Here’s How a Community Fought Back When Westboro Threatened to Protest a Gay High School Jock
Last October, 18-year-old Jake Bain — a football star at John Burroughs School, a private non-religious prep school in Missouri suburb of Ladue, west of St. Louis — came out as gay and was soon signed to play college football for Indiana State University. Hoping to ride on the coattails of Bain’s national notoriety, the tired old haters from the Westboro Baptist Church (those “God Hates Fags” people) announced a protest against Bain at his school. But the church’s few protestors were met by 100 student counter-protesters standing up for their gay classmate.
When Bain came out to media last year, many outlets reported his athletic prowess: over 3,700 rushing yards, a 255-yard performance in the state championship game, his nine returns for touchdowns and school record in the 400 meters footrace. They also mentioned his 3.5 GPA, 28 ACT score and good reputation amongst coaches and teachers.
After coming out to his school in a tearful speech last fall, Jake Bain said that being in the closet weighed on him. And even though he received some homophobic abuse online and from football rivals, he got nothing but support from his peers, teachers and coaches.
“For the first time in my life I could finally be true to myself — I owed it to myself to be me,” the gay jock said at one point. “I also felt like I owed it to everyone out there who was in the same position and felt lost and alone like I did.”
About 100 people came out to #StandWithJake this morning outside John Burroughs School for @Jakebain10 to counter the Westboro anti-gay hate protest. (My pics) pic.twitter.com/paz8LMd3Hg
— Rebecca Rivas (@Rebeccarivas) March 12, 2018
When administrators at the John Burroughs School found out about the WBC’s planned protest of the gay jock, they talked with students and, on Thursday, March 8, sent a letter to parents expressing support for the community’s support of LGBTQ people and details about the 40-minute student counter-protest and a unity walk before Monday’s classes.
Because they had forgotten God and were full in their pride and sin, Sodom was destroyed. america is no different, and headed to destruction. REMEMBER LOT’S WIFE. Heed the warnings God has so mercifully given you and repent. #standwithjake #JBPride #Repent pic.twitter.com/UbrlYwJmE8
— WBC Photos (@WBCPhotos) March 12, 2018
Bain’s fellow students far outnumbered the WBC supporters, holding supportive signs and rainbow banners. The hashtag #StandWithJake also began trending on social media.
Bain said, “As soon as people found out that these [WBC] people were coming and protesting, there was already hundreds of people that were sending me messages, sending me tweets and stuff, just showing the support.”
