Gay Today: World

Alabama Citizens Reject
'God Hates Fags' Crusade

Compiled by GayToday

Homophobic Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore gets support ... from the even-more homophobic Rev. Fred Phelps and his brood

Montgomery, Alabama-Only six members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas attended a rally held here yesterday at the Judicial Building. They were supporting Alabama's Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore, who, in a recent written opinion called gays and lesbians "inherently evil."

On the other side of Dexter Avenue, 30 Alabama citizens quietly held up signs that said, "No Moore Justice" and "Moore and Phelps, Brothers in Hate."

Other signs showed a swastika linking Judge Roy Moore, Westboro pastor Fred Phelps, Dean Young (a Moore supporter and a candidate for Alabama Secretary of State), and John Giles (head of the Christian Coalition of Alabama) for promoting hatred and oppression.

The Phelps family held their signs aloft reading "God Hates America," "God Hates Fags," and "Thank God for September 11."

Ken Baker, chair of Equality Begins at Home of Central Alabama said:

"I am very pleased to see that every citizen of Alabama that is here today is opposed to Moore and Phelps. Not one local citizen joined in the rally for Moore and his recent opinion."

On Sunday night, approximately 500 Alabama residents rallied at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Montgomery to oppose Moore and Phelps. While cars jammed the parking lot and while the crowd inside the church sang hymns, the Westboro Baptists marched outside carrying signs that read "Fag Church," "Your Pastor Lies," and "AIDS Is God's Curse."

Again, not one Alabama resident joined to support the message of hate. Reverend Elizabeth O'Neill, pastor of Immanuel, said:

"Silence is the worst response to a demonstration of hate. We will not be silent! We are going to sing out! Our gathering reflects and honors the diversity of our state and of our world. We lift our voices and our songs offer praise to our Creator God, whose steadfast love and mercy extends to all of God's children; the same God who calls each one of us to love one another."

"It is very refreshing to have so many people of different faiths, ages, races and backgrounds come together to uphold love for all people," said Kevin Cartwright, organist at the service.

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A fundraising pledge drive, with pledges based on the length of time the Westboro group protested, have thus far raised over $2,000 for PFLAG-Montgomery.