challengers

Meet Sally Kern’s Opposition: A Transgender Oklahoma City Attorney

When we demanded back in June for elected bigot Sally Kern to get the hell out of office, little did we know that a transgender attorney might be the one to help the cause.

Kern, the Republican Oklahoma House member, wasn’t Queerty‘s No. 2 Homophobe of the Year by chance. She’s cultivated a niche of hating on gay Americans, with brash public statements and alignments with groups like Americans For Truth About Homosexuality. But now, a challenger to her House seat.

She’s Brittany Novotny, an attorney from Kern’s Oklahoma City, and she’s considering a campaign against Kern for the House District 84 seat. Novotny is in the beginning stages of her campaign, but she is moving forward; she’s filed the necessary paperwork to begin collecting funds, reports Gossip-Boy.

100_0262_ds6s1

“I’m exploring a run for House District 84 because 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,” said Novotny (pictured on right, with megaphone) in an earlier statement. “I believe I have the experience, drive, and determination to do that.”

According to Novotny in a communication received this evening, an official announcement about the race is expected in October. That will be preceded in September by two fundraising events, which are in the planning stage. A website will be launched next week and will allow supporters to begin contributing to Novotny’s campaign.

Novotny operates a private law practice specializing in employment and civil rights law in downtown OKC. She represents the Young Democrats of Oklahoma and is a National Committewoman for the Young Dems – who do acknowledge her gender as being female. After receiving a sociology degree at the University of Science & Arts in Chickasha, OK, she obtained her law degree from the University of California – Hastings College of Law in 2005. Since returning to Oklahoma, she has been active with the Democratic Party and participated in highly visible roles during civil actions for LGBT rights.

In June, she successfully argued on behalf of plaintiff Keith Kimmel in the “I’m Gay” license plate issue, which saw the Oklahoma Tax Commission refusing to issue a car tag with those words. Administrative Judge Jay Harrington found for the plaintiff and made a number of recommendations to the OTC, which have now gone to the state agency’s commissioners for review.

bn2008-04-07_office_1dck1

It’s unclear what type of political support Novotny already has, and can build up over the next 12 months. But at the very least, we imagine the state press will back any alternative to Kern; they already hate her.

Don't forget to share:

Help make sure LGBTQ+ stories are being told...

We can't rely on mainstream media to tell our stories. That's why we don't lock Queerty articles behind a paywall. Will you support our mission with a contribution today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated