God plans to put up billboards which proclaim “God Loves Gay,” around the country.
After successfully putting up a digital billboard in Orem, Utah, the social media group God plans to put its next billboard up this month in Salt Lake City, and hopes to put more up in 19 other possible locations, such as Mississippi, Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana, and Tennessee.
As of June 9, God has raised more than $12,000 of its $20,000 fundraising goal on the site YouCaring.com.
“There are so many young LGBTQ kids who face daily bullying just for who they are,” writes the group on YouCaring.com. “Sadly all too often LGBTQ teens take their own lives due to the extreme lack of acceptance they face from their family, religious institution, or bigoted bullies. It is extremely important that this message of love is spread throughout the world.”
God’s attempt to get the message out is quite savvy. Though some may think otherwise, billboards are a highly effective way to get the word out. According to a recent study, more than one-third (37%) of consumers report looking at an outdoor ad each or most of the time they pass one. In other words, one in three people almost always look at billboards when they pass them.
“The purpose of these billboards will be to show everyone that all humans are equal and loved by God,” writes God.
The group operates mainly on its Facebook page, “God,” and on YouCaring.com, though it also has its own website, TheGoodLordAbove.com. Created in 2011, the Facebook page has accrued more than two million followers in just four short years.
In addition to the billboards, which also feature a cartoon caricature of a smiling, Christian God in front of a rainbow, the group also reportedly made waves last year after placing a yearlong billboard near the home of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas.