Thu. August 4, 2011
Naperville, IL -
The hate group Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH), based in west suburban Naperville, has lost its tax-exempt status.
According to ExGayWatch, an LGBT watchdog group, as of June 10 donations to the organization will not be considered tax-exempt after losing 501(c)3 status for "failure to file a Form 990, 990-EZ, 990-N, or 990-PF for 3 consecutive years."
Despite being labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, the group headed by Peter LaBarbera had maintained its tax-free non-profit status since 2006.
According to the watchdog group, LaBarbera received a salary of $75,000 in 2009.
LaBarbera's group is working to repeal Illinois' civil unions law and amend the state's constitution to ban same-sex marriage and its equivalent.
The 47-year-old 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.
He has also been employed by the anti-women's right organization, Concerned Women for America and was a reporter for the conservative Washington Times newspaper.
LaBarbera continues to bill himself as a credible source for media outlets on anti-gay issues.
For the complete article (non-reader view with multimedia and original links),
Tap here.
Head to the local LGBTQ news, events, directory and people network at ChicagoPride.com