Sally Kern
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This article or section may be slanted towards recent events. Please try to keep recent events in historical perspective. (April 2008) |
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Sally Kern
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Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives
from the 84th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2005 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Graves[1] |
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| Constituency | Oklahoma State District 84 |
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| Born | November 27, 1946 Jonesboro, Arkansas |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Steve Kern |
| Profession | Politician, teacher |
| Religion | Independent Baptist[citation needed] |
Sally Kern (born 27 November 1946 in Jonesboro, Arkansas) is an Oklahoma state legislator from Oklahoma City.[2] Kern, a member of the Republican party, represents House District 84. A former teacher, she graduated from the University of Texas and East Texas State University. She is married to Steve Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in the Oklahoma City area[2] and has two adult sons.
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[edit] Election history
- 2008 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84[3]
| Name |
|---|
| Sally Kern, Rep. |
| Ron Marlett, Dem. |
- 2006 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84[4]
| Name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Sally Kern, Rep. | Won (Unopposed at filing) |
- 2004 Race for Oklahoma House of Representatives – District 84[5]
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sally Kern, Rep. | 8,815 | 67.65% | Won |
| Ronald E. Wasson, Dem. | 4,215 | 32.35% | Lost |
[edit] Statements on homosexuality
In March 2008, Kern made national headlines when she stated:
"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. 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, okay? Cause what's happening now is they are going after, in schools, two-year olds...And this stuff is deadly, and it's spreading, and it will destroy our young people, it will destroy this nation."[6][7]
After receiving attention for the remarks, Kern said "I said nothing that was not true" and refused to apologize.[6][8][9] She received a standing ovation from fellow Republican legislators in a private meeting a few days later.[10] In response to Kern's comments, hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters protested at the Oklahoma State Capitol on March 18.[11] Over 1000 later turned out at the Capitol in support of her.[12]
Shortly after her statements became public, rumors surfaced that one of her sons is gay. The spread of these rumors prompted public denials by both her and her son. [13]
Although Kern claimed in some Christian news sources to have received death threats that caused her to retain a bodyguard,[14][15] the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officer who reviewed Kern's emails said, "I wouldn't characterize them as death threats." [16]
Kern's statements were addressed on the Ellen Degeneres Show in a segment in which Ellen Degeneres attempted to telephone Kern's office.[17] Degeneres received Kern's outgoing voicemail message, followed by the telecom's pre-recorded message indicating that Kern's mailbox was full. (Degeneres' comedic response was, "I'll bet!") Comedian Margaret Cho also discussed Kern's statements on the Oklahoma City stop of the True Colors Tour 2008.
[edit] Firearm possession
On July 23, 2008, Kern was stopped by security guards in the Oklahoma State Capitol when she tried bringing a loaded gun into the building. The gun was a .380 caliber semiautomatic handgun. Kern had a permit for the gun and claimed she brought it into the building by accident. It was later confirmed that a second incident in which Kern made it into the building with a gun occurred in June 2008. Kern was not charged for either incident.[18]
[edit] Political career
Kern authored a bill, which passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives in March of 2008, mandating that students who espouse Young Earth creationism still receive passing grades in Earth science classes.[19] After being passed in the house, it died in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate.[20]
Kern co-authored the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act that included the provision "Students shall not be penalized or rewarded on account of the religious content of their work", which was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry.[21]
[edit] References
- ^ "General Election November 5, 2002 Summary Results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ a b Oklahoma House of Representatives - Sally Kern
- ^ "Kern foe files; Terrill, Cargill draw opponents". The Oklahoman. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
- ^ "Unopposed Candidates Elected" (PDF). Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved on 2008-03-26.
- ^ "General Election November 4, 2004 Summary Results". Oklahoma State Election Board. Retrieved on 2008-03-12.
- ^ a b "Oklahoma State Rep.: Gays "Biggest Threat" to US". DemocracyNow.com (2008-03-11). Retrieved on 2008-03-14.
- ^ Anti-gay stance hits YouTube: An Oklahoma lawmaker's anti-gay comments are attracting national attention.
- ^ Kern vows not to apologize for remarks against homosexuals
- ^ PlanetOut online news
- ^ Hinton, Mick (2008-03-11). "Kern cites support from GOP", Tulsa World. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
- ^ Branson, Hailey (2008-03-19). "Oklahoma: Lawmaker's Comments Bring Protest", The New York Times, p. A17.
- ^ McNutt, Michael (2008-04-03). "Amid Controversy, Kern Gets Support", The Oklahoman. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
- ^ Hinton, Mick. "Sally Kern's son denies reports he is gay", Tulsa World.
- ^ "State Representative Under Attack by Anti-Christian Homosexual Hate Groups". www.CWFA.org. Concerned Women for America (2008-03-14). Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
- ^ Phan, Katherine T. (2008-03-15). "Lawmaker Threatened for Comparing Gay Lifestyle to Terrorism". Christian Post Reporter. The Christian Post. Retrieved on 2008-03-16.
- ^ Hinton, Mick (2008-03-14). "OSBI Reading Kern E-Mails". Tulsa World.
- ^ Langewis, Nick (2008-03-12). "Gay talk show host attempts to contact Oklahoma Rep. Kern during television broadcast". PageOneQ. Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ Jenkins, Ron (2008-07-23). "Anti-gay Okla. lawmaker caught with gun at Capitol", Associated Press, The Associated Press. Retrieved on 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Legislative: HB 2211 Passes House Education Committee. Help Defeat this Very Bad Bill!". Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education. Retrieved on 2008-03-11.
- ^ "HOUSE BILL 2211 (KERN'S 'RELIGIOUS VIEWPOINTS ANTIDISCRIMINATION ACT') DIES IN COMMITTEE". Retrieved on 2008-04-16.
- ^ "Henry vetoes 'Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act'". Tulsa World. Retrieved on 2008-06-10.
