More than 100 students turned out last Thursday afternoon on the main campus walkway to counter two ralliers who were advocating what they said were the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Jim Deferio of Syracuse, along with his daughter, Michelle Deferio, 26, stood facing the Fine Arts Building near the New University Union with signs that quoted Jesus Christ and referred to his teachings.

“Thousands of ex-homosexuals have experienced the life-changing love of Jesus Christ,” Jim Deferio’s sign read, which included the addresses for Web sites like hopeforhomosexuals.com.

Students and other protesters formed a circle around Jim Deferio as Matt Unhjem, editor of Q Magazine on campus, jogged laps around the group while sporting a rainbow flag.

“If you want to please God, your creator, you’re going to follow the Bible,” Jim Deferio said later on during his rally.

Between 1 and 1:15 p.m. protesters chanted “shame, shame, shame,” and tightened the circle closer around Jim Deferio as they shouted questions about gay rights, abortion and the right to live as one chooses.

Two male students also shared a kiss, to the applause of students, in the center of the circle adjacent to Jim Deferio, while wearing an American flag draped around one of their shoulders.

One protester said that the scene was a sign of the times.

“These people are spewing hate and close-mindedness,” said Basheer Burgus, a senior majoring in history and English, adding that he didn’t think anyone knew beforehand of the pair’s plan to rally.

Unhjem said he and his friends came across the site by chance.

“I think he came to the wrong campus,” Unhjem said. “He’s saying a lot of hateful things … I’m kind of speechless.”

Michelle Deferio said she and her father chose BU because it was “in the area,” and because they wanted to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to “everyone and anyone” who would listen.

She said that homosexuality was only one of many sins and that to some people the gospel is offensive.

“Offense comes because people don’t necessarily want to change,” Michelle Deferio said. “Some people love their sins.”

Before 2:30 p.m., a sign was placed near the center of the people rallying around Jim, which stated that the SA supports the rights of all individuals as stated in the U.S. Constitution. The sign, which was endorsed by Vice President for Multicultural Affairs Maryam Belly, also stated that the organization recognizes everyone’s First Amendment right, but does not condone hate speech.

Two members of Binghamton’s New York State University Police were present.

“We’re just monitoring,” Doug Bonawitz of University police said. “Everyone has a right to freedom of speech.”

Following the occurrence, a small group stood holding signs in the rain early Friday afternoon in the same area Thursday’s protest was held.

“The guy claimed he was Christian, spreading the gospel in a hateful manner that offends the LGBT community,” Joanna Lee, a member of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, said. “We’re sorry for the way he was hateful and representing Christians. We don’t believe it was very nice of him.”

One of the signs read,“I’m sorry in regards to what happened yesterday.”

— Evan Drellich contributed to this report.