Daily Iowan

Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Metro

At first glance, it would seem the crowd gathered around two men holding signs reading "Born that way? Get born again" and "Outlaw homosexual acts" on the T. Anne Cleary Walkway Wednesday were in favor of the anti-gay messages scrawled on the large, white posters.

But as passersby stopped to listen, it became clear that the audience was confronting the protesters, not supporting them.

Among the 20 or so counter-protesters, UI students Justin Dewey and Preston Moore stood facing the crowd in front of the two banner holders. Moore held a piece of paper that read "gay and proud" while Dewey wore buttons supporting gays and denouncing hate.

"Doesn't the Bible say God does not judge?" asked Sarah Kray, a counter-protester who sat on a bench next to Dewey and Moore.

"Not for me," said the first man holding the sign, the only one who answered questions. When this response sparked more debate, he pronounced that he was a saint, and therefor he could judge.

"I am Saint Dan," he said.

Counter-protesters turned to Bibles to denounce the anti-gay men.

Some reading, others reciting from heart, they challenged the two. Contrasting the Old Testament passages cited by the protesters with New Testament verses, the counter-protesters attempted to explain the words used against the gays.

But the debate seemed to be emotional on more than just those involved.

Emily Fredrichs was walking by when she saw the signs and stopped.

Although "it takes a lot to come up to them," when she saw her friends, the gay community, Fredrichs said she had to walk over.

"I come from an area that this kind of thing was prevalent," she said. "It kind of brings back bad memories when I see these guys. I started shaking when I saw them."

Throughout the afternoon the anti-gay protesters spoke about issues from "homosexual behavior" to natural disasters and how they were connected.

"He told us earlier that the Twin Towers were hit because of the gay people on the plane," said Nichole Britton, a member of the crowd. "He also said that Iowa City was hit by the tornado because of the two abortion clinics in town, and that it is a wicked city," she added.

At one point, another woman came up to talk to Moore and Dewey- who were still standing their ground - and tried to remind them about what God said in the Bible but was sent away by the onlooker's words.

"You know what I say?" Moore said. "I love cock, and I love men."

As the picketers started to pack up, they left with a crowd of people cheering and clapping from behind calling "May God bless all of you."

"Their existence is so trivial," said a remaining counter-protester, Cory Ashby. "There's nothing better than to ignore them. Of course, I didn't: That's emotion for you."

E-mail DI reporter Lauren Skiba at:
lauren-skiba@uiowa.edu

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