Sally Kern's anti-gay rant, the world is now listening

I wish I had an answer to that question. I guess because they have nothing to lose. I don't think it's just that the US is polarized on this issue, I think it's that too many citizen of the US are apathetic and think someone else will take care of it. I mean really, how sad is it that more people vote for American Idol than for the US President, let alone that they would vote for their local and state legislators.

It reminds me of this (as inscribed at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum):
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.

I would seem that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Though I was just on another site, where I had linked Zoe's post, and asked for GLBT thoughts on Kern and the only response I got was from someone who suggested "Kern had no clout" and "she prefers to put those kinds of morons on ignore and pretend they don't exist".

So yea. I'm confused about why the heteros aren't talking about this but until the queers can get it together enough to get interested....

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net )

I don't know why US straight bloggers aren't yelling about this. It's really shocking. Is it that they don't know about it? Or is the USA so polarized by now that each group is left to fight its own battles?

http://www.judithgreenwood.com/thinkonit/

I think the most hurtful thing she said was when she likened being gay to having cancer. If people like her were not so hateful, being gay would be like being heterosexual (as it should be). I was really disturbed by what she said. And I think that even though everyone is not listening to what we say about her comments, we need to say them because some people are listening. I do not relinquish my rights to free speech just because she abuses hers.

Sylvia

As kazari points out in her comment below, it’s obvious that many share Kern's views but choose political correctness over speaking their mind. In a way, it’s easier to deal with Kern because with her, at least you know where you stand. History proves that demagogues can certainly be dangerous and have influence, so she absolutely needed to be addressed, but it’s impossible to have a dialogue when the other side uses phrases like “it’s a fact” or “it’s God’s word”.

I think I was trying to say that while it needs to be addressed, it is pretty much hopeless, because people like her and her supporters don’t listen. They already have all the “facts” and they “know” what God wants. So when kazari says “then we can go find somebody better”, and when Gina says “I hope the citizens of OK take note”, I’m not sure it’s going to happen, because the Kerns of the world will always have supporters who share their views and want to see them elected. Perhaps the value of addressing her comments is to get to those who are on the fence, still building their political identity.

Vered DeLeeuw
www.momgrind.com ( http://www.momgrind.com )

Yes, it's good to see her true colors. I just hope the voters in her district do not hold the same ideals as she does.

Tucker's letter is the most well worded, well reasoned response I've seen. And I feel so sad for him having lost his mother in the Oklahoma City bombing. I had not seen that letter. I think I'll edit my post to add that link. Thanks.

History does tend to repeat itself, doesn't it. It's the same crap, different day. I would hope that the voters take note, but other than the internet, is this story getiing much attention?

Generally I agree with you, she is a demagogue and I wouldn't take her seriously if she were just Joe Blow off the street. But she is not jsut some random person, she is an elected official with the power to make and vote on laws. She is in a positon of power, and she is a leader. While she may not be directly targeting or acting out the gay population, her words lend credence to others who would.

The fact that the her fellow republicans gave her a standing ovation for this speech, should tell you that more than a few people take her seriously.

Before you bite, I think she's abhorrent, paranoid and scary.
But we need our politicians to stand up and say this stuff. We need to hear it.
because imagine if she only said it behind closed doors - imagine if we never knew she held these beliefs. these are the basic values things we need to know about the people who claim to represent us.
then we can go find somebody better.

I mean seriously. Depressing. I would like to have seen the look on Kern's face when she read that letter or when someone read it to her.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings ( http://www.flamingohouse.net )

I saw it on the Knit Like a Man blog where it's posted in its entirety. Tucker is a high school student whose mother was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing. It's fantastic.

Knit Like a Man's Post - I'm Gay. So What? ( http://www.daviddemchuk.com/klam/ )

Sassymonkey ( http://sassymonkey.ca/ ) and Sassymonkey Reads ( http://sassymonkeyreads.wordpress.com/ ).

At first I wanted to ignore the idiotic statements. I have a policy of letting the Ass bray so I know which direction not to enter into. I had to stop myself and make sure I listened with attention.

You know what this echoes? They stuff they use to say about potential communists agitators in the 1950's. It is the same mess they said in the 1950s-60s concerning African Americans. Native American. Latino/Latina Americans and anyone that didn't look or think like they do.

This woman is getting praise for coded hate speech. If it was just one ding-a-ling it would be sad. But she was applauded for her comments. In a government building.

Now we got problems. I hope the citizens of OK take note who clapped and whooped it up come election time.

Gena - Out On The Stoop ( http://outonthestoop.blogspot.com )

I understand the importance of responding to Kern’s statement. But to me, anyone, speaking on any subject, who says things like “It's just a fact” without providing proof as to the validity of their statement, or “according to God's word that is not… right” (again, a statement that cannot be backed with evidence), is no more than a demagogue and cannot possibly be taken seriously.

Vered DeLeeuw
www.momgrind.com ( http://www.momgrind.com )