LGBTQ news and entertainment
Rachel Maddow explains how recently deceased Fred Phelps and company at the rabidly anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church set out to make the world hate LGBT people, but actually helped the cause of gay rights by offending mainstream Americans.
“I mourn the ongoing injustices against the LGBT community, the unfortunate target of his 23 year campaign of hate.
“His life impacted many outside the walls of the WBC compound, uniting us across all spectrums of orientation and belief as we realized our strength lies in our commonalities, and not our differences.
“How many times have communities risen up together in a united wall against the harassment of my family? Differences have been set aside for that cause, tremendous and loving joint efforts mobilized within hours… and because of that, I ask this of everyone — let his death mean something. Let every mention of his name and of his church be a constant reminder of the tremendous good we are all capable of doing in our communities.”
“Let’s end the support of hateful and divisive teachings describing the LGBT community as “less than”, “sinful”, or “abnormal.” Embrace the LGBT community as our equals, our true brothers and sisters, by promoting equal rights for everyone, without exception.”
Anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps has died.
Westboro Baptist Church gained national notoriety in 1998 after members picketed the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was beaten to death outside Laramie, Wyo.
From KSN:
The Rev. Fred Phelps Sr., who founded a Kansas church widely known for its protests at military funerals and anti-gay sentiments, has died according to his son Tim Phelps.
Phelps, 84, was being cared for in a Shawnee County facility, Westboro Baptist Church spokesman Steve Drain said Sunday.
Members of the Westboro church, based in Topeka, frequently protest at funerals of soldiers with signs containing messages such as “Thank God for dead soldiers,” and “Thank God for 9/11,” claiming the deaths are God’s punishment for American immorality and tolerance of homosexuality and abortion.
George Takei writing on his Facebook page today about Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps:
“I take no solace or joy in this man’s passing.
“We will not dance upon his grave, nor stand vigil at his funeral holding ‘God Hates Freds’ signs, tempting as it may be. He was a tormented soul, who tormented so many.
“Hate never wins out in the end. It instead goes always to its lonely, dusty end.”
“I’ve learned that my father, Fred Phelps, Sr., pastor of the “God Hates Fags” Westboro Baptist Church, was ex-communicated from the “church” back in August of 2013. He is now on the edge of death at Midland Hospice house in Topeka, Kansas.I’m not sure how I feel about this. Terribly ironic that his devotion to his god ends this way. Destroyed by the monster he made.I feel sad for all the hurt he’s caused so many. I feel sad for those who will lose the grandfather and father they loved. And I’m bitterly angry that my family is blocking the family members who left from seeing him, and saying their good-byes.”