American Family Association 521057 224878464 2008-07-10T20:29:51Z Orpheus 42670 Not superfluous at all - the AFA's definition of indecency is extremely relevant {{Infobox NPO | organization_name = American Family Association | organization_logo = [[Image:Logo-American Family Association.jpg|75px]] | organization_motto = | organization_type = [[Christian right]] organization | founded = 1977 by Rev. [[Donald Wildmon]] | location = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo]], [[Mississippi]], [[United States|U.S.]] | key_people = Tim Wildmon, President | fields = | services = | num_members = | homepage = [http://www.afa.net/ www.AFA.net] }} The '''American Family Association''' (AFA) is a [[501(c)#501(c)(3)|501(c)(3)]] [[non-profit organization]] that promotes [[Christian right|conservative Christian]] values.<ref>"[http://www.afa.net/journal/may/interneta.asp Put On The Virtual Armor]." ''AFA Journal''. May 2001. Retrieved on [[2007-09-15]].</ref><ref>"[http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/1998/june1998/cyberpatrolblocks.cfm CyberPatrol Blocks Conservative Christian Site over Anti-Gay Content]." [[American Library Association]]. June 1998. Retrieved on [[2007-09-15]].</ref><ref name=mediatrans>[http://www.mediatransparency.com/story.php?storyID=189 Still Cranky After All These Years]." [[Media Transparency]]. [[2007-04-19]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-15]]</ref><ref>"[http://money.cnn.com/2005/06/01/Autos/ford_gays/index.htm Conservative Christian group calls boycott of automaker, charging it has pro-homosexual agenda]." [[CNN]]. [[2006-06-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-11-15]].</ref> It was founded in 1977 by Rev. [[Donald Wildmon]] as the '''National Federation for Decency''' and is headquartered in [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo]], [[Mississippi]]. Donald Wildmon serves as AFA chairman; his son, Tim Wildmon, is AFA president.<ref name=afagen>[http://www.afa.net/about.asp About us: General Information]. American Family Association. Retrieved on [[2007-06-17]].</ref> The AFA defines itself as "a Christian organization promoting the biblical ethic of decency in American society with primary emphasis on TV and other media"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclu-wa.org/detail.cfm?id=149|title=The Religious Right in Washington|date=[[1995-06-01]]|accessdate=2007-06-24|publisher=[[American Civil Liberties Union|ACLU]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://media.afa.net/newdesign/about.asp|title=afaMEDIA, About AFA|publisher=American Family Association|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> It pursues its views and other issues through a number of activism efforts, including boycotts, "action alert" e-mails, publications on the AFA's web sites or in the ''AFA Journal'', broadcasts on [[American Family Radio]], and [[lobbying]].<ref>"[http://www.glaad.org/publications/archive_detail.php?id=3818 'American Family Association' Attacks Ford's Family-Friendly Policies After Failed Disney Boycott]." [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation|GLADD]]. [[2005-06-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-17]].</ref> The legal efforts previously promoted by the AFA Center for Law and Policy were eliminated in 2007. Chief among its efforts were the recognition of [[Christmas]] in seasonal print advertisements; the criminalization of homosexuality;<ref>Bagby, Dyana, "Efforts of ‘anti-gay industry’ chronicled in new report", ''Southern Voice'' (http://www.sovo.com/2005/6-3/news/national/anti-gay.cfm) [[2005-06-03]] Retrieved on [[2008-02-20]]</ref><ref name=vanderkam>Vanderkam, Laura R. "Internet filter blocks anti-gay Web sites". ''[[The Washington Times]]'' ([[1998-08-05]]) {{ISSN|07328494}}. [[ProQuest]] ID:32625145</ref> lobbying against [[same-sex marriage]], and in opposition of equal-rights and hate-crime legislation that would benefit homosexuals<ref>[http://www.afa.net/homosexual_agenda/homosexuality.pdf Homosexuality] AFA website guide to homosexuality</ref><ref>[http://www3.capwiz.com/afanet/issues/bills/?bill=9642666 AFA opposition to S.1105, an act which would strengthen hate-crime legislation] AFA legal action website</ref><ref>[http://www3.capwiz.com/afanet/issues/bills/?bill=10434601 AFA opposition to HR3685, an act which would prohibit employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation] AFA legal action website</ref> and advocating censorship of print and electronic media.<ref>Boston, Rob. "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3944/is_200606/ai_n17176389 The Religious Right and American Freedom]". ''Church & State''. [[2006-06]] Retrieved on [[2008-02-07]].</ref> The organization has an annual budget of roughly US$14 million and owns 180 American Family Radio stations in 28 states.<ref name=stonevaida>Peter H Stone, Bara Vaida, "[http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=761495141&sid=2&Fmt=4&clientId=20923&RQT=309&VName=PQD Christian Soldiers]". ''National Journal''. Washington, Dec 4, 2004. Volume 36, Issue 49, pg. 3596</ref> == Activism == The AFA has a long history of [[activism]] by organizing its members in boycotts and letter-writing campaigns aimed at promoting socially conservative values in the [[United States]]. The AFA has promoted boycotts of a large number of television shows, movies, and businesses that have promoted what the group considers [[indecency]], [[obscenity]], or [[homosexuality]]. In addition to promoting activism via mail to AFA members, 3.4 million subscribers receive AFA "Action Alerts" via e-mail.