It’s Burda (a David K. joint)

My friend Keith posted a video in MySpace bulletin yesterday and I thought it was interesting, so I figured that was nomination enough for it to included here.*

Since I don’t live in Oklahoma (and now I don’t ever anticipate needing to visit this state) I had to do some research on this lady. For those that didn’t already guess, that’s her pictured to the left and according to the information listed on her Member’s Page on the Official Oklahoma House of Representatives Website this is her first term as an elected official. Prior to this she was a school teacher. I firmly believe that I have the opportunity to learn something new every day. Pardon the cliché, but didn’t everyone’s grandmother/mother/kindergarten teacher say that to them when they were younger? Hell, I had a handful of supervisors that had to remind me on a few occasions as an adult. Politicians shouldn’t say stuff like this outloud because it upsets people and then you end up all over the Internet on blogs like this. Since she is new to politics, I’ll help her out in case she doesn’t know what she should have learned by now. The lesson here is not to talk about things that you want to keep private if a) you are an elected official who is sworn to represent EVERYONE b) you want to keep it private c) have any good sense.

The audio in this video was recorded while Sally was speaking to a small group that gathered a local district meeting. I’ll go ahead and overcome the obvious objection that someone misquoted her. I assume someone had to condense her comments into a short time frame and that could reasonably explain why in some places it sounds choppy. I have no idea who posted this - it could have been planted by one of her political rivals, but I don’t really think that is true. My comments await you after the video, so please watch it first and then read more.

Okay, I know that since I’m gay I should be up in arms over all things anti-gay (even when it is as ridiculous as this woman’s simple minded understanding of people). When the clip finished I wasn’t mad. I wasn’t even upset. I didn’t care. Here is literally everything that went through mind while analyzing my feelings.

I feel obligated to educate people about homosexuality (in very simple terms and only when I’m asked directly). I try to remind them that we are people too. Even if we’re transgender. Even if we do fit into certain stereotypes (I love dance music and I have spikey hair, but I hate decorating and am extremely messy… and I’m okay with that). And just for the record, even if once a year we decide to celebrate ourselves and ALL members of the LGBT family by parading around in dresses and assless chaps at a festival that we created for ourselves. In the end we are still people.

While we’re on the subject, Pride is an event that we created for our purposes. In 1969 the purpose was to protest discrimination against gays in New York City. In 2008 we are a different country and as such we celebrate Pride differently and for a more relevant purpose (we’re not being arrested for patronizing gay bars like the Stonewall Inn, but we are still subject to needless and abundant discrimination in other ways). As the years passed the events became less about fighting to be recognized and more about outsiders and/or our friends and supports wanting to join us for the party. With joy and open arms we invited those people and continue to welcome anyone with respect for our lives and lifestyle(s). For the past 5 years my parents have attended Atlanta Pride with me and in case you were wondering, that’s who got the invitation. Not crazy “religious” know-it-alls like Sally Kern who try to educate us on ourselves. Thanks for sharing, but nobody asked you. If she really understood Christianity and the teachings of Jesus Christ she wouldn’t be saying such ignorant things. I’m glad Jesus loves her, because everyone else thinks she’s an asshole.

I didn’t think posting my raw thoughts after watching that video would benefit me, but I was wrong. I’m angry now. I’m really upset. This is now important to me. Even though I’ve never met Sally Kern, the things she said hurt me and I do not appreciate it. Actually, this doesn’t really have anything to do with Oklahoma’s District 84 Representative. It has to do with everyone else in the world that thinks like she thinks. Unfortunately, there are more of them out there. Lots more. That scares me. Some of them probably represent me in the Georgia Legislature (eek!).

So now I’m thinking to myself “What am I supposed to do?” This may or may not match the answer you got after asking yourself that question, but my answer is to keep living my life as I do and look for ways that I can make a positive contribution in someone else’s life. I had to think about what I just wrote because I just realized that if you had shown me the same video a few years ago and if I had asked myself that same question my answer would have been different. I would have been pissed off from the moment her voice started and I wouldn’t have been satisfied until I told her off. Had this been in person I probably would have said something inappropriately witty to the other person so it would lower their self-confidence. Then I would have gone through a similar thought process as I did above, except outloud and in an argumentative tone (and without the obvious benefits of being able to edit my thoughts before making them permanent). Wow. There’s something else she could have learned from this situation. I love it when I make a difference.

Okay - now it’s your turn. Do what works best for you and I hope “do nothing” won’t be on your list of options. In case you’d prefer to do what the former David K. would have done, all of Sally’s contact information is below. I even included a link to her church in case you wanted to join her and her family next Sunday for worship. Her husband is the head pastor and much to my surprise there were pictures of African-Americans on the “Faces At Olivet” page. That seems remarkably progressive, especially considering the same arguments she gives against homosexuality were probably given 50 years ago when they wanted to prevent having to let black people into their church (more prone to illness, higher suicide rates, and “special” clubs are the first ones that come to mind from her speech).

A few years ago Joyce Meyer taught me that only God can change people, so instead of fighting to change them yourself it’s best to pray for them. Help me pray for Sally by completing this prayer request form that I found on her church’s website. I assume she’s already included in their daily prayer for tithe paying members, but I might be wrong. A few extra prayers will only help her, so it might be a good idea to fill out two or more requests at a time.

Oklahoma State House of Representatives
Rep. Sally Kern
District 84
Republican (How shocking…)

Sally’s Capital Address & Direct Dial
2300 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Room 332
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
(405) 557-7348

Sally’s Mailing Address & Email Address
2713 Sterling Ave.
Oklahoma City, OK 73127
sallykern@okhouse.gov

Olivet Baptist Church
1201 NW 10th St
Oklahoma City, OK 73106
Phone: (405) 235-4696
Fax: (405) 235-4698
E-Mail: janela1019@sbcglobal.net

*Editor’s Note - By definition, if I think something is cool, funny, or interesting it’s Burda. I just thought I would remind you in case you weren’t listening or don’t know me well enough to be able to define “burda” on your own. I appreciate you.