Monday, June 28, 1999

Crusader outed from his hotel

By CHRISTA DELANEY, Ottawa Sun

Anti-gay crusader Pastor Fred Phelps and his group of gay-hating crusaders are hiding behind aliases after a local hotel cancelled their reservation.

The group is expected to descend on the Supreme Court this morning to protest the recent decision granting equal rights to gay and lesbian couples.

The hotel cancellation has irked Shirley Phelps-Roper, a lawyer who works alongside her father at the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. "Canadians are hypocrites -- saying that you won't discriminate against gays and then discriminating against us because of our religion."

The dozen protesters may have to cancel some plans of their own as rain may force them to abandon plans to torch the Canadian flag.

(Note: It's the first time in weeks that Ottawa has had significant rainfall. Apparently God really wants him to succeed. - Joe)

"They'll be there but they'll be leaving their options of what to do open," said Phelps-Roper yesterday afternoon from Topeka.

Regional police are on alert in case the protest -- scheduled from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. -- turns ugly.

In response to the Phelps' protest, a noon-time vigil has been organized by Equality for Gays and Lesbians Everywhere (EGALE) and has received support from local politicians, church groups and organizations.

The Ottawa demonstration is Phelps' second stop in Canada. He also planned to demonstrate at yesterday's Gay Pride parade in Toronto.

EGALE executive director John Fisher, who participated in the Gay Pride parade, said he saw no sign of Phelps. "If he was there, he had no impact on the celebration."