He Buys A House Opposite An Anti-gay Church And Paints It In Rainbow Colors.
Some gestures are worth more than a thousand words. Evidenced by this American from Topeka, Kansas, who bought a house right across from a Baptist church known for its anti-gay positions and decided to make it very special and recognizable.
How? ‘Or’ What? It’s simple: by painting it with the colors of the rainbow, universal symbols of tolerance and equality. According to the man, painting the house in this way was not at all an “act of war”, but a sign of peaceful opposition. The church, however, did not appreciate it: let’s see what happened.
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Aaron Jackson purchased the house in 2012. The house is located directly across from the Westboro Baptist Church. This religious reality has become, over the years, the bearer of insults and messages of intolerance towards the LGBTQ community, broadcast in an almost “extremist” manner in tones that are certainly not gentle.
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That’s why when Jackson bought this house, painted it a rainbow, and made it the “House of Equality,” the story started to gain media attention. Supported by the Planting Peace organization, Aaron bought the property and moved there. In a short time, this brightly colored house has become a true symbol of opposition, struggle, and resistance against prejudices that are unfortunately still difficult to eradicate.
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image credit: brookecollin.s/Instagram
When asked what was going on, some representatives of the Westboro Baptist Church called the House of Equality a ” monument to the glory of sin ” and other unappealing epithets. “The only equality they should care about, they add, is that of human beings who deserve to go to hell.”
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The House of Equality, however, resisted and, despite all the criticisms, it remains today a concrete and peaceful proof of tolerance. A true emblematic place for so many people who continue, day after day, to be discriminated against, insulted, or marginalized for their personal life choices. “It’s a visual reminder of our commitment,” the Planting Peace organization repeated, “and it’s no coincidence that over the years the rainbow house has become something of a destination for” pilgrimage “for so many people.
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image credit: Equality House/Facebook
However, the dark moments were not lacking. Hate mail, threats, vandalism, anti-gay graffiti, and even bullet holes have been a sad constant. However, none of this stopped the house from standing up and proudly standing up for principles that should be universal.
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image credit: Topeka Capital-Journal/Facebook
Did you know the history of this rainbow house?
Source used:
https://www.plantingpeace.org/
https://www.plantingpeace.org/campaign/equality-house/#what-others-are-saying