Fred Phelps -- Not a Gay Problem Anymore

The Phelps Family Will Be Visiting Massachusetts Next Week and Delivering Their  Unique Message -- But Is it Really That Unique?? 

Fred Phelps and his vitriolic, anti-gay family will be in Massachusetts next week to protest the Acton-Boxborough High School production of The Laramie Project.  But that is just the beginning of his tour in the BayState.  From Phelps's own website of the Westboro (Kansas) Baptist Church, the November 4th itinerary includes Sunday morning protests at Boston's Park Street Church, The Cathedral of the Holy Cross (1400 Washington Street), and Trinity Episcopal Church (Copley Square).

It is Fred Phelps' stop at the Archdiocese of Boston's Cathedral of the Holy Cross which I believe sparked Larry Cirignano's telephone call to me asking that KnowThyNeighbor draft a letter of support which will be signed by LGBT groups and anti-gay organizations such as his former, Catholic Citizenship, pleading with Phelps to stay away from Massachusetts.  Larry even suggested an alliance with Brian Camenker and Amy Contrada of MassResistance to help fight Phelps.  Contrada's daughter Claudia actually has a lead role in the Acton-Boxborough production of The (to-be-protested) Laramie Project.

I explained to Larry that KnowThyNeighbor made an observation a while ago, actually it came from Co-Director Aaron Toleos, who said, " Fred Phelps, MassResistance, the Massachusetts Family Institute, Focus on the Family...it is ALL THE SAME MESSAGE, only different packaging." I would like to add to that list of anti-gay, anti-humanity specters...George Bush, Pope Benedict, General Pace, Mitt Romney, The Republican Party and any in the Democrat Party including 2008 Presidential Hopefuls who "just aren't there yet." They all nurture and breed hatred, bigotry, anti-human sentiments, "lesser than" status for groups of people, violence and murders.  This is not an over dramatization.  Within any community faced with this sort of negativity what is left to it is the unconscionable--self loathing, suicide, harmful and risky behaviors and a feeling of hopelessness and lessened or no self-worth.

So who is responsible for Fred Phelps coming to Massachusetts?  Who opened the door and allowed this vampire in?  And anyone who has ever watched any old Bella Lugosi movies knows that once you let the monster in your house, he becomes your problem.  Welcome to OUR reality.  Now it is yours...

I do feel sorry for the brave children and their families in Acton-Boxborough who will have to witness a very distasteful part of American culture when Phelps protests on Saturday--they will get a valuable life lesson and for many, their childhood will end as they get catapulted into this very adult situation.

But I do not feel sorry for the Catholic Church and in fairness, no other church order or denomination which has delayed accepting fellow human beings as equal and worthy of God's love but instead uses God as an excuse to continue the war on the soul's of LGBT people, their families and their children. 

Tom Lang, Director Know Thy Neighbor

 

Comments

[Stan]

OMG! Fred Phelps will be protesting Amt Contrada's daughter? Someone who hates gays more than Amy and Brian will be in Acton?

Sorry but this is just too funny. Freddy and his clan enjoy taking Amy and Brian's real message to the streets - and that terrifies them. Their hate is exposed for what it is - their hate is no different than the likes of Fred Phelps.

I'm heading to Acton in November! Not only do I want to see the Laramie Project, in which Amy's own daughter is starring - - But Fred Phelps too??? Wow! This is going to be quite the night out on the town!!!

BTW... we can now catch Amy and Brian's new show on WNSH AM 1570 Beverly --- I'm not sure when it starts up again, but they are paying them for airtime. "I want my mASSresistance Radio! LOL!

OMG!! LOL!!! Thanks tom!

[John Hosty-Grinnell]

I think I am going to attend this too! I want to see how the people of Massachusetts deal with seeing Fred Phelps in person.

I'll bet he's a Yankees fan...

[Tom]

Tom: Such sweet, eloquent words on this vile topic. You expressed my sentiments precisely. You're quite a wordsmith!
Tom

[ryan charisma]

Nothing will shine light on bigotry than having it's light shone right on the children. I promise you, these kids will understand and wipe out bigotry in thier lifetime.

Amy, Brian and the clan have gone too far this time. I think we should encourage Phelps. Let his voice be heard, let him picket the play, let him show the children what hate is really about.

This hateful man may be doing more good than he'll ever know.

[John]

"these kids will understand and wipe out bigotry in their lifetime.

Absolutely

I know it for a fact; I have lots of experience with kids. They are simply fantastic.

[sean]

"wipe out bigotry in their lifetime"

Sounds like Hitler

[The TRUE Patriot]

"

"wipe out bigotry in their lifetime"

Sounds like Hitler"

yeah. the Jews and Gays hated blonde haired blue eyed Germans so the Germans had to kill them all. Thats exactly what happened. The Germans were just wiping out the bigotry of the jews.
*rolls eyes*

[sean]

your idea of bigotry and mine are 2 totally different things my friend

You use the word as a weapon and a slur

twist its meaning to justify yoyur own selfish means

just like Hitler

[Lula]

PAUL AKA SEAN:

"gay IS a choice

you are revolting

go to hell"

Nah, this isn't the talk of a bigot.

[ryan charisma]

Sean,

You were sent away. Why you back?

[KatieKat]

Not that we need it, but here is just one more reason to despise Fred Phelps:
http://blank.org/addict/

[sean]

nice try ryan

you read it as "gays are revolting and are going to hell"

twist away my friend

twist away

that was a personal response to you and your miserable life - gay or not

[Lula]

Paul aka Sean, my mother checked out your comments over the weekend.

Her response?

"Oh, this man has issues. What's his problem? He's sick."

We've pleaded with you to get some help.

Please consider doing that, Paul.

[ryan charisma]

My miserable life?

shut the fuck up.

[John Howard]

sean, do you think it is a good thing or a bad thing that scientists are working on same-sex conception? Do you think it should be allowed or prohibited?

[sean]

prohibited

[ryan charisma]

John Howard,

You found your match! Another bigot.
Go to town together, just get out of here.

[sean]

not your call Ryan

Stay out of it

[John]

All around the nation and the world, people are forming families of all different types and makeups. And each new family is taking advantage of whatever legal arrangements that are available to them. Many of these families are raising children, some acquired by natural birth, some by surrogate, some by adoption and some by ART.

In every case people are motivated by a strong desire to form a functional family.

And SeanPaul and Gordon and John Howard are sitting at the bar yelling, "Wait a minute, nobody has asked me for permission, this cannot stand."

[sean]

"And SeanPaul and Gordon and John Howard are sitting at the bar yelling, "Wait a minute, nobody has asked me for permission, this cannot stand."

damn straight, don't muck with the culture without the culture's approval or you will be suspect and ridiculed and minimilized.

[John]

We do not ask your permission.

Fortunately as in most culture war issues, you don't even get a vote.

[ryan charisma]

So once again,

Sean (Paul - let's not pretend anymore?)

Shut the fuck up.

[Lula]

Ahhhhh, the true motivation for your being here surfaces yet again, Mr. Jamieson:

"ridiculed and minimilized"

This is precisely the lack of humanity, of decency, about which I wrote in my column, THE ELLEN AND ENDA CONNECTION, everyone.

[sean]

ridiculed and minimilized for good reason - you are moonbat wackos

[Lula]

Paul, does it occur to you even for AN INSTANT that your hostile posts only support the observations I make in my column?

In essence, you're helping our cause by proving my point each and every time you post.