Wednesday, October 1, 2008

State Legislator Speaks:
Are You Listening?



What you have just heard were the words of Oklahoma State Legislator, Sally Kern. Her comparing gays to terrorists and telling fellow Republicans the "homosexual agenda is destroying this nation" was supposed to be a private conversation. However this anti-gay hate speech leaked into the public. When confronted by the press, Kern defends herself saying that "What I'm saying, I believe in." Truly appalling if you ask me. People are aloud to their voice their opinions, but make sure the audience is appropriate and really, try not to offend people. Talking "smack" behind someones back is one thing, but insulting the entire population of homosexuals is completely different. I feel as though this was over the top and rude.

Its a known fact that most conservatives are against homosexuality and gay marriages, so why feel the need to voice the opinion even more. It was over all uncalled for. Along with the fact that this is incredibly offensive to some people, the fact that all of this was said by a STATE LEGISLATOR, changes the entire story. This is an incredibly bold political statement made by Kern. Her words not only reflect poorly on her, but also her state, as well as her political party. She clearly is generalizing the thoughts of all republicans and their opinion on America's gay community. Some may agree, but I feel confident is saying that most do not.

There was an emotional impact to this speech that one could only feel if they were watching the video that was later posted after the speech leaked into the public. In this speech, that was given privately to a group of about 50 Republicans, Kern says homosexuality, "according to God's word, that is not the right kind of lifestyle. It has deadly consequences for those people involved in it." Although she claims she is "not gay-bashing," Kern continues by saying gays "have more suicides… there's more illness, their life spans are shorter… studies show that no society that has totally embraced homosexuality has lasted more than, you know, a few decades." This women has to have her head on crooked. I realize that some Americans are truly homophobic, but to take something as simple as homosexuality and stretch it to this extreme is nonsense. I feel as though political figures should know better! Yes- we are listening. We do understand, and together we agree that you are wrong!

No comments: