In an interview with an anti-gay activist, Oklahoma Republican State Legislator Sally Kern stated that homosexuality is more dangerous than terrorist attacks. Her remarks come two years after remarks she made in 2008 when she said that homosexuality was a bigger threat than terrorism or Islam.
Here’s what she said.
“You know if you just look at it in practical terms, which has destroyed and ended the life of more people? Terrorism attack here in America or HIV/AIDS? 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.”
I think a question needs to be asked at the next GOP Debate. I want to know how many of the candidates feel the same way. Kern’s rhetoric is the kind of vitriolic language that leads to the killing of gay people. It leads to violence, and yet, Kern has the gall to say ‘terrorism’ and ‘homosexuality’ in the same breath. You know what really is dangerous in this country? People like Kern who spread hate speech far and wide. People like her are a poison in America. Gay people died in the 9/11 attacks and it’s appalling that she would compare homosexuality with terrorism at a time when many are mourning the loss of their friends and family members. It’s a disgraceful remark that I believe would offend every single person who lost someone on that day. Kern should ask each 9/11 family member what they consider more dangerous. I bet she wouldn’t like the responses.
Edited by Wendy Gittleson
It’s hard to know what to say to this type of bigoted ignorance. It is simply hard to grasp that this mentality is still out there. But then again, it is hard to believe many religious right “celeb” politicians still attract so many fans – newt, rush, bill, pat. . .
The real threat to America is not the Homosexual population, but the ignorant, bigoted, hateful people like Sally Kern. She is a greater threat to the “moral fiber” of our nation than any terrorist group could hope to be. Our country needs unity, not destructive divisiveness and incitement to other citizens to further a separatist and intolerant agenda. The shame belongs to her.
She is an asshole, a disgrace, and undoubtedly a closet case. But, posting this on 9/11/2011, more than 1 year after she said it (article states her remark was made 2 years after 2008), is disrespectful on this day.