A Manhattan city commissioner reached out to local high school students in an open letter about his experience as a gay man in preparation for picketing Thursday morning by Westboro Baptist Church.

The letter from Commissioner Jerred McKee, which was shared online, encouraged students at the school to see the anti-gay church's presence as an "affirmation that we are progressing in the right direction."

"They are threatened," McKee wrote in a letter posted online Wednesday.

"While I think it is important to give them as little attention as possible, I remember how I felt as a young, closeted gay man in high school when I read those signs," McKee wrote. "Because of this, I want to remind you that regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, you are loved, worthy and valued. ... At your age, I thought I would have to give up on my dream to hold office if I ever came out. I didn't have to give up and neither do you — you are worthy of all of your dreams."

The church sent about six to eight protesters to the high school at 7:10 a.m. Thursday, said Michele Jones, spokeswoman for the Manhattan-Ogden school district. In contrast, 100 people turned out to counter-protest the Topeka-based church.

The group was made up mostly of students, but also included teachers and adults from the community, she said.

"It was all very peaceful. A lot of the students had made signs of 'Be kind,' 'MHS loves you,' a variety of things," Jones said. "I was very proud of the students. They really did a great job of being respectful, of participating. This was a wonderful learning opportunity, how to have a peaceful protest to get your message out. They just did a great job."

A woman at the protest posted a photo online of the school's head of security, Randy Nivert, directing traffic in a tie-dyed suit.

"Making students feel secure looks a lot of different ways," she wrote. "Thank you, Randy."

This morning westboro baptist showed up to protest at Manhattan High School. The head of security, Randy Nivert wore a tie dye suit while he directed traffic and supported students.



Making students feel secure looks a lot of different ways. Thank you Randy. pic.twitter.com/puncmlZ6R4

— Jess Girdler (@jessicagirdler) November 1, 2018

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Another person tweeted, "I wanna say that I’m truly proud of what I saw the students to at Manhattan High School. Love can really overpower any situation. Especially hate. Westboro Baptist Church has nothing on the love that Manhattan High School has. Good job guys."

McKee's letter had been shared more than 600 times by mid-morning Thursday and was eliciting supportive comments online.

"Thank you for writing this. I can't imagine reading such a letter when I was at MHS in the early 1980s," one woman wrote on Facebook.

Another said, "Well written Jerred McKee! I am standing with you and do what I can tomorrow am to be a buffer between that hate and students. Again I say ignore them and give them NO power."

Principal Greg Hoyt also posted a letter online Wednesday to let the community know Westboro planned a protest and what some of their signs might say.

"It is best to not acknowledge their presence by engaging in debate with them, but rather to ignore their presence and let them have their time to promote hate and ignorance," he said. "It is advised to be cognizant of our students and staff that may be targeted by this disgusting display and find ways to support our people, such as wearing bright colors (did you know that blue is the color of acceptance?) and simply spreading kindness.

"I challenge each and every one of us to rise to the occasion and express nothing but love on Thursday November 1."

In his letter, McKee pointed to a recent rating of Manhattan by the Human Rights Equality Index. The city received the highest score of the nine Kansas cities rated.

That index considers non-discrimination laws, leadership on LGBTQ issues, law enforcement and other categories. Manhattan received a rating of 73. Topeka received a rating of 37.

"Do not let the words of this group trigger sadness or fear for the future," McKee closed out his letter. "Rather, use their words as motivation to achieve something greater than you ever thought possible. You are more than a word on a sign, and if you fight for equal justice for everyone then history will be in your favor."

Manhattan High School! Despite the hateful lies shoved at you from city commissioner @JerredMcKee & principal @ghoyter, Westboro Baptist Church has some helpful truth: you are not perfect the way you are—you are sinful and need a Savior! #mhsdaily18



https://t.co/JyArNLrUBl pic.twitter.com/8YhR3HM85Y

— Westboro Baptist Church (@WBCSaysRepent) November 1, 2018