<ref name=mediatrans/> === Boycotts === The AFA has boycotted multiple organizations for various reasons, most often relating to [[Christmas controversy|Christmas controversies]], pornography, support of [[pro-choice]] activism, and support of [[LGBT]] activism, including same-sex partner employee benefits. These organizations include: [[7-Eleven]], [[Abercrombie & Fitch]], [[American Airlines]], [[American Girl (company)|American Girl]], [[Blockbuster Video]], [[Burger King]], [[Calvin Klein]], [[Carl's Jr.]], [[Clorox]], [[Crest (toothpaste)|Crest]], [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]], [[Kmart]], [[Kraft Foods]], [[S. C. Johnson & Son]], [[Movie Gallery]], [[Microsoft]], [[MTV]], [[Mary Kay Cosmetics|Mary Kay]], [[Nutrisystems Diet|NutriSystem]], [[Old Navy]], [[IKEA]], [[Sears]], [[Pampers]], [[Procter & Gamble]], [[Target Corporation|Target]], [[Tide]], and [[Walt Disney Company]]. In 1986, [[7-Eleven]] stopped selling [[Playboy]] and [[Penthouse (magazine)|Penthouse]] magazines after a two-year boycott by the AFA.<ref name=liebeck>Liebeck, Laura. "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n9_v29/ai_9076835 K mart, Waldenbooks to face AFA pickets]". ''Discount Store News''. [[1990-05-07]] Retrieved on [[2007-07-15]].</ref> In 1989, the AFA boycotted [[Waldenbooks|WaldenBooks]] in an attempt to persuade the company to stop selling [[Playboy]] and [[Penthouse (magazine)|Penthouse]] magazines. As a result, WaldenBooks launched an advertisement campaign against censorship, asserting [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights. WaldenBooks, [[American Booksellers Association]], the Council for Periodical Distributors Association, the International Periodical Distributors Association, and Duvall Bibb Services launched a lawsuit against the AFA in October 1989, under the [[Federal government of the United States|Federal]] [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]] (RICO) and the [[Florida|Florida State]] RICO Acts, which protect an organization’s right to conduct business without harassment or threats.<ref name=liebeck>Cohen, Roger. "[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CEEDD1431F930A15757C0A966958260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=print With Boycott and Ads, A Battle Over Selling]". ''[[The New York Times]]''. [[1990-04-23]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-29]].</ref> In 1996, the AFA launched a boycott against [[Walt Disney Company]] when the company began giving benefits to same-sex employees in domestic partnerships. The AFA has claimed that [[Michael Eisner]], the CEO of The Disney Company, "was involved in a media group that actively promoted the homosexual agenda" and was pushing the "gay agenda." The AFA ended the unsuccessful nine-year boycott in spring 2005 after Eisner left the company.<ref name=MSNBCford2>Johnson, Alex"[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/811950 Christian group suspends Ford boycott]". [[MSNBC]] [[2005-06-06]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-24]]</ref><ref>Brandt, Doreen. [http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/05/052405disney.htm Anti-Gay Group Ends Disney Boycott]. [http://www.365gay.com 365gay]. [[2005-05-24]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-16]]. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20060210152335/http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/05/052405disney.htm archieve link])</ref><ref>"[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7968642/ Conservative group ends 9-year Disney boycott]". [[Associated Press]] (Published on [[MSNBC]]). [[2005-05-24]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-29]].</ref> Tim Wildmon stated "We feel after nine years of boycotting Disney we have made our point."<ref>[http://www.afa.net/disney/ AFA ends Disney boycott]. American Family Association. Retrieved on [[2007-06-16]].</ref> In 2003, the AFA, with the [[American Decency Association]], [[Focus on the Family]], and Citizens for Community Values, lobbied and boycotted [[Abercrombie & Fitch]], calling on it to stop using pornography in its quarterly catalog. In December 2003, Abercrombie & Fitch announced it would not produce any pornographic images or sexually-themed articles after the release of its 2003 Christmas catalog.<ref>Pugh, Rusty and Parker, Jenni. [http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/afa/102003a.asp Decency Advocates Claim Victory as A&F Pulls Explicit Catalog, Ceases Publication]. AFA Journal. [[2003-12-10]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-16]]. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20060827201613/http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/afa/102003a.asp archived link])</ref> In 2005, the AFA boycotted the company [[American girl dolls|American Girl]], seller of dolls and accessories, because the company supported the charity [[Girls, Inc.]], which they considered problematic because Girls, Inc. financially supported groups they felt supported the gay and pro-choice "agendas".<ref>"[http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-10-14-american-girl_x.htm Conservatives protest popular doll-maker]". [[Associated Press]] (Published on [[USA Today]]). [[2005-10-15]]. Retrieved on [[2007-10-01]].</ref> In spring 2005, the AFA launched a boycott of [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] for advertising in gay magazines, donating to gay-rights organizations, and sponsoring gay pride celebrations.<ref name=NPRford>"[http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5041397 Ford Drops Ads in Gay-Oriented Magazines]". [[National Public Radio|NPR]]. [[2005-12-06]]. Retrieved on [[2007-10-01]].</ref><ref>Johnson, Alex. "[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8047423/ Another swing of the pocketbook: Christian activist groupgoes after Ford Motor Co.]". [[MSNBC]]. [[2005-06-01]]</ref><ref name=MSNBCford2/> The boycott ended in March 2008.