Two from Gay Politics Report: What’s a "hate group"?

• LGBT groups decry shooting at anti-gay organization
   
• Dozens of national and state LGBT organizations issued a joint statement this week condemning a shooting at the headquarters of the Family Research Council, an advocacy organization that has long opposed LGBT equality measures on religious grounds. FRC President Tony Perkins said he appreciated the statement, but added the shooter “was given a license to do that” by groups such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, which includes FRC on its list of hate groups. The suspect reportedly said he opposed the organization’s politics before shooting a building employee in the arm. The Washington Post/Guest Voices (8/16), Talking Points Memo/Muckraker (8/16), Washington Blade (Washington, D.C.) (8/15), Politico (Washington, D.C.) (8/17)   

• What’s a "hate group"?: Right Wing Watch details why the Southern Poverty Law Center included the Family Research Council on its annual list of hate groups, explaining SPLC considers the group’s rhetoric about gays and lesbians “false and demonizing.” Right Wing Watch (8/16)