North Central High School Phelps-A-Thon
The Phelps-A-Thon was a HUGE success! We raised $7,700 to split between the North Central High School gay/straight alliance and the Indiana Youth Group.
Congratulations to everyone that made the Phelps-A-Thon a success!
It is not too late to make a contribution to the Phelps-A-Thon. We are sending Fred “God Hates Fags” Phelps a card, telling him how much he raised for LGBT equality. Make a donation today and your amount will be included on that card.
Thank you!
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Fred Phelps’ clan is coming to North Central High School in Indianapolis! The “God Hates Fags
” Westboro Baptist Church is planning to picket the school’s production of The Laramie Project, a play about Matthew Shepard, the young man who was killed in an anti-gay hate-crime.
The Westboro Baptist Church wrote on their website, “Matt is STILL in hell, deal with it.” Fred Phelps and his group travel all across the United States spreading their message of hate and lies about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.
However, when the Phelps group comes to North Central High School to protest, they will actually be raising money for LGBT equality at the school!
We are hosting a Phelps-A-Thon to counter Fred Phelps’ hateful message. For every minute the “God Hates Fags” clan is protesting, we will be collecting donations that will be split between the North Central High School Gay/Straight Alliance and Indiana Youth Group (IYG). (Pledge Online) “IYG provides a safe place, a confidential environment, youth development programs and support services which foster personal strength and wellness among self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people. IYG advocates on their behalf in schools, on the streets, and in the 
community.”
The Phelps clan will be protesting at the high school from 2:55 PM to 3:30 PM on September 24th. You can pledge any amount you chose, whether it be $0.25, $0.50, $1, or even $2 for every minute they protest. You can even pledge a flat rate for the entire time the group will be demonstrating. (Pledge Online)
The point of this Phelps-A-Thon is two fold. First, we are using Phelps’ own hateful message to raise funds for a good cause, one that will help counter the lies that are being spread about LGBT people. Second, After the event, we will send Phelps a thank you card, telling him how much money he raised for LGBT equality. This will certainly upset the group and it is possible that they will stop protesting in order to stop our fundraising.
During a three month trek across the United States in an effort to promote LGBT equality, Chris Mason, Founder of Phelps-A-Thon.com, stopped in Topeka, Kansas to visit the Westboro Baptist Church. He sat down for a conversation with Shirley Phelps, the daughter of Fred Phelps and new leader of the group to get a better understanding of why the groups feels the need to spread hate.
On the “God Hates Fags” website, Phelps has this to say about the upcoming protest at the school:
“North Central High School - Matt is STILL in hell, deal w/it 1801 E 86th St Check out our new song on the subject of God's wrath sung to "I'm Bad", called "God Is Mad". Here are some of the lyrics: "Your God is mad; Gonna tell you right. You show your filth, in broad daylight. We're telling you,'Bout how God feels You won't obey. You're so self-willed Come On, Come On, Listen to us, All Right. He's given you the chance to see His blessings on this whole country. We're telling you, Just 
shut your mouth He knows your sin, What you're about. Well you say his wrath has limits, but you know that's so untrue. My friends you ain't seen nothin'! Just wait till God gets through. Because you're bad, you're bad,come on(Bad, bad, really, really bad) And God is mad, he's mad, you know it (Mad, mad - really, really mad) You've sinned so bad, Admit it - you know it (Bad, bad - really, really bad) And the whole world has to answer to God Just to tell you once again, God's mad!" And to show His wrath, God has killed Matthew Sheperd. God has also let you dummies put the Antichrist in the Whitehouse. So, stand by for more wrath. Praise God! AMEN!”
We can turn these hateful words into positive change.
Thank you.
Message from Chris Mason, Founder of Phelps-A-Thon.com:
It is unfortunate that WBC has decided to picket North Central High school. However, there are some positives to be found. The protest is opening up dialogue about the discrimination faced by LGBT people in society and how to combat that homophobia. The school's production of The Laramie Project is receiving more publicity and more people will see the important play. Thousands of dollars are being raised to benefit LGBT youth at NCHS and throughout the state of Indiana.
I wish we could completely ignore their hateful message and place them on a deserted island. But the truth of the matter is that students at NCHS and folks in the community will see and hear their awful message. Many students at NCHS and citizens of Indianapolis are hurt by WBC's message and are looking for a way to respond. I believe it is right to give the students and community members a positive, productive way to respond to the hateful messages of the Westboro Baptist Church. That is exactly what the Phelps-A-Thon does.