<ref>[http://www.afa.net/emails/transform.asp?x=ford_031008&s=browser&y=2008&m=03 AFA Action Alert]</ref> In 2006, the AFA urged its members to condemn [[Sears, Roebuck and Company|Sears]] for running commercials on [[Logo (TV channel)|Logo]], an LGBT cable channel.<ref name=threesixfive>[http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/12/120806sears.htm Anti-Gay AFA Now Targets Sears]". [http://www.365gay.com/ 365gay]. [[2006-12-08]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-24]]</ref> === Legal activism === On [[October 19]] [[1998]], the [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]] Board of Supervisors, led by Leslie Katz, wrote a letter to the AFA in response to an advertisement placed in the [[San Francisco Chronicle]] by the AFA regarding homosexuality and Christianity. The letter stated:<ref name=AFAvSF>{{cite web|url=http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/45E0EB82A5FE0A4088256B42007A7002/$file/0016415.pdf?openelement|title=AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION, INC.; DONALD WILDMON; KERUSSO MINISTRIES; FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL V. CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO; LESLIE KATZ, in her capacity as a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors|publisher=[[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit]]|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> <blockquote>Supervisor Leslie Katz denounces your rhetoric against gays, lesbians and transgendered people. What happened to [[Matthew Shepard]] is in part due to the message being espoused by your groups that gays and lesbians are not worthy of the most basic equal rights and treatment. It is not an exaggeration to say that there is a direct correlation between these acts of discrimination, such as when gays and lesbians are called sinful and when major religious organizations say they can change if they tried, and the horrible crimes committed against gays and lesbians.</blockquote> During the same time, the [[San Francisco, California|City and County of San Francisco]] passed two resolutions. Resolution No. 234-99 “calls for the Religious Right to take accountability for the impact of their long-standing rhetoric denouncing gays and lesbians, which leads to a climate of mistrust and discrimination that can open the door to horrible crimes such as those committed against Mr. Gaither.<ref>On [[February 19]] [[1999]], in [[Coosa County, Alabama]], Billy Jack Gaither was beaten to death with an axe handle and his body was burned because he was homosexual.</ref>” and Resolution No. 873-98 was specifically directed at "anti-gay" television advertisements. AFA unsuccessfully challenged these actions as violating the Free Speech and Free Exercise clauses of the [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] in ''[[American Family Association v. City and County of San Francisco]]''.<ref name=AFAvSF/> In March 2004, the AFA filed suit in an attempt to prevent the city of [[Seattle, Washington]] from recognizing [[same-sex marriage]]s. The AFA Center for Law and Policy was closed in 2007. === Political activism === The AFA has repeatedly lobbied Congress to eliminate funding for the [[National Endowment for the Arts]].<ref name=sherkatellison> Darren E Sherkat, Christopher G Ellison, [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0037-7732%28199703%2975%3A3%3C957%3ATCSOAM%3E2.0.CO%3B2-5 The cognitive structure of a moral crusade: Conservative protestantism and opposition to pornography], ''Social Forces'', Mar 1997. Volume 75, Issue 3 pg. 957 ([http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=11475013&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=20923&RQT=309&VName=PQD ProQuest link])</ref> For example, in 2000, the AFA issued a press release condemning the NEA's funding of ''[[One of the Guys]]'', a controversial book by [[Robert Clark Young]] described by a senior AFA official as "scatological." The complaint from the AFA was that the book included [[sexually explicit]] material, in particular, a description of a young woman extracting razor blades from her vagina during a performance in a [[sex club]]. In a [[Washington Post]] editorial in response to the complaint, Young stated, "I find it strange that an organization that claims to uphold family values and to oppose the federal funding of obscenity is not protesting the part of the military budget that goes to support [[pederasty]] in the [[Far East]]."<ref>Hansen, Suzy "[http://archive.salon.com/books/feature/2001/03/22/guys/print.html Our wolves in uniform]." [[Salon.com]]. Retrieved on [[2007-08-20]].</ref> On [[November 28]] [[2006]], following the election of [[Keith Ellison (politician)|Keith Ellison]], the first [[Muslim]] elected to the [[United States Congress]],<ref>Argetsinger, Amy and Roberts, Roxanne. [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/03/AR2007010300075.html But It's Thomas Jefferson's Koran!]. [[Washington Post]]. [[2007-01-03]] Retrieved on [[2007-01-04]]</ref> the AFA released an "Action Alert." The Action Alert, entitled "A first for America...The [[Koran]] replaces the [[Bible]] at swearing-in oath: What book will America base it's values on, the Bible or the Koran?", requested subscribers write their Congressional representatives and urge them to create a "law making the Bible the book used in the swearing-in ceremony of representatives and senators."<ref>[http://www.afa.net/aa112806_2.asp A first for America...The Koran replaces the Bible at swearing-in oath]. American Family Association. Retrieved on [[2007-06-17]]. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20070522063621/http://www.afa.net/aa112806_2.asp archived link])</ref><ref>Sacirbey, Omar. "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_26_123/ai_n17094493 Ellison not first to forgo Bible for oath]." [[Christian Century]] (published on [[LookSmart]] FindArticles). [[2006-12-26]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-17]].