3 Comments Kathleen
San Mateo Area High School Students Stand Up to Bigots
March 22, 2010
by Brian Leubitz
Hateful Signs of Fred Phelps
Hillsdale High School students are preparing for a real-life drama. They are organizing a counterprotest to an anti-gay church’s planned picketing of the school’s production next week of “The Laramie Project,” a play about the town in Wyoming near where 21-year-old Matthew Shepard was kidnapped and severely beaten in 1998 because he was gay. Shepard died a few days later from his injuries.
Members of the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church are expected to picket outside Hillsdale on March 27 before the start of a performance. When Hillsdale senior Meghan Souther first learned about the church’s protest, she said, “I was a little bit shocked.”
But now she’s looking forward to it. “I’m more excited now they are coming (because) we want to show people in San Mateo and our high school that we don’t tolerate hate,” said Souther, 17, a stage manager for the play, which runs several days. (SJ Mercury-News)
Good for these students for standing up to Phelps. Phelps is a hateful, vitriolic man. He’s protested soldiers funerals, as you see in the photo above, because apparently his god is a rather offensive one who favors death and dismemberment. I’ve had my run-ins with the man, and his rhetoric is disgusting. While I support free speech, his speech nears the line, and occasionally crosses the line, where it becomes dangerous to others.
These students are right to show that their community favors tolerance and inclusion for everybody. Despite the hate speech of this cult, the response makes me optimistic for the future.
Filed under: Uncategorized
62 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Ronnie | March 22, 2010 at 1:42 am
I posted the article from advocate.com on the "Legacy Exclusions" thread of the the antigay "protest" that Fred Phlops and the WBC threatened to have at a Louisiana High School who was producing this play….
1 guy showed up and was out number by 500 people……heheheheeh……I'm sorry but thats quite amusing…..I hope a video of it goes viral…..<3….Ronnie
2.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 1:56 am
This group of nut jobs is so beyond the pale, that even extreme right wing bible thumpers distance themselves from him.
3.
K!r!lleXXI | March 22, 2010 at 2:01 am
I don't understand how "religious" organizations like this one are allowed to be called "religious organizations"? No religion can violently act against people who do not do anything wrong. If our government relies on scientific research that says gays are not some sick people, then no hate speech should be allowed by this government! This church has nothing to do with freedom of speech… it's not freedom of speech, it's freedom of offense… I don't think they have that freedom! I call for public shunning of this so-called "church" and for governmental confrontation.
4.
fiona64 | March 22, 2010 at 2:04 am
Kirill, in the US if you file the appropriate paperwork you can call your livingroom a church. The Westboro Baptist Church has no members that I have been able to learn of other than Phelps and his own family.
(Just as an aside, the Jim-Bob/Michelle Duggar Quiverfull family have designated their home as a church … another rant for another time.)
I agree that their behavior is akin to shouting "Fire" in a crowded theatre and does not really therefore fall under the rubric of free speech … but that does not mean that the law agrees with my opinion.
Love,
Fiona
5.
Ronnie | March 22, 2010 at 2:07 am
I'm for the shunning….lets stone them with rainbow colored stones….big ones……<3…..Ronnie
6.
Straight Ally #3008 | March 22, 2010 at 2:09 am
Mockery is one of the best weapons against the Phelps clan. I can rail about the physical and psychological abuses of their patriarch elsewhere (check out the blog of his son Nate, who escaped their cult), but for now, some humor (NSFW) at their expense:
[youtube
7.
dieter | March 22, 2010 at 2:14 am
Malaysia: Gay Characters OK, If They Go Straight
The Malaysian Film Producers' Association said that movies may depict gay characters, provided they do not stay that way throughout the film.
By Julie Bolcer
New censorship guidelines for the Malaysian film industry relax a strict ban on showing homosexuality, so long as the gay characters change their ways by the end of the story.
8.
Bill | March 22, 2010 at 2:43 am
Just like real life, right? ; )
9.
K!r!lleXXI | March 22, 2010 at 2:52 am
Well, Fiona, I only hope your government does not help these fear-mongers with tax exempts…
Can't we sue them for harassment and causing emotional distress to families on those funerals? There's gotta be something to do against them…
10.
