Oklahoma state Rep. Sally Kern, one of the GLBT community's virulent Christohaters, will have to fight to keep her office in 2010. After spending a few weeks exploring her political options, civil rights attorney Brittany Novotny announced on September 27 she is going to challenge Oklahoma's nationally renowned hater.
The voters of House District 84 deserve a representative who will fight for them. So today, I’m officially announcing my candidacy for State Representative. I believe I have the drive, dedication, and determination to fight for the people of the district on the real issues they face—jobs, education, and transportation. I look forward to the opportunity to meet with my neighbors and voters in the district in the coming year as we build this grassroots campaign to give the voters a real choice to have a representative who will fight for their issues and build a brighter future for Oklahoma.
If you think I'm kidding about Sally Kern, peep what she had to say in the district about the GLBT community.
Kern's homophobia according to several business people has cost Oklahoma jobs. Two corporations that were set to move high wage jobs to the state changed their mind after hearing Kern's anti gay tirades.Novotny is attempting to make history in the process. If she's successful in knocking off the homobigot Republican (what else?) in their race to represent Oklahoma's 84th House district, she would also become the first US transperson to be elected to a state legislative body.
While both candidates stated they want to keep the race focused strictly on the issues facing the people of Oklahoma's 84th district, you know the Reichers aren't going to let Novotny's trans status slide without some attacks, especially if Kern is put in a position where she's losing the race.
"I've addressed that, and I've not had any Oklahomans treat me different. They are good people who are going to judge me for who I am and judge me for my ability to go be a fierce advocate who's going to fight for them." She has already set up a website in which you can make donations to her campaign and keep up with what's transpiring in her race.
She's going to need it. The Reichers will fight tooth and nail, empty their dirty politrick bag and flood Kern with cash. After losing US Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) in the 2008election cycle they will do everything possible to keep their poster child for GLBT intolerance in that chair.
We need to be fighting even harder against the Forces of Intolerance to put a quality candidate like Brittany in the Oklahoma legislature.
Here's her bio:
The youngest of five siblings, Brittany Novotny was born on March 6, 1980, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Theresia and Louis Novotny. She grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Westmoore High School in 1998. After high school, she went on to USAO, where she worked at a local youth shelter, while also managing a full-course load. Brittany graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Sociology in 2002 and embarked on a career in law.She earned her J.D. from the University of California – Hastings in 2005. Despite her time in California, Brittany saw that she could make the greatest difference as a lawyer back in her home state.
She subsequently moved back to Oklahoma City and was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar in 2005. In 2007, she started her own law practice in Oklahoma City focusing on employment and civil rights law, while also doing some pro bono work for several clients. Recently, she began in-house counsel work with the American Federation of Government Employees, Local 916.In addition to managing her own career, Brittany has also been an active member of the Oklahoma Democratic Party. As a member of the Young Democrats, she serves as the National Committeewoman and the chair of the YDO LGBT caucus.
Brittany is a hard-working Democrat dedicated to improving Oklahoma for subsequent generations. She has tirelessly advocated for civil liberties and equality within the state, recently receiving the 2009 Leadership Award for Community Action from RAIN Oklahoma, and has become a mainstay of Oklahoma politics."
Congratulations, Brittany! If I lived in your district you'd definitely have my vote. I'll have to vote with my dollars instead.
Looking forward to meeting you one day and best of luck in your quest to get elected to the Oklahoma House.