“Countering Anti-LGBT Organizations: Hate Groups Ramped Up Spending In 2009″

According to a November 23, 2011 Article by Carlos Maza & Equality Matters staff:  A recent report from the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life found that, despite a tough economy, groups like the National Organization for Marriage significantly increased their spending on anti-LGBT advocacy in 2009.

According to Roll Call:  The number of religious lobbies inside the Beltway has grown steadily in recent years, jumping from 158 in 2000 to 211 in 2010, according to the report “Lobbying for the Faithful: Religious Advocacy Groups in Washington, D.C.” While the economic downturn has depressed spending by such groups overall, religious lobbying has spiked in some areas while tapering off in others.

The National Organization for Marriage, for example, more than doubled its advocacy expenditures from $3.3 million in 2008 to $8.6 million in 2009, the most recent data available, the group found. Four other groups also doubled their advocacy expenditures: the World Organization for Resource Development & Education; Christians’ Israel Public Action Campaign; the PICO National Network, an alliance of groups doing community organizing; and the International Uyghur Human Rights & Democracy Foundation, which promotes freedom for Muslims in China’s Uyghur region. [emphasis added]

Other big spenders included Concerned Women for America and the Family Research Council, which has been labeled an anti-gay hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center:The other top spenders in 2008 and 2009, based on the most recently available data, included the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which spent $26.7 million on advocacy in 2009; the conservative Family Research Council, which spent $14.3 million in 2008; the American Jewish Committee, which spent $13.4 million in 2008, and Concerned Women for America, which doled out $12.6 million in 2008. [emphasis added by Equality Matter.]

Because the LGBT community has succeeded with the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, New York marriage equality, forwarding of the Respect for Marriage Act from the Senate Judiciary Committee to the House, cases ruling against DOMA, the Obama administration policy changes on a myriad of issues,  it is likely that the anti-LGBT equality forces and hate groups will continue to pour millions of dollars into their coffers to try and undo the work we have accomplished and further their own anti-gay agendas.

We can counter the harmful dollars with helpful dollars. The mission of GAY U.S.A.  the Movie is to educate America about the issues facing LGBT people. Kristina Lapinski, the producer of GAY U.S.A.  the Movie has been known for entering the “lion’s den” to shed light on the gay, lesbian, and transgender struggle.

During this giving season we urge you to spend your money to help make a difference.  Help GAY U.S.A.  reach the reasonably minded Americans who know little about Gay issues and have yet to meet LGBT people and their families. We truly believe that this film will make a difference and help change the way America looks at GAY!

by Melanie Nathan
melanie@gayusathemovie.com
@gayusathemovieandB

Photo by Kristina Lapinski
GAY U.S.A. the Movie © all rights reserved 2011.