It was a battle of love and hate in Northwest this morning. On one side of the intersecting 11th and Clifton Streets, high school students, community members, and politicians gathered to defend LGBTQ acceptance. On the other side, Westboro Baptist Church members voiced their anti-gay convictions holding signs with messages like same-sex marriage dooms nations.

Members of the well-known hate group gathered in front of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts telling students “to fear God and keep His commandments,” Borderstan reports. The counter-protesters retorted with songs, rainbow flags, and other signage.

“I was out this morning to support our LGBT students and to show them they’re always welcome in our schools and they’re an important part of our community,” Ward 1 Councilmember Brianne Nadeau told DCist. “Hate has no place in the District, let alone in our schools, and I was proud to be part of the overwhelming community turnout in opposition to these protesters. Today the voices of love and acceptance drowned out the voices of hate.”

At-Large Councilmember David Grosso was also in attendance.

The church, based in Topeka, Kansas, began conducting demonstrations “opposing the [gay] lifestyle of soul-damning, nation-destroying filth” in 1991, according to its website.

A couple years ago, about a dozen members showed up at Wilson High School in Northwest. And much like today, students along with their openly gay principal and members of the community responded with A+ signs promoting love and acceptance.

Filed Under: duke ellington, duke ellington school of the arts, lgbt, westboro, westboro baptist church,