Randy | March 22, 2010 at 3:12 am
Unfortunately, counter-protests just feed the Phelps' sociopathic need for attention. It's exactly what they WANT us to do. Personally, I think the best possible counter-protest is to simply make a human cordon – a line of people, holding hands, backs to the Phelpses, ignoring them and keeping them isolated from the people coming to see the show.
11.
Randy | March 22, 2010 at 3:14 am
Unfortunately, most of the Phelps second generation are attorneys. They are actually pretty darn good ones, and it's been really really hard to make any changes stick to them.
12.
fiona64 | March 22, 2010 at 3:17 am
I dunno; my wonderful cousin Jane was at the counter-protest outside "Fiddler on the Roof" in San Francisco. She had two placards: "Mikey hates everything" and "I also have a sign."
She said that the fellowship of diversity and love that showed up to counterbalances these twits was great
Love,
Fiona
13.
Paul N | March 22, 2010 at 3:17 am
What we need to do is to keep an eye on everything that the wingnuts like Fred Phelps are planning on doing. Every event that these people come to protest, we should be there with even more people counter-protesting. EVERY SINGLE TIME.
It may not stop them from trying to spread their own personal brand of hatred, but it will certainly give them a real large pain in the posterior. We should also make sure that videos are always made and uploaded to YouTube. This will show everyone that hatred is simply not acceptable anywhere or at any time.
This stupidity must be met head on. If we ignore the hatred, it will not go away. It will only get worse.
14.
CeeVee | March 22, 2010 at 3:19 am
I'm glad you brought up the physical and psychological abuses that this guy (Phelps, Sr.) has brought upon his entire family; wife and children included. The writings of Nate Phelps (1 of about 2 or 3 adult kids to flee the family), describing the wrath and devastation, are worth the reading –sad, but worth the time. These abuses have so likely been carried forward to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Where are the authorities in all of this? …and to think that they're receiving the benefits of tax-exemption.
15.
Richard A. Walter (s | March 22, 2010 at 3:46 am
Kudos and props to the students at Hillsdale High School in San Mateo. They are trying to show people the honest effects of the hatred spewed by people like Fred Phelps. They deserve not only our praise, but our support. I only wish I were in San Mateo so that I could be part of their counter protest.
16.
Randy | March 22, 2010 at 3:47 am
As much as they are disgusting, at least they are honest about their feelings and beliefs. We all know that the prop H8 side and good old Maggie Gallagher believe and feel the same thing; they just hide behind the Hate the sin line. If all of the people on the H8 side was as honest this would be a lot easier to fight.
17.
Straight Ally #3008 | March 22, 2010 at 3:51 am
Can't forget the Patriot Guard Riders, either. The riders were initially formed in response to the WBC's protests of soldiers' funerals.
[youtube
18.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 3:52 am
Fred Phelps himself is a lawyer, and a fairly successful one. There are some who think his lawsuits are the primary way these people support themselves. So, I would caution anyone who comes in direct contact with this group to not engage in any way. They like to provoke and then sue when someone crosses the line.
More and more jurisdictions are passing laws to protect the grieving relatives from the WBC's protests at funerals. If they haven't been already, I'm sure the laws will be challenged on the basis of free speech guarantees.
There's is a lawsuit by an individual against Phelps et all for defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress resulting from a funeral protest. Phelps initially lost, but challenged the award in federal court, arguing that the ruling violated guarantees of protected free speech. He lost in the District Court, but won at the appeals level. The US Supreme Court just granted cert earlier this month. I'm very interested in what happens with this. The case is Snyder v Phelps.
19.
Caitlyn | March 22, 2010 at 4:11 am
Honestly, I am convinced that the folks from WBC are entirely a bunch of con-artists. They provoke people as far as legally possible so that people like us will be too angry not to react, and then sue, and earn a shit-ton of money from it. I wouldn't be surprised if they also get paid to go do interviews on news stations to get ratings. People eat that shit up, every news station would LOVE to get a WBC story in their area, and probably pay for it. Celebrity earns these people money, and so they figured out the best way to earn celebrity without any actual talent.
