SPLC, Truth Wins Out preparing to take on anti-gay hate groups

From the press release:

Apreill Hartsfield
334.956.8458
apreill.hartsfield@splcenter.org

Southern Poverty Law Center to Hold Press Conference Outside Values Voter Summit

The Southern Poverty Law Center will hold a press conference this Friday, Oct. 7, to release a report on the Family Research Council (FRC) and American Family Association (AFA), two groups that spread false propaganda that demonizes the LGBT community. The FRC is hosting the annual Values Voter Summit this weekend Washington, where many prominent public officials will be speaking. The AFA is a major co-sponsor.

WHO: Mark Potok, Director, Intelligence Project, Southern Poverty Law Center
Wayne Besen, Truth Wins Out

WHEN: Friday, October 7
8 a.m. (EDT)

WHERE: Omni Shoreham
2500 Calvert Street NW (at Connecticut Ave.)
Washington, DC

###

The Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Alabama with offices in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. For more information, see www.splcenter.org.

Truth Wins Out is a non-profit organization that fights anti-LGBT religious extremism. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.

Meanwhile,  Bryan Fischer from the American Family Association is doubling down on his hate:

Transcript:

The New York Times piece goes on to say “The conference, from Friday to Sunday in Washington, is sponsored by the Family Research Council, the American Family Association” that would be us, “and other evangelical Christian groups. It aims to energize social conservatives and test the fidelity of the candidates.” All true. “The conference planners have obliged Mr. Romney, scheduling him to speak right before Bryan Fischer, who is chief spokesman for the family association and is known for his strident remarks on homosexuality, gay rights, Muslims and Mormons.” Now again, when you just tell the truth, that’s all I’ve done, I’ve done nothing but tell the truth about homosexuality, about gay rights, about Muslims and Mormons. That’s all I’ve done. I didn’t make anything up; I have just told the truth. You tell the truth as far as the left is concerned, that makes you strident. In fact my comments, my speech, is gonna be followed by a panel of same-sex marriage opponents. And then the New York Times guy talks about People For the American Way calling on especially Mr. Romney to publicly disassociate themselves from Mr. Fischer and his quote “unmitigated bigotry.” So once again, tell the truth, as far as the left concerns, “unmitigated bigotry.”

Meanwhile, little ole me awaits the entire thing like a ravenous individual on Thanksgiving.

Or better yet, a bloodthirsty warrior who is running low on his "kill quota."

Related posts:

16 reasons why the Family Research Council is a hate group

The reason why the American Family Association is a hate group

Reasons why NOM should be named as a hate group 

'Hate group attacks Chaz Bono in attempt to stop pro-gay law' and other Thursday midday news briefs

As many of you know, the religious right have been trying to stop a law in California - SB48 (The Fair Education Act) - which revised an existing law and adds the gay community to a list of under-represented cultural and ethnic groups that are covered in textbooks and other instructional materials in schools.

These folks seek to repeal this law via referendum and they have also been stooping to nasty levels, such a allegedly lying to get signatures.

But the following graphic takes the cake. It is a part of  a Powerpoint presentation - which according to the anti-gay group the Family Research Council - should be shown in churches:

Hat tip to Jeremy Hooper


And in other news (if that graphic hasn't made you sick already):

Minnesota Catholic Conference: ‘What If A Bisexual Wants A Partner Of Each Kind?’ - Tacky, tacky.

One Way To Tell That Trans People Are On The Religious Right’s/Social Conservative’s Radar - It will get worse before it gets better.

Major News Outlets Still Relying On Hate Group Leader For 2012 Commentary - I personally think that this is good news. A good target is one which has a big red mark on its back. I mean that in a strictly figurative "let's not waste good opportunities to show the world that the Family Research Council is a hate group" type of way.

Religious right cause celebre sacrificing integrity of her name for case?

The case of Julea Ward demonstrates how not only money can push against truth but also how the religious right exploits potential cause celebres.

Last year, a federal judge, the Honorable George Caram Steeh, dismissed a case brought by grad student Julea Ward against Eastern Michigan University. The college expelled her from its graduate program for refusing to counsel a gay client:

"The university had a rational basis for adopting the ACA Code of Ethics into its counseling program, not the least of which was the desire to offer an accredited program," Steeh said in a 48-page opinion.

"Furthermore, the university had a rational basis for requiring its students to counsel clients without imposing their personal values.

"In the case of Ms. Ward, the university determined that she would never change her behavior and would consistently refuse to counsel clients on matters with which she was personally opposed due to her religious beliefs -- including homosexual relationships."

The judge said Ward's "refusal to attempt learning to counsel all clients within their own value systems is a failure to complete an academic requirement of the program."

Backed up with religious right money and pull (in this case the Alliance Defense Fund),  Ward is now appealing the decision.

Personally I am of the belief that if Ward wants to receive certification from Eastern Michigan University, she needs to follow the university's program. If she doesn't want to counsel gay patients, perhaps it would be better for her to seek a college which would accommodate her.

But something about this entire thing bothers me. It's a seemingly small thing but it sticks in my mind. Her name is Julea Ward. It is how she was referred to in past court documents and the media.

However, in this re-pushing of her case, several religious right sources - one being the National Organization for Marriage - are referring to her as Julie.

To some people, that difference may seem trite, but to me - a member of an ethnic group who has seen and had to deal with folks coming in trying to convert things about our heritage in a poor excuse to gain appeal to a wider base - the name change is bothersome.

Could it be that the folks handling Ms. Ward's case decided that eliminating the ethnicity in her name would help widen her appeal?

If this is so, perhaps Ms. Ward should stop worrying about Eastern Michigan University and start worrying about those claiming to be her friends.