Nasty homophobic banner at college game gets fought with an uplifting expression of love

Two women suddenly ambushed a college basketball game this week with a long banner bearing a homophobic message.

But a group of mothers have risen up to fight against the hatred.

The initial banner in the now-viral image, was unfurled by two graduate students from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) in Wuhan.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

In one of the lines, the banner reads: "Keep homosexuality far from the university campus."

After the image started circulating, a group of mothers prepared their own banners in reaction, and came to the same university basketball court for a similar picture:

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

This time, the banner's message was far more positive, reading: "Don't let homophobic people hurt our children!"

They also held rainbow flags for the picture.

According to social media posts, the mothers also chanted: "My gay sons and daughters, mum and dad will always support you!"

The incident has also sparked an outpouring of support on Chinese social media.

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

IfImWrongIWillAdmitIt: "I have no words. What's the point of having an education? Having a brain would be better."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

ying199112: "Are you crazy? What has homophobia got to do with socialist values? Everyone knows what you're doing, even if you hide behind a certain cause."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

EvilInside: "What do you mean, reject Western [values]? Ancient Chinese were also gay. Ignorance is scary, man."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

LittleDuoDuoIsGone: "Is this what so many years of teaching have taught you?"

A HUST representative confirmed that the two were graduate students, but maintained that the banner display was a personal act, and not representative of the college.

HUST -- which ranks as China's eighth best university -- is one of the more LGBTQ-friendly campuses in China, according to Sixth Tone. A college principal told students in 2012 that the school would not discriminate against LGBTQ students on campus.