| By Preston Mitchum - Mar 7th, 2008 at 2:16 pm EST |
| Also listed in: Campus Progress Blog |
Tags: gay rights, gays, GLBT community, homosexuals, Lawrence King, lesbians
Good Afternoon Representative Kern. My name is Preston Mitchum and this email is in regard to the disrespectful and discriminatory remarks about the homosexual community.
I am offended by your rude remarks about the homosexual community and believe you should apologize immediately. As a State representative, you are supposed to be of integrity, intelligence, motivation, and perseverance. I cannot believe that you uttered hatred words about GLBT's. I am sure there are other issues that State representatives and members of Congress can worry about, besides sexual orientation. For instance, the wiretapping bill, the Iraq War, issues with Guantanamo Bay, etc. You made really harsh comments and I for one am deeply offended.
Comments such as: "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." Additionally, "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."
If you believe homosexuality poses more of a threat than terrorism, you should reconsider your position. God forbid (yes I said God) that someone is gay or lesbian. I would hate if they touched you because I hear that this "disease" is contagious. Furthermore, I am bothered that you are an educator. Excuse me for assuming, but I hope you are not telling children that homosexuality is an abomination. This will force children to hate the GLBT community and whether you believe it or not, they are not born to hate. They grow up in a society that teaches them that homosexuality is wrong and believe it so much, they murder other children who are comfortable enough to “come out.” Case in point - Lawerence King -a 15-year-old Junior High School students that was shot in the head for being openly gay.
To make it worse, you also compare being gay to "toe cancer." How can a woman with such stature, be so unkind to a group of individuals who were born into a lifestyle? Why would one person choose to be gay and ridiculed by people in high positions like you? No one questions why you are a straight woman, and therefore, you have neither the right nor authority to question another's sexual orientation.
Our nation is supposed to be progressive and dedicated to improving the lives around us. Progressives believe that narrow self-interest should not be what defines America. Something that the Center for American Progress mentions on their website is that a progressive is NOT: naïve, short-sighted, narrow minded, selfish, arrogant, and xenophobic. I can only hope that today's youth listen to your comments and get as offended as I am and writes numerous emails. There are no facts behind your words. It is simply frustration for an opinion that will never be changed.
Honestly, I appreciate the work you are doing as a State representative, but this in no way overweighs your criticism of the homosexual community. I am personally disappointed that we have representatives speaking for constituents, especially if they are as discourteous as your words.
I just have one question for you: If homosexuality is “spreading” like the plague, please explain to me why you are a heterosexual? You have not been injected by the homosexual bug, so how can you say that this is negatively affecting our community. I hope you really reconsider everything you said and apologize to the gay community for your uncouth comments. Remember, they are listening.
!
Comments are closed for this post.
Take away religion and think about pure nature.
Can two species (human or animal) of the same sex procreate? No.
--Petter Bockman, phD, Zoology, University of Oslo
Somebody better tell all these animals what horrible sinners they are...
The real outcome of removing procreation from the picture? You take away the half of the fundies' argument againt homosexuality.
Thanks for making me smile;)
The Spanish conquerors were horrified to discover "sodomy" openly practiced among native peoples, and attempted to crush it out by subjecting the berdaches (as the Spanish called them) under their rule to severe penalties, including public execution and burning. "
HMMM, I wonder why no society with homosexuals has lasted long... perhaps it's because ignorant religious zealots like this woman don't understand that the world is overpopulated anyway....UGHHH
In response to the commenter who said to take religion out of the context and just talk about procreation - - I don't think you understand the general premise here. Gay people really aren't interested in somehow "taking over" the society. I love straight people and hope they keep having babies and making the world go round. BUT - I'm not straight. So, yes, I won't be creating babies. Guess what - I think the human race will survive without offspring from my relationship.
The idea that human relationships are ONLY about creating offspring is silly. Are you saying that straight couples should all create as many children as they can, ignoring contraceptive options? That is unrealistic.
The fact here is that Rep. Kern is not in a position where she should speak out on these issues, and she's obviously not educated enough to be making speeches in any official capacity on these issues.
If you really boil down her claims, she's saying that a tolerant, diverse society won't survive. That is a ridiculous claim.
She's absolutely right in what she's said. When 2% of this nations population can rule in our courts and ruin our television with their rhetoric, and FORCE the rest of the population to accept their abominable ideals and sexuality, there's a problem.
