-Tanner Schubert
***The writer is enrolled in Comm 240.***
There has been a buzz around the Fort Hays State University campus over the past month regarding Westboro Baptist Church’s announcement that members are coming to picket graduation exercises at FHSU on May 17. Westboro has announced it is picketing 12 graduations this May in two different states, 11 in Kansas and one in Colorado.
Westboro Baptist Church is located in Topeka. It has become nationally known for its belief that homosexuality should not be tolerated. Its members picket funerals of military personnel because they believe that God is punishing the United States for its tolerance of homosexuality.
According to the church’s website, “WBC will picket the Fort Hays State University graduation to remind this nation that the universities teach nothing but fag lies and promote filth in place of an edifying educational experience.”
The church is funded by its members’ donations and by lawsuits the church has won against those accused of assaulting Westboro members or damaging their property while the church members are staging protests.
“The protest and counter-protest area will be along Gustad Drive, between Dwight and South Campus,” said Josh Fleenor, officer with campus police.
Graduating seniors said they intend to focus on graduation and not worry about the protests going on outside.
“I’m proud to be graduating from FHSU. I’m just disappointed that those people are coming to town and are going to have an effect on the commencement ceremonies,” said Dale Northrup, Jetmore senior.
“May 17 the class of 2014 is ready to celebrate their academic accomplishments, not their sexual achievements. Commencement is a ceremony that allows individuals to be acknowledged for all of the accomplishments…to earn a college degree,” said James Courtney, Jetmore senior.
“WBC can’t ruin something that we have been working on all our lives. Let them come. It won’t affect the outcome of us reaching another milestone in all of our lives,” said Clint Goebel, Jetmore senior.