</ref><ref>Ellison, Keith. "Lawmaker to take oath on Koran, faces flak". ''[[The Washington Times]]'' ([[2006-12-01]]). {{ISSN|07328494}}.</ref> On [[July 13]] [[2007]], the first [[Hindu]] prayers were conducted in the [[U.S. Senate]]. [[Rajan Zed]], director of interfaith relations at a Hindu temple, read the prayer at the invitation of Senate [[Party leaders of the United States Senate|majority leader]] [[Harry Reid]], who defended his invitation based on the ideals of [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. AFA sent out an "Action Alert" to its members to e-mail, write letters, or call their Senators to oppose the Hindu prayer, stating it is "seeking the invocation of a non-monotheistic god."<ref>"[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19729245/ Hindu Prayer in Senate Disrupted]." [[Associated Press]] (published on [[MSNBC]]). [[2007-06-12]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-15]]</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afa.net/Petitions/issuedetail.asp?id=257|title=ActionAlert: Hindu to open Senate with prayer|publisher=American Family Association}}</ref> === Published media === The AFA Journal reviews and categorizes the content of prime-time television shows. The categories include profanity, sex, violence, homosexuality, substance abuse, "anti-Christian" content, or "[[political correctness]]." The categorization is accompanied by short descriptions of the content of the episode under review. The review also lists the advertisers of each show and invites readers to contact the advertisers or television networks to express concern over program content.<ref name="MG">Mathewes-Green, Frederica. "[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3647/is_199703/ai_n8753654 While TV moguls dither, parents' guides deliver Policy Review.]" [[Policy Review]]. Mar/Apr 1997. Iss. 82; pg. 8, 4 pgs. Retrieved on [[2007-10-02]]</ref> On [[April 16]] [[2007]], following the [[Virginia Tech Massacre]], the AFA released a video in which "God" tells a student that students were killed in schools because God isn't allowed in schools anymore. The video claims that the shootings at [[Virginia Tech massacre|Virginia Tech]], [[Columbine High School massacre|Columbine]], and many other locations, are the result of, among other things, decreased discipline in schools; no [[School prayer|prayer in schools]]; sex out of wedlock; rampant violence in TV, movies, and music; and abortions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afr.net/newafr/wekickedgodout.asp|title=The Day They Kicked God out of the Schools|publisher=[http://www.afr.net/ American Family Radio] (American Family Association)|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref><ref>"[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3944/is_200706/ai_n19434950 Gingrich Says Liberals And Lack Of Religion Sparked Va. Tech Killings]." ''[[Americans United for Separation of Church and State|Church and State]]''. June 2007. Retrieved on [[2007-10-01]].</ref> === Homosexuality === The AFA expresses public concern over what it refers to as the "[[homosexual agenda]]." They claim that the Christian bible "declares that [[homosexuality]] is unnatural and sinful." The AFA actively lobbies against the social acceptance of homosexual behavior.<ref name=aboutcom>Cline, Austin. "[http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/rr/blfaq_rr_afa_homosexuality.htm Religious Right: AFA Position on Homosexuality]" [[About.com]]. Retrieved on [[2007-10-13]]</ref> The AFA also actively promotes the idea that homosexuality is a choice and sexual orientation can be changed through religious teachings in "[[ex-gay]] ministries."<ref name=nsrc_exgay> Erzen, Tanya. "[http://nsrc.sfsu.edu/MagArticle.cfm?Article=652&PageID=0 Straight to Jesus: Sexual and Christian conversions in the ex-gay movement]." [[National Sexuality Resource Center]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-30]]</ref> In response to statement of the principles by the AFA regarding the AFA's stance on homosexuality, which stated, "We oppose the efforts of the gay movement to force its agenda in education, government, business and the workplace through law, public policy and the media," [[About.com]] editor Austin Cline stated, "The AFA's opposition here is quite reminiscent of the oppostion mounted by groups like the [[Ku Klux Klan|KKK]], another good Christian organization, to civil rights for blacks. They, too, fought the concept of accepting blacks living and working with whites as being 'normal.'"<ref name=aboutcom/> In 1996, responding to a complaint from an AFA member who was participating in an AFA campaign targeting gay journalists, the [[Fort Worth Star-Telegram]] transferred a gay editor out of a job that occasionally required him to work with schoolchildren. The AFA targeted the editor due to cartoon strips he created, which were published in homosexual magazines. The paper apparently acted on the AFA's unsubstantiated statement that the editor was "preoccupied with the subjects of pedophilia and incest."<ref>Pasztor, David. [http://www.dallasobserver.com/1996-01-25/news/classless-act/ Classless act: Star-Telegram knuckles under to Christian group, reassigns gay editor]". ''[[Dallas Observer]]'' ([[1996-01-25]]). Retrieved on [[2007-10-21]].</ref> In 2000, Vice president Tim Wildmon spoke out against [[gay-straight alliance]] clubs in schools, stating, "We view these kinds of clubs as an advancement of the homosexual cause."<ref>"[http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues/issues149.shtml|title=Gay-Straight Alliances: Ground Zero for School Tolerance]." [http://www.educationworld.com/ www.educationworld.com]. [[2000-12-19]]. Retrieved on [[2007-04-30]]</ref> In 2004, the AFA raised concerns about the movie ''[[Shark Tale]]'' because the group believed the movie was designed to promote the acceptance of gay rights by children.