Dozens Rally Against Anti-Gay Protesters At Geneva Church

GENEVA, IL — Anti-gay activists were at it again Sunday morning, protesting at the First Congressional Church of Geneva, which is accepting to the LGBT community. About seven men were standing on the sidewalk protesting, according to Colin Campbell, a Geneva resident.

"I was hopeful this group wouldn't show up again," Campbell said, according to the Kane County Chronicle. He said he walked up to the group, who asked him if he follows Jesus Christ and gave him a flier that said "Love Kills Pride."

"Thank you very much," Campbell said, and he walked away to call his wife. Five minutes later, supporters of the church and its accepting nature began to arrive in counter-protest to the anti-gay activists.

Within 30 minutes, the Chronicle reported Campbell as saying, there were about 50 people there supporting the church, adding that they hailed from Geneva, Batavia, St. Charles, Elgin, Aurora, Fox Lake, McHenry, Sycamore and DeKalb.

Anti-gay groups made the news in November when church officials reported their parishioners were being accosted. One Sunday morning, about 300 people showed up to protect the church and its members as well as voice their support for a society welcoming of the LGBT community.

Brenda Engelhardt was at the Nov. 26 event. "I don't necessarily know these people, but I know what they are doing is right," the Chronicle reported her as saying.

A St. Charles woman found her pro-LGBT sign on her front lawn, which showed rainbow-colored stripes with the words "Got Love?" on it, defaced with hate symbols and speech. Defiant, she planned on getting another.

Church member Carolyn Fabian told the Chronicle she was at another church that morning for a concert when she got a text about the anti-gay activists. "I never anticipated this level of support," she said.

Fabian said the anti-gay activists were at the first step of the church when the pro-gay citizens were able to force them back. "These guys just made a wall and were chanting 'love wins,' and they backed off all the way to the grass," she said. "We were able to get people into the church OK. It was fantastic."

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