Anti-gay group distancing itself from viciously homophobic web page

Score one for the good guys:

A link to a seminar series that presents homosexuality and its “second-hand effects” as a public health threat has been removed from the website of The Family Leader.

Julie Summa, director of marketing and public outreach for The Family Leader, said the seminar series has not been offered for around two years. However, up until Tuesday, a link to the seminar’s website was made available to anyone who signed up for e-mail updates on the group’s 99-county “Capturing Momentum Tour.” The Family Leader’s phone number is listed as contact info for anyone interested in booking the seminar.

When asked by The Iowa Independent why, if the series has not been offered for two years, it continues to be advertised on The Family Leader’s website, Summa said it was a mistake.

“The Second Hand Effects link shouldn’t be on our ‘Capturing Momentum Tour’ web page, which was created from an old template,” she said. “We plan to remove it as you are correct, we do not currently offer the seminar and have not had a full seminar in about two years.”
The seminar series, which is advertised as exposing the “public health crisis of same-sex activity,” was first discovered by the “Good As You” blog, but garnered headlines when it was brought up by reporters at a press conference organized by The Family Leader with former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The group’s CEO and president — Bob Vander Plaats — said the seminar hasn’t been offered since he came on board in November and vowed to look into the continued mention of the series on the group’s website.

I wrote a post about this site earlier this month, citing the many inaccuracies it contained including the fact that the page's name itself was an inference to the junk science of discredited researcher Paul Cameron.

It's nice to see what a little attention and focus can do.



Big hat tip to Goodasyou.org

Congressman continues to lie about the lgbt community and other Tuesday midday news briefs

If a Congressman 'bulldozes away' 'screaming, profane gays' and no one's there to film it... - Oh look. Congressman Steve King tells another lie about lgbts.

More anti-gay follies from King. I'm beginning to think that he doesn't really care for lgbts:
 
Why we must not ignore anti-gay hate groups - a visual demonstration

Congressman: if gays were more 'quiet,' they wouldn't have to worry about getting fired

Rep. King's office knew charges against Jennings were false BEFORE sending out letter

And apparently King don't really care for black people either:

Anti-gay Congressman attacks Obama for showing 'partiality' to African-Americans

And in other news briefs:

Just When Is Fischer Speaking For the AFA? - The American Family Association gives Bryan Fischer the auspices to say some of the most vicious, nasty, un-Christian statements, but apparently he isn't speaking for them. You can't have it both ways, guys.

Study: States with anti-gay adoption laws have more mental health issues - It doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell you that.

Outer Banks gay festival stirs debate - Good. Keep at it!

Family Research Council has yet to come out with 'detailed response' against SPLC charges

Last night, I asked a very pertinent question about the Family Research Council.

In December after the Southern Poverty Law Center designated the organization as an anti-gay hate group, Peter Sprigg - one of FRC's spokesman - said that they will be coming out with a more "detailed" response refuting these charges.

It's been almost two months and no detailed response has come out. So I asked when was this report coming out. What's more, I presented my question directly to FRC's webpage.

I wasn't expecting an answer so imagine my surprise when I got one, albeit a standard one:

Dear Mr. Alvin McEwen:

Thank you for your interest in the Family Research Council. As you may be aware, FRC champions marriage and family as the foundation of civilization, the seedbed of virtue, and the wellspring of society. We work to shape public debate and formulate public policy that values human life and upholds the institutions of marriage and the family. Believing that God is the author of life, liberty, and the family, FRC promotes the Judeo-Christian worldview as the basis for a just, free, and stable society.

We appreciate the time you have taken to contact FRC, and the opportunity to address your concerns. A member of FRC's correspondence team will respond to your comments shortly. Once again, thank you for your interest in FRC's work.

Your confirmation number for this activity is 3926862. If any information in this email confirmation is in error, or if you have further questions, please contact us by telephoning 1-800-22 5-4008 Mondays through Fridays between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM EST. From all of us at FRC, thank you and God bless.

Sincerely,

Family Research Council

Between you and me, I have a feeling that I'm going to be waiting so long for FRC's answer that "my credit will get good again."

But still, it's nice to put their feet to some type of fire.

If you feel the need to, please do the same - respectfully - by going here. Ask them why is it taking so long for them to "refute" SPLC's charges.
 
Related posts:

Family Research Council defends itself with distorted studies . . . again

Family Research Council plans to go on tour against the Southern Poverty Law Center

Family Research Council's 'we are not a hate group' campaign gets destroyed on two fronts

Family Research Council's anti-SPLC campaign places bullseye on the backs of Republican leaders

Family Research Council digging itself deeper in the hole in war against hate group label

The Family Research Council tries to declare war on the Southern Poverty Law Center

Peter LaBarbera's ramblings exposes the Family Research Council's deception

Mike Huckabee tries to defend the Family Research Council from hate group designation and fails miserably

The Family Research Council should be apologizing to the gay community

Family Research Council, American Family Association named as anti-gay hate groups