Buzz
The devastating 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, which claimed three lives and injured hundreds, has once again spotlighted one of the most reviled organizations globally. The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC), based in Topeka, Kansas, has gained notoriety for protesting the funerals of American soldiers, aiming to highlight their extreme anti-LGBTQ stance.
Thousands are mobilizing to counter their actions; they’ve already faced cyberattacks, and tensions are escalating as they prepare to spread their hateful rhetoric. Here are ten shocking facts to help you understand one of the most infamous groups on the planet:
10. They Gained Notoriety Through Heartbreak
Founded in 1955 by Fred Phelps, the Westboro Baptist Church remained largely unknown for years, with its members holding signs at events like gay pride parades. The group typically consists of a few dozen members, primarily relatives of its leaders.
They gained global attention after appearing at the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student brutally murdered for being gay. At the funeral, they handed out leaflets stating: “It’s too late to save Matthew Shepard from the sinful and shameful life he was led into by a corrupt and depraved society. Anyone who claims ‘It’s OK to be gay’ bears responsibility for his death.”
9. They Have a Strange Vendetta Against Swedish Vacuum Cleaners
In 2005, the WBC staged one of their most absurd protests outside a Topeka appliance store, targeting the sale of Swedish vacuum cleaners. This protest was a reaction to Sweden’s prosecution of Åke Green, a Pentecostal pastor arrested for anti-gay hate speech. Although Green was initially sentenced to a month in jail, he was later cleared of charges. It’s uncertain if he appreciated the WBC’s backing.
8. They’re Hypocrites
The WBC’s pledge turned out to be empty, as they failed to show up at Jobs’ funeral. Notably, the iPhone features numerous religious applications, such as “Confession: A Roman Catholic App,” which received official approval from the Catholic Church.
7. They Have a Musical Side
Following Michael Jackson’s death in June 2009, the WBC swiftly declared their intention to protest his funeral, posting on their website: “We will be there to remind you to Thank God for the demise of this impure, adulterous, idol-worshipping, gender-confused, nationality-confused, ungrateful brute.” As part of their demonstration, they created a song titled “God Hates the World,” a parody of Jackson’s iconic charity anthem “We Are the World.” Surprisingly, I couldn’t find a copy of it online.
6. Their Opponents Are Also Musical
In addition to funerals, the WBC demonstrates at numerous public events, such as Kansas City Chiefs games, music concerts, and even Comic-Con (where they protested comic book fans for idolizing fictional superheroes).
On September 16, 2011, they arrived in Kansas City, Missouri, to demonstrate against a concert by the rock band Foo Fighters. In a brilliant counter-protest, the band arrived on a flatbed truck dressed in homoerotic outfits and performed a spontaneous rendition of their song “Keep It Clean,” which carries strong LGBTQ themes. Dave Grohl, the band’s lead singer, paused during the performance to deliver a powerful message of equality.
5. The Supreme Court Sided With Them
Following the WBC’s protest at the funeral of Marine Matthew Snyder in March 2006, the Snyder family filed a lawsuit against them for defamation and privacy violation. Initially, the court awarded the Snyder family $10.9 million in damages, but subsequent legal proceedings reduced the amount.
A federal appeals court later reversed the decision entirely, stating that the WBC’s actions were protected under the constitutional right to free speech. Additionally, the court mandated the Snyder family to cover the WBC’s legal fees of $16,000. Public donations covered the costs, but the legal conflict continued until March 2, 2011, when the Supreme Court upheld the WBC’s rights, affirming their actions were protected by the First Amendment.
4. Canada and the UK Prohibited Them
In August 2008, 22-year-old Tim McLean was traveling on a Greyhound bus to Winnipeg when he was horrifically killed. Upon learning the WBC intended to protest his funeral, the Canadian government acted quickly, barring them from entering the country. Several church members were detained while attempting to cross the border at Niagara Falls.
The UK adopted similar actions when the WBC declared they would protest a performance of The Laramie Project at Queen Mary’s College, specifically denying entry to the Phelps family. The Laramie Project is a play centered on the tragic story of Matthew Shepard.
3. Even the KKK Despises Them
Established after the American Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan has been notorious for nearly 150 years as one of the most despicable hate groups globally. However, even the infamous Klan finds the actions of the Westboro Church repugnant, particularly their protests at soldiers’ funerals. Many KKK members, including “Imperial Wizard” Dennis LaBonte, are veterans themselves and have attended funerals to counter-protest the WBC, often distributing small American flags while maintaining a discreet presence.
2. They Have Interesting Neighbors
In March 2013, the WBC was taken aback when a neighboring house was painted in a bold rainbow design. The Equality House, owned by Aaron Jackson, is part of his organization, Planting Peace, which focuses on creating a better world through orphanages, environmental conservation, and promoting tolerance.
As stated on their website, “The [Equality] House symbolizes equality, peace, and positive change” and serves as “the hub for all Planting Peace initiatives focused on equality and anti-bullying.” The organization recently welcomed a surprising addition: Fred Phelps’ granddaughter, Libby, who left the WBC’s hateful ideology years ago.
1. They’ve Provoked the Anger of Hackers
Anonymous is a collective of “hacktivists,” often seen as digital vigilantes. They are renowned for targeting anti-piracy legislation, corruption, sexual predators, and oppressive religious groups like Scientology. Their influence is extensive; they’ve breached systems belonging to the FBI, the US Department of Justice, major credit card firms, and various federal governments.
