Jase Peeples couldn't have bought the kind of publicity he was given when the infamous anti-gay hate group Westboro Baptist Church announced its intention to picket his reading and signing at Books Inc in the Castro.
Peeples was at Books Inc at 2275 Market Street yesterday to promote Square Zair Pair, an LGBT themed children's book, which marks his debut as an author.
While Westboro was a no-show, dozens of people from the LGBTQ and allied communities showed up in force to send a message of love and support counter to Westboro, and to support Peeples, who is a contributor and editor at The Advocate.
"The book is about these creatures called Zairs," Peeples told Hoodline as community members held up signage containing slogans such as "Love Conquers Hate".
"Zairs come in two shapes: one round and one square," Peeples explained. "They always pair in twos — one day two squares pair up. The book is how they're treated."
Peeples smiled as more and more people showed up to express their support for him and his message. "Just the threat of bringing hate galvanized a community to make the book's message stronger," he said. "Love and acceptance will always win."
Supporters in attendance included Sister Roma of The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
"We're here because San Francisco is a place of inclusion and acceptance," Roma said. "They make these threats because like all bullies they're great big chickens, but we're not."
A number of attendees criticized Westboro.
"This is like The Beatles first visit to the USA," observed Matt Wobensmith as the crowd continued to swell.
"Westboro has no teeth," Wobensmith added. "No one takes them seriously. They've done more to advance gay rights than just about anything."
It was a standing room only crowd who packed the reading area of Books Inc as Peeples read from his book. There was much laughter and applause at the author's dramatic recitation — he tells the story in rhyme.
"This is what Westboro calls fag propaganda," the author said with a laugh as he finished reading. The audience applauded and laughed with him.
During the Q&A which followed Peeples said that his inspirations for the book included Dr. Seuss and Clifford the Big Red Dog. "I always wanted to do a book likes those which incorporated LGBT values," he said, also saying that a number of publishers had rejected his book because it was "too gay".
Attendees included Erin Farris, a pre-K teacher at C5 Children's School, who said that she wants to add Square Zair Pair to her classroom curriculum,
"I'm very proud to work in a city that's so progressive and inclusive," Farris said to Hoodline, pointing out that her school has participated in Pride Parades. "We have many LGBT families and co-workers at our school," she added.
Square Zair Pair is now available for purchase at Books Inc, and at Amazon.
