*      *     *

“For those who support the hotel in this, imagine that the tables were turned. Suppose it was a homosexual group that had been turned down by the hotel because of ‘negative publicity.’ Would you still support the hotel’s right to discriminate in this fashion? Sauce for the goose…”

– Comment by “Springer” posted at Daily Herald article (reprinted below), “Anti-gay group sues Naperville hotel, alleges discrimination”

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Anti-Christian Discrimination OK? Imagine the hue and cry that would have erupted had the Holiday Inn Select hotel (left) in Naperville, Ill., canceled a “gay” organization’s scheduled banquet after its leader told the hotel that some Christians might protest the event.

Dear AFTAH Readers,

Below are two local articles on AFTAH’s just-filed lawsuit against a Naperville, IL Holiday Inn hotel for canceling our banquet two years ago out of fear of “gay” protests.

We hope you can make it to this year’s AFTAH banquet on Sat., Oct. 24 at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights, IL — featuring culture warrior and former professional heavyweight boxer Matt Barber, who was fired by Allstate Insurance Co., after writing an article against homosexual “marriage” on his own time. Tickets are $50 each. A table of 10 is $500. More information here: http://americansfortruth.com/news/matt-barber-to-keynote-aftah-banquet.html; book your seat now at www.americansfortruth.com/donate.

Also, don’t forget our the dinner-lecture at our Carol Stream office Thursday, Sept. 17 featuring Michael Brown, who is going to talk about how to walk that fine line of reaching out to homosexuals with the Gospel of Christ while resisting the radical “gay” political/cultural agenda. I am really looking forward to this talk. Click HERE for more info. RSVP to aftahangela@gmail.com or americansfortruth@comcast.net. (Donations will be accepted at the event to cover costs.)

Lastly, AFTAH has now crossed the half-way mark in our goal of matching a generous donor’s $20,000 grant. Please help us go all the way with your tax-deductible donation to AFTAH at www.americansfortruth.com/donate or by mailing your gift to: Americans For Truth, P.O. Box 5522, Naperville, IL 60567-5522.  Thank you!

Peter LaBarbera
Americans For Truth  About Homosexuality
www.aftah.org

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(Suburban Chicago) Daily Herald story:

Link: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=316820

Anti-gay group sues Naperville hotel, alleges discrimination

August 27, 2009

By Christy Gutowski | Daily Herald Staff

Peter LaBarbera said he was just being honest when he told the Naperville hotel event planner to expect protesters outside his anti-gay group’s upcoming banquet.

His truthfulness, though, may have led to his own undoing.

Americans For Truth About Homosexuality recently filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against Holiday Inn Select, 1801 N. Naper Blvd.

The Carol Stream-based group alleges its Oct. 6, 2007 fundraiser was canceled by the hotel six weeks earlier because of the group’s religious beliefs against homosexuality.

LaBarbera did not have a written contract, and no money was exchanged, but he said organizers verbally worked out details of the 100-person event, including the menu, during two meetings.

LaBarbera said hotel management told him the reservation was canceled due to “potential negative publicity.” AFTAH filed its discrimination suit Aug. 21.

“It’s always easy to come up with excuses,” said LaBarbera, AFTAH’s executive director, “but the real truth is they didn’t like our message. If you allow this sort of hecklers’ veto, you’re sanctioning discrimination.”

The banquet was planned at the hotel on the same night as a couple’s wedding. The Naperville Holiday Inn Select is independently owned and operated. Managers there said they had not been served with the lawsuit, and could not comment.

Georgia-based InterContinental Hotels Group owns the Holiday Inn brand. AN IHG spokeswoman said the cancellation decision was made solely by local hotel management. “IHG is very concerned about any claim of discrimination at any hotel bearing the Holiday Inn name,” said Sarah-Ann Soffer, media relations manager, in a statement. “IHG condemns unlawful discrimination in all of its forms. Since this matter is the subject of pending litigation, we have no further comment at this time.”

The national AFTAH organization, which is devoted to countering the gay agenda, ended up holding its banquet one day earlier at a Lombard hotel. Activists with the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network often protest AFTAH events, LaBarbera said.

The suit seeks an unspecified amount from the hotel in damages and attorney fees.

“We simply want to send a message that it might be easier to discriminate against a small Christian group, but it’s no less acceptable,” said Jason R. Craddock, AFTAH’s attorney. “We don’t want corporate America to continue in its belief that it’s OK to discriminate against unpopular points of view.”

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Naperville (IL) Sun story:

Link: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/news/1739100,Christian-group-sues-Naperville-hotel_na082809.article

Christian Group Sues Naperville Hotel

August 28, 2009

By KATHY CICHON [kcichon@scn1.com]

Even though two years has passed since the incident occurred, a conservative organization has filed a federal discrimination lawsuit against a Naperville hotel.

“Ultimately it would be easy just to ignore it and walk away,” said Peter LaBarbera, president and founder of Americans for Truth About Homosexuality. “(But) it’s really not right to succumb to this sort of hecklers’ veto.” ….