<ref>{{cite news|title=Something's Swishy About Shark Tale|publisher=''Agape Press'' (Now ''AFA Journal'')|date=[[2004-11-17]]|accessdate=2007-06-24|url=http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/11/afa/172004c.asp|first=Ed|last=Vitagliano}}</ref><ref name=mediatrans/> On the [[October 11]], [[2005]], AFA broadcast, Tim Wildmon agreed with a caller that cable networks like [[Animal Planet]] and [[HGTV]] featured "evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people" and added that "you have to watch out for children's programs today as well because they'll slip it in there as well."<ref>"[http://mediamatters.org/items/200510130004 American Family Association's Tim Wildmon backed caller's warning of 'evidence of homosexuality and lesbian people on programs like HGTV and Animal Planet']", [[Media Matters for America]]. [[2005-10-13]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-24]].</ref> In 2007, the AFA spoke out against [[IKEA]] for featuring homosexual families in their television ads.<ref>"[http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-3679.html IKEA's gay family ad upsets conservatives]." [[Pink News]]. [[2007-02-09]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-29]].</ref> In June 2008, the AFA protested a [[Heinz]] television advertisement, shown in the [[United Kingdom]], which showed two men kissing, which Heinz then withdrew.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/jul/01/advertising.usa Heinz 'men kissing' ad: US Christian group urged firm to pull commercial] ''[[The Guardian]]'', 1 July 2008 (accessed 6 July 2008)</ref> In July 2008, the AFA announced a boycott of [[McDonald's]]<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/03/AR2008070303769.html]</ref>, which had a director on the board of the [[National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce]]. === Inter-group coordination === The AFA's founder, Don Wildmon, was "instrumental" in initially setting up the [[Arlington Group]], a networking vehicle for social conservatives focusing on gay marriage.<ref name=stonevaida/> == Criticism and controversy == ===Boycotts=== In 1989, AFA boycotted [[Waldenbooks|WaldenBooks]] to persuade Walden Books from selling [[Playboy]] and [[Penthouse (magazine)|Penthouse]] magazines and as a result, WaldenBooks launched an advertisement campaign against censorship, asserting [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights. WaldenBooks, [[American Booksellers Association]], Council for Periodical Distributors Association, International Periodical Distributors Association, and Duvall Bibb Services launched a lawsuit against the AFA in October 1989, under the [[Federal government of the United States|Federal]] [[Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act]] (RICO) and the [[Florida|Florida State]] RICO Acts, which protect an organization’s right to conduct business without harassment or threats.<ref>{{cite news|publisher=Discount Store News|first=Laura|last=Liebeck|date=[[1990-05-07]]|accessdate=2007-07-15|title=K mart, Waldenbooks to face AFA pickets - American Family Association|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n9_v29/ai_9076835}}</ref> Since 2006, the AFA has boycotted and encourages the boycotting of [[Kohls]] stores on the basis that the outlet does not specifically use the word "Christmas" in advertisements between November and December, regardless of the fact that Kohls' was founded by the [[Jewish]] Max Kohl<ref>[http://www.uwm.edu/Dept/Business/alumni/gallery/kohl.html Max Kohl]</ref> and operated by his family until the 1980s; the company still maintains strong ties with the Jewish community. In 2008, the AFA announced a boycott of [[McDonald's]]<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/03/AR2008070303769.html]</ref>, which had a director on the board of the [[National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce]]. === Homosexuality === [[Southern Poverty Law Center]] has stated one of AFA's goals is to "help drive the religious right's anti-gay crusade."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewCulture.asp?Page=/Culture/archive/200506/CUL20050630a.html|first=Randy|last=Hall|date=[[2005-06-30]]|accessdate=2007-06-25|title=Christian 'Hate Groups' Accused of 'Anti-Gay Crusade'|publisher=[[Cybercast News Service]]}}</ref> Organizations, such as [[Human Rights Campaign]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=American Family Association' Attacks Ford's Family-Friendly Policies After Failed Disney Boycott|url=http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Room&CONTENTID=27160&TEMPLAdE=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm|publisher=[[Human Rights Campaign]]|date=[[2005-06-01]]|accessdate=2007-06-26}}</ref> [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation|GLAAD]],<ref>"[http://www.glaad.org/action/alerts_detail.php?id=3848 Anti-Gay Groups Target NBC's The Book of Daniel]." [[Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation|GLAAD]]. [[2006-01-06]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-04]].</ref> [[Southern Voice]],<ref>{{cite news|first=Dyana|last=Bagby|url=http://www.sovo.com/2005/6-3/news/national/anti-gay.cfm|title=Efforts of ‘anti-gay industry’ chronicled in new report|publisher=[[Southern Voice]]|date=[[2005-06-03]]|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> [[People for the American Way]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2007/06/antigay_group_a.html|publisher=[[People for the American Way]]|date=[[2007-06-01]]|accessdate=2007-06-25|title=Anti-Gay Group Attacks Commemoration of End of Bans on Interracial Marriage}}</ref> ''[[The Advocate]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|first=Angie|last=Han|title=Procter won't gamble on gays?