Topeka KS

The purpose of Planting Peace’s project “is to counter the actions of hate groups… with love and compassion

Advocates on both sides of the issue and the border Wednesday noted the sharp contrast in the neighboring governors’ responses in the form of executive orders the day before.

Equality House, located across the street from the Westboro Baptist Church compound, home to anti-gay extremists famous for their “Gods Hate Fags” protests, celebrated its second anniversary over the weekend with one big smooch.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Organizers behind the website “God Loves Gay People” and the Facebook page “The Facebook God,” have erected a billboard Topeka, Kan. — home to the virulently anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church — proclaiming that “God Loves Gays.” The billboard, located about 3 miles southeast of the Westboro Baptist Church compound, is the product of …

TOPEKA, Kan. — Topeka’s new domestic partner registry was viewed as a significant victory for the city’s LGBT community when it was approved by the city council last week, but most employers say there will be little to no effect on workplace benefits.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka City Council approved two ordinances aimed at reducing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

MOORE, Okla. — If members of the Topeka-Kan.-based Westboro Baptist Church thought they’d find a friendly reception in nearby Oklahoma, they were mistaken. In fact, when church members brought their “God hates fags” and “God hates America” protest to Moore, Okla., on Sunday, they were met by an unwelcoming, angry crowd.

TOPEKA, Kan. — Fred Phelps Sr. led his small Topeka church for more than two decades in a bellicose crusade against gays and lesbians, saying they were worthy of death and openly declaring — often at military funerals — that the U.S. was doomed because of its tolerance of homosexuality.

Fred Phelps is dead. Many will celebrate, and many will make comments about picketing his funeral in an eye-for-an-eye retaliation. I will not be among them. I do not respect Fred Phelps, nor do I forgive the pain he inflicted, but I value him. I value what he contributed to the struggle for LGBT equality. I am grateful that because of his presence, millions woke up to understand homophobia better and to confront it…

TOPEKA, Kan. — Anti-gay extremist Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church and the “Gods Hate Fags” fundamentalist movement, has died, according to his son, Timothy Phelps. He was 84.

The Westboro Baptist Church on Sunday responded to media inquiries regarding news reports that founder Fred Phelps was on his death bed, and that he was “ex-communicated” from the church last August.

A few years ago I asked Judy Shepard how she felt about Fred Phelps, the founder of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church which had picketed the funeral of her son Matthew in what was to become the seminal event that put Westboro into the national spotlight. Her answer surprised me. “Oh we love Freddy,” she replied. “If it wasn’t for him there would be no Matthew Shepard.” Judy’s answer to my question illustrates the truth about Fred Phelps…

TOPEKA, Kan. — Anti-gay extremist Fred Phelps, founder of the Westboro Baptist Church and the “Gods Hate Fags” fundamentalist movement, is near death in a local hospice, according to a Facebook post Saturday night by his son Nathan Phelps.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A federal judge has upheld a Missouri law requiring protesters to stay at least a football-field length away from funeral sites, beginning an hour before they start until an hour after the services end.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Westboro Baptist Church, home of the “God hates Fags” movement, found itself with ringside seats to drag show on Saturday, organized by its neighbor, the rainbow painted Equality House.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Topeka City Council has voted to expand the work of the city’s Human Relations Commission to include education about discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

TOPEKA, Kan. — The city council in Topeka, Kan., has scheduled a vote on an anti-discrimination proposal that would amend responsibility of the city’s Human Relations Commission to include “sexual orientation” and “gender identity.”

The Westboro Baptist Church, home of the anti-gay extremists behind the “Gods Hate Fags” and “God hates the World” fundamentalist movement, took to Twitter on Monday evening to blame a bombing attack at the Boston Marathon on the effects of same-sex marriage.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina General Assembly has given final approval to a measure that would impose stronger criminal penalties for people who disrupt funerals or memorial services.

The Westboro Baptist Church, home of anti-gay extremists known for their “Gods hates fags” and “God hates dead soldiers” protests, has received permits to rally in front of courthouses in Towson and Annapolis, Md. on Wednesday, according to police officials.