OKLAHOMA: Sally Kern's "Ex-Gay" Torture Bill Dies Without Coming To A Vote

Via press release from NCLR:

This afternoon, a bill introduced to the Oklahoma State House by Representative Sally Kern that would legalize anti-LGBT therapy died without coming to a vote. The defeat follows months of extensive grassroots organizing by national and state organizations working in coalition to educate parents and families about the ineffective and harmful practices of conversion therapy on LGBT youth.  HB 1598 aimed to legitimize conversion therapy by providing special state protections for practices which have been denounced by every major medical and mental health association in the country, including the American Medical Association and American Psychological Association. The bill is the first of its kind in the United States.  “It is not often that we can say defeating a piece of legislation actually saved lives, but with HB 1598, that is exactly what happened,” said Freedom Oklahoma Executive Director Troy Stevenson. “The fact that this bill would have removed oversight and prohibited state intervention into extreme forms of child abuse was unconscionable. We owe a debt of gratitude to the fair-minded legislators who refused to allow it to even get a vote on the house floor.”

"Ex-gay" torture is banned in California, New Jersey, and DC.

OKLAHOMA: Bill To Prohibit Regulation Of Ex-Gay Torture Advances In House

With an eye on what has happened in California and New Jersey, today an Oklahoma House committee approved state Rep. Sally Kern's bill to prohibit the state from regulating "ex-gay" torture therapy. Kern, the chair of the committee, claims her bill is the first of its kind in the nation. Her bill is expected to face strong opposition before the full chamber.

Earlier today the "ex-gay" crackpots at Voice Of The Voiceless (Christopher Doyle's group) issued a ranting press release about the Oklahoma bill. An excerpt:

HB 1598 is a big step for parental rights and religious liberty for Oklahoma families, especially those who struggle with sexual and gender identity confusion. This bill protects the freedom of individuals to seek help from mental health providers and faith-based counselors for support, spiritual direction, and pastoral care and counseling. Oklahoma Children and their families should be provided with ethical, safe, and effective support to overcome conflicts surrounding their sexual identity/orientation and their spirituality, especially confused victims of childhood sexual abuse! HB 1598 ensures that children who are molested and/or are victims of sexual abuse and experience unwanted same-sex attractions as a result, have the freedom to get the counseling that aligns with their values!

As we all know, "ex-gay" torture often results in suicide. But that's apparently fine with Sally Kern, who is on record as saying that homosexuality is worse than terrorism.

OKLAHOMA: House Advances Bill To Fire Officials Who Issue Marriage Licenses

Via the Associated Press:

Judges or court clerks who issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples would lose their jobs under a bill that has been approved by a House committee. The House Judiciary and Civil Procedure Committee voted 5-3 on Tuesday for the "Preservation of Sovereignty and Marriage Act." The bill now proceeds to the full House for a vote. The bill provides that any state or local employee who officially recognizes, grants or enforces a same-sex marriage license would no longer receive a state salary or pension. The House author of the bill, Oklahoma City Republican Rep. Sally Kern, says she believes the U.S. Supreme Court has overstepped its authority by forcing Oklahoma to recognize gay marriages. Gay rights groups have called Kern's bill discriminatory.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Oklahoma since October.

OKLAHOMA: State Rep. Sally Kern Introduces Three New Anti-Gay Bills

Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern hasn't been in the headlines lately and yesterday she acted to change that by introducing three new anti-gay bills.

House Bill 1599 is dubbed the “Preservation and Sovereignty of Marriage Act.” House Bill 1598 is called the “Freedom to Obtain Conversion Therapy Act.” A third measure would allow businesses to refuse to provide services to the gay community, among others. Kern, R-Oklahoma City, garnered national attention a few years ago when she said the “homosexual agenda” was destroying the nation and poses a bigger threat to the nation than terrorism. House Bill 1599 says that no taxpayer funds or governmental salaries can be used for the licensing or support of same-sex marriage. “No employee of this state and no employee of any local governmental entity shall officially recognize, grant or enforce a same-sex marriage license and continue to receive a salary, pension or other employee benefit at the expense of taxpayers of this state,” the measure says. “No taxes or public funds of this state shall be spent enforcing any court order requiring the issuance or recognition of a same-sex marriage license.”

The third bill would allow businesses to refuse service "to any lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender person, group or association." (Tipped by JMG reader KaneHau)

Sally Kern Vs Gay Rights Activist

Yesterday Oklahoma crackpot Sally Kern battled a local gay rights activist on KFOR-TV's Flashpoint. Kern predictably railed about ex-gays, the bible, and Jesus. The gay activist, Scott Hamilton of Oklahoma City's Cimarron Alliance, did a really great job countering all of Kern's claims. The show (not-embeddable) can be seen here in four parts. You should definitely watch the first clip.

