"The ambiguously named “Freedom to Obtain Conversion Therapy Act,” (HB 1598) filed by Republican State Representative Sally Kern, is an attempt to legitimize and provide special state protection to a dangerous and discredited practice that has been denounced by every major medical and mental health association in the country, including the American Medical Association and American Psychological Association".
Gayly Oklahoman
This bill is about to be discussed by the legislative committee, Children, Youth & Family Services, of which Rep. Sally Kern is the chair.
Obviously it has a good chance of getting approved by that committee.
I wrote earlier about my experiences with this "messenger of God" when she attempted to remove "Homosexually themed" books from public libraries.
What follow is an email exchange between Rep Kern and a student who was in her class at that time.
As her proposed legislation deals with children, I thought it would be educational to see her attitude so freely expressed to a student. I removed the student's name for obvious reasons, but I still have the originals for verification.
There are four parts
1) The student's cover note to me
2) Her letter to Kern
3) Kern's response
4) The student's sign off to me
Mr. Quigley.
I went to school at Northwest Classen High School here in Oklahoma City,
during which time I had Sally Kern as a Social Studies teacher two out of
the four years unfortunately. While I myself am not gay I do support
homosexuals in their quest for equality here in the United States. I am
Jewish and was made extremely uncomfortable with Mrs. Kern due to the strong
Christian beliefs that she allowed to be heard during her classes during
school hours. After also hearing about Mr. Joe Quigley being told to remove
a quote in his room due to the districts obvious discomfort with his sexual
preference [sic] as well as being outraged one day upon entering the vice
principal's office where I found a picture of Jesus and various crosses
decorating the room. When presenting this matter the vice principal
with my mother I was told to be "open minded" and I had no right to be
upset. I even wrote a story about it in the school paper, but had to clear
it with the Journalism teacher and was told to not mention names and keep it
squeaky clean. I did my best and despite the restrictions I thought came
out pretty well. Well hearing about the book issue I wrote a very strong
email to Sally Kern and got a close minded and ignorant reply.
My email:
Dear Mrs. Kern,
I am a former student of yours at Northwest Classen High school. Recently
I have heard through the media that you are making an attempt to remove a
children's book that is about a gay prince. First of all let me say what a
disgrace you are period. You have always let your religious beliefs run
your teaching styles and choices. Now as a representative of Oklahoman's
you are letting your religion run your politics. Last time I checked there
was a separation of church and state. The book is a children's book in a
PUBLIC (key word public) library. The book belongs in the children's
section since its a children's book. It is not the responsibility of the
library to monitor children's check outs, its the PARENTS responsibility.
Its far time that conservative republican's get it through their heads there
are white people, black people, Jewish people, Catholic people, Islamic
people, straight people, and gay people. Its a part of life and we are all
equal. So take your head out of whatever cloud your floating on and get
with the times. Besides as a minister's wife aren't you supposed to be
accepting of all people. Figure it out. Next will you be trying to remove
books with Jewish overtones? Islamic overtones? Black overtones? You are
narrow minded and should resign from your position.
Student’s name removed by me
Sally Kern's reply:
Dear Student (name removed by me),
It was great to hear from you. I hope you are doing well. From your
e-mail I can see you are still as outspoken as you were in school..
Nothing wrong with that.
We obviously do disagree on issues. I accept as a compliment your
statement that I have always let my religious beliefs run my teaching
styles and choicest. And, yes, I am letting them run my politics, too.
Concerning separation of church and state, if you will read the primary
words of our Founding Fathers, you will see they did not have such a
concept; but, rather, believed one's faith should influence politics as
well as every area of one's life.
The book is a children's book intended to recruit children into the
homosexual lifestyle at an age when children are not capable of making
such choices. The library is having such books readily accessible to
children while they are browsing in the library interferes with parents'
responsibility to rear their children as they choose. We limit
children's access to movies, video games, beer and cigarettes. This is
no different.
I definitely believe all people are equal and treat them as such. I do
not believe all ideas and life styles are equal. If one has a standard
for living, as I do, in the Bible, some things are right and some are
wrong. I will always speak out against what I believe is wrong. I have
stated to gays, television reporters, and in class, that homosexuals
have the right to choose and live that life style. It is their choice.
Homosexuality is different from being black, white, Jew, etc., because
one does not choose these characteristics. You probably disagree with
me on that, thinking that one is born gay. A loving God would never
condemn that life style in His Word and then create a person who was
born gay.
Student (name removed by me), you were born a Jew, God's chosen race. Jesus, God's Son was a
Jew, also. I would never want to remove Jewish, Islamic or any other
religious book.
The Bible says the way to life eternal with Jesus is narrow and few
there are who find it. I do not apologize for being narrow minded in
this respect. God's love is vast and reaches to all, and though I do
not express it perfectly because I am a sinner saved by God's grace, I
do seek to live each day expressing His love to others. Regarding this
library issue, I oppose the issue of homosexuality, but not the people.
I have not attacked them as people.
I wish you well, Student (name removed by me).
God bless.
Sincerely,
Sally Kern
State Representative
District 84
This woman and people who share her narrow minded beliefs are despicable
and I just wanted to share these thoughts with you.
Sincerely,
(students name removed by me)
In spite of her assuring this student that “I have not attacked them as people”, she has stated the following.
"The homosexual agenda is just destroying this nation.”
"Homosexuality is not a civil right, it's a human wrong"
"Homosexuals are saying, 'This is who we are. This is how we're born.' You tell a lie long enough, people start to believe it."
homosexuality is “the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam.”
“If you have cancer in your little toe, do you just say that I'm going to forget about it since the rest of you is fine? It spreads! This stuff is deadly and it is spreading".