| Revision as of 19:16, 29 August 2012 editInsomesia (talk | contribs)3,057 edits It's a bit disingenuous to not explain why such a surprising designation has been made, especially against a Christian organization← Previous edit | Revision as of 19:20, 29 August 2012 edit undoBelchfire (talk | contribs)4,207 edits Undid revision 509816272 by Insomesia (talk) BLP violationNext edit → | ||
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| ==Hate group designation== | ==Hate group designation== | ||
| The Illinois Family Institute has been designated an anti-gay ] by the ] which states "mainly based on the posting on IFI’s website of a laudatory story about the discredited work of anti-gay “researcher” ], a man who has been thrown out of two professional associations because, as one said, he 'consistently misinterpreted and misrepresented sociological research on sexuality, ], and ]. |
The Illinois Family Institute has been designated an anti-gay ] by the ].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-files/ideology/anti-gay/active_hate_groups |title = Active Anti-Gay Groups |author = Southern Poverty Law Center|accessdate= July 8, 2012 }}</ref> | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 19:20, 29 August 2012
The Illinois Family Institute is a 501(c)(3) Christian organization based in Carol Stream, Illinois. Its mission is focused on "upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois," and is affiliated with the American Family Association. The organization also has a sister organization, Illinois Family Action, which is active as a 501(c)(4) lobbying organization in the state of Illinois. The organization's executive director is David E. Smith, who succeeded Peter LaBarbera in 2006.
Positions
The organization has a platform based on a core set of issues:
- Opposition to abortion and the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade
- Primacy of parents in raising children
- Opposition to recent court decisions related to the legal doctrine of separation of church and state
- Opposition to recognition of civil unions, gay marriage, and domestic partner benefits
- Support for parental choice of homeschooling, and opposition to mandatory sexual education and in-school health clinics
- Opposition to laws recognizing and/or protecting non-heterosexual relationships or activity
- Support for expansion of indecency laws
- Opposition to the "marriage penalty"
- Opposition to "activist judges"
- Opposition to expansion of gambling in Illinois
- Opposition to drug legalization
In the late 1990s, the organization opposed the use of evolution in Illinois schools, and its efforts were credited with the then-unpublicized elimination of word from Illinois school curricula. More recently, the organization has argued for the teaching of creationism in Illinois schools.
The Illinois Family Institute has been criticized for some of its positions, most notably their stances on LGBT issues. The organization has been a vocal opponent to recognition of the annual Day of Silence, calling for parents to keep their children home from school on that day. The Institute also has strongly opposed speeches and presentations by Dan Savage, who is originally from Chicago.
Hate group designation
The Illinois Family Institute has been designated an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.
References
- Illinois Family Institute. "About". Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- Illinois Family Action. "About". Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- Perlman, Quinn Seth (February 1, 2011). "Quinn signs bill legalizing civil unions". Southtown Star. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- "Resigned". The Advocate. September 26, 2006. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- Illinois Family Institute. "Issues We Follow". Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- "Thousands of phone calls fight video gambling law". WREX. January 20, 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- "Evolution Debate In Illinois Went By Unnoticed Two Years Ago". The Southeast Missourian. October 25, 1999. p. 5A. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- Lissau, Russell (February 14, 2011). "Candidates: Teach creationism in science classes". Daily Herald. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- Timothy Kincaid. "Laurie Higgins Hates the Sinner". Box Turtle Bulletin. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- Matt Barber (Illinois Family Institute). "Dan Savage: "Tolerant" Bully". Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- Southern Poverty Law Center. "Active Anti-Gay Groups". Retrieved July 8, 2012.