Home Secretary asked to ban God Hates Fags protesters
A Conservative MP has written to the Home Secretary about a threatened protest in her constituency by an American fundamentalist group.
Westboro Baptist Church, a tiny sect based in Kansas, often picket funerals in the US. They claim God is punishing the world because homosexuality is tolerated.
The group claimed on their website GodHatesFags.com that they would be protesting at a performance of a gay-themed play in Basingstoke on Friday.
Maria Miller, MP for Basingstoke, has contacted the Home Secretary after she received emails from concerned constituents.
A spokesperson for Ms Miller told PinkNews.co.uk that she has “passed on her constituents requests” that members of the Westboro Baptist Church be denied entry into the UK.
The ‘picket schedule’ on their website lists a performance of The Laramie Project in Basingstoke on Friday.
The play is a chronicle of the life of the town of Laramie, Wyoming the year after the murder of a gay man, Matthew Shepard.
WBC first came to prominence when they picketed Mr Shepard’s funeral with placards proclaiming “God Hates Fags.”
“In Merry Old England they plan to further enrage the Living God by putting on the farce known commonly as The Laramie Project,” WBC said on its website.
“We will picket them, and see if they actually believe those lies they tell about how tolerant and accepting Brits are.
“God Hates England; Your Queen Is A Whore; You Hate God; God Hates You; You’re Going to Hell; Matt Is In Hell; Hell Is Real Ask Matt; God Hates Fags (Buggers); Obey God, etc.
“Some of the best Bible preaching in the history of the world came out of that dark dismal land, but now it is full of all abominations!
“God will shortly destroy the UK and the world, but not until they have gotten the plain, clear message so that they will be WITHOUT EXCUSE!”
A spokesperson for WBC told a British newspaper that they are planning to picket. However, the group has previously promised to protest in Canada, Australia and Sweden, but did not show up.
Ms Miller MP said in a statement:
“The Laramie Project is a serious play with a serious message.
“It is completely unacceptable for Westboro Baptist Church or any other organisation to incite homophobic hatred in this way. There is no room for this type of intimidation in our community.
“Queen Mary’s College (venue for the student production) has already taken action to safeguard the planned performances and the police will continue to closely monitor the situation.”