Sherie's show at the LGTB Center in December 2006 was a "testing ground" for much of the material in this piece. Having seen it I'd say the poster is
quite fitting.
First I'd like to address the offendees, this is a joke. People have been claiming to get stigmatas for ages and saying they have been visited or are new incarnations of Christ. The poster is poking fun a that. Stigmata has been made fun of in countless movies and television shows and now you want to claim its some insanely sacreligious thing to do?
Now, as to how it relates to her show:
Without revealing too much, she speaks very candidly about her religion and upbringing in Kansas.
She grew up in the congregation of the Westboro Baptist Church under Reveren Fred Phelps. I.e someone claiming to be so attuned with God that they see it fit to picket at soldiers' funerals and those who preached any form of acceptance of homosexuality.
The show in 2006 had an entire section about the teachings of Mr. Roger's, both on his show and off (this sections seems to still be intact as per the press notes).
She grew up loving Mr (Fred) Rogers but having to worship with Rev. Fred.
This duality collides when she tells a story about how Rev. Fred Phelps' ministry went to picket Rev. (yes, he was an ordained Presbyterian minister) Fred Rogers' funeral because of his preaching of acceptance.
Again, not attempting to give too much away, but alot more would be revealed to those who actually see the show about the reasoning behind the poster than sitting there and being offended.
The warmth and good feelings inside the hall sharply contrasted with the occasionally circus-like atmosphere outside.
A group of about a half dozen members of an anti-gay organization gathered at the intersection of Penn Avenue and Sixth Street to protest what they called Rogers' failure to condemn homosexuality. The group, which included an 8-year-old girl, held signs expressing their hatred of gays and, while standing on a torn American flag, their hatred of America.
They were met by about 150 counter-demonstrators, members of gay rights and peace groups, who marched along the sidewalks and sang songs from Rogers' program while holding signs calling for love and tolerance. While there were some heated exchanges, there were no arrests either there or at three other sites -- the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the University of Pittsburgh and Chatham College.
The anti-gay group, members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas, has a history of picketing at funerals of gays and those they accuse of being supportive of gays. It is led by Fred Phelps, a self-proclaimed minister and disbarred attorney. He was not present at the demonstration yesterday.
The protesters were no match for the thankful sentiments, solemn and cheerful music and occasional bouts of hearty laughter inside Heinz Hall. Open your mind and stop letting religion dictate your taste or your just as bad.
P.S
To the person claiming she's rude at the stagedoor, each time I was at the stagedoor of DRS she came out and signed while apologizing profusely for having to rush off to be with her son which is completely understandable, if this is in fact what you are referring to.
Never once was she "rude," get a clue.
Link to full article
Updated On: 2/1/08 at 08:50 AM