On Friday the Carol Stream-based Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, which describes itself as “a group dedicated to exposing the homosexual activist agenda,” filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Holiday Inn Select, 1801 N. Naper Blvd., Naperville.

The lawsuit stems from the cancellation of a banquet Americans For Truth planned to hold Oct. 6, 2007, at the Holiday Inn Select. While working on the menu several weeks before the event, LaBarbera told the hotel the banquet may draw protesters from the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network, which describes itself as “a lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered direct action group.” According to LaBarbera, a Naperville resident, the group frequently protests Americans For Truth activities.

According to a 2007 Sun article, that information led the Holiday Inn Select to reconsider. With a wedding in the other ballroom, the hotel canceled the Americans For Truth event.

“For the safety and security of all of our employees and guests, we decided that it is not a function that we wanted to have based upon the potential of having a protest,” said general manager Dennis Igoe at the time.

There was no written contract for the banquet, LaBarbera said Thursday.

When contacted Thursday, the Holiday Inn Select said it has no comment at this time. Atlanta-based InterContinental Hotels Group, which owns the Holiday Inn brand, issued the following statement:

“InterContinental Hotels Group, owner of the Holiday Inn brand, is very concerned about any claim of discrimination at any hotel bearing the Holiday Inn name. IHG condemns unlawful discrimination in all of its forms. The Holiday Inn Select Naperville hotel is independently owned and operated. IHG does not dictate local hotel operating policy for such franchised properties other than to require all hotels bearing its trademarks to comply with all applicable governmental requirements. In addition, IHG expects every Holiday Inn hotel to make every reasonable effort to promptly resolve all guest complaints. The cancellation decision in this matter was made solely by the local hotel. Since this matter is the subject of pending litigation, we have no further comment at this time.”

Saying it was unfairly treated because of its religious beliefs, LaBarbera said the group felt compelled to take action to prevent similar situations in the future and send a message to other hotels.

“We want something to come of it so hotels like Holiday Inn think twice before succumbing to anti-Christian (sentiment),” LaBarbera said.

LaBarbera said Naperville prides itself on tolerance, and that a “pro-family, pro-marriage” group deserves the same as other groups. If his group had been a gay rights or other organization, the situation never would have happened, he said.

“Tolerance is a two-way street,” LaBarbera said.

The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount of damages.

“We don’t really have a dollar amount at this time,” said Jason Craddock, a New Lenox-based attorney representing Americans for Truth. “The most important thing is the message.”

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To sign up for AFTAH’s Feedblitz service to receive notice of all AFTAH web postings, click http://www.feedblitz.com/f/?Sub=126361

Folks, this Saturday, August 15th, homosexual activists will be wielding their deviant sexuality like a weapon on the unsuspecting public in locales across the country. Interesting. Somehow I don’t think Blacks — especially those with a strong moral foundation — will see this as a progression of the noble civil rights movement. I’m most concerned about the children who will be exposed to this obnoxious event after their parents unwittingly stumble upon a “kiss-in.” [Click HERE to read Laurie Higgins' take on the "kiss-in."]

The following cities and towns have CONFIRMED that they will be holding Great Nationwide Kiss-In Events ( a homosexual kiss-in), as of August 11, 2009. (We have removed the additional contact names and information listed alongside the city or town.) Please pass this information on so that families don’t inadvertently end up at one of these events with their children. — Peter LaBarbera, www.aftah.org:

In alphabetical order:

ALBUQUERQUE, NM, at the Civic Center Plaza

Facebook event page for Albuquerque: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=126172658948

ATHENS, GA, at the UGA Arch, UGA North Campus Quad along Broad Street

Facebook event page for Athens: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115221546783

ATLANTA, GA, Piedmont Park (exact location, TBD)

Facebook event page for Atlanta: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108473617228

BOSTON, MA, at the Boston Common, between Park Street MBTA station and the State House

Facebook event page for Boston: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=109795666567

CARBONDALE, IL, at the Town Square Pavilion

Facebook event page for Carbondale: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=142965079615

CHAMPAIGN/URBANA, IL, at the intersection of Green & 6th Sts. in Champaign

Facebook event page for Champaign/Urbana: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110936764229

CHARLOTTE, NC, at Freedom Park, near 1900 East Boulevard

Facebook event page for Charlotte: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122444044602

CHICAGO, IL, at the Cloudgate Sculpture/”The Bean” in Millennium Park – sponsored by Join the Impact Chicago

Facebook event page for Chicago:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111579388358&ref=mf

CHICAGO/OAK PARK, IL, at Scoville Park, the NW corner of Oak Park Av. and Lake St.

