The president of a group supporting gay and lesbian rights said Thursday she is backing off calling for Rep. Sally Kern to resign for her anti-gay remarks after the Oklahoma City lawmaker met with her and others.
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The Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards, president of the Oklahoma City chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, said she and two othersmet for nearly 40 minutes Thursday in the lawmaker's state Capitol office.
"We think today was a really, really important step,” she said. "She was very cordial. It was a very productive conversation, no shouting, no name calling.”
Kern said, "This is what democracy is all about, free exchange of ideas.”
She hasn't given any speeches since excerpts of her speech were posted on the YouTube Internet site, but she said she would talk again if asked about the strategy that backers of gay rights are using to defeat conservatives.
Kern didn't apologize for comments she made during a speech in January to an Oklahoma City Republican club, Newton-Edwards said. At that meeting Kern called homosexuality "the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism or Islam.”
"We didn't even ask her to,” Newton-Edwards said. "What we said to her was that we were coming in a spirit of healing and reconciliation and we just wanted to talk and speak heart-to-heart.”
Kern's House of Representatives district has the largest number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender constituents in the state, according to a study by the Williams Institute at the University of California-Los Angeles, Newton-Edwards said.
"I have not heard them ask her to resign, I have not heard the people of her district ask her to resign,” Newton-Edwards said. "So what I'm willing to do is continue to work with her. If she's willing to possibly have some meetings where we have dialogue and discussion about these issues, I think that is productive.
Newton-Edwards, who does not live in Kern's district, said she wants to continue a dialogue with the lawmaker.
Kern, a Republican, called her session with Newton-Edwards and others "a nice meeting.”
"They didn't change my mind and I didn't change theirs,” she said. "They were very cordial and I was, too. They expressed their viewpoints and I expressed mine.
During a rally last week at the Capitol, Newton-Edwards and others called upon Kern to apologize and to meet with gays and Muslims in her district.
Newton-Edwards, associate pastor of the Open Arms United Church of Christ, said she invited Kern to attend a meeting of the Oklahoma City chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Kern said she was unsure if that could be arranged.
"You know how many meetings we (in the Legislature) have to go to already,” she said. "I didn't promise them that I would go.”
Newton-Edwards said Kern expressed her concerns about homosexuality, but that she had no problem with gays holding elected office. "She didn't back away at all from her views,” said Newton-Edwards.
Among the others in the meeting were the Rev. Kathy McCallie, pastor of the Church of the Open Arms, and the Rev. Jim Shields, a retired United Methodist Church minister who lives in Kern's district.
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Driving gays and Mexicans out of the state IS the idea, Darren. There was even a billboard on I-35 last year boldly declaring it was time to take the country back, portraying Mexicans as invasive terrorists themselves. People even on these forums have said that they want gays and Mexicans out of Oklahoma, then the RIGHT kind of people will want to live here. What kind of people would that be, do you suppose? Racist, bigoted, KKK, Nazis? All under the guise of "loving Christians" of course.
"She is a simple person with a simple mind and,like most christians,she can not grasp science."
Oh, man...see, guys, THIS is what you're doing to the church with your hate and bigotry! Even as great Christian leaders come from the gay community, and even as many other Christians speak out against homophobia, every hateful slur from someone like Sally Kern drives people AWAY from the church. Your hate and bigotry are harming Christianity. Sally Kern is doing tremendous damage to the church.
What part of "Love your neighbor" does that hateful, ugly attitude represent, please?
"Everything she said is true"
Lie. She said virtually NOTHING that is not absolutely, proven lies. What little she said that WAS true, that gays have a very high suicide rate, she is part of the REASON for that horrific fact.
"and the extremist hateful attitudes of many in the homosexual community"
That's hysterical. She's pushing lies that destroy lives, and those fighting against them, fighting against bigotry and discrimination, are "hateful"?
Extremist?
Hilarious.
"have proven she's right."
Try again. Let's see some actual scientific evidence that people choose to be gay. Go ahead, we'll wait...since there's a MOUNTAIN of proof that it ISN'T chosen, you should have no problem if you look at legitimate sources realizing you're wrong and admitting such.
But then Sally Kern proves daily how massively arrogant the homophobic community is.
"Everyone I know that lives in her district (and that's a lot) plan to vote for her next time around too."
Bigots tend to hang out with other bigots. If you really think EVERYONE in her district supports this homophobe, you're delusional.
"Oklahoma needs to get back to its healthy founding roots and get rid of this liberalized anything goes attitude."
Tell me, seriously, do you REALLY think that if every single drop of hate you feel for gays were put into the law books that a SINGLE gay person would magically turn straight? Can you really be that ignorant?
Surely these people know that this has NOTHING to do with changing anyone, and everything to do with sick, Nazi attempts to just take the people they don't like and drive them out of our state.
Then again, a racist law is driving lots of Hispanics from the state, maybe they can drive all the gays out, too? Maybe that's the idea? Sick, sick, sick.
Lets all be Gay for a day. Everyone who suggests that being gay is choice of freewill ...please go and be gay for a day, test out your claim. Work on the gay agenda. Gays are not wired wrong and God does not make mistakes. If everyone would quit trying to correct God's handy work we would have peace not only among ourselves but throughout the world.
