Ironic Outing: The Power of Hate Group Designations to Reframe Political Challenges to LGBT Rights and Focus Online Advocacy Efforts
Stephen Edward McMillin · Journal of Policy Practice · 2014
This article examines the rationale of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2010 addition of several “traditional family values” organizations to its annual hate group list in light of research findings on how contemporary extremist groups operate. Diverse reactions to the SPLC hate list additions from representatives of the listed groups and from both ends of the ideological spectrum are reviewed. The potential strengths and weaknesses of using hate group listing to spur online activism as a new form of policy practice that reframes challenges to LGBT rights are discussed with a review of recent social and policy developments.