|publisher=[[The Advocate]] (published on [[LookSmart]] Find Articles)|date=[[2005-08-16]]|accessdate=2007-06-25|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2005_August_16/ai_n15396927}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=The Right tries to steer Ford: the antigay American Family Association nearly changed the course of Ford Motor Co.'s commitment to equality. The feud with the country's number 2 automaker is not finished|first=Todd|last=Henneman|publisher=[[The Advocate]] (published on [[LookSmart]] Find Articles)|date=[[2006-01-31]]|accessdate=2007-06-25|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2006_Jan_31/ai_n16088317}}</ref> [[CNET]],<ref name=CNET/> [[Edmunds.com|Edmunds]]<ref>"[http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=105867 Anti-Gay Activist Group Initiates Ford Boycott]." [[Edmunds.com|Edmunds]]. [[2005-06-01]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-11]].</ref> [[American Humanist Association]],<ref>"[http://www.americanhumanist.org/press/actionalerts/aaAFA.html Action Alert: Use a Religious Right Poll to Support Gay Marriage]." [[American Humanist Association]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-15]].</ref> [[AfterEllen.com]],<ref>"[http://www.afterellen.com/archive/ellen/column/2006/1/6.htmlAfterEllen.com Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever.]" [[AfterEllen.com]]. [[2005-12-30]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-15]].</ref> [http://www.365gay.com 365 gay],<ref>"[http://www.365gay.com/Newscon06/12/120806sears.htm Anti-Gay AFA Now Targets Sears]." [http://www.365gay.com/ 365gay]. [[2006-12-08]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-23]].</ref> and [http://www.qsanantonio.com/ QSanAntonio.com]<ref>"[http://www.qsanantonio.com/qsanews/qsapages/heb.html McManus and twelve anti-gay disciples picket H.E.B.]" [http://www.qsanantonio.com/ QSanAntonio.com]. [[2007-07-08]]. Retrieved on [[2007-09-11]] ([http://web.archive.org/web/20060716033345/http://www.qsanantonio.com/qsanews/qsapages/heb.html archived link])</ref> have labeled the AFA as an "anti-gay" organization. ''[[The Washington Times]]'' have stated the AFA's web site is "anti-gay."<ref name=vanderkam>Vanderkam, Laura R. "Internet filter blocks anti-gay Web sites". ''[[The Washington Times]]'' ([[1998-08-05]]) {{ISSN|07328494}}. [[ProQuest]] ID:32625145</ref> In 1998, the popular [[Content-control software|Internet filtering software]] [[SurfControl|CyberPatrol]] blocked the AFA's web site, classifying it under the category "intolerance," defined as "pictures or text advocating prejudice or discrimination against any race, color, national origin, religion, disability or handicap, gender or sexual orientation..." AFA spokesman Steve Ensley told reporters, "Basically we're being blocked for free speech." CyberPatrol cited quotes from the AFA for meeting its intolerance criteria, which included: "Indifference or neutrality toward the homosexual rights movement will result in society's destruction by allowing civil order to be redefined and by plummeting ourselves, our children, and grandchildren into an age of godlessness"; "A national 'Coming Out of Homosexuality' provides us a means whereby to dispel the lies of the homosexual rights crowd who say they are born that way and cannot change"; and "We want to outlaw public homosexuality...We believe homosexuality is immoral and leads ultimately to personal and social decay."<ref name=CNET>{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Festa|title=Antigay group blocked by filter|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=[[1998-06-03]]|accessdate=2007-06-25|url=http://news.com.com/Antigay+group+blocked+by+filter/2100-1001_3-211877.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aclu.org/privacy/speech/14915pub20020916.html|title=Censorship in a Box, Why Blocking Software is Wrong for Public Libraries|publisher=[[American Civil Liberties Union]]|date=[[2002-09-16]]|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref><ref name=vanderkam/> In 1998, multiple organization voiced criticism of a series of AFA sponsored full-page newspaper advertisements that promoted religious ministries involved in the [[ex-gay]] movement. In response to the advertisements, the [[National Gay and Lesbian Task Force|Religious Leadership Roundtable]] said the ads employed "language of violence and hatred to denounce other people." [[IntegrityUSA]] criticized the ads, calling them "evil" disregarding Christian teachings about the "dignity of every human being." [[DignityUSA]] also criticized the advertisements, which they said were "misleading and destructive."<ref>Tooley, Mark. "Homosexual Radicals Demonize Religious Beliefs of Opponents". ''[[The Washington Times]]'' ([[1998-08-01]]). Vol. 14 No. 13 Pg. 30 {{ISSN|07328494}}. [[ProQuest]] ID: 33529079</ref> [[Equality Mississippi]], a statewide [[LGBT social movements|LGBT civil rights]] organization, has voiced opposition and criticism towards the AFA's activism regarding homosexuality. In August 2000, Equality Mississippi called for an investigation of the AFA and its director Donald Wildmon by federal authorities after the AFA sent out emails and letters calling for the arrest of [[Coming out|openly gay]] [[Arizona]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[United States House of Representatives]] member [[Jim Kolbe]]. The AFA said that because Kolbe is gay, he was violating an Arizona [[Sodomy law|law that banned sodomy]]. Equality Mississippi felt that the AFA's action were constituting and encouraging violence towards the [[gay community]].