“If the reports of Fred Phelps’ declining health are accurate, then his family and friends are certainly saying their good-byes and preparing to mourn his loss. We ask that everyone understand the solemnity of the occasion, and honor the right of his family and friends to remember and mourn his loss in private without interruption or unseemly celebration.”
–— Sandra Meade, chairwoman of Equality Kansas, quoted in the group’s press release regarding the reported imminent death of Fred Phelps, whose Westboro Baptist Church specialized in harassing the private funerals of military veterans while hurling any gay slurs.
Exactly. Seldom has the temptation to yield to tit-for-tat tactics been more powerful. Seldom has the ethical duty to reject that temptation been more clear.
Topeka, Kans – Equality Kansas (formerly the Kansas Equality Coalition) today urged members of the Kansas, United States, and worldwide LGBT communities to respect the privacy of the family of Fred W. Phelps, notorious pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church.
“If the reports of Fred Phelps’ declining health are accurate, then his family and friends are certainly saying their good-byes and preparing to mourn his loss,” said Sandra Meade, chairwoman of Equality Kansas. “We ask that everyone understand the solemnity of the occasion, and honor the right of his family and friends to remember and mourn his loss in private without interruption or unseemly celebration,” Meade said.
Social media discussions of the swiftly declining health of the 84-year old pastor were widespread on Sunday, March 16, after a Facebook post by Nathan Phelps, the estranged son of Fred Phelps.
“For over 20 years, Phelps and the members of his Topeka-based church have harassed the grieving families of LGBT Kansans and others,” said Thomas Witt, executive director of Equality Kansas. “He and his followers showed utter disregard for the privacy and grief of others for many years. This is our moment as a community to rise above the sorrow, anger, and strife he sowed, and to show the world we are caring and compassionate people who respect the privacy and dignity of all,” Witt said.
Equality Kansas asks that its members, supporters and allies refrain from protests or demonstrations should reports of Phelps’ imminent passing prove true.
“Our focus must remain on our mission: ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity,” Meade said.
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Pointer: Rick Jones
Graphics: hrexach
Ethics Alarms 
Nope. I’m wearing a sundress to picket the funeral, and I make no promises about peeing on the grave after the crowd disperses.
Do send photos!
Peeing on the grave is a bit third world, don’t you think?
What, I’m not shitting on it…
I’m not a fucking animal…
One of my favorite games: Tell the joke that goes with the punchline. The test: “What kind of pervert do you think I am?”
The Walking Nude?
The Naked Dead*
Gads what a failure on my part…
Ah! I wondered what that meant!
Frankly I’m saving my “peeing on a grave” for when Jane Fonda dies, and then I’ll do it every day. As for Phelps, he is so inconsequential, that if he was on fire, I wouldn’t walk across the street to pee on him.
Do women pee on graves, or is that just a guy thing?
I’ve never even heard of doing that if that’s any clue.
I’m not. I was in the Army and when I got out, I promised myself I would never stand in line again.
“He and his followers showed utter disregard for the privacy and grief of others for many years. This is our moment as a community to rise above the sorrow, anger, and strife he sowed, and to show the world we are caring and compassionate people who respect the privacy and dignity of all,”
That would be classy and impressive.
Prediction: It won’t happen
Well, we already know what Scott is planning…
Not being an addressee of Ms Meade’s request, I will patiently wait my turn to duplicate Scott’s honoring of the departed. Call it Third world if you will, but what better response to a third world operation.
Too bad there is no way to see the expression on Freddie’s face when St. Peter hits the down button….
Haha, wait until you see what I have planned when Jimmuh Cartuh kicks the bucket!
RE how his family is treating him… http://cjonline.com/news/2014-03-17/elders-excommunicate-phelps-after-power-struggle-call-kindness-within-church .
I’m coming in late on this. Did Scott actually wear his sundress to the funeral? Did he perform rude actions there?! Can I have his panties??!!
Sadly, I wasn’t able to go to the funeral…
I’ll be peeing on the grave, however, on a future trip through Kansas…