"the extremist hateful attitudes of many in the heterosexual community have proven she's right."...T.A. I fixed a word in your post to make it a little more accurate...No need to thank me
I'm glad she didn't apologize. Everything she said is true and the extremist hateful attitudes of many in the homosexual community have proven she's right. Everyone I know that lives in her district (and that's a lot) plan to vote for her next time around too. Oklahoma needs to get back to its healthy founding roots and get rid of this liberalized anything goes attitude.
With the exceptions of a few meaning Rufus & Raymond & a few more for the most part you people are just plain disgusting. Do everyone a favor & just stay in the closet. I like the army's policy don't ask & don't tell.
I believe that the reasons for homosexuality can be as diverse as there are types of heterosexuals (i.e. from conservative to porn-loving). Many may have a hormonal problem, miswiring in the brain, an emotional disorder or a psychological problem. Those that are converted, in my opinion, are probably ones who had emotional or psychological issues with the opposite sex and the help they got helped them resolve this. Those whose preference is physical could claim to be cured but they are probably just bowing to societal pressure to conform. What is sad is number of adults that finally come to the realization in their middle years that they can no longer live the lie, then admit the truth, leaving families heartbroken. Better for everyone if they could just be accepted with no religious prejudice in the first place.
Rufus, thanks for the insight and information on the organized homosexual agenda. The postings attacking Rep. Kern have been too intense, mean, and prompt to be random. The intimidation factor is very apparent; it is full of hate and contempt for anyone speaking up for traditional family values. When fighting immorality, you can expect to be attacked by those wanting to be "worldly" - like the east and west coasts as one post indicated. Keep up the good fight, Rufus. An interesting observation - next election for Rep. Kern will be a test of the strength of the homosexual lobby. I predict she will win big.
Exodus, Love in Action, and other "reparative therapy" organizations do more harm than good. It has been proven to be psychologically damaging. Many former leaders of such programs have apologized for the psychological and emotional damage inflicted upon their subjects. Many former ex-gays have come forward and admitted that they never changed, they just lived a lie. Many continued having same gender sexual contact while living in a hetero marriage, not just hurting themselves but also their spouses and children in the process by lying about who they are. http://www.beyondexgay.com/article/apology
Responding to the person who asked how Kern got elected if her district was made up of the largest gay population in Oklahoma, it didn't suggest Kern's district was made up of the largest number of registered gay voters, or that gays out numbered straights in that district, it just happens to be that more gays live in that district than other districts in the state. (The question might suggest something about who asked it).
Hate Crime Legislation, is intended to provide the element of hate for another human being. A straight person walking down the street, who gets knocked over the head with a steel pipe because he looked gay to the suspect, would be protected by Hate Crime Legislation. Two women who share a home and are straight, are attacked by vandals smashing their car windows and painting graffiti consisting of intending to harass the women because they were gay, when in actuality they are two divorcee's trying to start over in life would be covered by the Hate Crime Legislation. A Gay man shoots a Straight Man, he is not protected from lethal injection, nor would the straight man if he had shot the gay. To prove a Hate Crime the element of hatred would have to be present. It wouldn't only protect gays, blacks, Jews or Muslims. Wait a minute might it be Oklahoma is more fearful of Christians attacking a Muslims shrines with graffiti and such and be held accountable through a Hate Crimes Law? Have you ever stopped to pay attention to the fact that teachers being arrested out of schools are straight, and most of their victims are of opposite sex? Not everyone wants to live by the words in your book called a bible yet you demand them to. If you can choose to be gay, good, lets see you try it. You can't! I do not know one of any advertising campaign that uses kids to attract gays. Because gay men and women are looking to interact with people of their own age, people whose bodies have matured and hold some attraction. Gay Ads have hunky men sitting pool side sipping sassafras, or two women walking across a beach. I have never seen a business use a child to lure gay customers in, that ought to tell you something. All this being said, no person debating here will change their opinion, because they choose to go to places where words are spoken, reinforcing beliefs and telling you to despise anyone who doesn’t fit in to category A. If the bible abusers would preach love, understanding and tolerance, the church offering plates would go empty and everyone would go home. The word of hate, the spirit of hate and the vile of these institutions must live on, for the Almighty--Dollar$ (check local listings for time and channel)
AGAIN, I SAY:
If gay people are expected to live by the laws of this land, then why shouldn't they have a say in making them? And if a gay organization wants to fund candidates, so be it! Don't other candidates receive funding from special interest groups? Duh! I'd like Sally Kern to explain her statement that "not all religions are equal." I'd also like the people of Oklahoma to tell me WHAT Sally Kern has done to HELP Oklahoma. (Most educated people will agree that gay-bashing and attempting to censor books is NOT a good thing.) Has she lowered taxes, lowered gas prices, done anything about the mortgage crisis, helped with unemployment and/or our dwindling economy, eradicated homlessness, hunger and poverty? Aren't there MUCH MORE IMPORTANT issues facing the people of Oklahoma than the supposed "gay agenda?" Shouldn't Sally be addressing the REAL issues instead of bashing gays and the religion of Islam? Seems to me the people of Oklahoma who are paying her salary are wasting their money.
