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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| 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[2] and has two adult sons, Jesse and Nathan.
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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[3]
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sally Kern, Rep. | 8,815 | 67.65% | Won |
| Ronald E. Wasson, Dem. | 4,215 | 32.35% | Lost |
[edit] Political career
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."[5][6]
After receiving attention for the remarks, Kern said "I said nothing that was not true" and refused to apologize.[5][7][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] However, thousands turned out at the Capitol in support of her.[12]
Although Kern claimed in some Christian news sources to have received death threats that caused her to retain a bodyguard,[13][14] the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation officer who reviewed Kern's emails said, "I wouldn't characterize them as death threats." [15]
Kern also made headlines for authoring a bill, which recently passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives, mandating that students who espouse Young Earth creationism still receive passing grades in Earth science classes.[16][17] After being passed in the house, it died in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate.[18]
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.[19]
[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
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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
- ^ JMBzine: Rep. Sally Kern responds to anti-gay hate speech
- ^ Hinton, Mick. "Kern cites support from GOP", Tulsa World, 2008-03-11. Retrieved on 2008-03-13.
- ^ Branson, Hailey. "Oklahoma: Lawmaker's Comments Bring Protest", New York: The New York Times, 2008-03-19, p. A17.
- ^ McNutt, Michael. "Amid Controversy, Kern Gets Support", The Oklahoman, 2008-04-03. Retrieved on 2008-04-03.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Oklahoma: One Step From Doom".
- ^ 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.