This is why I keep saying that everyone just needs to STOP counter-protesting these con artists. If our country ignored them, they would just fade into nothingness, since no one actually agrees with them anyway.
20.
Ronnie | March 22, 2010 at 4:38 am
http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/03/2…
Posted on Advocate.com March 22, 2010
Antigay Virginia AG to Sue Over Health Care Bill
By Neal Broverman
"argues that the congressionally passed health care bill violates the U.S. Constitution's commerce clause because it stipulates that most Americans have health insurance coverage by 2014."
(me) Get over yourself……his ego is really starting to P.M.O……….Is it really that easy?……well I'm going to sue the federal government because:
1.) My religion says that LGBTQQI Americans can get married and the government is telling me no because of other main stream religions say it wrong….therefore it violates the U.S. Constitution's freedom of religion clause.
2.) By telling be that I can't get married, which includes a wedding, a family, gifts, benefits, and express my love the way I want too……it violates the U.S. Constitution's freedom of expression clause.
3.) By telling me I can't call the man I love my husband and say that we are married……violates the U.S. Constitution's freedom of speech clause……
That's it……..I'm suing the federal government for violating "We The People" by excluding an overwhelmingly large number of the people ………<3…..Ronnie
21.
A A | March 22, 2010 at 4:38 am
I applaud the San Mateo students for their courage and bravery in standing up against hatred and bigoted ideology in their community. I praise these students for their positive stance, but where are their parents and teachers in all this. Their parents and teachers should be standing right next to them in their protest against the dictates of this vile, hateful preacher.
22.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 4:40 am
I agree. I made the same point in the discussion of Narth being analogous to The Klan. When these anti-gay groups couch their objection in terms of "love" it's more difficult for those who are not a direct target to understand what the real message is. Give me a Fred Phelps over a Maggie Gallagher any day.
However, I do feel terrible for the children and all the people in the group who are the object of the extreme abuse leveled at them by this "church."
For anyone who wants to read about it, see Nate Phelps's website: http://natephelps.com/
23.
Jacques Graber | March 22, 2010 at 4:53 am
I am totally in support of these students performing this play AND in their standing up in the warty face of this hatred called "Christianity". Phelps is NOT the only one who foments such hate and unacceptance. The CATHOLIC CHURCH does also as do many other "Faiths". This is a highly commendable action on the part of these students on BOTH issues, performing the play AND standing up to HATE.
BRAVISSIMO, students of Hillsdale high!!! You should all get A+'s for Excellent Citizenship as well as bravery in the Performing Arts.
24.
Waxr | March 22, 2010 at 5:03 am
I would like to see counter protesters appeal to the protesters themselves. Welcome them with love. Encourage them them to leave Fred Phelps, and offer them protection if they do. If a few of the protesters begin to desert, that church will cut down on their protests.
25.
Jacques Graber | March 22, 2010 at 5:04 am
I agree. At our own pride event here in Sacramento, these types from the local Slavic Church who holds great hate for the Gay community, came with banners. We responded with even BIGGER banners, masking their vitriol behind blank sheets (I called for a "Lavender Noise" -sheets of lavender) that totally masked their message. They complained to the attending security police officers, but since our group was part of the parade, the police could do nothing, so, counter protest can work.
26.
Jacques Graber | March 22, 2010 at 5:06 am
We went one better, backs to the church protesters, BUT our side holding BIGGER banners that blocked out the anti gay church's visibility.
27.
Jacques Graber | March 22, 2010 at 5:15 am
And I thought DIRT was dumb. These Phelpsians REALLY take the dumb title!
28.
PDXAndrew | March 22, 2010 at 5:21 am
Truly. I know the Baptist organization is about as anti-equaltiy as the Mormon and Catholic institutions, but I'm surprised they let them use it in the name of their house-of-hate.
I wonder, with what do they fill their baptism font – bile? It certainly cannot be holy water, else they'd burst into immediate flames.
