As if Vermont needs kicking when we’re busy helping each other recover from the damage of Tropical Storm Irene … Vermont’s R.U.12? LGBTQ Community Center has sent around an alert that the folks from Westboro, Kansas Baptist Church are planning to picket with the usual epithets at the State House in Montpelier TOMORROW, Labor Day, 2011.
Their message seems to be that Irene’s damage was retribution from an angry god because Vermont recognizes same-sex marriage.
As Vermont’s LGBT community center and advocacy organization, we wanted to alert the community that we’ve received news that the Westboro Baptist Church is coming to Montpelier with their “God Hates Fags” and anti-Semitic messages on Labor Day, Monday September 5th. (Read More About Their Visit Here: http://bit.ly/n2W6Si). This isn’t the first time that the WBC has come to Vermont to spread words of bigotry and intolerance, but this time their scheduled protest comes at a time when our region is recovering from a natural disaster, proclaiming that the loss of lives is proof that God punishes those permitting same-sex marriage.
The RU12? Community Center staff and board are encouraging folks to avoid giving this hateful group the attention they are seeking. Instead of participating in an in-person counter protest in Montpelier, we are asking the community to consider directing their focus towards helping Vermont recover from the devastating storm last week. By getting involved in the recovery efforts, we can turn this hate filled message into something positive for our communities. […][emphasis added]
You can also counter the Westboro Baptist Church’s message by helping Vermont LGBT organizations end hate and build community: Pledge a dime, a quarter, a dollar or two dollars, (or however much you can!) to the RU12? Community Center, Outright Vermont, or Vermont Fund For Families for every minute WBC is picketing in Vermont.Email these groups with your name, phone number, mailing address, and the amount per minute you’d like to pledge at TheCenter@ru12.org, info@outrightvt.org, or info@vermontfundforfamilies.org.
You can donate directly on the Network for Good website:
Outright Vermont: http://bit.ly/nf43NV
RU12? Community Center: http://bit.ly/nOJNR3
Then again, after Irene, the WBC’s hateful bloviating is pretty pathetic. Too bad we couldn’t capture the hot air to dry out a few basements.
God is none too fond of the Westboro Baptist Church! It’s predicted to be quite a bell-ringer of a blow.
May their wellingtons fill to the brim and their umbrellas all turn inside-out.
Great idea to fight hate with love and construction action.
I just received a phone call offering the help of the good folks at Calgary Baptist Church, a congregation from someplace down south. There are many-dozens of Christian church groups from all over the country offering to help Vermont and our neighboring states. Let’s remember the people of the Westboro Baptist Church are an aberration, and don’t represent the thinking of most Christian groups.
would anyone give a crap??? If we and all others could just ignore them….. maybe they would seek attention other places…. like a fungus… oh wait, nevermind…
All the WBC needs to do to get the media to show up is call their gathering a “tea party rally,” even if it’s only two people.
“Well, aren’t you all SPECIAL! Is it perhaps because this Blog is run by SATAN?! I just got done warning Snarky Boy and now I’m warning you–I’ll be back soon, and no matter how many Gay Police and State Troopers Vermont has, I will bring God’s Message to those few remaining Vermonters who have doubts about the Path Of Pre-Version they have taken, including all those Sheep Farmers. And don’t think you can convert me to your abhorrent way of life. I will be wearing my surgical mask, which I always wear when I visit Vermont, because Our Church now knows that you Vermonters have created a new strain of Faggotness that is transmitted in the air up there. We must stop you before it spreads. Just because Obama caught it from Michele when she was up there, doesn’t mean we will let the children of America all become contaminated with Vermont’s Green Gayness. Shortly, Our Church will be releasing a Fact Sheet on how the rest of America can protect itself from this new airborne plague from Vermont that has taken hold of the White House and will probably spread next to the NFL now that Football Season is here. Shame on you! Repent!”
LOL..What a rousing speech:)