From left: Kim Saylor, Kayley Herbruck, Sally Stauffer and Ruthie Jacoby hold the rainbow flag.

WARSAW — Opposites attract, they say, and nothing could have been more oppositional than the two sides of West Center Street, where two disagreeing rallies were held tonight, Sept. 22.

In one corner, the Indiana Religious Freedom Alliance hosted the Stand Religious Liberty Rally, in opposition to a bill that is being brought before the council concerning transgenders and restrooms. In the other, a group of LGBT citizens and supporters gathered to proclaim their desire for equal rights.

Pete Tuura, a Zimmer/Biomet employee and liberal activist, planned and advertised tonight’s counter-rally on Facebook and other social media websites. Tuura explained that the purpose of the evening was to see Kosciusko County adopt an expanded civil rights ordinance. “I have no problem with people’s beliefs, but they need to realize its about beliefs and not about politics.”

Amy McDermott, an LGBT citizen echoed similar notions when she said he biggest fear was that “Christians would get into government, and enforce what they believe.” McDermott went on to say that she herself has been the victim of unidentified “hate crimes” in Kosciusko. “The LGBT community is simply not protected,” she said.

LGBT supporters Amy McDermott and Jeff

One of the more surprising statements from LGBT supporters came from Kim Saylor, an LGBT citizen. She said “They have every right to think we are wrong, and I’m not even going to say that they are wrong, but if I can reform one person, I’ll have done what I came here to do.”

Many of the LGBT citizens at the rally were looking for more dialogue. “Its about opening up the dialogue. I’m not looking to take anyone’s freedoms away.” Dialogue seemed to be a recurring theme from both sides of West Center, as many Christians said they too wanted dialogue.

When asked about his ideal world, Tuura laughed and pointed out that “we need an ideal Warsaw first.” He went on to explain that a better Warsaw involves a complete culture change. “Corn is not the future,” he said. “We need to transition into something more ‘cosmopolitan.'”

With “Losing My Religion” by R.E.M. playing in the background, the LGBT supporters stressed that they are not anti-religious. They stated that many Christians were attending their counter-rally, and most even identified themselves as somewhat spiritual. “We are standing against the extremism we see in the opposition, not just Christians,” said McDermott.

Pro-LGBT signs created by the supporters

Jeff, an attendee, said “If I help people learn to be accepting of others I have done my job. Acceptance will mean growth in the community.”

Although disagreeing, peace was kept between the two sides, with some help from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and orange fencing.