Westboro Baptist Comes to Portland information to follow
So there is going to be a counter protest! I am planning on being there who is with me!
On Monday, November 24th, the Westboro Baptist Church will be setting up across
from the Portland State University campus at SW 13th & Market from
7:30-8:30am to protest the PSU Queer Resource Center, the inclusion of sexual
orientation and gender identity in PSU?s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination
Policy, and PSU?s gender-neutral
bathrooms.
The PSU Queer Resource Center honors Freedom of Speech ? the concept of being
able to speak freely without censorship. We also recognize that the Westboro
Baptist Church and their message of ?God Hates Fags? may be disturbing and evoke
an emotional response. Freedom of speech allows us to engage in a dialogue about
sexual and gender identity, and the QRC strongly encourages PSU students to do
so.
In response to Westboro Baptist Church?s protest, the Queer Resource Center
will be hosting a counter demonstration at SW 12th & Market to showcase the
PSU and Portland community?s support of GLBTQ individuals. People are invited to
congregate at the PSU Queer Resource Center (in room 401 of the Smith Building
at 1825 SW Broadway) starting at 7am on Monday, and at 7:15 we will walk down to
the site together. At the counter demonstration, there will be resources about
how to advocate for the rights of
sexual and gender minorities, listening tables
for people who need to talk about their reaction to the protest, and
opportunities to connect with other individuals who are saddened by the mission
and values of the Westboro Baptist Church. We will also be accepting donations
on behalf of SMYRC, Portland?s Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center.
We highly encourage students to not fuel the negativity of the Westboro Baptist
Church by engaging in their protest. There are more constructive ways to combat
homophobia in our society. If you have more questions about how to get involved,
please contact the PSU Queer Resource Center at 503-725-9742 or qrc@pdx.edu. For
more information about making a donation to SMYRC, email
favor.ellis@cascadiabhc.org or visit http://www. smyrc. org/give. html.
On Monday, November 24th, the Westboro Baptist Church will be setting up across
from the Portland State University campus at SW 13th & Market from
7:30-8:30am to protest the PSU Queer Resource Center, the inclusion of sexual
orientation and gender identity in PSU?s Equal Opportunity and Nondiscrimination
Policy, and PSU?s gender-neutral
bathrooms.
The PSU Queer Resource Center honors Freedom of Speech ? the concept of being
able to speak freely without censorship. We also recognize that the Westboro
Baptist Church and their message of ?God Hates Fags? may be disturbing and evoke
an emotional response. Freedom of speech allows us to engage in a dialogue about
sexual and gender identity, and the QRC strongly encourages PSU students to do
so.
In response to Westboro Baptist Church?s protest, the Queer Resource Center
will be hosting a counter demonstration at SW 12th & Market to showcase the
PSU and Portland community?s support of GLBTQ individuals. People are invited to
congregate at the PSU Queer Resource Center (in room 401 of the Smith Building
at 1825 SW Broadway) starting at 7am on Monday, and at 7:15 we will walk down to
the site together. At the counter demonstration, there will be resources about
how to advocate for the rights of
sexual and gender minorities, listening tables
for people who need to talk about their reaction to the protest, and
opportunities to connect with other individuals who are saddened by the mission
and values of the Westboro Baptist Church. We will also be accepting donations
on behalf of SMYRC, Portland?s Sexual Minority Youth Resource Center.
We highly encourage students to not fuel the negativity of the Westboro Baptist
Church by engaging in their protest. There are more constructive ways to combat
homophobia in our society. If you have more questions about how to get involved,
please contact the PSU Queer Resource Center at 503-725-9742 or qrc@pdx.edu. For
more information about making a donation to SMYRC, email
favor.ellis@cascadiabhc.org or visit http://www. smyrc. org/give. html.