"I came to Kent because I wanted to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to every creature. My preacher frequently comes here, but today I wanted to teach by myself," said Charles Spingola, a local evangelist.

Yet many students said they were offended by the lesson Spingola was preaching.

"I just came outside because I wanted to eat my lunch and this man started yelling racist, sexist and homophobic things," said Gina Chase, a Kent State student.

Spingola said it was his duty to express his opinion.

"The students wanted to debate with me because I refuse to call homosexuals gay," he said. "Instead I call them perverts because they go against God's plan. If Christians don't tell them what's right, then no one else will."

Some observers, like Kent State psychology graduate Christopher Stringer, had heard Spingola's message before and also felt it was inappropriate.

"I have seen him preach at other college campuses," Stringer said. "He exemplifies the same type of tolerance and hate as those who use terrorist actions to intimidate the lesbian, gay, bisexual communities and women in general."

Melissa Cairns also disagreed with Spingola's message, but felt debating with him was wrong.

"I think students here debate the wrong way. If you want to prove a point, you have to listen. Screaming only makes the situation worse," Cairns said.

The debate was broken up around 2:30 p.m., when three Kent State police officers arrived.

"Delta Upsilon fraternity scheduled a fund-raiser event in the plaza area. When one of our employees asked him to move, he refused," said John Harper, assistant director of the Kent State Student Center.

Mary Ann Schneider, assistant director of the student center, said the minister refused to move during the planned activity, even after he was warned that the police would be called.

Kent State police said Spingola was out of line.

"Anyone in the plaza area has a right to speak if there isn't a conflict between a scheduled event and the speaker," Kent State Police Officer Bill Triplett said. "The fund-raiser was delayed because the minister was in the way. We gave him the option to move somewhere else, or come back later."

Spingola did decide to leave, but said he plans to return Friday.