Video: Gay-rights advocates protest Oklahoma legislator

From Tulsa World:

By MICK HINTON World Capitol Bureau

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Advocates of gay and lesbian rights came to the Capitol in force Tuesday in hopes of meeting with Rep. Sally Kern, but they were told that the lawmaker who called homosexuality worse than "terrorists and Islam" was nowhere to be found.

About 300 people gathered to protest Kern's recent comments, which ended up on YouTube and drew national attention.

Robin Meyers, senior minister at Mayflower Congregational Church in Oklahoma City, said Kern's homophobic comments are a "national embarrassment for Oklahoma."

"It is frightening to me that Sally Kern is an elected official doing the people's business," he said.

James C. Shields, who said he lives in Kern's northwest Oklahoma City legislative district, said he went by her office to invite the lawmaker to the rally.

An assistant told him that Kern had "left for the day because she did not have any committee meetings."

Kern said later that she would be willing to meet next week with two or three people representing the gay and lesbian community.

"I'd have no problem meeting with them next week when I have my lawyer," she said.

Kern said she is working with a lawyer from the Thomas More Law Center based in Ann Arbor, Mich. The center, described as a conservative Christian center, has offices throughout the country.

Tuesday's rally was planned by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, as well as Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders.

Conna Wilkinson said she attended as a mother who discovered that her daughter was a lesbian, emphasizing that sexual orientation is not a choice someone makes.

"In sixth grade, she cried herself to sleep," Wilkinson said of her daughter.

Luckily, she said, her daughter did not commit suicide or run away.

"Do you think people choose to be gay? Why would you?" she asked.

Meyers called on House Speaker Chris Benge and Gov. Brad Henry to condemn Kern.

"I call upon Kern to apologize to all of us," he said.

Meyers asserted that Kern's words were hate speech. He noted that she had compared homosexuality to "cancer of the toe," saying that it had to be eradicated.

Henry has said he doesn't think Kern's remarks represent Oklahoma, adding, "I would just urge all public officials in Oklahoma to cool the rhetoric. Think before you speak and be respectful of all people."

Benge has said that Kern has a right to voice her opinions.

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Mick Hinton (405) 528-2465
mick.hinton@tulsaworld.com