Sally Kern Has The Oklahoma Sadz

"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." - Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, speaking to Tulsa television. Kern, you may recall, used the tenth anniversary of 9/11 repeat her infamous claim that homosexuality is a "greater threat to the United states than terrorism or Islam." Kern told the media that she was receiving emailed death threats after those remarks, but Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations review her inbox and declared that she was full of shit. Kern's husband, Rev. Steve Kern, recently led local protests against the gay-themed play about Jesus, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told.  Rev. Kern has said that he will run for the Oklahoma state senate this year.

Quote Of The Day - Sally Kern

"I find it kind of sad that this tribe is not willing to recognize what 75 percent of the voters of Oklahoma declared years ago, that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. Those of us who are Christians, who believe the Bible, are we going to have to give that up to satisfy the minority group that wants to redefine marriage. They can love whomever they want, there’s no laws right now that prevents two people of the same sex from living together." - Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, who is super-upset that another Native American same-sex couple has legally married. (Image and transcript via Towleroad, who has video.)

RELATED: In 2011 Kern declared that gay people "are worse then terrorists." A month later she declared that gay people might be plotting to murder her.

Sally Kern: Gays Might Try To Kill Me

"I have to be honest with you Rick, when I was sitting there in my car that day and when she told me that those emails were coming from homosexuals, honestly, fear gripped by whole body, because I was very aware of the homosexual lobbyists and the power that they have. And people say, ‘oh you’re so brave, so heroic,’ but I’m not, I’m just a sinner saved by grace and I was gripped with fear that day. I just said, ‘Lord, what have I done?’ It entered our mind but honestly, and I mentioned this in the book, the Saturday night when my husband and I sit down and really talked about this and prayed about it, when we asked ourselves the question, are we willing to even lose our lives over this?" - Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, speaking on Christian radio.

Gays Are Worse Than Terrorism

"In the last twenty years, fifteen to twenty years, we’ve had maybe three terrorist attacks on our soil with a little over 5,000 people regrettably losing their lives. In the same time frame, there have been hundreds of thousands who have died because of having AIDS. So which one’s the biggest threat? And you know, every day our young people, adults too, but especially our young people, are bombarded at school, in movies, in music, on TV, in the mall, in magazines, they’re bombarded with ‘homosexuality is normal and natural.’ It’s something they have to deal with every day. Fortunately we don’t have to deal with a terrorist attack every day, and that’s what I mean. It’s more dangerous, and yes I think that it’s also more dangerous because it will tear down the moral fiber of this nation." - Oklahoma state GOP Rep. Sally Kern.

Sally Kern: God Keeps Me In Office

"I wanted to see what kind of traction my opponent was getting so I had a survey done by a good group here in Oklahoma and what we found out which I think, this just shows the Lord's wisdom and intervention, I have the most conservative district and the most churched district in all of Oklahoma. Now, isn't that something? Had I been in any other district, I might very well have been defeated, but not in the district that I'm in." - Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, congratulating God for placing her house where it is.

Quote Of The Day - Sally Kern

"To me what is hateful is when those people who say ‘you’re born this way, there’s no hope in change, you’re stuck in this, deal with it,’ that is hate. There’s no hope in that. We’re losing our freedom of conscience. And if the homosexuals get what they want, and as you said it’s not just homosexuality, its immorality or adultery, all of that, but in my opinion the homosexual movement is the tip of the spear. They’re the ones who right now are beating down the door, have their foot in the door, trying to tear down the moral fiber of America. We have to stand up to that. The reason it’s the tip of the spear you don’t see ‘Adulterers Victory Fund’ out there trying to promote adultery. God’s people got to stand up to this." - Oklahoma GOP state Rep. Sally Kern, promoting her new book on AFA Radio.

Sally Kern: PWND

The bit of Onion-pwnage comes via trans attorney Brittany Novatny, whom you may recall made history when she ran against Kern last year.

Birds Of A Feather

"Sen. Diaz, you are in my prayers. Three years ago I was the target of the homosexuals because of statements I made regarding the dangers of the homosexual agenda. So I know what you are going through. Continue to stand strong on God’s Word. What the homosexuals mean for evil toward you, God will use for His glory, your good, and the benefit of others. God bless you and your family." - Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, quoted in the latest press release from New York state Sen. Ruben Diaz.

Quote Of The Day - Anita Bryant

"I was before her time, but Sally Kern is here for such a time as this. I am grateful for her life and her friendship. Reading The Stoning of Sally Kern was at times like déjà vu, reminding me of my stand in Dade County in 1977. I can highly recommend this book to anyone who loves God, their family, and their country. It is a must-read for any believing woman or man who wants to make a difference in these perilous times. Those soldiers who have counted the cost of character assassination or endured other losses yet are willing to take a stand in truth and love for the glory of God, our children, and future generations will especially enjoy this inspiring book." - Anita Bryant, from a blurb on the cover of fellow homophobe Sally Kern's autobiography.

