Illinois Family Institute: Difference between revisions
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The '''Illinois Family Institute''' (IFI) is a [[501(c)(3)]] [[Christianity|Christian]] organization based in [[Carol Stream, Illinois]]. Founded in 1992, its mission is focused on "upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois," and is affiliated with the [[American Family Association]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://illinoisfamily.org/about/ |title = About |author = Illinois Family Institute|accessdate= July 8, 2012 }}</ref> The organization also has a sister organization, [[Illinois Family Action]], founded in 2010 it is active as a [[501(c)(4)]] lobbying organization in the state of Illinois.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.illinoisfamilyaction.org/?page_id=2 |title = About |author = Illinois Family Action|accessdate= July 8, 2012 }}</ref> The organization's executive director is David E. Smith, who succeeded [[Peter LaBarbera]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/3591528-418/civil-couples-quinn-illinois-unions.html|title=Quinn signs bill legalizing civil unions|last=Perlman|first=Quinn Seth|date=February 1, 2011|work=Southtown Star|accessdate=9 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-152259507.html|title=Resigned|date=September 26, 2006|work=The Advocate|accessdate=9 July 2012}}</ref> |
The '''Illinois Family Institute''' (IFI) is a [[501(c)(3)]] [[Christianity|Christian]] organization based in [[Carol Stream, Illinois]]. Founded in 1992, its mission is focused on "upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois," and is affiliated with the [[American Family Association]].<ref>{{cite web |url = http://illinoisfamily.org/about/ |title = About |author = Illinois Family Institute|accessdate= July 8, 2012 }}</ref> The organization also has a sister organization, [[Illinois Family Action]], founded in 2010 it is active as a [[501(c)(4)]] lobbying organization in the state of Illinois.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://www.illinoisfamilyaction.org/?page_id=2 |title = About |author = Illinois Family Action|accessdate= July 8, 2012 }}</ref> The organization's executive director is David E. Smith, who succeeded [[Peter LaBarbera]] in 2006.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/news/3591528-418/civil-couples-quinn-illinois-unions.html|title=Quinn signs bill legalizing civil unions|last=Perlman|first=Quinn Seth|date=February 1, 2011|work=Southtown Star|accessdate=9 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-152259507.html|title=Resigned|date=September 26, 2006|work=The Advocate|accessdate=9 July 2012}}</ref> |
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In Winter of 2010, the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] reported, "the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) will be listing [IFI] next year as [a] [[hate group]]..."<ref name=Schlatter2010/> |
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== Positions == |
== Positions == |
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Revision as of 16:42, 3 September 2012
The Illinois Family Institute (IFI) is a 501(c)(3) Christian organization based in Carol Stream, Illinois. Founded in 1992, its mission is focused on "upholding and re-affirming marriage, family, life and liberty in Illinois," and is affiliated with the American Family Association.[1] The organization also has a sister organization, Illinois Family Action, founded in 2010 it is active as a 501(c)(4) lobbying organization in the state of Illinois.[2] The organization's executive director is David E. Smith, who succeeded Peter LaBarbera in 2006.[3][4]
In Winter of 2010, the Southern Poverty Law Center reported, "the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) will be listing [IFI] next year as [a] hate group..."[5]
Positions
The organization opposes abortion, the separation of church and state, "activist judges", the "marriage penalty". They further oppose the recognition of civil unions, gay marriage and all laws recognizing or protecting non-heterosexual relationships or activity. They also oppose the expansion of gambling in Illinois[6] and drug legalization.[7]
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.[8] More recently, the organization has argued for the teaching of creationism in Illinois schools.[9]
The Illinois Family Institute has been criticized for some of its positions, most notably their stances on LGBT issues. In 2009, Laurie Higgins, the directory of school advocacy for the IFI said: "There was something profoundly good for society about the prior stigmatization of homosexual practice".[5][10] 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.[11] The Institute also has strongly opposed speeches and presentations by Dan Savage, journalist and co-founder of the It Gets Better Project (to help prevent suicide among LGBT youth), who is originally from Chicago.[12][13]
Hate group designation
The Illinois Family Institute was designated an anti-gay hate group in 2009 by the Southern Poverty Law Center, on the grounds that it is "heavily focused on attacking gay people and homosexuality in general."[5]
In its Intelligence Report, the SPLC states the designation was based on the association with Paul Cameron, a researcher whose studies about the lives of homosexuals have been "utterly discredited", and on the association with LaBarbera who repeats the disproved link between gay men and pedophilia.[5][14][15] Cameron has been removed from professional and scholarly organizations and his studies have been met with formal resolutions passed against him.[5] LaBarbera has endorsed Cameron's research and has said that ways should be found "to bring back shame" for homosexual behavior.[5] As well, Higgins' words were linked to the hate group designation, including her comparison of homosexuality to Nazism.[5]
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.
- ^ a b c d e f g Schlatter, Evelyn (2010). "18 Anti-Gay Groups and Their Propaganda". Intelligence Report (140).
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Thousands of phone calls fight video gambling law". WREX. January 20, 2010. Retrieved 9 July 2012.
- ^ Illinois Family Institute. "Issues We Follow". Retrieved July 8, 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.
- ^ The words are also repeated here as well Higgins, Laurie (August 17, 2010). "Glenn Beck is AWOL in the Cultural War". Retrieved 30 August 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.
- ^ "Illinois Family Institute: Civil Unions Will Lead To Polygamous Marriages". Dallas Voice. November 26, 2010. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
- ^ Southern Poverty Law Center. "Active Anti-Gay Groups". Retrieved July 8, 2012.
- ^ Potok, Mark (April 17, 2009). "The Illinois Family Institute Again Cites Discredited Research, Briefly". SPLC Hatewatch. Retrieved 29 August 2012.