FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Marc McCarthy
Senior Director of Communications
(323) 634-2051
mccarthy@glaad.org

GLAAD RESPONDS TO ANTI-GAY REMARKS MADE BY STATE LEGISLATOR

New York, March 10, 2008 - The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) responded today to anti-gay remarks last week by Oklahoma State Representative Sally Kern, wherein she said that the “homosexual lifestyle” is “the biggest threat our nation has, even more so than terrorism.”

“This type of hateful and defamatory language from our public officials is completely unacceptable,” said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. “GLAAD calls on its members and allies to stand together to hold elected officials like Kern, pledged to serve all the people, accountable for promoting hatred and bigotry. Media have a responsibility to cover Kern's ugly remarks, not only to hold her accountable for her misinformed, inaccurate claims about gay and lesbian people, but also to bring to light the anti-gay attitudes and beliefs that are still all too common in our country, Kern's hateful assertions highlight the need for media to examine how the anti-gay attitudes of elected officials impact their diverse constituencies.”

About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org.

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