Now, she said it's the right of gays and lesbians to be gays and lesbians but, just like I wouldn't do it doggie style with my girl in public, and just like I don't go screaming about doing it doggie style with my girl even in the bedroom, I don't want to hear about it or see it from the gay and lesbian community.
The simple fact of the matter is you people are screaming over a subject you really have no right to scream over, but since you are allowed by law in the United States to post whatever comments you want, just as I am allowed to do and am doing, now, Mrs. Kern has the absolute right to say what she wants to say.
Because gays and lesbians are so fervent in their desire to see themselves as married couples in this nation, their lifestyle, their lack of morality, and their inability to see what they are doing is harmful to this nation and to my children, my family will suffer, and my ability to have rights as a married person are already in jeopardy.
Gays and lesbians, like married couples, should keep their fudge-packing and pole-smoking to themselves and stop doing everything they can to turn this nation, which is already in jeopardy because of them, on its head.
For those of you who believe that this sort of thinking is wrong-headed, and are surprised these sorts of thoughts are outdated, outmoded, and should be marked as hate speech, and illegal, consider what you're saying and why you're angry. As early as two decades ago, being gay and lesbian was considered, and rightly so, abominable behavior, by even non-Christians; the common man on the street and the common woman in her home thought about one man shoving his dick in another man's ass and would be ready to vomit, as I still am in this day and age.
Homosexuality is not a genetic marker or disease or disorder and is not passed from parents or grandparents to their children, it is a choice. Don't force your choices on me just because you want to be politically correct and believe that you are being "tolerant".
Blacks being given their freedom was right... women being given their freedom was right... except look at what both groups have done with that freedom since. Blacks kill each other on a daily basis over drugs and territory that doesn't belong to them, and women fight every single day to take children away from their fathers in a divorce and custody court system that favors women 92% of the time.
You good people, with your opinions, need to take a look at what you are doing to this nation on a daily basis because of your definition of "tolerance", and you need to understand that you are shaping the wholly negative future of this country, rather than just stumbling blindly along this path because it's someone else's idea of the "right thing to do".
Good day.
I just have one question. How do YOU enjoy having sexual relations with men? It honestly seems that maybe your paranoia over someone finding out that you are a homosexual man is forcing you to be so mindless and hate filled. Maybe your secret lover is a black man, since your ignorant, pathetic chatter also degrades those of a color other than your own. You're a pathetic person. I really feel sorry for you if you honestly feel the way you presented yourself in that comment and weren't just trying to get the blood boiling in every level headed person on earth. Please seek help and come to terms with your homosexuality. We will accept that you're a gay man. You don't need to keep this front up. - a concerned lesbian.
Dick!
Im a lesbian, mother, and nurse. I have a committed relationship to a wonderful woman who is just as amazing and compassionate. I am raising a beautiful daughter who is stronger than your words. I take care of sick patients everyday and wish them well no matter what their lifestyle, religion, sex, or race may be. I am also close to God and try to live with integrity and compassion. I believe these are the teachings of Christ...What would he think of you Paul? Would he approve of your judging, foulness, and hate? I think he'd agree with me and quite possibly even call you a DICK too!!
Are you actually willing to defend a woman who would be so bold as to attack gay and lesbian taxpaying American citizens by calling them worse than terrorists?
Bigotry is alive and well in America.
You're not only a homophobe, a racist (nice comments on the inherent criminality of blacks there), and a sexist douchebag, but your argument is based on outrageous assumptions for which you provide no evidence.
In conclusion, sir or madam, get out of the gene pool please.
You don't "protect" marriage by making it unavailable for certain people. You protect it by making sure that ALL committed couples have the support that they need to make a successful marriage.
As for the comments that people are "FORCED" to hear homosexual rhetoric... last I checked, you were just as able to turn off the radio/tv, put down the magazine, etc. as anyone else. No one is FORCING you to do anything.
But you know, it sounds really similar to all of the Christian Fundies out there, screaming that we're "discriminating" against them by teaching science in Science class, instead of mythology.
Ever think that some of us feel the same way about YOU? We're forced to see your church signs, we're forced to hear your religious propaganda on the television and the radio, and we would really like for you to just SHUT UP.
I might worship Baal, but I don't shout about it on tv, or the radio, and frankly, I don't want to hear it from YOU, either. OH, but THAT'S different, right? It's only OK to discriminate against people for things OTHER THAN CRAMMING THEIR RELIGION DOWN YOUR THROAT.
Last I checked, it was the religious nuts knocking on my door, peddling their lifestyle, not homosexuals. Last I checked the group screaming the most about being "persecuted" is the religious right.
