Faith, Family & Community
Remember the Love Only Signs?
Love Only originated in Macomb as a counter protest. An organization (some might call cult…few would call church) was coming to town to protest a football player, who happened to be gay. The group hates these folks—if you know you know. I will not use the name. No publicity here.
This was not my first interaction with this group’s protest. As a youth minister in the late 90’s I took my youth group from Kentucky to the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kansas City. We traveled all day and had just enough time to check in to our hotel, change clothes, eat dinner and make our way to opening worship. We were chatting and laughing as we walked the sidewalk to the convention center. And then we turned a corner. There were people standing across the street from the convention center. I’m not sure how many, more than 50. Old people. Young people. Children. Holding signs that showed stick figures mimicking 2 men having sex—there was of course a circle around the men and then a line through the drawing so we’d know it was wrong. There were other signs with horrible sayings. 6 yearolds were holding these signs.
There was a lot of confusion for those of us who were just trying to go and worship God. Many of those on “our” side got angry and yelled back. With a large group of youth of varying ages, I was more worried about safety. As a group we hustled in to the convention center and found our seats and waited for worship to start. At the beginning of the service, someone stood at a microphone to explain what was happening outside. He or she, I can’t remember, but this person let us know that “they” thought “we” were too open, too affirming, too welcoming. The difference between love and hate. They protested while we worshipped.
In 2018, the haters had made it known why they were protesting in Macomb. Western Illinois University football was hosting Indiana State University. One of the ISU players was openly gay. Even though the player was not on the travel squad, those awful signs were on their way to Macomb. WIU students got busy organizing a counter protest. It turned out great. 2 different concert stages offered time to local talent to perform. Speakers offered words that were different than the signs of hate. And students and townies stood side by side—which does not happen near enough—with signs of our own. Music. Kindness. Friendship. No hate.
The Interfaith Alliance of Macomb (IAM) wanted to make a statement of some sort. In regard to the anti-gay protest on its way to Macomb, IAM members wanted to have a local response, in addition to the university response. We discussed many things. Writing a statement and putting it in the newspaper and on social media. I think a billboard ad was discussed. What we settled on was a sign with the words Love Only…white sign, purple letters. IAM had no money for the sign campaign. Word got out. Money was easily raised. Signs were printed and the distribution began. People could pick them up at different locations or from different individuals.
We wanted our guests from Indiana to know Love Only as they ate and shopped around town. I took a day to walk the square and talk with all the business owners to offer them a sign. No one really knew about IAM, but they knew about the coming protest. Almost every business on the square took a sign. Tattoo parlor. Clothing stores. Restaurants. Every Bar.
The only 2 businesses not to take a Love Only sign…were Christian.
Many of the storefronts on the square still display their signs. On the day of the protest, the extra signs were given away. People held them during the concerts and speakers. Many of the signs can still be seen in the windows and yards of Macomb locals.
Maybe because I wish I had done more way back in Kansas City. Maybe because I can be a bit ornery. Maybe to make a statement. Early in the day before the protest and counter protest, I took a few signs to put in the ground directly across from where the protest would take place—an old, empty parking lot. As I pulled into a strip mall parking lot, there were 2 unmarked, yet obvious, cars of authority. Black SUVs. Local law enforcement asked us counter protesters to refrain from interacting with the haters. I almost turned around. Then I decided, put the signs up anyway. At the last minute, I decided to approach the vehicles and get permission. Introduced myself. Told them what I was going to do. Their reply? “We don’t care. We’re from Indiana.” They were state troopers there to protect their student athletes. I put the signs in the ground. Love Only to combat the signs of hate that would soon appear. There were only 5 protesters. Counter protesters numbered close to 500 on a gray, cloudy, cold, fall day. Love was in the air.
Our world needs love. Our world needs love to overwhelm that which is not love. Crime. Violence. War. Hate. Every ism. Political divide. You know, the stuff our holiday conversations either ignore or argue about.
If your faith (or life) causes you to hate, you’re doing it wrong. It is so hard, especially just now, but there simply can be no hate. God is love. Love Only.
Kelly Ingersoll, Minister
Kelly Ingersoll is the Pastor of First Christian Church of Macomb and resides in Macomb with his wife Anne.
