The Roanoke Times

Printed Sept. 26, 2000

By CODY LOWE
THE ROANOKE TIMES

As the Roanoke Valley proceeds with its mourning of Danny Overstreet, killed Friday in the Backstreet Cafe, some familiar signs will be visible at his funeral and vigil.

"God hates fags."

"AIDS cures fags."

"No tears for queers."

The Rev. Fred Phelps and his family from Topeka, Kan., "have got our bags packed" for a trip to Roanoke, he said Monday. The luggage will include the signs that have become a familiar sight in recent years at the funerals of gays and at gay pride events around the country.

Phelps, pastor of a small Primitive Baptist church, says the Bible teaches that God hates some sinners, as well as the sins they commit.

His Web site defends the practice of picketing at funerals as a way "to warn the people who are still living that unless they repent, they will likewise perish. When people go to funerals, they have thoughts of mortality, heaven, hell, eternity, etc., on their minds. It's the perfect time to warn them of things to come. Is it mean, hateful, uncompassionate, etc.? I'm sure it is, according to your standards. However, according to my standards, it would be infinitely more mean, hateful, uncompassionate, etc., to keep my mouth shut and not warn you that you, too, will soon have to face God."

Phelps also is motivated by political concerns, arguing against the passage of hate-crime laws. "We say all crimes are the same, all victims ought to be treated the same."

"We've been victims lots of times" of vandals who have attacked his church and counter-protesters, he said, but "they don't call that a hate crime."

In Seattle recently, Phelps said it took 100 police officers to protect him and other pickets from a hostile crowd.

"That would be all the city needs for that guy to show up," said Lt. William Althoff, head of the Roanoke City Police Department's criminal investigations division.

Police here have been monitoring Phelps' Web site.

Phelps said he will have a lawyer meet with police before he pickets to impress on them the need for protection.

Roanoke police plan to have uniformed officers and plainclothes detectives at the vigils and the funeral, Althoff said.

"We have concern for the victims and his family," Althoff said. "We want the gay community to know we're not there to spy on them; we're there to ensure their safety. We're aware and concerned about copycat crimes."

Police spokeswoman Shelly Alley, talking about the events planned by the gay community, added: "Whatever we can do to accommodate them this week, we'll do."

The Rev. Jerry Falwell called Phelps "another idiot" in an interview Monday in which he condemned the killing of Overstreet.

"It is a terrible thing when a bigot or even a deranged person because of his hatred sets out to hurt another human being." If shooting suspect Ronald Gay "is not deranged, I'm sure he will be penalized to the full extent of the law, which in my opinion should be execution."

Falwell said the shooting does not increase the urgency for continued talks such as those he had with gay rights advocates, led by the Rev. Mel White, last fall.

"I don't think for a moment that the man who pulled the trigger had just left a Billy Graham crusade," Falwell said.

"Preaching against the sin of homosexuality is the responsibility of every minister who takes the Bible seriously. . . . I don't believe preaching God's truth in love ever engenders violence."

Falwell "is a media genius," White said. "He knows the answer for every question, but they're the wrong answers."

White was a ghost writer for Falwell and other evangelical Christian leaders until he acknowledged his homosexuality. With his partner, he now directs an organization called SoulForce advocating nonviolent passive resistance to bring attention to gay and lesbian concerns.

"I'm glad Fred Phelps is going to be there with those sickening, revolting, hateful signs. At least in Fred Phelps we see what Jerry Falwell is really like at heart. . . . At least Phelps is honest enough to be open and not hide behind a patina of self-righteousness.

"We need Phelps to hold up his signs to see what we are really up against.

"I sat down with him for an hour and a half one time," White said. "He believes every word on those signs, that if he doesn't shake us loose, we'll not find the kingdom of heaven.

"I'm hoping like everything that we won't hurt Fred Phelps, take our anger out on him, and make him a martyr."

Staff writer Kimberly O'Brien contributed information to this report.

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