Love (because that's what MY God gives the world),
Andrew
29.
Monty | March 22, 2010 at 5:33 am
Alternate theory: they are trying to do the biggest exercise of Poe's Law in history. By being so blatantly hateful, they hope to drive far more people from their "cause" than toward it.
Unlikely, but not completely impossible.
30.
Bolt | March 22, 2010 at 5:53 am
This is so cool! I love this story. The spirit of equality is powerful!
31.
PDXAndrew | March 22, 2010 at 6:01 am
I agree totally that WBC is 100% fraudulent. They are lawyers, not theologians. They have just found a very unique and unethical source of personal income.
however, I completely disagree on holding off on the counter-protests.
the counter-protest allows:
– the Queer (or whatever all-inclusive-yet-still-pronounceable name we want for LGBTQQIA) community to come together with our allies.
– for us to connect with members of the Moveable Middle and have those Courageous Conversations with our neighbors.
– for the community to heal and grow into a more inclusive and loving unit.
– for the world to see that what Harvey Milk said : HOPE will never be silent.
Besides, since the counter protests started, the Phelpsians have not shown up at many of their proposed hate-o-ramas. If the mere threat of a counter-protest can save a community from having to deal with them, I saw it's all worth it!
Love (as it will overcome hate),
Andrew
32.
Waxr | March 22, 2010 at 6:02 am
Years ago I met a man who was a former member of the Communist Party. He told me that most people who joined the party knew little, if anything, about Communist doctrine.
The Party would take the new member and place him or her on a street corner handing out literature. Naturally this new member would receive insults and threats, and would be unable to answer the questions which were thrown to him.
Surprisingly, this would not discourage the new member. It would strenghthen the members commitment. Compel the member to study harder and learn the doctrine he had been disseminating. And it would force the member to take refuge in the party.
This is the same strategy Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. is using. Protests against the Church only strengthens the dedication and isolation the members feel.
The only way to fight the Wesboro Church is to let the church members know that there is a better would outside of their closed group, and that they can leave their church and be welcomed with love by the greater community. When they come to demonstrate, hand them flyers with expressions of hope, love, and telephone numbers. Encourage them to step out of their protest lines and join you. The demonstrations will soon stop.
33.
Dave T | March 22, 2010 at 6:04 am
Why were they protesting "Fiddler on the Roof"? Are they anti-Semites too?
34.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 6:12 am
Yep. They're pretty much anti-anyreligionthey'renot. You can see more about them here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Westboro_Baptist_Chu…
As with anything in wikipedia, I suggest making sure the info is backed up from reliable sources, but this article seems fairly thorough in citing references.
35.
fiona64 | March 22, 2010 at 6:18 am
Not only are they anti-Semitic, but they figured they had hit the motherlode. Topol was injured and had to drop out of the show. His replacement in the lead was openly gay stage actor Harvey Fierstein. Two opportunities to be ugly and hate-filled for the price of one, in other words.
Love,
Fiona
36.
Monty | March 22, 2010 at 6:29 am
Basically, if you disagree with them about anything, not only are you wrong, but you are so wrong that they need to protest your wrongness.
On a somewhat related note: when someone believes their religion is infallible, they are (consciously or not) implying that they are also infallible. After all, if their beliefs are not perfect, how can they be sure what they believe in is? Thus we get arrogance like this. When I debate with theists, I usually don't try to convince them that they are wrong so much as to make them consider the possibility that they might be wrong. Whatever their conclusion, reaching it through rational thought is far better than clinging to an aura of infallibility (theoretically, the same goes for atheists, but since I rarely have reason to play devil's advocate on the subject, it doesn't come up much).
37.
Bob | March 22, 2010 at 6:56 am
Michael Moore also did a video about the phelps family, you can find it on his web site, he took a pink bus full of well (us), the bus had SODOMITES written in big letters, and they taunted the Phelps family at their protests,
Also e-mail from Michael Moore today, raving about how they got Stupak to do a 180, and vote in favour of the health reform, just your good old basic in your face, phoning his house non stop, and offfices and telling him he wouldn't see another term in office.
38.
