| 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. |
