Americans for Truth about Homosexuality
Americans for Truth about Homosexuality (AFTAH) is an organization which describes its mission as "exposing the homosexual activist agenda".[2] AFTAH rejects the idea that sexual orientation is inborn and believes that people can "leave the homosexual lifestyle".[3] AFTAH contends that there is a fundamental conflict between gay rights and religious freedom.[4] It is designated as an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).[5][6]
Americans for Truth about Homosexuality | |
Founded | 1996 |
---|---|
Founder | Peter LaBarbera |
54-1829289 (EIN) | |
Location | |
Revenue | $110,000 (2009)[1] |
Website | americansfortruth |
History
AFTAH was formed as a part-time enterprise in 1996 to oppose the "radical homosexual agenda." It was reorganized in 2006 by Peter LaBarbera.[3] It was a 501(c)3 United States tax-exempt organization until stripped of that designation in 2010, following years of failing to file the appropriate paperwork.[7] AFTAH's tax exempt status was reinstated in 2012[8] but again revoked in 2015.[9]
“Activism”
In 1997, LaBarbera, then an editor for the Family Research Council, criticized US President Bill Clinton for supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) stating: "He's out there using his presidential power to boost the gay lobby. I think there is an increasing acceptance [of homosexuality], but the majority of Americans are put off by the kind of homosexual advocacy they are seeing."[10]
In 2009, AFTAH filed a lawsuit in US Federal Court against a Naperville, Illinois, Holiday Inn Select, because of the cancellation of a banquet the AFTAH planned to hold October 6, 2007, at the hotel. The hotel cancelled the AFTAH event after learning that it would likely draw protests from the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network.[11] That same year, LaBarbera, while speaking at the Reclaiming Oklahoma for Christ Conference, called for a government study of the dangers of homosexual sex.[12]
Criticism
In 2010, AFTAH was designated as an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for spreading "hateful propaganda", and claiming that homosexuality can be "cured".[5][6]
See also
- Parents Action League
- Heterosexuals Organized for a Moral Environment
- List of organizations designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as anti-gay hate groups
References
- "IRS Form 990 federal tax return" (PDF). GuideStar. Retrieved October 1, 2012.
- "About Americans for Truth and Founder Peter LaBarbera". Americans for Truth. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- "About Americans for Truth and Founder Peter LaBarbera". AFTAH. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- "First civil unions". Daily Herald. Arlington Heights, IL. June 3, 2011. Retrieved September 9, 2012. – via Questia Online Library (subscription required)
- Dininny, Shannon (January 16, 2012). "Civil-rights history gets boost; Whitman College students to teach subject this week". The Seattle Times. Seattle, WA.
- Cruz, Hector (August 26, 2010). "Naperville anti-gay group slams Elisabeth Hasselbeck for recent pro-gay marriage remarks". Chicago Examiner. Chicago, IL.
Earlier this year, AFTAH was labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for spreading hateful proganda, and claiming that homosexuality can be cured.
- Harmon, Andrew. "IRS Revokes Antigay Group's Tax Exempt Status". The Advocate. Archived from the original on 2012-02-15. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
- LaBarbera, Peter. "IRS Reinstates Americans For Truth About Homosexuality as 501(c)(3) Tax-Exempt Organization". Americans For Truth About Homosexuality. Archived from the original on December 23, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
- "Americans for Truth About". IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. Retrieved May 15, 2019.
- Thurman, Skip (November 7, 1997). "Clinton to Openly Advocate Gay Rights". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
- Cichon, Kathy (August 31, 2009). "Christian group sues Naperville hotel". The Herald News. Joliet, IL. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2012. – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)
- Witkowski, D'Anne (July 30, 2009). "Creep of the Week: Peter LaBarbera". Between the Lines. Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2012. – via HighBeam Research (subscription required)