www.idahostatesman.com/story.asp?ID=56317
Idahoans turn out to say no to hate
Diverse crowds rally against anti-gay group from Kansas church
Rocky Barker
The Idaho Statesman
Idaho sent a clear, all-inclusive message Sunday to gay-bashing demonstrators from a Kansas church:
Go home and leave us alone.
Catholics, Protestants, Jews, evangelical Christians, gays, toughs, peace advocates, and passers-by in cars quietly countered a protest in Boise by a handful of relatives of Pastor Fred Phelps of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kan. Nine Westboro church members picketed churches Sunday and marched along Capitol Avenue to spread his message that God hates homosexuals.
Everywhere they went, they were met by crowds of Idahoans who, despite their often-conflicting views, all shared a disgust for Phelps' self-described message of hate. Even those who share Phelps' view that homosexuality is a sin viewed him as an outside agitator meddling in Idaho affairs.
"I think I speak for all of Idaho - he's not welcome here," said state Sen. Gerry Sweet, R-Meridian, who has proposed erecting a Ten Commandments monument in the Capitol.
Nearly 500 people lined the sidewalks Sunday morning around Sacred Heart Church in the largest demonstration of the day. They turned their backs to Phelps' followers and sang spirituals, the "Star Spangled Banner" and "America."
Elderly members of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization, stood next to gay and lesbian activists; Jews and Episcopalians stood in solidarity as the Phelps' marchers yelled offensive references to homosexual sex.
Bill Kearley, chairman of the Sacred Heart pastoral council, said like many congregations, Sacred Heart is divided over gay and lesbian issues. But the attack from outsiders made parishioners look past their differences.
"The issue is not really so much gay and lesbian lifestyles - it's violence versus non-violence," Kearley said.
Celeste Schmidt, a marketing writer for a Boise software company, said she saw in The Idaho Statesman that Phelps' group would be picketing area churches and just had to get involved.
"I wanted to tell them to take that judgmental hate and go home," Schmidt said.
Later, at a vigil sponsored by the Interfaith Alliance at the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, about 200 adults and children sang folk songs and read religious messages in support of diversity and peace as the wind turned the air chilly.
Pam Baldwin, director of the Interface Alliance, said she saw many new faces in the crowd.
"I must have gotten 50 calls from people I've never heard from before," she said.
Josie Sumii had come downtown to visit the library with her son, Max, when she saw the crowd at the memorial. Once she learned what was going on, she braved the weather to add her support.
"It doesn't matter who you love," Sumii said. "What matters is that you love someone, no matter what."
As the vigil broke up at noon, Phelps' supporters began their march in support of establishing in Boise a monument that says Wyoming murder victim Matthew Shepard is in hell. Shepard, beaten to death in 1998, was targeted because he was gay.
Phelps became a national figure when he said during the trial of Shepard's attackers that hating homosexuals was proper. He wasn't in Boise on Sunday, but several of his 13 children were on hand, along with their children, as young as 13.
They chose Boise because of the existing dispute over a Ten Commandments monument in Julia Davis Park. They argue that if the Ten Commandments monument is allowed in the park, then the city cannot keep their monument out.
The Boise Parks and Recreation Commission last week rejected Phelps' request, saying his monument represented "fighting words" not protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Timothy Phelps, a Constitution lawyer and one of the Westboro marchers, said comments by Mayor-elect Dave Bieter and parks Commissioner Bryan Fischer, calling for protection of the existing Ten Commandment monument, will help him make his case if he decides to take it to court.
"That's a glaring weakness in their case," Timothy Phelps said. "Once you open a forum by government, you can't close it."
By walking on an American flag and calling passing girls "whores" Sunday, the Westboro protesters sparked religious debates. Drivers honked and gave them the finger as they drove past.
Meanwhile, on the west side of Capitol across the street, a group of counter-protesters carried signs and sang.
"This is the most controlled counter-protest we've seen. I'll give them that," Timothy Phelps said. "Not that that will help their eternal souls."
As they marched off to catch a jet back to Kansas, the counter-protesters started singing "Na Na Hey Hey." In Julia Davis, Christian rock musicians were warming up for the rally in support of the Ten Commandments monument there.
Another 200 people listened to speakers and pastors press for more recognition of the role of religion's proper place in American life and government.
"We believe in God and this nation," said Larry Kinley, pastor of Abundant Life Fellowship in Emmett. "You take God out of the nation and you won't have a nation."
The vigorous debate that brought those with different ideologies together and divided others who share similar values was welcomed by Larry Potts of Emmett.
"I'm a veteran," he said. "This is what I fought for in Vietnam."
To offer story ideas or comments, contact Rocky Barker
rbarker@idahostatesman.com or 377-6485
Edition Date: 12-15-2003