Anti-gay monument gets ’no’ vote
Decision not to recommend to city unanimous
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Brad Hem
The Idaho Statesman
The Boise Parks and Recreation Commission sent a strong message Monday that anti-gay hate speech is not welcome in city parks.
The commission voted unanimously to recommend the city reject a request from a Topeka, Kan.-based church to build an anti-gay memorial in Julia Davis Park.
Because there is a monument displaying the Ten Commandments in the park, Westboro Baptist Church preacher Fred Phelps asked the city´s permission to install his own monument — a 6-foot granite edifice bearing the name and image of Matthew Shepard. Shepard was a 21-year-old Wyoming college student who died in 1998 five days after he was lured out of a Laramie bar by two men, kidnapped and beaten into a coma. Police said he was targeted in part because he was gay. His attackers were later convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.
Phelps´ monument would say Shepard went to hell because he was gay. Phelps is a nationally known preacher who´s known for his “God hates fags” message and Web site.
The Idaho chapter of American Civil Liberties Union has said allowing the Ten Commandments monument to remain opens the door to other religious monuments.
But commissioners rejected the proposal, saying the language represents “fighting words,” exempting it from First Amendment protection. They also said the monument would go against the park´s master plan, which calls for no loss of net green space. The issue now goes to the City Council for final action. It could be discussed at tonight´s regular council meeting, but it isn´t on the agenda.
Commissioner Bryan Fischer, Community Church of the Valley pastor and local conservative Christian leader, said Phelps´ language is inflammatory and would be rejected by all Boise residents regardless of creed.
“I believe homosexual behavior is destructive,” Fischer said, adding that he would fight “with every fiber of his being” not to embrace it. But he said he would fight with the same fervor to keep Phelps and others from saying God hates homosexuals. “God does not hate homosexuals,” Fischer said. “God loves sinners.”
Shirley Phelps-Roper, attorney for the Westboro church and also Fred Phelps´ daughter, said the church would wait for the City Council to act on the issue before deciding whether to file a discrimination lawsuit. This weekend, there will be at least three protests and rallies related to the issue.
Fischer and other conservative Christians will hold a prayer rally at the Ten Commandments monument. Phelps´ followers will hold a rally against the conservatives because they refuse to join him. And a variety of human rights groups will rally at local Episcopal and Catholic churches that Phelps also has targeted for pickets.
To offer story ideas or comments, contact Brad Hem
bhem@idahostatesman.com or 208-377-6402
Edition Date: 12-09-2003