Fred Phelps

Fred Waldron Phelps Sr. was born on November 13, 1929, and became a prominent yet polarizing figure in American society. As a lawyer and pastor, he founded the Westboro Baptist Church in 1955, an independent Primitive Baptist congregation based in Topeka, Kansas. Phelps was known for his extreme views, particularly his vehement opposition to homosexuality, which he believed was a catalyst for divine punishment against the United States.

Throughout his life, Phelps gained notoriety for his protests at funerals of gay individuals, AIDS victims, military veterans, and disaster victims. He and his followers, primarily his family members, picketed these events, asserting it was their divine duty to warn the public of God's wrath. His actions drew widespread condemnation, and he became a symbol of hate speech, with the Southern Poverty Law Center labeling his church as one of the most notorious hate groups in America.

Phelps's controversial activities often led to legal battles, some of which reached the U.S. Supreme Court. Despite numerous laws aimed at curtailing his protests, he continued to operate under the protections of the First Amendment. His church's infamous slogan, 'God Hates Fags,' became synonymous with their message, and Phelps's rhetoric often targeted various groups, including the Catholic Church, which he accused of harboring pedophiles.

Even after his death on March 19, 2014, the Westboro Baptist Church remains active, continuing to conduct demonstrations across the country. The legacy of Fred Phelps is one of deep division, as he sparked significant debate about free speech, hate speech, and the boundaries of religious expression in America.