To the editor:

I am pleased that Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has signed into law a bill to protect families of veterans from the hateful wrath of the Phelpses, especially when they have the grievous task of burying a soldier who died in the war. For about two years, the nation has learned of this insidious hate-mongering group that’s shamed Kansas for too long. The nation developed a collective disgust and indignation as they witnessed the horror of the signs, shouts and purposeful infliction of more pain. The nation rightly responded with law after law that allows for free speech while also trying to provide some shelter for the loved ones of our lost soldiers.

What I will say next is in no way intended to diminish the impact of the assault on these soldiers’ families. Their pain is very real and I honestly mean no disrespect. Sadly, it took the picketing of soldiers’ funerals to alert this nation to this group of slanderers … a group that has spewed its hateful wrath on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community for more than 15 years.

While it is delusional raving, it still hurts. The LGBT community has suffered for years under the hateful torment of the Phelpses, and there was no collective national outrage. Again, my intent is not to take away from the losses of our soldiers’ families, but it just seems that this needs to be said since there is finally a law to provide some modicum of protection from such despicable behavior.

Catherine Bolton,

Lawrence