OKLAHOMA: Sally Kern Votes To Approve Her Own Reprimand For Racism

After facing calls for her resignation by GLAAD and the NAACP, Oklahoma lawmaker Sally Kern has voted to approve her own reprimand by the state House for racist remarks made last week. Kern preceded her vote with another apology, this one delivered to the full chamber.

"Last Wednesday night while debating a bill, I said some words that were not well thought out and that offended many African Americans and many women," said Kern, who fought back tears and quoted several Bible passages during her apology. "That was not my intent, but sadly it happened, and I take full responsibility for it and I'm truly sorry. While my words were not expressed well and implied things I did not mean, they were not spoken with any contempt or malice."

The meaningless reprimand then passed 76-16.

UPDATE: Here's Kern's apology.

GLAAD Joins Call For Kern To Resign

"Given her long and well-documented history of extreme bias towards minorities, this apology means nothing. Republicans and Democrats alike agree that the kind of blatant bigotry from an elected official like Sally Kern has no place in our public sphere. Sally Kern should resign immediately." - Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD, joining the NAACP in demanding that Kern resign.

NAACP To Sally Kern: Resign Now

The NAACP is calling for the resignation of Sally Kern after the Oklahoma legislator said that black people have higher rates of imprisonment because they are lazy. Via Advocate:

NAACP state president Anthony Douglas wants Kern to resign. “This is an outrage. We're calling for her to go today. She needs to step down now," he said. Under the leadership of Benjamin Todd Jealous, the NAACP has accelerated its support of gay rights and sought to recruit more gay leaders and people from diverse racial backgrounds. Kern apologized for her remarks Thursday. While the speaker of the House Kris Steele said he disagreed with her, he accepted the apology, reports KOCO TV. State representative Mike Shelton said he wants Kern reprimanded. "There is no place for those kind of comments on the floor of the Oklahoma House of Representatives or the Oklahoma State Senate," Sheldon said.

RELATED: Buzzfeed today posts 25 of Kern's most outrageous claims.

Quote Of The Day - Sally Kern

"We have a high percentage of blacks in prison and that’s tragic, but are they in prison just because they are black or because they don’t want to study as hard in school? I’ve taught school, and I saw a lot of people of color who didn’t study hard because they said the government would take care of them." - Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, outdoing even herself. Oklahoma's GOP-dominated House has just voted 59-14 to place a ban on affirmative action on this year's ballot.

Arch Homophobe Sally Kern Rides The Waambulance In New Book

Oklahoma state GOP Rep. Sally "Gays Are Worse Than Terrorists" Kern has self-published a book about her horrible treatment at the hands of those awful, awful homofascists. From the Amazon description of The Stoning Of Sally Kern:

In January 2008, the pastor’s wife and former high school teacher gave a speech to a Republican club in Oklahoma City explaining that the founding fathers believed Christian principles would lead to a civilized society, individual self-government, good citizens, the elevation of learning, and a cohesive value system. While explaining the fifth benefit, a cohesive value system, she told of a group of wealthy homosexual activists who threatened the nation’s moral fabric by attempting to unseat seventy conservative politicians who opposed their agenda. Clips from the speech later were posted on YouTube, generating more than 2 million hits and leading to what she describes as a media “stoning.” That didn’t stop her from winning re-election or from continuing her calls for America to return to the conservative principles that made it great. In this book she warns that there is danger ahead if social conservatives don’t preserve the nation’s foundations of morality, truth, and tolerance. She issues a cry for conservatives to stand for their freedom now before they no longer have the right to do so.

Kern's book has already been tagged with some fun labels. Add your own reviews.

(Via - Good As You)

OKLAHOMA: Trans Attorney Brittany Novotny Loses Race With Sally Kern

Arch homophobe Sally Kern easily won reelection to the Oklahoma state House yesterday, taking 66% of the vote over novice candidate and trans attorney Brittany Novotny. But Kern got there by pulling a dirty trick in the last week of the campaign, when she sent out a (hilariously misspelled) campaign mailer falsely claiming Notovny's support for a spending issue.

Novotny's disapproval on the ballot question, which would raise per-student education spending in a way she does not agree with, was never made public. However, Kern's last-minute mailer, sent to voters over the weekend, not only claims the challenger supports SQ744 but points out several times that she is transgender. "Last I checked, bearing false witness is in violation of the 10 commandments," Novotny said. "This kind of false representation of my position on an important local issue shows that Representative Kern is not only out of touch and ineffective but also just plain dishonest. The voters of HD 84 deserve a representative who will focus on jobs, education and transportation — not more political games." The mailer also points out that Novotny is unmarried, chair of the LGBT Caucus of Oklahoma, and supports marriage equality as defining traits. Kern, on the other hand "supports traditional marriage (between a man and women [sic])" and touts that she is the wife of a preacher.

Earlier in the campaign Kern gave television interviews repeating her infamous 2008 claim that homosexuals were more dangerous to America than terrorists.