Vigils Around The Country to Honor Slain Gay Teen Lawrence King

Feb 12th marks two years since the tragic murder of 15 year old Lawrence King due to his sexual orientation and gender expression. Lawrence King was an innocent victim of queerphobia, murdered simply because he asked a fellow classmate to be his valentine. We must never forget Lawrence King and the countless others murdered due to hate, and we must continue to fight for a comprehensive hate crimes legislation in every locale and an end to state-sanctioned homophobia/transphobia.

Minnesota

End the Violence
Blaine, Minnesota
Friday, February 12, 2010
11:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m
Location: Blaine High School
Co-Sponsored By: Blaine High School Gay Straight Alliance
Virginia

Virginia

"I Love Larry"
Arlington, Virginia
Friday, February 12, 2010
All Day
Location: Wakefield High School
Co-Sponsored By: The Wakefield High School Gay & Lesbian Alliance
Questions: jclisham@arlington.k12.va.us 703-228-6711

To add a vigil or learn more goto http://www.rememberinglawrence.org/

Oklahoma City Gays Boycott Flip's Restaurant

Flip's Wine Bar and Trattoria has found itself in a new battle after its owner Gail Vines a member of the Oklahoma City School Board voted twice to fire an openly gay teacher. The teacher Mr. Joe Quigley believes he wasn't fired for being gay, but for being an advocate on behalf of gay rights and supporting students efforts to start a gay-straight alliance.

A court order has demanded an immediate reinstatement of Quigley because it believes bias was involved in his firing and the court determined he was qualified to remain a teacher. The school district has gone against the courts decision and it remains to be seen what the outcome will be.

Meanwhile gay activists are boycotting Flip's because they believe the owner has anti-gay bias.

Please respectfully let the owner know your thoughts and your decision to boycott her establishment:

Flip's Wine Bar and Trattoria
5801 N Western
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
405-843-1527

Trans Woman to Face Off Anti-LGBT Sally Kern in Oklahoma

Brittany Novotny a transgender attorney and LGBT activist is setting her hopes on the legislative seat currently occupied by anti-gay Sally Kern. You might remember Kern for her remarks about "homosexuality being worse than terrorism" along with a slew of other radical statements such as blaming the economic downturn on gays and lesbians.

Ms. Novotny on the other hand is actually focused on the issues of constituents and seeks to create change not division within her district.

"We need a representative who values all families in the district, who is dedicated to bringing good jobs to Oklahoma, and who will work tirelessly to make sure our children are getting the best education in our public schools. I believe I have the experience, drive, and determination to do that."
-Brittany M. Novotny

The election set for 2010 is in a very conservative district, but if we can out seat an anti-LGBT politician with Ms. Novotny it would be a major not to mention sweet victory.

Let's make it happen, please consider donating to http://www.brittany4hd84.com/ also be sure to follow her on twitter.

Rep. Sally Kern: “Same Sex Marriage Is Debauchery”

Oklahoma Rep. Sally Kern who once suggested "gays are worse than terrorism" is back to demonizing gays again. In an unusually public ceremony, Rep. Kern signed a “Proclamation for Morality,” which blames the U.S.’s current economic crisis on, among other acts of “debauchery,” same-sex marriage.

Part of her proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, we believe our economic woes are consequences of our greater national moral crisis; and

WHEREAS, this nation has become a world leader in promoting abortion, pornography, same sex marriage, sex trafficking, divorce, illegitimate births, child abuse, and many other forms of debauchery; and

WHEREAS, alarmed that the Government of the United States of America is forsaking the rich Christian heritage upon which this nation was built; and

WHEREAS, grieved that the Office of the president of these United States has refused
to uphold the long held tradition of past presidents in giving recognition to our National Day of Prayer; and

WHEREAS, deeply disturbed that the Office of the president of these United States disregards the biblical admonitions to live clean and pure lives by proclaiming an entire month to an immoral behavior.

Yesterday at the State House Sally Kern read and signed the proclamation, protesters and supporters chanted and sang:



Sally Kern is suggesting our economic troubles are due to same-sex marriage and Obama recognizing June as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride month? Maybe, if she spent less time obsessing about gays and more time doing her job we wouldn't have an economic crisis!

