I realized, that I could, theoretically, proclaim that I angered the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) to the point where they picketed my former high school.
The infamous Kansas unaffiliated Baptist church gains national attention for their anti-LGBT messages, protesting against positive sexuality and gender identity events, and even picketing fallen soldier funerals, claiming that their deaths are God punishing the U.S. for allowing gay people to live in the country. And on Nov. 10, they came to my school.
Last year, I was a senior at Rockville High School (RHS). I was the Online Editor-in-Chief of the student publication. I wrote an article about aromanticism and heavily assisted with the writing of an abusive relationships profile piece. I was also the president of the school’s GSA (which has since been renamed the Sexuality and Gender Alliance, or SAGA), filled an officer position for the feminism club and assistant directed two musicals, one of which was the school edition of Rent.
WBC tagged our student publication via Twitter with their reasoning for picketing RHS. The gist of it, ignoring their confusing rhetoric, was that the students were getting disconnected with the idea of marriage being between a man and woman, that we were exploring our desires too much, and that we talked too much about empowerment. They also cited the anxiety, depression, and suicidal gestures that some students wrote or were interviewed about.
If I hadn’t uploaded all the articles they cited as our ungodliness, or if I hadn’t had such a visceral hand in all of these events and articles, WBC would not have known about the amazing things that happen in my former school.
I could not return home to see WBC protest “my legacy” left on the school, but I had my friends give me updates. Only three people from the church showed up. Some parents were there to counter protest. The principal contacted the police, who made sure things didn’t get out of hand. The church nearby put out colored tablecloths to make a rainbow.
The school day continued like any other day, but all the students and staff were encouraged to wear orange and black, the school colors. The SAGA was selling ally wristbands. They also had people sign “Ally Pledges” to declare their support, which were hung in the windows of the school in the shape of a heart.
I told my mom all this on the phone, and said that when I was a freshman, this kind of support would not have happened. She responded with “You had a part in that, you know. You made it this way.”
Maybe I should have realized that. But seeing the impact I had to improve the quality of life for the students really shook me. I’m attending college six and a half hours away, but going to RHS is still such a huge part of who I am. I’m honored that I was able to make such a difference.
Despite all of this, I know I’m no longer a student. But I am beyond proud of the current students supporting one another and prioritizing the safety and comfort of the LGBT students. I’m so grateful to have helped while I could have and I’m even more blessed to be able to see how these young leaders change the school and the community for the better.
