Sally Kern
Encyclopedia
Sally Kern is an Oklahoma
state legislator
and former schoolteacher from Oklahoma City
known for her outspoken public views against homosexuality. On May 2, 2011, she was publicly reprimanded by the House of Representatives for comments she made the preceding week against minorities and women. Kern, a member of the Republican party
, represents House District 84. A former teacher, she graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington
and East Texas State University. She is married to Steve Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in the Oklahoma City area and has two adult sons.
in March 2008, mandating that students who espouse Young Earth creationism
still receive passing grades in Earth science
classes. After being passed in the House, it died in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate.
Kern co-authored the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act that included the provision "Students shall not be penalized or rewarded on account of the religious content of their work", which was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry
.
In 2011, she published her memoir The Stoning of Sally Kern: The Liberal Attack on Christian Conservatism – and Why We Must Take a Stand.
After receiving attention for the remarks, Kern said "I said nothing that was not true" and refused to apologize. She received a standing ovation from fellow Republican legislators in a private meeting a few days later. In response to Kern's comments, hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters protested at the Oklahoma State Capitol
. Over 1500 people later turned out at the Capitol to support her.
Kern claimed to have received death threats that caused her to hire a bodyguard
. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
officer who reviewed Kern's emails said, "I wouldn't characterize them as death threats."
Kern authored an op-ed counterpoint piece in the June 24, 2009 issue of the Oklahoma Gazette in which she argued, "Granting marriage status to homosexuals who comprise little more than 3 percent of the population would be like granting all applicants admission to a prestigious college just because a few meet the qualifications. That school’s status would fall. Likewise, the status of marriage will fall if same-sex marriage is legalized."
In late June 2009 Kern authored the "Oklahoma Citizens Proclamation for Morality" implicitly blaming gay marriage and President Barack Obama
's official acknowledgment of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
(among other things) for the economic crisis which was then ongoing.
During her 2010 re-election campaign, Kern made the sexual orientation and gender of her opponent a topic of her campaign.
In an interview on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, she conflated homosexuality with HIV/AIDS, and reiterated her claim that homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism, saying "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."
in Oklahoma, Kern said:
During the same debate, Kern also stated that
On May 2, 2011, The Oklahoma State House of Representatives publicly reprimanded Kern for the comments she made against blacks and women during a debate on affirmative action. Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, made the motion to reprimand her. A member objected, and the House voted 76–17 to reprimand Kern.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
state legislator
Oklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
and former schoolteacher from Oklahoma City
Oklahoma city
Oklahoma City is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma.Oklahoma City may also refer to:*Oklahoma City metropolitan area*Downtown Oklahoma City*Uptown Oklahoma City*Oklahoma City bombing*Oklahoma City National Memorial...
known for her outspoken public views against homosexuality. On May 2, 2011, she was publicly reprimanded by the House of Representatives for comments she made the preceding week against minorities and women. Kern, a member of the Republican party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, represents House District 84. A former teacher, she graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington
University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a public research university located in Arlington, Texas, United States. The campus is situated southwest of downtown Arlington, and is located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. The university was founded in 1895 and served primarily a military...
and East Texas State University. She is married to Steve Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in the Oklahoma City area and has two adult sons.
Political career
Kern authored a bill, which passed the Oklahoma House of RepresentativesOklahoma House of Representatives
The Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
in March 2008, mandating that students who espouse Young Earth creationism
Young Earth creationism
Young Earth creationism is the religious belief that Heavens, Earth, and all life on Earth were created by direct acts of the Abrahamic God during a relatively short period, sometime between 5,700 and 10,000 years ago...
still receive passing grades in Earth science
Earth science
Earth science is an all-embracing term for the sciences related to the planet Earth. It is arguably a special case in planetary science, the Earth being the only known life-bearing planet. There are both reductionist and holistic approaches to Earth sciences...
classes. After being passed in the House, it died in a Senate committee without reaching the floor for debate.
Kern co-authored the Religious Viewpoints Antidiscrimination Act that included the provision "Students shall not be penalized or rewarded on account of the religious content of their work", which was vetoed by Governor Brad Henry
Brad Henry
Charles Bradford "Brad" Henry was the 26th Governor of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. A member of the Democratic Party, he was elected governor in 2002...