Bob | March 22, 2010 at 7:04 am
Is it true that , televising , or allowing the public, to greet fallen comrades who come home in boxes is a realatively new thing in the U.S.
They used to shield the public from this under the guise of privacy for the family, which really was so people could not partake in the reality of the impact of the war, sort of keep it hidden.
This is really a generous tribute on the part of these bikers.
39.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 7:14 am
I posted this in the appropriate thread, but thought I'd post here too.
Walker's just issued his ruling on challenges to Spero's discovery order. He has denied the both sides' appeals of the order. From today's filing:
"the objections of the ACLU and Equality California … and of proponents … are DENIED.
The magistrate’s order contemplates that production will take place on a rolling basis to conclude not later than March 31, 2010. Doc #610 at 14. The court adopts the schedule set by the magistrate. If proponents wish to supplement their trial record with documents obtained through this production, they must make the appropriate motion or submission not later than Monday, April 12, 2010."
The Yes on 8 orgs have previously stated their intent to appeal this to the 9th Circuit, so this may not be the last word on this issue.
40.
Bry | March 22, 2010 at 7:17 am
Kathleen –
Not anymore, he was disbarred over 10 years ago. But the rest of the freaky phelpses are lawyers pretty much
41.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 7:23 am
Bry, I forgot about the disbarment. Does he still represent himself pro se? I thought I'd read somewhere recently about him appearing in court, representing himself either as plaintiff or defendant, though now I can't find the reference.
42.
dieter | March 22, 2010 at 7:27 am
So does this mean that OUR side must hand over our documents?…I am confused…how can he deny both?..either we have to submit our documents, in which case the haters won, or our side does not have to and we won…
arggghhh
43.
David Kimble | March 22, 2010 at 7:28 am
"argues that the congressionally passed health care bill violates the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause because it stipulates that most Americans have health insurance coverage by 2014.”
Well, this is positively sick – pun intended. Thanks, Ronnie for the link to the story. <3 David
44.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 7:33 am
dieter, this specifically has to do with the discovery order issued by Spero on Mar 5, in which he ordered the "No on 8" orgs (not parties to the lawsuit) to hand over certain documents to the D-Is (prop 8 proponents).
Both sides appealed that order. The No on 8 orgs said the order was too broad — that the documents in the order were protected under first amendment guarantees. The D-Is said the order was too narrow — that they were entitled to more documents than the order required.
The appeals to Spero's order (from both sides) were addressed in a hearing in Walker's court last week, and this is the written order resulting from that hearing.
So, yes, the result of this order is that Spero's Mar 5 order stands: the No on 8 orgs must turn over certain docs to the D-Is. As mentioned, I think the No on 8 groups intend to appeal (maybe the D-Is do, too, but I haven't read that anywhere.)
45.
fiona64 | March 22, 2010 at 7:40 am
No, he won't be able to succeed in this ridiculous venture. Federal law trumps.
Love,
Fiona
46.
dieter | March 22, 2010 at 7:44 am
OMG..I think I am going to have an orgasm….
"Culture Club" is re-uniting to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the start of the band….
I am SOOOOOO there!!
47.
Kathleen | March 22, 2010 at 7:54 am
Federal law doesn't trump the US Constitution. The argument the Virginia AG is making is that the health care bill violates the US Constitution. If he were successful in that suit, the parts of the law that were considered unconstitutional would be invalid.
I'm not saying his suit would be successful, I'm just saying that IF it were, the US Constitution would trump the federal law.
48.
Colt | March 22, 2010 at 8:46 am
One positive thing: Without this, I wouldn't have known Hillsdale was doing the play. Now my family's got tickets to go see it! Now where can I get a "Godless Heathen" shirt in time …
49.
Lori | March 22, 2010 at 9:00 am
Technically there is no freedom of expression clause… but speech includes basically all nonspoken forms of expression, so it still works.
50.
