Rev. Jim Shields, a retired United Methodist Church minister from Kern’s district.

Kern did not express an apology during the meeting, nor did she back away from any of her earlier comments.

Nevertheless, PFLAG said it believed the meeting was the beginning of a dialogue. It was her first meeting ever with a group working within the LGBT community.

And she made a commitment about workplace rights. During the meeting she told the PFLAG group that "I agree with" the idea that gay and lesbian Americans should not be fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation.

"As Representative Kern begins to listen to voices from across her district, and the state, she will hear the stories of hard-working, patriotic men and women who make our communities better, our nation safer and our families stronger," said Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG.

“We appreciate this initial meeting we look forward to continuing today’s conversation and working with Kern to move equality forward.

According to The Williams Institute at the University of California - Los Angeles, Oklahoma is home to more than 89,500 LGBT citizens; nearly 10,000 lesbian and gay military veterans; and approximately 4,000 children are living in loving homes headed by same-sex couples. According to the Institute, Representative Kern’s district is home to more LGBT Oklahomans than any other district in the state.

Despite growing outrage over Kern's remarks the Oklahoma GOP has refused to censure her.

[ThomCat]

1. I think, ultimately, they're wasting their time.

I think Kern will try to use this to innoculate herself against charges of being homophobic, but I don't see any good coming of this.

[hulklogan]

2. Is she slowly turning toward the homosexual agenda?

God is changing Sally's mind for us. Praise Obama!