Megan Phelps-Roper

Megan Phelps-Roper is an American author, public speaker, and activist best known for her memoir "Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church", which chronicles her departure from the controversial Westboro Baptist Church. Born on October 31, 1986, in Topeka, Kansas, Phelps-Roper grew up in the church, which is infamous for its extreme beliefs and anti-LGBTQ stance. As a member, she participated in the church’s notorious protests and hate speech campaigns. However, over time, Phelps-Roper began to question the values she had been raised with, leading her to leave the church and dedicate her life to reconciliation and understanding.

Since leaving the Westboro Baptist Church, Phelps-Roper has become a prominent advocate for dialogue and empathy, using her experiences to bridge divides between people with differing beliefs. Her story is one of personal transformation, as she recounts how she moved from a life rooted in hate and division to one focused on forgiveness and human connection. Her work emphasizes the importance of having difficult conversations and challenging preconceived notions about others.

One of her powerful quotes, “The people who are hardest to love are the ones who need love the most”, reflects her belief in the transformative power of compassion and understanding. Through her work as an advocate and speaker, Phelps-Roper continues to inspire individuals to overcome their own biases and embrace empathy in their interactions. Her journey from extremism to reconciliation has made her a leading voice in discussions on love, forgiveness, and the power of personal growth.