Contact Rep. Kern and voice your disapproval!

Crossposted via Unite The Fight.

Oklahoma Teacher Fired Over Laramie Project Film

Grandfield High School's Debra Taylor the school’s Ethics and Street Law class teacher has been fired over controversy surrounding the showing of gay-themed film The Laramie Project. The movie is about Matthew Shepard's murder and the teacher wanted to facilitate discussion and promote tolerance after initial approval by the schools principal.

After the school principal reneged on his decision and Superintendent Ed Turlington told Ms. Taylor she could no longer show the film due to its subject matter, the teacher held a mock funeral in a nearby park where students could write down their thoughts and release them into balloons to develop a sense of closure on the topic.

The district says she was suspended and then fired by the board for her actions in the park, but others believe it is due to the nature of the play.

Superintendent Ed Turlington can be contacted at:

580-479-5237
eturlington@grandfield.k12.ok.us

Tell Oklahoma Rep Sally Kern to SHUT UP!

Remember that crazed Oklahoma representative who said that "gays are worse than terrorism." She got into a lot of heat and had to defend her comments, which became the subject of national media scrutiny. After receiving thousands of emails and phone calls, it appeared Sally felt some sympathy for gay rights, and declared "gays shouldn't be fired because of their sexual orientation."

What a sweet story of a soured bigot who came to see the light, right? Wrong.

"She told the John Birch Society at a gathering last week that she's found the homosexual agenda! In the book "After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear of Hatred of Gays in the '90s." The book, written in 1990, was written by psychologists who proposed a massive media campaign to help people get over their aversion to gays.

Kern also said that the nation is in need of a new "Great Awakening," which must happen to save our children and grandchildren from the destruction caused by the homosexual lifestyle" (SOVO Blog).

Tell her to quit obsessing with homosexuality, and to actually focus on her constituents.

Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105

District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.

Phone: (405) 557-7348.
Email: sallykern@okhouse.gov

Sally Kern Gone Wild? Rep: "Gays Shouldn't Be Fired Because of Sexual Orientation"

Pop out the champagne, Sally Kern who just a few days ago said the "gays are worse than terrorism" and said the "gay agenda is spreading like a cancer" now has a change of heart. In front of P-FLAG (Parents & Friends of Lesbians & Gays) she has said she does not rescind her previous comments but does not feels gays should be discriminated against with regards to employment.

We at Queers United applaud any positive step in the right direction, its small but it is something. Please contact Ms. Kern to thank her for her pro-LGBT sentiment, and also push for her to apologize for her previous offensive comments.

UPDATE: This is an email response I have received from Sally Kern after thanking her for her more progressive comments.

"For the record, I said a homosexual should not be fired from their job just because they are a homosexual. Meaning that if they are doing their job just the same as a heterosexual does their job, they should not be fired. Those from PFLAG misinterpreted my comments to mean that I think homosexuals should have equal rights as they interpret equal rights. I told them that as US citizens they already have equal rights but want special rights. Employers should not go on a witch hunt to fire homosexuals. I do not support laws that would force employers to check their First amendment rights to freedom of religion, speech, and association at the workplace. " -Representative Sally Kern

Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105

District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.

Phone: (405) 557-7348.
Email:sallykern@okhouse.gov

Rep: Sally Kern Defends her Vicious Homophobia

Please contact her and urge others to do so as well. The mainstream media is not covering this story and it is the obligation of LGBT groups to hold this woman responsible for her actions.

Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105

District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.

Phone: (405) 557-7348.
Email: sallykern@okhouse.gov

Rep: Sally Kern: "Gays Worse Than Terrorism"

Please watch this clip of Oklahoma state represenative Sally Kern



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFxk7glmMbo&eurl

Feel free to contact her by phone and email and let her know that her bigoted views do not represent you.

Capitol Address: 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 332 Oklahoma City, OK 73105

District Address: 2713 Sterling Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73127.

Phone: (405) 557-7348.
Email: sallykern@okhouse.gov