In my mind, Lord Voldemort is a real person, and his name is Fred Phelps.

Once again, Phelps is back in the news. He died Wednesday at his home in Topeka. Social media and national news outlets picked up the story and are buzzing about the future of Westboro Baptist Church.

Phelps was part of the church for several decades, being named pastor in 1955, when it opened. The church, with Phelps at the helm, began their reign of hatred against homosexuals in 1991, with a picketing at Gage Park in Topeka. If you have had the misfortune of encountering him, you’re in good company, including me.

He was on Maple Road at a church protesting a military funeral when I drove by. His family was out there with small children, each holding up horrible signs against the military and homosexuality.

According to BBC news, Fred Phelps was hailed as “the most hated man in America,” and I think that title accurately fit him. He and his family have added a lot of unnecessary stress on innocent people.

I am embarrassed by the things they have done and the national attention they have brought to Kansas. Because the truth is, there are a lot of very tolerant, open-minded people in our state. But when the national media only reports on Westboro Baptist Church, I worry about how other states perceive us.

Even though I’m ashamed of what they have done, I think they have bonded us, in a way. There was a story of the Phelps’ neighbors, who painted their house in rainbow colors to represent gay pride.

Many groups have come to military funerals bearing American flags, standing to make sure the family felt safe. One Kansas town made a giant flag and wrapped it around the protest area of the church, and they cheered so loudly that no one in the funeral procession heard or saw the hateful slogans.

The church stood outside of concerts, screaming and protesting hate at music’s greatest stars last year, from Lady Gaga to Taylor Swift. Many fans stood in front of them with signs of gratitude for the singers coming to town. But I think either way, it’s bad for business.

Many artists Tweeted about the church at their shows, including Harry Styles of One Direction. If groups like the Foo Fighters look out their windows and see their faces on posters with the words “Burn in Hell” on them, I have to wonder if they will continue to come back to Kansas.

Without Phelps though, the religious sect will lose steam and eventually disappear. At this point, they have no credibility or ground to stand on.

To the world though, I say, do not judge us based on the horrendous thinking of one group of people. Kansas is not defined by the Phelps’s actions. I am ashamed they come from my state.

Last Wednesday, it was like a real life “Harry Potter” moment. I saw on Twitter he was gone, and then I got in my car and drove home as the sun set, happily ever after.