Americans have freedom of speech, and Rev. Fred Phelps and his church plan to exercise that right at the Kansas State/Iowa State football game Oct. 24.

Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church plans to hold a protest during the football that will be held in Kansas because both schools have gay and lesbian organizations on their campuses.

The group has held protests around the Midwest in opposition to homosexuals and their lifestyles. The group previously picketed Iowa State’s graduation ceremony in May, because of the “university-sanctioned sodomy” allowed on campus.

John McCarroll, director of University Relations, said there is nothing the ISU administration can do about Phelps’ protesting.

“I suspect [the people of Kansas] already know who he is and recognize his group for what it is. It is a group of hate and intolerance,” McCarroll said.

The ISU Athletic Department had no comment about the protest, but both McCarroll and members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Ally Alliance insist the best way to handle Phelps is to ignore him.

“I don’t think we need to respond to his group every time they send out a press release,” McCarroll said. “I think they want to stir [people] up and make people angry.”

McCarroll noted that ISU is not the first university to be challenged by the Westboro Baptist Church.

“Other universities, colleges, churches and people have been attacked by him,” he said.

Angie Chipman, president of the LGTAA, said the Alliance will not get involved in a battle with Phelps.

“The Alliance thinks that it is a shame he has the power and does what he does,” Chipman said.

Many Christians disagree with Phelps’ interpretation of the Scripture and his teachings.

“He represents a distinct school of interpretation that is different than mine,” said Robert Baum, assistant professor of religious studies. “When Jesus said ‘Love thy neighbor as thyself,’ you could come to different conclusions, but Apostle Paul did say the greatest gift of god is unconditional love.”

Phelps’ group defends its actions on the Web page www.godhatesfags.com.

“Most ‘Christians’ today are Christians by name only, and should be ashamed of themselves,” the Web site states. “They are cowardly, lukewarm and ashamed of Christ’s Word.

“They have substituted their own pathetic ideas for God’s clear commandments,” the Web site states.

When Phelps and his church members protested last spring, some of the signs his supporters held had ISU’s “Cy” logo, with the words “ISU FAGS” emblazoned on them.

The ISU Trademarks and Licensing Office considered legal action against Phelps and Westboro Baptist Church this summer but has not decided against it.