Facebook event page for Chicago/Oak Park: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115130357898

CINCINNATI, OH, at Fountain Square, downtown, 5th & Vine

Facebook event page for Cincinnati: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=123647133912

COLUMBUS, OH, at Goodale Park, on Buttles Ave. – contact information TBA

Facebook event page for Columbus: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=132830606920

DALLAS, TX, in the West End, in Rosa Parks Plaza, at Lamar and Elm

Facebook group page for Dallas: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=113366047079

DENVER, CO, at the 16th St. Mall, at Glenarm – sponsored by Soulforce in Colorado

Facebook event page for Denver: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115471915685

DURANGO, CO (private event), at the wedding of Estella Moore & Brad Bartlett

EDMONTON, AB (CANADA), by the big fountain in front of the legislature building

Facebook event page for Edmonton: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107176912916

ERIE, PA, on the steps of the Erie County Courthouse – sponsored by the Erie Gay News

Facebook event page for Erie: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108657518098

FAYETTEVILLE, AR, at the plaza between the square and Town Center – sponsored by the NWA Center for Equality

Facebook event page for Fayetteville: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=241495050346

HOUSTON, TX, Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St.

Facebook event page for Houston: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119009738704

IOWA CITY, IA, on the pedestrian mall in front of Donnelly’s Pub – sponsored by Iowa City Pride

Facebook event page for Iowa City: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=104521017402

IRVINE, CA, meet in front of Steelhead Brewery, 4175 Campus Drive

Facebook event page for Irvine: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117256529880

2nd Irvine event in conjunction with Orange County Pride Picnic, at 2pm local time: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=105680134231

LITTLE ROCK, AR, location, TBD

Facebook event page for Little Rock: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=106529463875

LOS ANGELES/SANTA MONICA, CA: 3rd Street Promenade at Arizona, near Farmers’ Market in Santa Monica – sponsored by Love Honor Cherish

Facebook event page for Los Angeles/Santa Monica: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111377645818

MADISON, WI – location, TBD

Facebook event page for Madison: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=120033432045

NEW HAVEN, CT, on the Green

Facebook event page for New Haven: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114205839759

NEW YORK CITY, Battery Park (exact location, TBD)

Facebook event page for NYC: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=131549948688

NORMAL, IL, in front of City Hall, 100 E. Phoenix Ave.

Facebook event page for Normal: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117628811860

PARKERSBURG, WV, at the Parkersburg City Park, in front of the band shelter

Facebook event page for Parkersburg: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111506768894

PHILADELPHIA, PA, in LOVE Park, at 16th St. and JFK Boulevard

Facebook event page for Philadelphia: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=122955264512

PHOENIX, AZ, at the end of the Arizona Right To Marry’s 97-mile walk for marriage equality, on the lawn of the Arizona State Capitol Building

Facebook event page for Phoenix: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=108132997978

PHOENIX/TEMPE, AZ, at the Arizona Mills Mall Food Court in Tempe

Facebook event page for Phoenix/Tempe: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134579864223

PITTSBURGH, PA, at 1000 Penn Avenue, on the public space right in front of the Westin portico/driveway on 10th, between Liberty Ave and Penn Ave – organized by Jeremy Hooper of the blog, Good As You, and endorsed by the Netroots Nation Event

Facebook group page for Pittsburgh: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=110382828714

Website with additional information: http://netrootsnation.org/outsideevents09

PORTLAND, OR, at Pioneer Courthouse Square, SW 6th & SW Yamhill St.

Facebook event page for Portland, OR: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114410507119

RICHMOND, VA, location TBD – Mackenzie Ellis

Facebook event page for Richmond: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114890907770

RIVERSIDE/INLAND EMPIRE, CA, at Riverside Plaza, at Central and Riverside Aves. (exit Central off the 91 Freeway) – sponsored by Equality Inland Empire

Facebook event page for Riverside: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=110378229526

ST. LOUIS, MO, in front of City Hall – sponsored by F.O.L.K.

Facebook event page for St. Louis: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116388247230

SAIPAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS,
at the Minachom Atdao Pavilion, across the Ada Gym

NOTE: Local time for this event is Sunday, August 16, 4 a.m.

Facebook event page for Saipan: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115185827009

SALT LAKE CITY, UT in Washington Square

Facebook event page for Salt Lake City: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=115983605871

SAN DIEGO, CA, Manchester Grand Hyatt, 1 Market Place

Facebook event page for San Diego:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118528143600

SAN FRANCISCO, Union Square, Powell Street

Facebook event page for San Francisco: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119270044816

SAN JOSE, CA, at City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street

Facebook event page for San Jose: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=109356080747

SANTA BARBARA, CA, on Pardall Rd in Isla Vista – sponsored by UCSB Votes No on Prop 4 and Prop 8!

Facebook event page for Santa Barbara: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=133391075409

TORONTO, ON (CANADA) - location, TBD – Aaron Hewitt – see Facebook event for contact info.

Facebook event page for Toronto: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=245679735502

TULSA, OK, at the Oklahomans for Equality HQ, 621 East 4th Street, sponsored by Oklahomans for Equality

Facebook event page for Tulsa: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=117013904140

Go to their website for more details: http://okeq.org/

WASHINGTON D.C., on the National Mall, between 3rd and 4th Sts.

Facebook event page for Washington D.C.: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=113732820282
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COMING SOON (these events are considered tentative, and additional details are forthcoming. If you are interested in helping these organizers, please E-MAIL me as soon as possible):

Austin, TX

Detroit, MI

Sacramento, CA

San Antonio, TX

Youngstown/Warren, OH