Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern
Never mind that same-sex marriages are now
legal in Oklahoma, state representative Sally Kerns has proposed a drastic law to severely punish any state employees who
participate in the licensing or ceremonies for same-sex couples:
House Bill 1599 is being called the "Preservation and Sovereignty of Marriage Act." It says taxpayer dollars or governmental salaries cannot be used for "the licensing or support of same-sex marriage."
Under this bill no local or state employee would be allowed to quote "officially recognize, grant or enforce a same-sex marriage license and continue to receive a salary, pension or other employee benefit."
It goes on to say any judge who violates this act could also be removed from office.
If you think that's harsh, check out the other bills she introduced this week:
House Bill 1598 “Freedom to Obtain Conversion Therapy Act” says parents would be allowed to seek counseling and therapy to help change a child's sexual orientation, without interference from the state
The other, House Bill 1597, would allow any business in Oklahoma to refuse service to any gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person or group.
Sally Kerns seems totally committed to discriminating against the LGBT community in Oklahoma in every way imaginable. Of course, this is a woman who once said
homosexuality is more dangerous than terrorist attacks.
She's had some equally deep thoughts on minorities and women as well:
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.
Women usually don't want to work as hard as a man... women tend to think a little bit more about their family, wanting to be at home more time, wanting to have a little more leisure time.
For what it's worth, Sally Kerns has run unopposed in the last two elections. If you know of any progressive-minded people in Oklahoma City's District 84 who would consider running, it's time to get to work.