Below are some of the comments left by folks who have pledged to the NCHS Phelps-A-Thon.
(Many of the comments are from NCHS alumni.)
"Thank you for providing a way to respond to the hateful and godless actions of the Wesboro Baptist Church." - Andrew, Indianapolis IN
"As a North Central grad I am happy to contribute to this program to counter the hate." - Karl, Indianapolis IN
"Thank you for giving us a chance to make something good come out of so much hate!" - Bruce, Indianapolis IN
"Thank you for the opportunity to not only help the GLBT community, but also to work against the Phelps hate-crime agenda!" - Robert, Muncie IN
"Thank you for giving us this opportunity to provide support where it really belongs." - Judy, Lafayette IN
"I don't have much to give, but it makes me SO happy that I have a constructive way to deal with the invasion. Thank you SO MUCH for doing this!!" - Jessica, Indianapolis IN
"Thank you for doing this." - Sylvia, Laramie WY
"I'm so pleased to be a part of something that fights ignorance and bigotry!" - Jennifer, Carmel IN
"Thanks for organizing a peaceful response with integrity! What a great way to turn the awful into something good." - Amy, Indianapolis IN
"Bless you for the perfect positive response to this hateful action." - Nancy, Indianapolis IN
"I was picketed by this sad creep once, too. I was in Topeka, KS performing in the tour of the musical CATS. I wear it like a badge of honor. But I'm a million times prouder of being a North Central Alum. What an amazing school to be doing something this positive. GO PANTHERS!" - Josh, New York, NY
"I'm so glad you're doing this! Phelps will hate that good is being done out of his disgusting and hateful actions." - Angela, Indianapolis IN
"As an alumni of North Central High School, it brought actual tears to my eyes to hear that they have a Gay-Straight Alliance now because that would've been unheard of back when I was attending, yet it would've meant so much. To hear that Fred Phelps and his disgusting organization are going to protest at the school against the group just raises my ire and I hope that my contribution can help in some little way." - Isaac, Indianapolis IN
"I am beyond appalled by Phelps' message of hate. Thank you for organizing this important opposition." - Jan, Carmel IN
"We were so impressed to hear that NCHS was putting on "The Laramie Project!" We are proud to support your efforts to turn the Phelps Clan's hatred into something positive. Thank you!!" - Eileen and Irwin, Indianapolis IN
"I love the idea of turning something hateful into something helpful." - Kate, Indianapolis
"I will forward this site to my college, in hopes that they will get behind you and donate as well. NO ONE messes with my Alma Mater!!!" - Mieko, Indianapolis IN
"This phelps-a-thon is a great idea!" - Kat, Ithaca NY
"Thanks for calling attention to this great theatrical production at NCHS. Without this kind of demonstration, this high school "Laramie Project" would have flown under my radar." - Liz, Indianapolis IN
"Great Idea!!!!!" - Darien, Indianapolis IN
"What a great way to combat evil!" - Rev. Miller, Indianapolis IN
"NCHS class of 1988." - Christine, St. Petersburg FL
"Thanks for putting this together." - David, Cambridge MA
"Thank you for organizing this! What a way to turn hate into positive action!!" - Tina, Indianapolis IN
"I am against any kind of hate. So here is the little bit that I can share!" - Joe, Indianapolis IN
"I'm so happy to be able to stand on the side of love and support the GSA at NCHS and IYG!" - Shellie, Indianapolis IN
"I'm very proud of my alma mater (Class of 1990) for doing the Laramie Project and standing up to the haters. This counter-protest is a beautiful idea and I'm thrilled to support it!" - Ben, San Francisco CA
"I am proud of you for staging the wonderful "Laramie Project." I would be happy to contribute to the cause of equality for gays and lesbians in school." - Annette, Greenwood, IN
"I think this is brilliant. A very good way of combating this kind of ignorance in a positive way. Thank you!" - Amy, Indianapolis IN
"Thanks for doing this!" - Ann, Indianapolis IN
"I am glad to help." - Peter, Indianapolis IN
"We're Christians. These people offend us, but God is good. Thanks for doing this." - David and Carol, Indianapolis IN
"I'm an alum of North Central High School in Indianapolis and I'm proud of the school for putting on "The Laramie Project."" - Nathanael, Knoxville TN
"Where does one get tickets for the show? Thank you for organizing this creative way of responding to the hate." - Mary, Indianapolis IN
"Thank you so much for this." - Jessica, Indianapolis IN
