The Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund a Washington-based political action committee released this video containing audio from Oklahoma Representative Sally Kern. In this controversial video, Kern is heard making anti-gay comments and her opinion on their detrimental role in society.
Kern claims that people but those in particular from Oklahoma "should not be surprised by her comments because she's made similar statements in the past." She claims not to shy away from beliefs or comments citing her first amendment right to freedom of speech.
The reason these remarks have received staunch criticism is because she claims that homosexuality poses a greater threat to America than do terrorist or Islam. When I first heard this statement, I was offended that she would claim that a homosexual lifestyle could impose such negative ramifications on a society let along an organized religion that is widely practiced by large portion of the world's population.
Kern's idea of hiding behind freedom of speech is absurd. Hate speech is not free speech and she should be aware of the intended and unintended consequences such remarks may have. If a society and more importantly the young are indoctrinated to think that speaking of gays as second class citizens is permissible then we move away from those values are founding fathers attempted to gain by rebelling from Britain. The Declaration of Independence acknowledges three fundamental rights that the people are endowed by their creator. Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness are not rendered for gay Americans if our government does not act against these agents of intolerance. Let's not forget we are all American before we are white or black, old or young, male or female, christian or jewish, rich or poor and heterosexual or homosexual.