Trevor | March 22, 2010 at 11:50 am
HELLO SENSATIONALISM! Cuccinelli's recent comments to the state's colleges have absolutely nothing to do the lawsuit he is *required* by law to file. I do not support or condone his comments. Unfortunately, this is an example of an organization promoting an an agenda under the guise of journalism. Furthermore, the wording of "that most Americans have health insurance" is misleading because it implies a state (most Americans will HAVE insurance) rather than an action (most Americans must BUY insurance).
Moving on though, I fully support this lawsuit along with 37 or so other states considering similar suits. The federal government has no business telling me that I have to buy health insurance! If, however, the government wants to tax me and provide insurance, then so be it. If the government wants to tax me to help provide health care to people that cannot afford it, then so be it. That's not what's going on though.
51.
Waxr | March 22, 2010 at 2:15 pm
The battle of the banners.
What does that prove?
52.
Lora | March 22, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Yeah Jacques…don't you love the Slavics, who fled their country because they were being persecuted…only to come to ours to persecute us??
Loved your "Lavender Noise" idea, as I live in "Lavender Heights".
53.
Waxr | March 22, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Rep. Stupak's is at least consistent.
He is "pro-life". He interprets that as caring as much for the life of the uninsured grandmother as the unborn embryo.
Some opponents to the health care bill would let the uninsured grandmother die, in order to save the embryo.
54.
Stormy | March 22, 2010 at 4:06 pm
I agree. We have tried ignoring the WBC and it does not work. They don't 'go away.' I second an earlier posters suggestion to read Nate Phelps' story. He points out that the key to understanding this church is to realize that they aren't trying to change any minds; they are doing this for themselves – it is their version of witnessing and whatnot.
If Phelps is coming to your area and you are considering a counter-protest, you may want to check out this site: http://phelps-a-thon.com/Home.html
55.
JonT | March 22, 2010 at 4:53 pm
SA3008: That was great!
Thanks!
56.
Bob | March 23, 2010 at 1:29 am
I liked Michael Moores comments that human life begins at the point when we are able to live and breath outside the womb, otherwise we should all go and line up at the government offices to have our birth dates changed forward nine months.
This may be a good ploy for some seniors who could get benefits niine months earlier
57.
Straight Grandmother | March 23, 2010 at 6:48 am
Here, read the whole disgusting revoltion book about that piece of slime Phelps. The whole book was entered as part of a law suite so it is public record. After I read this I could not believe these wack jobs. The mother had to tie her children in their height chairs because he wanted her for hours and hours at a time in the bedroom. To the point of she not being able to care for her children.
YOU GOTTA READ THIS PEOPLE!
http://www.robertslevinson.com/gaylesissues/featu…
After you read it come back here.
58.
kagato23 | March 24, 2010 at 12:15 am
Actually, that's exactly what Fred is saying. He's an extreme Calvanist.
I'm sure you could have fun on wikipedia with that, but in short: people are predestined for salvation, selected by god before they are even born. Those people are ultimately saved. The rest are doomed and damned as creatures of sin.
You can guess which category Phelps places himself in. Being one of the saved, his every action is this justified, and other saved would logically agree and act as he does, since this is the "right" path.
TL;DR version: He's an exterme calvinist, guys that say "Yeah, god said i'm saved, so I am in fact infailable"
59.
Gayle Risley-Dintelm | March 24, 2010 at 7:41 am
I'm thrilled that young high school students in San Mateo are standing up for what is right. There is hope for the future!
60.
Gayle Risley-Dintelm | March 24, 2010 at 7:44 am
Head to a craft store and pick-up some iron-on transfer paper. Use your computer to type set your statement (which I LOVE–I'm an ordained Reverend) and using an iron transfer the image onto a plain t-shirt. Then come back here and post the pics!
61.
Dave P | March 24, 2010 at 2:32 pm
ME TOO! Just bought four tickets. My friends and I will be there Saturday to participate in the peaceful counter-demonstration in support of the students.
You can get your tickets at:
http://www.hillsdalehigh.com/drama
62. Students 1, Bigots 0 &laq&hellip | March 28, 2010 at 8:35 am
[...] Monday, I mentioned Hillsdale High School. The theater program there was performing the Matthew Shephard tribute play, the Laramie Project, [...]
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