1. al-Qa’ida (AQ)

   Al-Qa'ida (AQ), meaning "The Base" in Arabic, is a decentralized Sunni Islamist religiously-motivated violent extremist (RMVE) group that gained global notoriety for the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

   History and Ideology

   Founding: Al-Qa'ida was founded by Usama bin Laden and Abdullah Azzam in 1988 with Arabs who fought against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. Bin Laden took full control after Azzam's death in 1989.

   Core Ideology: AQ is a Salafi-Jihadist organization. Its primary goals are:

   To establish a pan-Islamic caliphate throughout the Muslim world.

   To expel Western influence, particularly the United States (the "Far Enemy"), from Muslim countries.

   To overthrow Muslim regimes it deems "apostate" or "un-Islamic."

   Key Declaration: In 1998, AQ issued a statement declaring it the duty of all Muslims to kill U.S. citizens—civilian and military—and their allies everywhere.

   Evolution: Following the death of Usama bin Laden in 2011 and Ayman al-Zawahiri in 2022, the group has evolved from a hierarchical organization to a more decentralized network of global affiliates and supporters, focusing on championing local grievances to expand its network.

   Leadership and Structure

   Former Leaders:

   Usama bin Laden (Founder, 1988–2011)

   Ayman al-Zawahiri (Leader, 2011–2022, killed in a U.S. strike in Kabul, Afghanistan).

   Current Leader (De Facto): Since al-Zawahiri's death, Sayf al-Adl is widely believed to be the de facto leader, though a formal public announcement of succession has not been made.

   Global Affiliates (Franchises): Much of AQ's operational activity is generated by its official affiliates, which operate with varying degrees of independence:

   Al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) (Yemen)

   Al-Shabaab (Somalia)

   Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) (Mali/Sahel region)

   Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) (North Africa)

   Al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)

   Major Attacks and Operating Areas

   Operating Area: Al-Qa'ida's core leadership operates with a residual presence in the Afghanistan-Pakistan border region (leveraging ties with the Taliban), while its affiliates are most active across the Middle East, South Asia, and increasingly, Africa (especially the Sahel and Horn of Africa).

   Notable Attacks Directed by AQ Core:

   1998 U.S. Embassy Bombings: Coordinated bombings of U.S. embassies in Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing over 200 people.

   2000 USS Cole Attack: A suicide attack on the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole in the port of Aden, Yemen.

   September 11, 2001, Attacks (9/11): The coordinated hijacking of four U.S. commercial jets, which struck the World Trade Center (New York), the Pentagon (Virginia), and crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, resulting in nearly 3,000 deaths.

   Current Activities: While AQ Core has not executed a large-scale external operation in years, its affiliates continue to conduct regular, lethal attacks against local and international targets in their respective regions. The group also encourages "lone-actor" or "homegrown" attacks in the West.

2. al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (formerly Salafist Group for Call and Combat)

   Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)

   Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) is a Sunni Muslim extremist group that is an official affiliate of al-Qa'ida. It primarily operates in North Africa and the Sahel region, including Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.

   Origins and History (GSPC)

   AQIM originated in Algeria in 1998 as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC). The GSPC itself was a splinter faction of the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), breaking away due to disagreements over the GIA's indiscriminate targeting of civilians.

   Initial Goal (GSPC): Overthrowing the Algerian government and establishing an Islamic state ruled by Sharia law.

   Merger with Al-Qa'ida: The GSPC aligned itself with al-Qa'ida in September 2006.

   Renaming: The group officially changed its name to Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in January 2007, reflecting its broadened regional and ideological focus beyond just Algeria.

   Ideology and Objectives

   While maintaining the original goal of overthrowing the Algerian government, the merger with al-Qa'ida shifted the group's focus to include anti-Western international jihadist aims. AQIM seeks to eliminate Western influence and governments in the region to establish an Islamic caliphate governed by Sharia law across North and West Africa. They have also called for the expulsion of French and Spanish influence from the Maghreb countries.

   Leadership and Membership

   Current Leader: Abu 'Ubaydah Yusuf al-'Annabi, who took over as Amir in November 2020 after his predecessor was killed.

   Membership: Estimates of their fighter strength generally range from 500 to 1,000 members, primarily recruited from Algeria, Mali, and Mauritania, among other North and West African countries.

   Affiliate Groups: AQIM is ideologically aligned with al-Qa'ida but maintains significant operational autonomy. The Mali-based terrorist organization Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), formed from a 2017 merger of several groups including an AQIM offshoot, has pledged allegiance to AQIM.

   Activities and Funding

   AQIM utilizes conventional terrorist tactics, including guerrilla-style ambushes, suicide bombings, and attacks using rockets and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Targets routinely include Algerian military, police, and government interests, as well as Western interests and foreign nationals.

   Primary Source of Revenue: Kidnapping for ransom of Westerners and local targets is a major funding source, which has netted the group millions of dollars.

   Other Funding: The group also obtains revenue through extortion, drug trafficking facilitation, and illicit arms markets.