<ref name="Equality Mississippi 1">{{cite news |first=Jody |last=Renaldo |title=Mississippi Gay Lobby calls for an investigation into the Mississippi based American Family Association and Donald Wildmon. |url=http://www.equalityms.org/newsreleases/afa.pdf |work=[[Equality Mississippi]] |date=[[2000-08-02]] |accessdate=2007-10-12 }}</ref> In August 2001, Equality Mississippi voiced opposition towards the AFA for their boycott against the [[Girl Scouts of the USA|Girl Scouts of America]] (GSA). The AFA boycott of the GSA was because the GSA does not ban lesbian scouts or lesbian scout leaders. Equality Mississippi felt that the AFA's actions were in response to gay rights organizations across the country calling for a ban against the [[Boy Scouts of America]] for its still-ongoing ban on gay scouts and gay scout leaders.<ref name="Equality Mississippi 2">{{cite news |first=James |last=Sholhen |title=American Family Association A Sore Loser, Takes Out Its Anger On The Girl Scouts |url=http://www.equalityms.org/newsreleases/gsa.pdf |work=[[Equality Mississippi]] |date=[[2001-08-21]] |accessdate=2007-10-12 }}</ref> In 2005, Equality Mississippi publicly spoke out against the AFA for the use of copyrighted images on the AFA web site in its boycott against [[Kraft Foods]] for being a sponsor of the 2005 [[Gay Games]] in [[Chicago]]. The photographs, which were used without permission, were owned by and retrieved from ChrisGeary.com. Equality Mississippi encouraged ChrisGeary.com to file suit against the AFA and offered to support the suit.<ref name="Equality Mississippi 3">{{cite news |first=Jody |last=Renaldo |title=American Family Association steals and uses copyrighted pictures as part of its boycott against Kraft Foods |url=http://www.equalityms.org/newsreleases/afastealscopyright.pdf |work=[[Equality Mississippi]] |date=[[2005-06-08]] |accessdate=2007-10-12 }}</ref> As of January 2008, the images are still on AFA's web site.<ref>[http://www.afa.net/activism/gaygamesproof.html AFA.net: The following photos were taken at the last Gay Games events and are shown here for the sole purpose of educating Kraft customers to the types of activities Kraft is supporting.]</ref> === Homophobia terminology === The American Family Association and other conservative Christian groups actively campaign against anti-homophobia laws on the grounds of freedom of speech and the right to religious expression.<ref>We Gotta Get Out of This Place: Popular Conservatism and Postmodern Culture By Dr Lawrence Grossberg, 2002 [http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=qR9j_VKBKU4C&oi=fnd&pg=PP9]</ref> The campaign against "[[political correctness]]" attempts to redefine [[homophobia]] as a narrow condition which does not include religious objections to homosexuality.<ref> Evergreen International - Gay Identity, [http://www.evergreeninternational.org/gay_identity.htm]</ref><ref>Some Effects of Identity-Based Social Movements on Constitutional Law in the Twentieth Century, by William N. Eskridge, Jr., Michigan Law Review [http://www.jstor.org/view/00262234/ap040790/04a00060/0]</ref> The [[gay rights]] movement rejects this definition in favor of defining homophobia as akin to racism or sexism.<ref>[http://www.galha.org/briefing/iheu1994.html Statement by the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association] www.galha.org, Retrieved on [[2007-11-24]].</ref> The American Family Association, along with other organizations on the Christian right, object to having their comments about homosexuality included in this definition.<ref>"Christians slam "homophobia" resolution", [http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=48601]</ref> === Personnel === Individuals in the media industry have criticized Donald Wildmon, the founder of AFA. Gene Mater, Senior Vice President of [[CBS|CBS Television]], has stated, "We look upon Wildmon's efforts as the greatest frontal assault on intellectual freedom this country has ever faced" and Brandon Tartikoff, former [[NBC|NBC Entertainment]] President, stated that Wildmon's boycott campaign was "the first step toward a [[police state]]."<ref>[http://www.afa.net/carpentersbench/aboutdw.asp About Don Wildmon]. American Family Association. Retrieved on [[2007-06-16]]. ([http://web.archive.org/web/20070206191028/http://www.afa.net/carpentersbench/aboutdw.asp archived link])</ref> AFA California leader Scott Lively is a co-author of [[The Pink Swastika]] which claims that many leaders in the German [[Nazi]] regime, including [[Adolf Hitler|Hitler]] himself, were homosexual. As a member of the [[Oregon Citizens Alliance]], Lively was ordered to pay $20,000 to a lesbian photojournalist he attacked in a Portland area church,<ref>"The Latvian Connection" [http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?pid=1426]</ref> and he has since co-founded an anti-gay group called [[Watchmen on the Walls]], which has been implicated in violence against homosexuals in California.<ref>"Watchmen leader Gives Bizarre Account of Gay-bashing Death", Sothern Poverty Law Center [http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2007/10/19/watchmen-leader-gives-bizarre-account-of-gay-bashing-death/]</ref> ===Anti-Semitism=== [[Donald Wildmon]] has been denounced by major Jewish organizations, such as the [[Anti-Defamation League]] and the [[American Jewish Congress]]. [[Media Matters for America|Media Matters]] has stated the ''AFA Journal'' "has long served as a platform for [[anti-Semitic]] theories and innuendo."<ref name=mmfa_judaism>"[http://mediamatters.org/items/200504130003 Don Wildmon's American Family Association Journal linked Judaism to criminality, hostility toward Christianity]". [[Media Matters for America|Media Matters]]. [[2005-04-13]]. Retrieved on [[2007-10-13]].