FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Nancy Coleman, David Elliot or Lela Shepard
FRC'S OPPOSITION TO HATE-CRIMES LAWS
People For the American Way Tuesday criticized the Family Research
Council for its continued opposition to hate crimes legislation in
the wake of the brutal murder of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay
college freshman in Wyoming.
In an Oct. 13 New York Times news article, Steven Schwalm, a
spokesperson for the Family Research Council, said, "Hate crimes
laws have nothing to do with perpetrators of violent crime and
everything to do with silencing political opposition." He added that
hate crimes laws "would criminalize pro-family beliefs."
"If Matthew Shepard's death cannot convince the Family Research
Council of the need for hate crimes laws, I cannot imagine what
will," said PFAW President Carole Shields. "Hate crimes laws do not
hinder free speech. But they would send a message that our nation
does not tolerate hateful, vicious acts against gays."
Shields noted that FRC and a number of other Religious Right groups
have unveiled a series of TV spots that say that gays and lesbians
can change their sexual orientation. She noted that groups behind
the ad campaign -- including the FRC, the CRA, Coral Ridge
Ministries, Concerned Women of America and others -- have a well-
documented history of raising money by scapegoating gays and
lesbians. Some of the groups even go so far as to promote the false
and inflammatory stereotype of gays and lesbians as child molesters.
Last week, PFAW Foundation issued a 10-page report entitled, "Anti-Gay
Politics and the Religious Right." The report is available online at
http://www.pfaw.org/issues/right/rtvw.antigay.shtml.
"Religious Right groups use gays and lesbians as their cash cow,"
Shields concluded. "Instead of raising money by demonizing gays and
lesbians, these groups should realize that they are contributing to
the hostile climate facing gays and lesbians in this country. It's
time to stop the hate in America."
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People For the American Way Press Release
--------------
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 1998
at 202-467-4999
REFLECTS RANK HYPOCRISY ON GAY ISSUES
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