Traditional Values Coalition Objects To 'Hate Group' Label

The Traditional Values Coalition has objected to the Southern Poverty Law Center’s new report on "The Year in Hate" because the center includes the Washington-based conservative organization in a list of "active U.S. hate groups."

TVC Chairman Rev. Louis P. Sheldon is particularly offended that his organization is lumped in with Fred Phelps’ Westboro Baptist Church, which is known for holding anti-gay protests at churches hosting military funerals.

"Because we oppose the homosexual agenda and other key elements of the liberal agenda they dodge a discussion of the issues and go right for the personal attacks and mudslinging," said Sheldon in a Tuesday statement.

The center, a civil rights law firm that was founded in Montgomery, Ala., in 1971, described the list of "anti-gay groups" as including "organizations that go beyond mere disagreement with homosexuality by subjecting gays and lesbians to campaigns of personal vilification."