This past spring, Fred Phelps and his ilk paid a visit to Michigan. They started up in Traverse City and worked their way southward hitting churches and other establishments that are gay-friendly. Several friends and I considered counter-picketing them, but decided that this would only draw attention to his cause and encourage him. There’s nothing a zealot likes better than to feel unjustly oppressed. When they decided to picket a gay bar in East Lansing, the owners of the bar came up with an absolutely brilliant idea: they started a pledge drive. Yep, that’s right. Volunteers solicited pledges that were to be based on the number of hours that Fred’s hate mongers spent picketing the bar. The idea was so successful that at peak hours, Fred’s friends were generating something on the order of $4000 an hour in pledges that went to benefit local gay and lesbian support organizations. Phelps usually pickets for about 6 hours.
Just think about the beauty of this idea. Phelps is opposed in a way that must be completely maddening to him. He actually becomes a fund raiser for the very people that he claims God hates. He doesn’t get the satisfaction of feeling persecuted or the sense that he’s struck a blow for righteousness. He gains no attention because the people who opposed him didn’t create enough fuss to attract media attention. And the best part, the very best part is that the people who opposed him didn’t have to sink to his level. They did something completely positive about this vicious old bigot.
So why am I telling you? Simple. Phelps announces his schedule of protests on his website. You can find out when he’s coming to your area months in advance. I’m telling you this so that you can spread the idea. Contact the people who are scheduled to be picketed. Tell them about the pledge drive idea. Help organize it if you can. Maybe we can stop a hate monger before he hurts more people. Interested? Want more details or even my help? E-mail me.
-LabRat