You're still passing judgment without credibility. Sorry, had to put that up since I saw your last comment. Let's discuss again! A great weekend to all!!
They are still living their lives as others want them to, and not how they actually feel. If it makes them happy to make others in their life accept them, more power to them. It is just sad that someone has to be "converted" to be accepted.
Unfortunately, I have to sign off. Joe and others, I would enjoy future discussiong. All I ask is you consider Exodus International a credible and successful program, and be happy for those who are part of the program.
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The Rev. Loyce Newton-Edwards
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Oh, man...see, guys, THIS is what you're doing to the church with your hate and bigotry! Even as great Christian leaders come from the gay community, and even as many other Christians speak out against homophobia, every hateful slur from someone like Sally Kern drives people AWAY from the church. Your hate and bigotry are harming Christianity. Sally Kern is doing tremendous damage to the church.
What part of "Love your neighbor" does that hateful, ugly attitude represent, please?
"Everything she said is true"
Lie. She said virtually NOTHING that is not absolutely, proven lies. What little she said that WAS true, that gays have a very high suicide rate, she is part of the REASON for that horrific fact.
"and the extremist hateful attitudes of many in the homosexual community"
That's hysterical. She's pushing lies that destroy lives, and those fighting against them, fighting against bigotry and discrimination, are "hateful"?
Extremist?
Hilarious.
"have proven she's right."
Try again. Let's see some actual scientific evidence that people choose to be gay. Go ahead, we'll wait...since there's a MOUNTAIN of proof that it ISN'T chosen, you should have no problem if you look at legitimate sources realizing you're wrong and admitting such.
But then Sally Kern proves daily how massively arrogant the homophobic community is.
"Everyone I know that lives in her district (and that's a lot) plan to vote for her next time around too."
Bigots tend to hang out with other bigots. If you really think EVERYONE in her district supports this homophobe, you're delusional.
"Oklahoma needs to get back to its healthy founding roots and get rid of this liberalized anything goes attitude."
Tell me, seriously, do you REALLY think that if every single drop of hate you feel for gays were put into the law books that a SINGLE gay person would magically turn straight? Can you really be that ignorant?
Surely these people know that this has NOTHING to do with changing anyone, and everything to do with sick, Nazi attempts to just take the people they don't like and drive them out of our state.
Then again, a racist law is driving lots of Hispanics from the state, maybe they can drive all the gays out, too? Maybe that's the idea? Sick, sick, sick.
Hate Crime Legislation, is intended to provide the element of hate for another human being. A straight person walking down the street, who gets knocked over the head with a steel pipe because he looked gay to the suspect, would be protected by Hate Crime Legislation. Two women who share a home and are straight, are attacked by vandals smashing their car windows and painting graffiti consisting of intending to harass the women because they were gay, when in actuality they are two divorcee's trying to start over in life would be covered by the Hate Crime Legislation. A Gay man shoots a Straight Man, he is not protected from lethal injection, nor would the straight man if he had shot the gay. To prove a Hate Crime the element of hatred would have to be present. It wouldn't only protect gays, blacks, Jews or Muslims. Wait a minute might it be Oklahoma is more fearful of Christians attacking a Muslims shrines with graffiti and such and be held accountable through a Hate Crimes Law? Have you ever stopped to pay attention to the fact that teachers being arrested out of schools are straight, and most of their victims are of opposite sex? Not everyone wants to live by the words in your book called a bible yet you demand them to. If you can choose to be gay, good, lets see you try it. You can't! I do not know one of any advertising campaign that uses kids to attract gays. Because gay men and women are looking to interact with people of their own age, people whose bodies have matured and hold some attraction. Gay Ads have hunky men sitting pool side sipping sassafras, or two women walking across a beach. I have never seen a business use a child to lure gay customers in, that ought to tell you something. All this being said, no person debating here will change their opinion, because they choose to go to places where words are spoken, reinforcing beliefs and telling you to despise anyone who doesn’t fit in to category A. If the bible abusers would preach love, understanding and tolerance, the church offering plates would go empty and everyone would go home. The word of hate, the spirit of hate and the vile of these institutions must live on, for the Almighty--Dollar$ (check local listings for time and channel)
If gay people are expected to live by the laws of this land, then why shouldn't they have a say in making them? And if a gay organization wants to fund candidates, so be it! Don't other candidates receive funding from special interest groups? Duh! I'd like Sally Kern to explain her statement that "not all religions are equal." I'd also like the people of Oklahoma to tell me WHAT Sally Kern has done to HELP Oklahoma. (Most educated people will agree that gay-bashing and attempting to censor books is NOT a good thing.) Has she lowered taxes, lowered gas prices, done anything about the mortgage crisis, helped with unemployment and/or our dwindling economy, eradicated homlessness, hunger and poverty? Aren't there MUCH MORE IMPORTANT issues facing the people of Oklahoma than the supposed "gay agenda?" Shouldn't Sally be addressing the REAL issues instead of bashing gays and the religion of Islam? Seems to me the people of Oklahoma who are paying her salary are wasting their money.