Tired of being assaulted by the loud, fluorescent signs of the Phelps family? Mark May 1st on your calendars; it’s the 3rd annual Million Fag March.

Several years ago, organizer Chris Love was venting his frustration over the Phelps’ homophobic, obamaphobic, easterbunnyphobic, everythingphobic picketing fetish, when a lightbulb appeared over his head.

“Someone should protest them and see how they like it!” he exclaimed.

In opposition to the Phelps’ negative, intolerate message, the Million Fag March promotes a message of love and acceptance, times 500.

“What suprises me more than the turnout – hundreds and hundreds of people – is how many backgrounds they all come from,” Love says.

Regardless of sexual orientation, political viewpoint, religion, age or race, the attitude of this march is unanimous – a peaceful expression of tolerance for uniqueness, and intolerance for the antics of the members of the Westboro Baptist Church.

“For as angry as people are at the Phelps, they’re really kind of happy at the event,” Love muses.  “There’s no pitchforks or torches, but lots of cheering and joking and people making friends.  We’re counterracting bad mojo with good mojo.”

The Million Fag March starts at 2pm on May 1 at the Gage Park ampitheatre.  After a speech by estranged son Nate Phelps, the group will proceed to 10th and Gage, just a few blocks from the Westboro Baptist Church, carrying a powerful message.

Want to help make the message a little more fluorescent?  Dress loudly, make your own signs and tell your friends.

[Melissa Sewell | image courtesy Chris Love | April 2010]