"I'm a North Central Alumnus and I can't believe they are coming to our school. Before their behavior has been obnoxious and unacceptable, and I am fully in support of the legislative measures that have limited their ability to protest at soldier\'s funerals. Now it's just that much more personal." - Jennifer, Indianapolis IN
"God created us all in His image...I can only believe that He loves us all eaually." - Ruth, Indianapolis IN
"What a wonderfully creative idea! Thanks for this opportunity." - Holly, Indianapolis IN
"Thank you for doing this. As a Christian who just happens to be gay, as well as being married to a beautiful woman (which is not legal in Indiana) I can speak from my heart on this topic. God does not approve of Mr. Phelps' actions. That group of protesters will have to face their maker some day and answer questions about their hate mongering. I continue to pray for their souls." - Virgene, Greenwood IN
"Thanks for doing this-thanks for promoting awareness and acceptance!" - Stephanie, Indianapolis IN
"What a wonderfully spiritual approach to confronting bigotry and hatred--transforming it into something healing and good." - Nancy, Cincinnati OH
"What a great response. Thank you so much for doing this." - Kate, Indianapolis IN
"Great idea to combat narrow-mindedness!" - Dawn, Indianapolis IN
"Kudo's to North Central High School students and staff for continuing to fight for social justice for ALL. This production is a witness to that.
God Bless you all!" - Linda, Indianapolis IN
"There are no words to describe these people who would use children to spread their hatred. Please accept my contribution to show that their views are a small minority and they will not prevail!!!!" - Deborah, Indianapolis IN
"I proudly support your efforts! Thank you for doing this!" - Janet, Carmel IN
"Thank you!" - Linda, Zionsville IN
"How disgusting for these supposed people of faith to enlist and indoctrinate their own children in hatred. I make this pledge as an expression of love and support for gay, bisexual and questioning youth at North Central High School and everywhere." - Brian, Montclair NJ
"Great idea! Keep up the great work!" - Lisa, Indianapolis IN
"Awesome idea! Stay strong and keep living your life as you are and not as someone else thinks you should." - Jeff, Zionsville IN
"I am happy that Indiana Equality and the IYG are teaming together in a positive way to combat this hate." - Christopher, Moorhead MN
"Thank you so much for doing this. Brilliant idea!" - Susanne, Fishers IN
"Can't be there but I'll send good thoughts in the direction of the counter-protestors." - Becky, Indianapolis IN
"Keep up the great work! As a graduate of North Central High School, I am thrilled to see they have an LBGT student group and are taking on such a great play as The Laramie Project! Your efforts are making a difference in people's lives!" - Michael, Chicago IL
"I applaud the idea to use the protest to raise money for the chosen organizations. I applaud North Central for their production of The Laramie Project. If the Phelps organization is going to expose young children to the hatred they spew, then let us be the rational adults and not inflame that hatred in their presence during the protest. Instead, lets continue to show our own community and our own children how to stand up for ourselves with dignity and without hatred, and how to turn something so ugly, into something that benefits the greater good." - Kristin, Indianapolis IN
"Turning hate into love...." - Laura, Zionsville, IN
"God does not hate, He (She) loves. I am sure, He (She) has serious issues with Phelps' intolerance and bigotry, though." - David, Indianapolis IN
"LOVE this idea... turn the bigotry into something positive! Thanks for this chance to support!" - Kevin, Indianapolis IN
"I am a graduate of North Central High School class of 1979. I was very involved in drama and was in repretory theatre company as well as in all of the plays and musicals as a performer and a stage crew member. I am now a drama teacher and have been teaching in the Catholic High schools for over 22 years. I have also produced many about rights and social justice. We have even written many plays about people who are marginalized in society such as gay and lesbian people. I wholeheartedly support the production of the Laramie Project and although I am very far away, I want you to know that I support you and I am very proud that NCHS has turned this horrible hate group into something positive. Best wishes for a sell out production and raising tons of money for your cause." - Patsy, Carlisle ON Canada