As for Homosexuality not being biological, just when did you get your degree in genetics? They are STILL finding things that we were previously told were not biological, in fact ARE biological. We just didn't have the science to allow us to figure that out yet.
Then again, maybe we should leave the science to oh, I don't know... the scientists, and let you go back to preaching about "intelligent design".
They are listed on page 37 of the Gay Agenda.
So according to you, being gay has only to do with sex. Is that all your relationship with your wife is? My husband would be pretty hurt if he thought I defined our relationship as pure sex and nothing else. Your definition of gay and straight as being the way you have sex is quite demeaning.
You're right Rep. Kern does have a right to speak her mind, she doesn't have a right to lie to the public.
Someday you may come to believe in love.
As a proud Oklahoma City resident for over fifteen years, I was stunned, angered and saddened to hear your discriminatory and wholly ignorant rant regarding the gay community - OUR community of fine Oklahomans. I could hardly believe my ears. I was especially disheartened by your negative and false comments about gay-straight alliances in our schools, organizations that help provide a safe environment in which gay, bisexual and lesbian students can learn and thrive.
Your hate speech heaps shame on the great state of Oklahoma. Oklahomans will not tolerate sexual prejudice against our fellow citizens. These people about whom you speak are our children, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, friends, church members, neighbors, and co-workers.
As a psychologist, I know the truth about lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. Being lesbian, bisexual or gay is not pathological. The LGBT community, however, suffers elevated rates of depression and risk of suicide attempts because of folks like you who bully, discriminate and harass.
I encourage you to educate yourself, examine your heart, and apologize immediately. I am an Oklahoma homeowner and a taxpayer, and I am listening.
Dr. Shelley Janiczek Woodson
Junior
It's alive and well Junior or this blog could not be here, the Kerns of this world would have quashed it.
America has alleged to stand for truth, justice and order, yet has simultaneously done the mathematical opposite. Sen. Kern represents the actual foundation upon which America has based its domestic and foreign polices. That foundation has grown branches that include racism, homophobia, war, disease and hatred of the "cultural other". It has demonstrated this in its dealings with Africa, Asia, and the Arab-Muslim nations of the world. Sen. Kern in my opinion is part and parcel of this mindset. She is espousing ideals held from the beginning of this country and to be found now only spoken in small circles but certainly supported by current government policy.
Sen. Kern further upholds and alleged Judeao-Christian concept of a Deity that hates the "cultural other". To wit:
She claims homosexuality is a bigger threat than, "..terrorism or islam." ? That this woman considers Homosexuality, Terrorism and Islam as interchangeable is not surprising. Keep in mind among the first slave ships to arrive to the shores of North America was one run by Sir John Hawkins called the "Good Ship Jesus". Keep in mind that it was the Holy Roman Catholic church that deemed women as secondary and not worthy of the priesthood. Her praise of Judeo-Christian thought is consistent with that history and not the history of the true church. A church that represents the sanctity of humanity and the faults of our humanness. Her rant is indicative of a singular mindset that seeks a totalitarian reality run by the few, the proud and the racist!
To wit:
The good Senator further states further that, "No society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades."
As an historian I am forced to let out a hearty laugh, clearly she is not a student of history as all one has to do is to count two of Europe's greatest superpowers, Greece and Rome to show how distorted her statement is.
Freedom of speech is allowed in this country I would further note however that the priviledge of responsibility should be a clause added to this right. Senator Kern has demonstrated irresponsiblity and even lack of concern for the words she places in the universe. Therefore all that befalls her per result of her words should be deemed as her own cause.
Her remarks that compare Homosexuality to some disease are erroneous and should be relegated to the trash bin of history, "... this stuff is deadly and its spreading and it will destroy this nation". I have yet to see an LGBT community parade result in mob violence in an attempt to overthrow the U.S. Government! I have yet to see this community commission heinous acts of bloodshed on the innocent as I have seen those of her ilk perform, during the Spanish Inquisition, The enslavement of Afrikans, the murder of First Nations (Native Americans) and even the random slaying of Gay, Lesbian and Transexual peoples.
Mr. Mitchum to expect an apology would be similar to expecting a miracle, I am sorry but she is too far gone for such an act of kindness. She stated in that message that she would probably get into trouble for this. So certainly she recognized what she stated and is a harsh proponent of her ideaology.
-Sanders
Link
The decay of our society!
