Granddaughters of Fred Phelps leave Westboro Baptist Church (God Hates Fags)

BY MATT CAMPBELL AND DUGAN ARNETT, THE KANSAS CITY STAR

Two granddaughters of Westboro Baptist Church firebrand Fred Phelps have split with the Topeka-based congregation, indicating their views have evolved and they now regret the pain they have caused others.

One of them, 27-year-old Megan Phelps-Roper, had been a highly visible member of the church who spoke to media outlets and spread its message via Twitter.

She and a younger sister, Grace Phelps-Roper, in November left the congregation known for its anti-gay stance (God Hates Fags) and for picketing funerals of fallen soldiers and others.

“We ripped the Band-Aid off,” Megan wrote in a text Wednesday to The Star.

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Today video | Fred Phelps' granddaughter speaks after 'escaping' Westboro Baptist Church

Libby Phelps Alvarez, granddaughter of Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist Church (God Hates Fags) tearfully tells the Today show why she left the anti-gay church and that she no longer speaks with her family.

Heart & Love: Ed King Pop Art's charity unveiling for Family Resource Center on Saturday at SHOTS

News release from Rick Morgan:

SHOTS Miami will be hosting a charity event this Saturday, February 9th. This event is a collaboration of efforts by Ed King Pop Art, Rick Morgan of the Good Karma Group, Oscar Zapata of Shots, and Dorit Matthews of the Family Resource Center of South Florida.  The Family Resource Center (“FRC”) is one of the state’s leading child welfare agencies providing foster care and adoption services for children who have been abused or neglected.

Saturday's event is exciting because it will bring together strong leaders from the community.  All proceeds from the charity shot named “FRC” will benefit services for foster kids.  The community is invited to a VIP reception from 5pm to 7pm at SHOTS-Miami located at 311 NW 23rd Street in Wynwood.  Ed King Pop Art will be unveiling a new line of artwork.  This will be a first peek of his work before it debuts the following week at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival.  Award winning musician Leo Casino will be generously donating his talents to the cause. 

There will also be a raffle to benefit the non-profit for a spa gift certificate and a custom piece of jewelry designed for the event by The Green Mile jewelry company.

The host committee consists of strong women from the community: DeAnne Connolly Graham, Alison Duran, Monika Zdziebkowska, MariaEugenia Munoz, Christina Hampton, Angela Betancourt, Nicol Pindelea, and Daniella Veras.

This event will coincide with the Wynwood Art Walk.  Shots is accessible from both 23rd and 24th street.  The community is welcome to the VIP reception.  Entrance is free.  Money will be raised through the FRC Shot and the raffles. Guests are encouraged to take part in the Wynwood Art Walk after the reception.

Please contact Rick Morgan via cell/text (786) 543 9286 or email rickmorganrrt@live.com for further information.

Gallery | American Airlines VP Art Torno addresses Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber luncheon

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday held a Spotlight Speaker Luncheon at Jungle Island featuring Art Torno, American Airlines' vice president for Mexico, Caribbean and Latin America.

Torno discussed the airline's recent new public relations campaign including a new logo, new jets being acquired and how American is a longtime business model for LGBT equality and benefits.

Click here to view more pictures. Photos by STEVE ROTHAUS / Miami Herald Staff.

BuzzFeed video | Marco Rubio walks fine line on LGBT rights

Video from BuzzFeed's Chris Geidner:

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio "spoke Tuesday of support for nondiscrimination and allowing states to grant same-sex couples marriage rights. He still supports limiting marriage to one man and one woman, though, and did not commit to any action to advance LGBT equality."

Click here to read more and view the video.