Antigay Protester Outnumbered 500 to 1

The antigay Westboro Baptist Church did not make good on a threat Thursday to protest a production of The Laramie Project at a Louisiana high school, but a lone sympathizer did appear, only to be outnumbered by 500 counterprotesters in a peaceful display.

According to the Baton Rouge Advocate, "The mass of counterprotesters at Dutchtown High carried signs with slogans such as 'God hates fat-free mayonnaise,' 'God Drinks Haterade' and 'Jesus had two dads, why can't I?' meant to deflect the message for which Westboro is known."

They addressed one Westboro sympathizer, Anthony Battaglia, from First Baptist Church in Gonzales.

"Battaglia said while he doesn't agree with Westboro's methods, he does agree with the church's view of faith, a faith that sees homosexuality as wrong," reported the Advocate.

The protest ended around 7:15 p.m., when Battaglia left and the counterdemonstrators, many from out-of-town locations like New Orleans, dispersed.