.
In 2011, she published her memoir The Stoning of Sally Kern: The Liberal Attack on Christian Conservatism – and Why We Must Take a Stand.
Statements on homosexuality
In March 2008, Kern made national headlines when she stated:After receiving attention for the remarks, Kern said "I said nothing that was not true" and refused to apologize. She received a standing ovation from fellow Republican legislators in a private meeting a few days later. In response to Kern's comments, hundreds of gay and lesbian rights supporters protested at the Oklahoma State Capitol
Oklahoma State Capitol
The Oklahoma State Capitol is the house of government of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. It is the building that houses the Oklahoma Legislature, and the meeting place of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. It is located along Lincoln Boulevard in Oklahoma City. The present structure includes a dome that was...
. Over 1500 people later turned out at the Capitol to support her.
Kern claimed to have received death threats that caused her to hire a bodyguard
Bodyguard
A bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is an independent state law enforcement agency of the government of Oklahoma. The OSBI assists the city police departments of the state and is the primary investigative agency of the state government...
officer who reviewed Kern's emails said, "I wouldn't characterize them as death threats."
Kern authored an op-ed counterpoint piece in the June 24, 2009 issue of the Oklahoma Gazette in which she argued, "Granting marriage status to homosexuals who comprise little more than 3 percent of the population would be like granting all applicants admission to a prestigious college just because a few meet the qualifications. That school’s status would fall. Likewise, the status of marriage will fall if same-sex marriage is legalized."
In late June 2009 Kern authored the "Oklahoma Citizens Proclamation for Morality" implicitly blaming gay marriage and President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's official acknowledgment of Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
Gay and Lesbian Pride Month is celebrated each year for the month of June. The last Sunday in June is celebrated as Gay Pride Day. On June 2, 2000, President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month". In 2009, 2010, and 2011 U.S...
(among other things) for the economic crisis which was then ongoing.
During her 2010 re-election campaign, Kern made the sexual orientation and gender of her opponent a topic of her campaign.
In an interview on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, she conflated homosexuality with HIV/AIDS, and reiterated her claim that homosexuality is a greater threat to the United States than terrorism, saying "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."
Statements on minorities and women
On April 27, 2011, while debating in favor of SJR 15, a proposed constitutional amendment that would eliminate Affirmative ActionAffirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
in Oklahoma, Kern said:
During the same debate, Kern also stated that
On May 2, 2011, The Oklahoma State House of Representatives publicly reprimanded Kern for the comments she made against blacks and women during a debate on affirmative action. Rep. Mike Shelton, D-Oklahoma City, made the motion to reprimand her. A member objected, and the House voted 76–17 to reprimand Kern.
Election history
- 2010 Race for Oklahoma House of RepresentativesOklahoma House of RepresentativesThe Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
– District 84Name Votes Percent Outcome Sally Kern, Rep. 5,717 65.90% Won Brittany M. Novotny, Dem. 2,958 34.10% Lost
- 2008 Race for Oklahoma House of RepresentativesOklahoma House of RepresentativesThe Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
– District 84Name Votes Percent Outcome Sally Kern, Rep. 7,230 57.95% Won Ron Marlett, Dem. 5,247 42.05% Lost
- 2006 Race for Oklahoma House of RepresentativesOklahoma House of RepresentativesThe Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
– District 84Name Outcome Sally Kern, Rep. Won (Unopposed at filing)
- 2004 Race for Oklahoma House of RepresentativesOklahoma House of RepresentativesThe Oklahoma House of Representatives is the lower house of the Oklahoma Legislature, the legislative body of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Its members are responsible for introducing and voting on bills and resolutions, providing legislative oversight for state agencies, and helping to craft the...
– District 84Name Votes Percent Outcome Sally Kern, Rep. 8,815 67.65% Won Ronald E. Wasson, Dem. 4,215 32.35% Lost
External links
- Legislative homepage
- Project Vote Smart – Representative Sally R. Kern
- Sally Kern – Women of the Oklahoma Legislature Oral History Project Oklahoma State University Library