Hundreds Show Support For Gay Rights At Geneva Church

GENEVA, IL — Hundreds showed up at the First Congregational Church of Geneva on Hamilton Street on Sunday to protect the parishioners from anti-gay activists, according to reports.

The Kane County Chronicle reported a St. Charles couple, Tim Webb and his husband Rory Zimny, were at the gathering which was meant to protect the church which had been targeted for its welcoming of the LGBTQ community.

"We just feel it's important," Webb said, according to the Chronicle. About 300 people were in attendance of the event of support and solidarity.

Church officials had reported that their members were being accosted by an anti-gay group, an act which prompted the gathering.

Brenda Engelhardt, of St. Charles, noted the current political climate's fixation on divisive topics. "We are in a time where our president endorses division. He endorses hate – and that is not what our family believes; that is not what our community believes,” she said.

Engelhardt doesn't attend the First Congregational Church of Geneva. "I don’t necessarily know these people, but I know what they are doing is right,” the Chronicle reported her as saying.

Article image public domain via Pixabay