Source: Associated Press, The Oklahoman, KSBI TV

Kern's anti-gay rant

Republican state Rep. Sally Kern was denounced by gay and lesbian groups after she was recorded telling a recent gathering of fellow Republicans outside the Capitol that homosexuality poses a bigger threat to the nation than terrorism.

Link: Local TV coverage of rally

Kern was cheered Wednesday when she told the crowd that their support affirmed the rights of conservative Christians "who want to stand up for the truth of God's word."

Supporters packed the first floor of the capitol.  More than 50 pastors, including her husband, spoke on her behalf.  A handful of others also spoke, some applauded her for standing her ground on a tough issue.

Kern and several others, including a man who claimed he was gay until he found Jesus Christ, often quoted Scriptures while speaking to the crowd.

Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said after the rally she was humbled by the turnout.

"This is not about me," Kern told those at the rally. "It's about the church having the right to speak out about the redeeming love of Jesus Christ Who died to set us all free from our sins."

Kern's husband, the Rev. Steve Kern, said it wasn't the purpose of the rally to bash homosexuals.

"We love them," said Rev. Kern, pastor of Olivet Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

"What has happened to me has served to advance the gospel," said Kern, who was greeted with chants of "Sally, Sally" and was frequently interrupted by shouts of "Amen."

Kern said she received thousands of angry telephone calls and e-mails after an audio clip of her comments about gays and lesbians were recorded and posted on YouTube last month by the Washington, D.C.-based Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.

Kern said a biblical verse came to her after her comments were posted last month on the Internet. The passage is Philippians 1:12, where the apostle Paul wrote, "I want you to know that what has happened to me has served to the advancement of the gospel."

"And that's the way I'm looking at this to God be the glory," she said.

Kern said again today she is not going to apologize. She claimed again today that her comments were not against homosexuals, but were directed at the strategy of gay rights supporters to defeat conservative candidates.

Kern's husband said he wasn't asking anyone to apologize for the thousands who sent hate mail to his wife's Capitol office and to their home or said mean things about their family.

"We forgive you," he said. "We have no animosity in our hearts toward you."

Stephen Black, executive director of First Stone Ministries in Oklahoma City, claimed he once was gay. His organization, he said, purports to "help" men and women "overcome" homosexuality.

Full article: 1,000 Back Anti-Gay Okla. Lawmaker | Associated Press
'Sally Rally' draws more than 1,000 Kern supporters | Oklahoman
Rally For Sally | KSBI TV