Gunderson High School - The Laramie Project

The Laramie Project

On March 5, 2011, the Gunderson High School drama department performed The Laramie Project, a play detailing the reaction to the 1998 murder of University of Wyoming's gay student, Matthew Shepard, in Laramie, Wyoming and the eventual deepened relationship within the Laramie community. In disagreement to the play, the Westboro Baptist Church issued a statement saying that members of their church will hold a protest outside the school. In response to this a large counter-protest was held by members of the school, community, and various groups including the Patriot Guard Riders, Anonymous (group), local US war veterans, gay rights advocates, and a group wearing large wings on their backs in an effort to obscure the hate signs of the Westboro Baptist Church. The event received large attention and coverage from media outlets in the bay area. It was estimated that 900 people gathered that day (600 counter-protesters and 300 members of the audience). The Westboro Baptist Church did not show.