Jimbo
It is interesting to me that the gay community wants to do whatever they choose and wants to put it in everyone's face; they then expect everyone to simply accept it and shut their mouth if they don't agree with it. Well, not everyone agrees with it - you should accept that when you choose that lifestyle and stop whining when someone speaks up and actually says that what you're doing is WRONG!!! Kern's comments said that you have the right to do whatever you choose -regardless of how immoral it is, but that doesn't take away her right to voice HER opinion about it. Get over it and quit your whining! My sister is gay - do I have to like it? NO! Do I have to teach my children that it is an acceptable lifestyle? NO! Do her choices with which I don't agree take away any of my rights to speak out against her lifestyle? Absolutely NOT!
It is clear who is showing their ignorance and the sad part is that many of you who support the gay lifestyle don't even realize how misinformed you really are or where that ignorance will ultimately lead you.
Exodus 21:7 talks of a man selling his daughter into slavery. Is it then ok to sell your daughter into slavery? Have you sold yours?
Leviticus 15:19 says when a woman has her period she should be isolated for seven days. Man, that's a lot of sick days. I hope you work from home!
Leviticus 25:44 says you can own slaves. Bit of a touchy subject these days, but if the bible says so...
Exodus 35:2 says anyone who works on the sabbath should be put to death. Guess that explains all the cars at the grocery store on Sunday. Must be there to witness the killing.
Leviticus 21:16-21 says God can't stand the sight of handicapped people. The blind, the lame, dwarfs, people with funny noses or blemishes, with damaged testicles, or broken hands or feet, crooked backs, or who have scurvy or scabs, or who have anything superfluous must not approach the altar of God. A lot of hot nightclubs are like that too. Hmm...Leviticus 21...good name for a club! Only the best of the best are allowed.
Leviticus 19:27 says you can't trim your beard. There go my shares in Gillette.
Leviticus 19:19 says you can's plant two different crops in a field or wear clothing of mixed fabrics. Have you ever planted a garden Meredith? I hope for the sake of your soul that it was all zucchini. And that better not be a poly-cotton blend you put on this morning.
Need I go on? I've got a book full of them!
It's pretty obvious this is a traumatized woman; generally speaking when someone says the things she did, she's been independently "harmed" by a gay issue of some kind or other. (Most likely, she loved someone who dumped her for a man... and she internalized that emotional experience to the point it ate at her soul, and voila, what's left is this hate-mongering speech and rhetoric of nonsense)
OKLAHOMANS need to do everything in their power to remove her from power, she needs to go back to being just the wife of a baptist preacher again, where hate is not only OK, but celebrated. I feel sorry for her only in that she's got to live with herself, but she's got some serious maturing to do. Let's all hope her children are as gay as possible, to help her learn what "gay looks like".
Link
It is critical that Representative Kern's freedom to express her opinions be steadfastly defended.
At the core of this absurd diatribe by Representative Kern is her clear misunderstanding of human nature. Love and community are primal urges, not intellectual constructs, and certainly not to be legislated.
The outrage from the GLBT community is clearly warranted and paramount to the constructive dialogue that is growing out of Rep. Kern's words. It's great that such ignorance is being met with reasoned arguments, many having foundations in science and firm grasps on cultural history (neither of which seem to be of any interest to the Representative).
To review Rep. Kern's words, she stated that "[She] honestly think[s] it's [homosexuality] the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam, which I think is a big threat."
Where's the outrage from the Islamic community? I concede that terrorism poses a great threat to humanity. However, Islam as a method of instruction for conduct within the human community is no greater (or lesser) a threat than any other ideology. In fact, if the Representative were to study Islamic law, she will find that she has a great deal in common with Islam. At least with regard to her grossly misguided views on homosexuality.
- Matthew Orr
The bigger issue is that she is in a position of power and her words can inspire action, both good and bad, because of her position. We all know that not everyone agrees with homosexuality. Everyone has a different reason. Kern's is obviously a religious one. And every one is right in saying that freedom of speech allows her to voice those opinions.
But you also have to think about how Kern knew she should not have been saying those things. She says it herself in the recording. Her position of being an elected official dictates certain behavior that must be maintained. Going on a hate-filled rant does not fall within those boundries.
And as for Kern's ability to perform her duties of state representative to the best of her ability...I think the speech speaks for itself and shows that her actions and decisions (the school activity disclosure bill she mentions, for example) are fueled by her religious beliefs and not what is best for EVERY citizen she is representing.
I urge everyone to sign the petition to get Kern out of her elected position.
Thanks for reading :o)
Either way, great post Preston! Really insightful. It is good to see someone taking a standing for a change.