Just another Saturday pointing shit out. (via)
Grayson and Tina Haver Currin have been spending their spending their Saturdays taking casual drives into Carey, N.C. for a day of fun and counter-protest at the local women's health clinic.
It all started when the Raleigh N.C. couple got sick of driving past Bible-wielding damnation-threatening pro-lifers stationed outside the clinic, and decided, "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em with satirical signs that will probably just go over their heads." They grabbed pics of each weekend attempt, started a tumblr, and the support started rolling in.
Woah, is he single? (via)
Tina describes how it began on their tumblr Saturday Chores:
"Grayson and I both grew up not too far away, and we’ve seen the clinic in question hundreds of times. But for some reason, on this morning in particular, the protestors got under our skin a little more than normal. Grayson suggested that we make a sign that said “Weird Hobby” and point at one of the protestors... We posted the results to Instagram and Facebook, and people flipped."
Everyone is en-turtled to their beliefs. (via)
It's a great idea. Arguing with a zealot is futile because they see your interest as validation. But just showing up with a sign of your own? Brilliant. Nothing balances crazy better than mockery.
I saw him on his revival tour. (via)
While their signs are humorous, the Haver Currins have put themselves in a dangerous situation. Clinics have been bombed in the name of Jesus. To minimize the heat they receive, the two switch off each weekend between who holds the sign and who takes the picture. Tina told Cosmopolitan about how the protestors react, "They tell us we're terrible sinners, we're going to hell, we secretly love God, etc. They ask how many abortions I've had — none, actually — if we're atheists — yeah, totally — and why we're even bothering — because it bothers you, duh!"
She's hiding her face from the truth about St. Patrick. (via)
They're praying for "Grayson's wife." (via)
While they do have fun bothering the bother-ers, there's obviously more to it. As Grayson told the Daily Dot:
“While it's true that we're mocking people, we consider the chief value of what we're doing the solidarity that we demonstrate for the individuals or families that need to use the clinic's services for whatever reasons they may have. Generally, upon arrival, they only encounter hate. We want to offer a rejoinder, however slight. And we also hope to show passersby on the busy thoroughfare that the far religious right need not be the only ones with a voice; those with progressive views have one, too, and we should use it. We plan to keep doing it as long as they [the pro-lifers] can. Already, they've taken to putting their signs down when we show up, which we consider an important, if brief, victory.”
Showing up with signs is just one way the couple has managed to neutralize the protestors. Another, they say, is just to turn a camera on them. Below is a video from Saturday Chores where you can see this trick in action (but don't call it a trick in front of the protestors, because magic is the devil's work).
Great job, you two! You're doing the Lord's work!
(by Myka Fox)