These people need to get a life!!!

[tucker342]

Topeka Baptists plan to protest at play's opening

Gigi Wood
Iowa City Press-Citizen

A group that inspired characters in a play set to open this weekend will be in town to protest the production.

Members of the Topeka, Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church have been traveling across the country to protest "The Laramie Project," which opens Friday at the Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St.

The play is based on a community's varying reactions to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student who was gay. The play includes a character based on Westboro church leader Fred Phelps.

The church opposes homosexuality, claiming the lifestyle goes against Bible teachings. They plan to picket the April 12 and 13 performances. They picketed a March 15 performance at Cornell College in Mount Vernon.

Shirley Phelps-Ropers, an attorney for the church, called "The Laramie Project" a "divine irony." She said the protest likely will be quiet, with church members offering their views on homosexuality.

"People are going to see this play, but they are also getting our message," said Phelps-Rogers, who has not seen the play but watched parts of the made-for-TV movie.

The church issued a press release last week that targeted the University of Iowa, UI President David Skorton and law enforcement, saying the groups coerce children "into believing it's OK to be gay."

UI spokesman Steve Parrott said the school's human rights policy - promising equality regardless of sexual orientation or other classification - is an adequate response to the church.

Jody Hovland, director of the Riverside production, said she respects the church's First Amendment rights to picket the play.

"At the same time," she said, "it's a chance for others to assert an equally strong but more positive message."


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Now I respect their right to protest, but give me a break! People like this really piss me off!

[sabotai]

*shakes head*

[JPhillips]

Phelps is a jackass that spends far too much of his time searching for cameras and controversy. With all of his national travel, I can't imagine he does a good job of tending his flock.

[sterlingice]

Yeah, Fred Phelps spends a large amount of time here in Lawrence protesting, I dunno, the wind or somerhing. Pay no heed to him and he'll just go away or do something to stir people up like a child who is being ignored.

SI