Accountable for Equality (AFE)
Accountable for Equality is a left-leaning nonprofit that promotes LGBT interests, such as state recognition of same-sex marriages; access to abortion, contraception, and artificial reproductive technology; and access to medical gender transition. The group shares information on LGBT non-supporters, disclosing “who they are, where they are, and what they do.” AFE criticizes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and collaborates with other left-of-center groups to push media narratives around LGBT issues.
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Background
Accountable for Equality (AFE) is an organization founded in 2019 that advocates for LGBT interests by disseminating information about individuals and organizations who do not support left-of-center LGBT-related policies, revealing “who they are, where they are, and what they do.” 1
Accountable for Equality Action (AFE Action) is AFE’s allied political advocacy group. The group’s Twitter 2 page mirrors information shared on AFE’s website. Both organizations strongly criticized Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for enacting anti-LGBT bills into law in May 2023. 3
Political Advocacy
Accountable for Equality criticizes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), a law aimed at safeguarding individuals’ religious practice rights. The organization claims the “Religious Right” uses the law to influence anti-LGBT policies. 1
AFE’s website also features a campaign called “Rotten Court,” which compiles various reports criticizing Associate Justice Clarence Thomas 4 for urging the Supreme Court to reconsider opinions protecting same-sex relationships, recognition of same-sex marriages, and access to contraceptives, while allegedly not disclosing gifts received from a right-of-center donor. 1
The organization also posted a report from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, which claims that the Alliance Defending Freedom International (ADFI), 5 a right-of-center Christian litigation and advocacy organization, uses policy tactics to limit LGBT interests in various European countries. 1
In February 2023, AFE, alongside the Human Rights Campaign,6 the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), 7 and more than 100 left-leaning organizations called on the New York Times 8 to conform their coverage of transgender people and transgender-related issues to the views of organized LGBT interests. 9
Following Target’s backlash in June 2023 for removing LGBT Pride merchandise during Pride Month, over 200 organizations including Accountable for Equality signed a statement drafted by the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN),10 and other left-wing groups, urging Target and other businesses to reject and denounce anti-LGBT positions. 11