Westboro Baptist Church Receives Rainbow Laces From Stonewall & Paddy Power

'Dear Hate-Filled Vermin'.. Stonewall Has Sent A Special Package To The WBC
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The infamous Westboro Baptist Church have been sent some rainbow shoelaces, which are on their way over the ocean from the UK.

A campaign from gay rights group Stonewall has posted the shoelaces to Kansas-based WBC, which is known for picketing the funerals of of US soldiers and murdered children, claiming that gay people are responsible for their deaths.

The shoelaces are being sent along with a letter which begins "dear hate-filled vermin", denouncing the WBC's homophobic beliefs.

The package was sent by bookmaker Paddy Power, which is running an anti-homophobia campaign with Stonewall.

The letter says: "One day, your poisonous bile will be long forgotten, the world will continue to turn and your children will be blissfully unaware of the enmity you once peddled due to a misguided interpretation of God's will.

"And quite possibly, they'll be in gay relationships. Suck on that."

The rainbow laces are part of Stonewall's campaign to "kick homophobia out of football".

Stonewall's delivery is another jab at the WBC, one day after it emerged the WBC is being 'trolled' by a crowd-funded 'God Loves Gays' billboard which has been set up in Topeka, Kansas where it is based.

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The billboard has appeared near the church in Kansas

The billboard pokes fun at the 'God hates fags' signs which WBC supporters often take to picket funerals.

The billboard was arranged by the 'God' Facebook page, which has nearly two million likes and which often attacks religious and right-wing causes.

Supporters of the page raised $50,000 (£31,100) on the website Indiegogo,to cover a year's advertising and the costs of the campaign as well as a contribution to charity.

10 Amazing Westboro Baptist Church Counter Protests
God Responds(01 of10)
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At a 2010 WBC counter protest in Portland, Oregon, one man showed up dressed as God, himself. "No I don't," his simple sign responded to the WBC's notorious "God hates ___" signs. (credit:Flickr)
Pure Love(02 of10)
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Sometimes the best way to combat hatred and intolerance is through love. The adorable "couple kiss" counter protest has been an popular and powerful way many have confronted the WBC's intolerance. (credit:Buzzfeed)
Angel Action(03 of10)
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One of the most powerful WBC counter protests was the 1999 Angel Action wall of love outside the courthouse where Matthew Shepard's accused killers were on trial. The event has been recreated over the years in the acclaimed play, The Laramie Project. (credit:The Laramie Project/Duke)
The Human Wall(04 of10)
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In July of 2012, hundreds of Texas A&M students gathered to create a human wall around the funeral service for a soldier, which the WBC had come to protest. As one organizer wrote on Facebook, "In response to their signs of hate, we will wear maroon. In response to their mob anger, we will form a line, arm in arm. This is a silent vigil. A manifestation of our solidarity." (credit:Facebook/Leslie Mott)
9-Year-Olds(05 of10)
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Nine-year-old Josef Miles and his mother, Patty Akrouche, were walking around the Washburn University campus in Topeka, Kan., in May 2012 when they saw a group of Westboro Baptist Church protesters armed with signs. Miles asked if he could make his own sign and wrote the humble, powerful words, "God hates no one." (credit:Patty Akrouche)
Grandmas Supporting Soldiers(06 of10)
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In 2008 the WBC staged a protest against the funerals of three soldiers from the HM-15 Blackhawks. Counter-protesters came out in droves to deliver a different message, including this amazing woman. (credit:Flickr)
The Foo Fighters(07 of10)
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WBC picketed a Foo Fighters concert in 2011, inspiring the band to stage their own protest across from the Westboro picketers. Dressed in overalls and wigs, the band played "Keep it Clean (Hot Buns)," which, as it turns out, is a song about the lonesome life of a gay long-haul trucker. (credit:NBC)
Style and Patriotism(08 of10)
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This photo, posted by Twitter user @yadnulsirhc, shows just how sassy, stylish and patriotic a WBC counter protest can be. (credit: yadnulsirhc/Twitter)
Motorcycles and Flags(09 of10)
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This human wall of love and patriotism came about at the same WBC counter protest in support of the Blackhawk soldiers who lost their lives. Motorcycles, American flags and endless love sounds like a much better demonstration than whatever WBC put together. (credit:Flickr)
More Human Walls(10 of10)
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In February of 2014, the WBC landed in Missouri to protest the coming out of football player Michael Sam. An estimated 2,000 students and supporters braved the snow to form a “Stand with Sam” human wall, blocking the WBC protesters' view from campus. (credit:Colin Lovett for LGBTQ Nation)