HRC: 200,000 E-mails Speaking Out Against Sally Kern Met with Silence from Oklahoma Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 15, 2011
Dan Rafter

200,000 E-mails Speaking Out Against Sally Kern Met with Silence from Oklahoma Leaders

Governor Fallin and legislative leaders must speak out against State Rep. Kern’s dangerous extremism

WASHINGTON – Human Rights Campaign (HRC) members and supports have generated 200,000 emails to Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin and state legislative leaders in the past day, calling on them to speak out against State Rep. Sally Kern’s dangerous anti-LGBT remarks. Kern recently called homosexuality a bigger threat to the United States than terrorism because, according to Kern, young people learn that being gay is “normal and natural.” Kern also implied gay Americans were responsible for the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Governor Fallin, Speaker of the House Kris Steele and Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman have remained silent so far.

“The silence of Governor Fallin and Oklahoma’s legislative leadership is deafening, particularly given the number of people we now see calling on them to speak out,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Enough is enough. Sally Kern has a long track record of outrageously slandering LGBT Americans, ethnic and religious groups, and women. It’s time for Oklahoma’s leaders to stand up to her bigotry and hold her accountable for her remarks.”

HRC is calling on its members and supporters to keep the pressure up on Governor Fallin, Speaker Steele and President Pro Tempore Bingman, and to rally friends and family to join in taking action. For the latest, visit www.hrc.org/callitout.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.

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