Re: [UUPoly-L] Oklahoma State Legislator Bashes Gays

[Desmond Ravenstone <desmondravenstone@yahoo.com>]

--- Ken Haslam <haslamk@gmail.com> wrote:

> Oklahoma Legislator Sally Kern bashes Gays
> Hi All,
> 
> Although this is a bit off the topic of Polyamory,
> since so many of us are
> bisexual it has some interest, especially to those
> living in Oklahoma.
> 
> This is despicable Gay bashing from one of our
> leaders......

I heard of this last night from another list.  Below
is my email to sallykern@okhouse.gov...

Dear Representative Kern:

I am writing in response to your recent remarks made
regarding homosexual Americans, and especially your
comment that "not everybody's lifestyle is equal, just
like not all religions are equal".

I am heterosexual, and I am a person of faith.  My
church, however, holds a very different view on
sexuality that you do.  We believe that all people are
worthy of dignity, love and respect, whether they fall
in love with someone of the opposite sex or the same
sex.  As the members of our congregation meet and
share our joys and sorrows, we have learned the
essential truth that our gay and lesbian neighbors do
not have a "lifestyle" -- they have lives, as
important and individual as our own.

Two of these, good friends of mine, are Clementine and
Susie.   Married in our church, they have adopted two
beautiful daughters.  Their desire to share their
lives and build a family is not an "agenda" -- it is
an act of love, and one which we celebrate.

It pains me that you would consider the members and
leaders of our church as something loathsome and
inferior, when you have never even met us.  It pains
me further that, in a nation which embraced in its
founding the principle of religious pluralism and
toleration, you would indirectly belittle my faith,
freely chosen and deeply held.

But I also wonder how you, as a public official sworn
to uphold our nation's laws and Constitution, could so
easily forget one of our central tenets: equality
before the law.

Do you believe that a person should be dismissed from
their job, or denied a place to live, simply because
of who they love?  Do you think that laws against
vandalism, harassment and assault should not be
enforced when the victim is of a different religion
--one which you might deem "not equal" to your own?

Two thousand years ago, a people of faith were deemed
inferior by their neighbors.  Members of this minority
were scorned whenever they traveled in the towns and
cities of the majority.  Then, a teacher from the
majority actually dared to speak to a woman from the
minority, as he would with "his own kind"; and later,
in a story to his disciples, he would cast a member of
that same minority in the role of one who was more
compassionate and just than even the most exalted of
their own people.

If you truly take seriously your responsibility as a
public official, and your devotion to the same Jesus
Christ who dared embrace Samaritans, then I would ask
you in all earnest to watch the video of your own
speech with fresh eyes, and with a humble heart. 
Listen to those of us who have been hurt by your
words, and not just through our letters and emails. 
Seek us out, sit down and talk with us.  Know us and
see us not just for our sexuality or our religion. 
Know us and see us as people, as neighbors who ask
only that you treat us as you yourself wish to be
treated.

Sincerely,
Desmond Ravenstone
Arlington Street Church
Boston, Massachusetts



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