Username:
Password:
Remember me

close

 

 

 

by GoPride.com News Staff

Montgomery, AL — Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH), based in west suburban Naperville, is set to hold a press conference outside the headquarters of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Tuesday to protest the organization's classification of them as a hate group. 

Headed by Peter LaBarbera, the anti-gay group was labeled a "hate group" by SPLC in 2010. AFTAH lost its tax-exempt status in 2011 for failure to file proper paper work for 3 consecutive years. 

LaBarbera contends the SPLC has never labeled a "gay" organization or website as "hateful."

The SPLC's criteria for labeling a group or organization as a hate group requires that the group spread discredited and slanderous propaganda.

LaBarbera has a long history in Illinois' anti-gay movement. Prior to founding AFTAH, he lead the Illinois Family Institute, a group that worked to get anti-gay referenda on the Illinois state ballot. In 2006, he resigned from the Illinois Family Institute and re-launched his anti-gay message as Americans For Truth About Homosexuality. 

Previously, the SPLC labeled the Illinois Family Institute as a hate group. 

LaBarbera has also been employed by the anti-women's right organization, Concerned Women for America (CWA) and was a reporter for the conservative Washington Times newspaper. 

The Alabama-based Southern Poverty Law Center, which works to fight discrimination, hate and bigotry and promote justice and equality, tracks hate groups and extremists across the country as a part of their mission.

Make The Yuletide Gay Blu-ray
More Info | Buy It!

Damron Women's Traveller: 2012 Edition
More Info | Buy It!

Queers in History: The Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Historical Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals
More Info | Buy It!