</ref> In AFA publications and in interviews, Wildmon has stated that he blames Jews for "profane" television programming, stating that the television industry is controlled by Jews and that they push an anti-family agenda through television programs featuring "immoral" behavior. Wildmon has stated that he believes obscene content on television and in movies is a result of the media being controlled by Jews, who intentionally place anti-Christian messages and activities into their programming to undermine Christianity.<ref>[http://www.publiceye.org/ifas/fw/8906/wildmon.html Religious leaders denounce Wildmon's anti-Semitism]</ref><ref name=brackman00>Brackman, H. D., ''[http://mj.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/20/1/1 The Attack on Jewish Hollywood: A Chapter in the History of Modern American Anti-Semitism]'', Modern Judaism, Vol. 20, No. 1, Feb 2000, pp. 1-19</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Carr, Steven Alan |title=Hollywood and anti-semitism: a cultural history up to World War II |publisher=Cambridge University Press |location=Cambridge, UK |year=2001 |pages=5 |isbn=0-521-79854-X |oclc= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=KHbm2wLoqN4C&pg=PA5&lpg=PA5&dq=wildmon+anti-semitism&source=web&ots=Kxlkc6YUnB&sig=UESQoD2x5fde2Ogeay9RkYcCQDg&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=17&ct=result#PPA5,M1 |accessdate=2008-06-20}}</ref> Wildmon further characterizes Jews as more supportive of homosexuals than "average" Americans.<ref name=mmfa_judaism/> [[Media Matters]] claimed an article in the March 2005 issue of AFA's ''Journal'' insinuated that raising children as Jews would lead to criminal lifestyles, and that it required a conversion to Christianity in order to make them productive members of society.<ref name=mmfa_judaism/><ref>http://www.afajournal.org/2005/march/3.05wasserman.asp AFA Journal: Homeless by choice]</ref> The ''Journal'' also sells ''The [[McGuffey Readers]],'' a series of children's books aimed at promoting Christianity to children, and which also claim that Jews are "superstitious," "[[Christ killers]],"{{Fact|date=June 2008}} and that Jews have been rejected by God for being unfaithful to him.<ref>[http://www.sullivan-county.com/id3/right_jews.htm Anti-Semitism and the Religious Right]</ref><ref>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1282/is_n10_v46/ai_15454466 National Review: Anti-Semitism in America. - book reviews]</ref> ===AIDS=== Speaking in defense of [[Mike Huckabee]]'s comments on the handling of AIDS patients, the head of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania said Huckabee was right that AIDS patients should have been [[quarantine]]d.<ref> [http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/12/penn_family_advocate_defends_h.php Penn. family advocate defends Huckabee's statements on AIDS patients] Allie Martin, OneNewsNow.com December 18, 2007</ref> == Operations == ''AFA Journal'', a monthly publication with a circulation of 180,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=3796|title=Right Wing Organization: American Family Association|publisher=[[People for the American Way]]|accessdate=2007-06-25}}</ref> containing news, features, columns, and interviews. In addition to the publication, AFA Journal articles are made available online. American Family Radio (AFR), a network of approximately 200 AFA-owned [[radio stations]] broadcasting Christian-oriented programming.<ref name=mediatrans/> OneNewsNow.com[http://www.onenewsnow.com/newsbrief/html3.aspx], the AFA news division web site, provides audio newscasts and a daily digest of news articles, AP stories, and opinion columns. Formerly AgapePress and the news division of American Family Radio.<ref>"[http://media.afa.net/newdesign/ReleaseDetail.asp?id=3532 News Operations Merge to Create OneNewsNow.com]" AFA Media. [[2007-02-23]]. Retrieved on [[2007-06-25]]</ref> Center for Law and Policy, the legal and political arm of the AFA, specialized in First Amendment cases. The Center for Law and Policy lobbied legislative bodies, drafts legislation, and filed religious-discrimination lawsuits on behalf of individuals.<ref name=stonevaida/> The Center was shut down in 2007. ==References== {{Reflist}} == See also == * [[List of American Family Association state affiliates]] * [[New Right]] * [[Traditional marriage movement]] ==External links== * [http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/rr/blfaq_rr_afa_homosexuality.htm AFA's Position on Homosexuality] from [[About.com]] * [http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=3796 AFA Profile] from [[People for the American Way|Right Wing Watch (PFAW)]] * [http://www.rightwingwatch.org/groups/american_family/ AFA Archive] from Right Wing Watch (PFAW) * [http://www.goodasyou.org/good_as_you/afa/ AFA Archive] from [http://www.goodasyou.org/ Good As You] * [http://www.afajournal.org/ AFA Journal] * [http://www.afr.net/ American Family Radio] * [http://www.onenewsnow.com/ OneNewsNow.com] * [http://www.crosswalk.com/ Crosswalk.com] *[http://purl.oclc.org/umarchives/MUM00008/ American Family Association Collection (MUM00008)] owned by the University of Mississippi, Archives and Special Collections. [[Category:Antisemitism]] [[Category:Anti-pornography activists]] [[Category:Organizations based in Mississippi]] [[Category:Boycotts of organizations]] [[Category:Boycott organizers]] [[Category:Censorship in the United States]] [[Category:Christian politics]] [[Category:Christianity in the United States]] [[Category:Christian organizations]] [[Category:Conservative organizations in the United States]] [[Category:Consumer boycotts]] [[Category:Discrimination in the United States]] [[Category:Ex-gay organizations]] [[Category:History of LGBT civil rights in the United States]] [[Category:Homophobia]] [[Category:Obscenity controversies]] [[Category:Organizations established in 1977]] [[Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States]] [[de:American Family Association]] [[es:American Family Association]] [[sv:American Family Association]]