Anti-gay church plans protest at Fairfax High

A Kansas-based church known for celebrating at the funerals of American soldiers killed in war plans to protest Friday at Fairfax High School because the student body elected a gay male teen as its prom queen.

Westboro Baptist Church, which has been named a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, says it will picket at the school between 12:15 and 1 p.m. Members of the church will also protest on Friday outside a Jewish temple, a community center and the Anti-Defamation League's headquarters in Los Angeles.

The protest at Fairfax was prompted by the student body crowning Sergio Garcia, 18, prom queen last month. Counter-protesters are expected, and they say they will use the church's presence to raise donations for the school's Gay-Straight Alliance.

Westboro Baptist last protested at a Southern California school in April, when congregants picketed the staging of the musical "Rent" at an Orange County high school. The group routinely celebrates at soldiers' funerals, contending that they are purposely killed by God because of America's tolerance of homosexuality.

-- Seema Mehta

Comments

[Jim]

Just remember, anti-equality folks, THESE are your allies.

[owen]

Can the media just agree to stop covering these nitwits? The only reason why they keep doing these offensive protests is to spread their message, and the only way they do so on a large scale is through the media. Stop covering them, and they'll stop their nutty actions.

[Jason]

The same church that said the Catholic Church was a "-ag church" and called Pope Benedict "The Godfather of Pedophiles?" Fred Phelps said “Every time any person gives any amount of money to the Catholic Church, that person is paying the salary of pedophile rapists.” He said "Thank God for Dead Soldiers", "America Is Doomed" and "Priests Rape Boys." The guy is a nutcase!

[rick]

Maybe while they are here the prop 8 supporters and Shubert Flint Inc. can get some new recruits!

[Dave Atkins]

China represses homosexuality yet it suffers through earthquakes and floods.

Sweden is liberal and not an earthquake to be had. No major floods either.

Therefore, God doesn't care or God can read a map.

[Yoyo]

This makes me mad, I went to Fairfax high and loved the diversity and overall tolerance that many of the student body possessed.

We were not beyond violence however, i remember many were itching to riot if Simpson would've been judged guilty, keep in mind these are Angelinos.

Kind of a warning; don't give highschool students a reason to beat people up, especially when those people are invading their territory.

[Earthman]

"...contending that they are purposely killed by God because of America's tolerance of homosexuality..."
Well then; who among you can present one single FACT conclusively proving that this may NOT be true?

[Church of Justice]

Gays and Gay Marriage are corruption a of Traditional American Family Values. Just ask Senator Larry Craig, Pastor Ted Haggard, Senator John Ensign, Senator David Vitter, Congressman Mark Foley, State Representative Richard Curtis, Congressman Dan Crane, Congressman Newt Gingrich...

[Bob]

I agree these people are hateful maniacs, but I'm wondering which part of what he said about the catholic church isn't true?

[eric]

Maybe one day people will realize that being equal doesnt mean men do what women do. Men trying to be Women is a disgrace. Women thinking they are Men is a disgrace.. If people can claim they are born gay, murders should be able to say the were born that way tooo. What about all the pedophiles, I guess they could use that same lame excuse. Then we come to multiple wives.. As you can see all of those things are enjoyed by a few, but ALL are Despised by the majority. Just like being gay! Being gay is a choice, and a very bad choice for the future of Humanity.

BTW didnt the gays say this topic wouldnt affect schools? Looks like once again they are wrong.. Please do California a favor and go back in the closet.. kthxbye

[fluffy]

Isn't it amazing that out of all the "churches" in America, that this is the only one to speak out against unrighteousness in this country? I guess all other churches are too afraid of losing their non-profit status.... I guess they never read the part of the bible that says we are to fear God, not man.

[fluffy]

Isn't it amazing that out of all the "churches" in America, that this is the only one to speak out against unrighteousness in this country? I guess all other churches are too afraid of losing their non-profit status.... I guess they never read the part of the bible that says we are to fear God, not man.

[Domino Sirgucci]

This is all pretty weird though. Did the prom king have to dance with the prom queen? Or was he a "queen" as well? I'm just sayin'...

And I'm not sticking up for the protesters by asking that.

[We don't need Phelps]

Isn't is amazing that this so-called "church" which has been identified as a hate group, which uses slander and libel to harrass it's opposers, is known for violence inspired hate speeches, and which is run by an insane, mysogenistic, homophobic, disbarred lawyer, who believes he is the "only righteous man on earth" has garnished positive attention from the less enlightened readers of this newspaper?

Perhaps those that commented positively on this group of "crusaders" who perscribe to a core of anti-homosexual theology, are actually members of the Westboro church. Or perhaps these folks would also welcome the KKK.

Do some research on the Westboro Baptist Church before you decide that this idiot is a champion of morality and righteousness.

And for those of you who think that Phelps and his cronies only protest against gays with their "God hates fags" campaign, think again. They also protest at the funerals of our troops who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[Frog Princess]

How can we help with the counter protest?

[Zach]

Hey Eric, maybe some day people will realize that what other men or women do in a free society is NONE OF THEIR BUSINESS. Government's place is to keep things safe and fair, nothing more, certainly not to play nanny and decide whose morality to enforce on everyone. If you need laws to tell you what's right and wrong (and it seems you do if you think same-sex love is akin to murder or rape), you go to a church, not a courthouse. But first, if you think being gay is a choice, you probably need to head to a school.

[Marco Luxe]

I'm conflicted. My gut reaction is that there should be a news blackout of Phelps protests. Their appearances aren't news as it's all mundanely predictable.

On the other hand, publicity exposes their wackiness more widely, helps raise funds to oppose their message, and provides a good laugh.

Nope, not worth the nervous laughter. Let's all turn our backs on these wackos. No more free publicity for hate!

[HP]

"...contending that they are purposely killed by God because of America's tolerance of homosexuality..."
Well then; who among you can present one single FACT conclusively proving that this may NOT be true?

Earthman_Who among you can present one single fact conclusively proven onur brave soldiers were killed because of your beliefs. Your thinking is evil and twisted. To say the least, you are anti-Jesus.

[Earthman]

@ HP;
Oh, I see HP: and Jesus said: "...and let there be killing, bombing, rape, sodomy, theft, warped logic, selfishness, greed and murder etc. because HP and his friends want their homosexual behavior sanctioned by all...oh yeah, and oil so they can travel about enjoying their self-absorbed lifestyles..."
"...and don't fret, I'll pretend I didn't see a thing..."
NOT LIKELY!
It's not my beliefs that have anything to do with the needless death of anyone HP, go and stare into the mirror of the world you helped make.
And BTW you pompus armchair jerk, those dead and maimed young men and women soldiers, and mass-mulitated innocent civilians could care less about your stupid bravery labels the moment they realize that they're mere seconds from their last breath on this earth or a lifetime of crippling pain and suffering. Karma (or judgment) is a harsh master, isn't it?

[Lincoln]

I wish we could get rid of those who preach hate. The UK will not let this group in their country because of the hate speech.
Their are hate groups all over the country like the KKK and skinheads that teach and preach hate. Our government watches them but can not stop them because of their freedom to assemble and freedom of speech.
Freedon of speech does not mean you can yell Fire in a crowded theater.

[mikethebear]

well after reading this, I'm wondering,
Would Jesus Discriminate?