Kansas group hates Nevada, protests homosexuality, abortions and prostitution

Created on Friday, 03 April 2009 00:00

Written by Krystal Bick

According to the Westboro Baptist Church, God hates Nevada. Still.

As part of a Friday morning protest, members of the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kan. made their way through parts of northern Nevada, denouncing homosexuality, abortions and calling President Obama the “Anti-Christ.”

Perhaps best known for their protesting at Brianna Denison’s memorial service last February, the Westboro Baptist Church has received heated attention here in Reno, namely for their claim of “God hates Nevada.”

Having started out early Friday at Reno High School to protest high school gay-straight alliance groups, the handful of Westboro members made their way over to the University of Nevada, Reno before heading out to Carson City to protest at the Nevada Legislature building, Carson City High School and Western Nevada College.

“We’re bringing the word of God to them,” said Shirley Phelps-Roper, daughter of Westboro Baptist Church pastor Fred Phelps. “You have to warn your neighbor of their sins. These people have been taught they can change their sexuality and their partners more often than they change their underwear.”

Phelps-Roper, wearing a shirt emblazoned with the church’s Web site godhatesfags.com and holding several signs, one of which read “You will eat your own babies,” stood on the corner of North McCarran Boulevard and North Virginia Street while early morning traffic went past.

Specifically bringing up Denison’s rape murder and Nevada’s “legalized whoredom,” Phelps-Roper said the people of Reno “are to blame.”

“This city has the wrath of God all over it,” Phelps-Roper said.

While at the Nevada Legislature, Phelps-Roper said her group will be protesting a proposed bill that would legalize domestic partnerships between same-sex couples as well as a bill that prohibits disturbances at funeral and memorial services — something the Westboro Baptist Church did last year at a funeral for a Reno soldier killed in Iraq.

As part of a counter protest, local church groups and the University of Nevada, Reno's Queer Student Union gathered and picketed Friday morning as well. Starting the demonstration, “Forgiving Fred,” at 7 a.m., a group of more than 50 people gathered in a proclaimed “peaceful” response to the Westboro Baptist Church.

The counter protest started at UNR at the Manzanita Bowl located on the corner of Ninth and N. Virginia streets and made its way up to the corner of Fifteenth and N. Virginia streets in front of the Lawlor Events Center.

“We’re out here today to forgive Fred Phelps,” said Jeromy Manke, president of the QSU. “Our main goal is to try to come together as a community, despite our differences. We feel that we need to create a positive environment.”

Alongside Manke was Light of the Soul United Church of Christ group, with Rev. Denise Cordova and about 20 members of her congregation.

“We’re standing up against hate,” Cordova said, explaining that several members of her congregation are homosexual. “We believe he’s (Fred Phelps) the embodiment of hate.”

Fellow picketer Ryan Hudson of Reno echoed Cordova’s sentiments.

“We should have the freedom to love who we want,” said Hudson, who is gay. “Don’t condemn us.”

To view the orginal published article, click here to visit the Sparks Tribune's page.