Gay Hating Church is a No-Show

By Justin Foss, Reporter

Tools

By Justin Foss

Story Created: Jan 15, 2010 at 10:52 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 15, 2010 at 10:52 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS – A standing room only crowd greeted the latest show at Theatre Cedar Rapids. It’s just that crowd was standing across the parking lot and on the other side of the street.

Friday night ushered in the premier of The Laramie Project, a play based on the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard. Shepard was killed in the town of Laramie, Wyoming back in 1998. His attackers beat him and tied him to a fence because he was gay.

This week, the Westboro Baptist Church announced plans to picket and protest the production. A post on their website said, "We will picket your filthy, goofy "theatrical production" of the Laramie Project." Westboro is known for protesting and picketing at military funerals and other events, taking an anti-gay stance.

When Tyler Heisen heard that Westboro was planning on picketing, he and hundreds of others from Cedar Rapids showed up to counter the protest.

"Because I'm Christian, I am gay, and there's nothing wrong with that,” said Heisen.

Despite the strong gay rights undertones, the show’s message isn’t about gay rights.

"The message is love,” said Rob Merritt of Theatre Cedar Rapids.

Theatre Cedar Rapids started planning the show last year, around the tenth anniversary of Shepard's death.

"We thought it was a powerful script, we had never done it before, we thought it’s a good story and the timing seemed right with the anniversary,” said Merritt.

People supporting the show and the show's message gathered for what was supposed to be a counter-protest, but when Westboro supporters never showed up, the evening turned into a sign of solidarity.

The hundreds of people standing in the snow across from Lindale Mall came, mostly, because they heard about the event on the internet.

"This goes beyond gay rights, beyond gay marriage, what we're here to stand up against is plain and simple hatred,” said Kimberli Maloy, one of the many demonstrators.

Merritt said because of all the hype this week, the theatre has sold a lot of tickets. But, more are still available and the show runs this weekend and next weekend.

Next Article Cedar Rapids Student Talks to Parents About Being Bullied

Conversation Guidelines

Be Kind

Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.

Share Knowledge

Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.

Stay focused

Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.

Report Trouble

Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.

read the full guidelines here »

Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.