Anger Over 'Gay Christ' Figure in Play
F O R T W A Y N E, Ind., Aug. 10 -- School officials at a college where a controversial play featuring a gay, Christ-like character will premiere tonight are bracing for demonstrators.
In advance of tonight's premiere of Corpus Christi, police atIndiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne created two protestareas outside the theater — each large enough to hold more than 100people. IPFW Police Chief Lauren Denhartog said there will be two rulesin place for demonstrators: No weapons and no signs displayed onyardsticks or posts. "Our job is to see that everybody has their right to theirthing and to keep everybody else safe," Denhartog said. Corpus Christi is about growing up gay in a Texas Gulf Coasttown. It features a homosexual Christ-like figure named Joshua and12 other gay male characters, most of whom bear the names ofChrist's disciples.
Outraged Religious Conservatives Failed to Stop Play
Christian conservatives have pegged the play as blasphemous anda misuse of taxpayer money, but they failed twice to convincefederal judges to halt the production or move it off campus. Instead, the courts sided with university officials that theplay is a symbol of academic freedom. The play has created enough of a stir that the school isproviding a room specifically for reporters covering the event. Irene Walters, director of university relations, said newspapersfrom across the Midwest have contacted her about the play. Denhartog also has contacted officials at Florida AtlanticUniversity about what to expect from demonstrators. Earlier thisyear the play created a firestorm on that school's campus. However, Denhartog said protests during the weekend performancescould be muted because several religious groups are planning prayervigils at their churches. The Rev. Rick Hawks, pastor at The Chapel, is leading a group of36 churches on discussions about Jesus on Sunday. Also Sunday, anumber of churches will show The Jesus Film at the EmbassyTheatre.
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