Mike Crupi/THE POST Supporters of the Swarm of Dykes, right, stand in silent protest as Jed Smock answers questions from the audience during a public access television show sponsored by Conservative Front, Inc in Baker Center. The show, which was originally planned as a debate between Smock and members of SOD, was protested by SOD members who feared that the sponsors would sensationalize the event.

What was supposed to be a debate turned into a fiasco Friday afternoon at Baker Center after one side stood silently in protest and tried to block out the other, refusing to move until police arrived.

"Brother Jed vs. Swarm of Dykes" was to feature an hour-long debate between Christian preacher Jed Smock and members of the Ohio University lesbian activist group. The special edition of You're Wrong, a public access television show produced by the student group Conservative Front Inc., was shown live on channel 23 at 5 p.m.

However, immediately after Reuben Perdue, off-campus president of Conservative Front, introduced Swarm of Dykes members Heather Moyer and Tyle Fernandez, the two stood up and turned around, and about 20 people came out of the audience and stood in front of the podium with their backs turned to the camera. They had fliers taped to their backs that read "Our vulnerability in this culture will not be exploited for your entertainment." Several also had tape over their mouths.

When Smock tried to make his opening statement, some of the protesters moved in front of him. When he climbed on a chair, four protesters climbed onto tables to stand between him and the audience.

When the protesters came forward to stand in front of Smock, Perdue threatened to call the police if they did not leave or return to their seats. No one moved, and Smock proceeded to make an opening statement, followed by questions from the audience.

After about 40 minutes of live air time, an Ohio University Police Department officer arrived and told everyone who was not a member of the Conservative Front to leave the room. There were a few brief protests from the audience, but all of the silent demonstrators and most of the audience did leave.

Moyer said she and other protesters objected to the way the debate was handled by Conservative Front. She said that after organizers agreed the debate would be a civil discussion, the sponsor's advertising suggested it would try to sensationalize it.

"Their fliers blatantly contradicted what they told us," Moyer said.

Conservative Front On-Campus President Karl Zarins, the chief organizer of the debate, said the protesters objected to the use of Swarm of Dykes' name on fliers promoting the debate. He said the fliers contained a disclaimer that said the show's participants did not necessarily represent the views of Swarm of Dykes, but that apparently did not satisfy the protesters.

"It was just kind of a miscommunication," Zarins said.

Smock is well-known at several colleges around the Midwest, including OU, for publicly preaching his interpretations of the Bible. His sidewalk speeches frequently include denunciations of homosexuality, and have sparked shouts of protests on College Green many times.

"There is hope for a lesbian or a homosexual. They can change because homosexuality is a choice. You have to choose to do these perverted things," Smock said.

Much of the audience disagreed strongly with Smock's comments.

When one audience member said the protesters were preventing her from "getting the whole experience of the debate." Sophomore Chris Evans said, "You can't have a battle of wits with an unarmed man."

Moyer said the protesters got their message across.

"It made a statement," Moyer said. "It may seem like entertainment, but it wasn't sensational."

Perdue said the protesters worked to Conservative Front's advantage.

"They don't realize how good a 40 minutes of television they just gave us," he said.