Exclusive: Photos show Michigan official protesting at gay rights rally

Andrew Shirvell, the Michigan Assistant Attorney General who appeared on CNN last night to defend his crusade against an openly gay student, was photographed in May 2010 carrying an anti-gay sign to a pro-gay rights rally.

Raw Story has obtained these photos exclusively.

When Fred Phelps and the anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church announced a demonstration against a gay themed play performed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the local gay community planned a counter-protest. No one from Westboro showed up, but one of the church's apparent local supporters did: Andrew Shirvell.

Shirvell carried a sign referencing student Chris Armstrong, the openly gay student assembly president at the university: "Chris Armstrong MSA Prez = Racist LIAR, Order of Angell = KKK."

The Order of Angell referred to on Shirvell's placard is a senior honor society at the university.

Shirvell, a Michigan alum, has acknowledged ownership of a blog dedicated to ousting Armstrong from his student leadership position. The blog claimed, among other things, that Armstrong was engaged in "homosexual recruitment." He's also acknowledged protesting outside Armstrong's residence.

Shirvell's anti-Armstrong crusade has gone on for six months -- mostly at his blog. In his inaugural blog post in April, he wrote, "This is a site for concerned University of Michigan alumni, students, and others who oppose the recent election of Chris Armstrong -- a RADICAL HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVIST, RACIST, ELITIST, & LIAR -- as the new head of student government."

For more information and to see Shirvell's CNN appearance, visit: Michigan official defends calling gay student ‘Satan’s representative’ and protesting outside his house.

The online activism site Change.org has begun a petition effort to press the state's Attorney General, Mike Cox to fire Shirvell. Cox will be appearing on Anderson Cooper's 360 on CNN tonight at 10pm.