   Notable Attacks: AQIM has been responsible for high-casualty attacks, such as the December 2007 car bombings targeting UN offices and the Constitutional Council in Algiers. They have also conducted attacks in other countries in the Sahel, like the 2016 Grand-Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, assaults.

3. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB)

   The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AAMB) is a Palestinian armed group that operates primarily in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

   Overview and History

   Origin: The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade emerged in September 2000 at the start of the Second Intifada (or Al-Aqsa Intifada). It was formed by small, decentralized cells of activists who were broadly affiliated with the Fatah political party.

   Ideology and Goal: The AAMB's ideology is primarily based on secular Palestinian nationalism and anti-Zionism. Its main objective is to drive the Israeli military and settlers out of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and establish an independent Palestinian state.

   Relationship with Fatah: The group was initially closely aligned with Fatah, which was then led by Yasser Arafat, and was considered by some to be the party's official armed wing. However, the connection appears to have loosened and become more ambiguous since Arafat's death in 2004. While AAMB still often aligns itself with Fatah politically, Fatah's current leadership rejects the association with the armed group.

   Designation and Activities

   Designation as a Terrorist Organization: The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade has been formally designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States (since 2002) and is also designated as a terrorist entity by the European Union, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and Israel.

   Activities: The group has been responsible for numerous armed attacks targeting both Israeli military personnel and civilians.

   Tactics: Early attacks involved drive-by shootings and suicide bombings, including the first suicide bombing carried out by a female in Israel in January 2002. Later activities have included rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip and operations within the West Bank.

   Targets: The AAMB initially focused on Israeli military and settlers but quickly began striking Israeli civilians inside Israel during the Second Intifada.

   Recent Involvement: The AAMB has notably participated alongside Hamas and other allied Palestinian factions in the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip (2023–present).

   Structure: The AAMB is a highly decentralized organization, often described as a coalition of local, autonomous units. This decentralized structure makes it difficult to identify a single, consistent central command or a clear overall leader.

   External Aid: The group has received external funding and guidance from sources such as Iran, primarily through intermediaries like Hizballah.

4. American Family Association(national)

   The American Family Association (AFA) is a national, conservative Christian fundamentalist 501(c)(3) organization based in Tupelo, Mississippi, that advocates for socially conservative public policy and "traditional moral values."

   Hate Group Designation and Mission

   Designation: The AFA is designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as of November 2010. The SPLC states this classification is due to the group's "propagation of known falsehoods" and use of "demonizing propaganda" against LGBTQ+ people. The AFA strongly disputes this label, arguing the SPLC is a "partisan smear machine" that targets Christian and conservative organizations.

   Mission: The AFA's stated mission is "to inform, equip, and activate individuals and families to transform American culture and to give aid to the church... in its calling to fulfill the Great Commission." The organization's activism focuses primarily on opposing LGBTQ+ rights, pornography, and abortion.

   Leadership: The AFA was founded in 1977 by Methodist minister Donald E. Wildmon as the National Federation for Decency. It is currently led by his son, Tim Wildmon.

   Key Activities and Campaigns

   The AFA employs various methods to advance its goals, including boycotts, media production, and political mobilization.

   Anti-LGBTQ+ Activism: This is a major focus of the AFA's activities. The group vocally opposes same-sex marriage, anti-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity, and LGBTQ+ inclusion in media.

   Rhetoric: The AFA's rhetoric has often featured claims that equate homosexuality with pedophilia and portray an "homosexual agenda" as a threat to American society.

   Boycotts: The AFA frequently organizes boycotts and letter-writing campaigns against corporations, such as Target and Home Depot, that adopt pro-LGBTQ+ policies or feature LGBTQ+ people in their advertising.

   Anti-Pornography: In its early years, the AFA focused heavily on what it considered indecent programming and pornography, including advocating for increased regulation and censorship.

   Media Outreach: The AFA operates a large media network to disseminate its views:

   American Family Radio (AFR): A network of over 180 radio stations in 28 states.

   The Stand: Its monthly publication and blog, which "filters the culture's endless stream of information through a grid of scriptural truth."

   Political Advocacy: The AFA and its governmental affairs affiliate, AFA Action, work to "advance godly values in government" by informing and mobilizing conservative voters and officials on core issues like life, religious liberty, and family.

5. American College of Pediatricians

   American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds).

   Overview of the American College of Pediatricians (ACPeds)

   Designation: The American College of Pediatricians is designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and other civil rights organizations.

   Origin and Background: ACPeds is a fringe group founded in 2002 by a small number of conservative doctors who broke away from the mainstream American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to protest the AAP's support for adoption by same-sex couples. The AAP, which represents over 67,000 members, and other major medical organizations (like the AMA and APA) strongly disagree with and condemn the positions and practices of ACPeds.

   Mission and Pseudoscience: While ACPeds states its mission is to promote "optimal physical and emotional health and well-being of children," it is primarily a religious and political advocacy group that bases its positions on "ethical absolutes" rather than mainstream medical consensus. The SPLC and GLAAD state that ACPeds uses "anti-LGBTQ junk science" and "demonizing propaganda" to target LGBTQ+ people and youth.

   Key Controversial Positions:

   Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Transgender Activism: ACPeds is highly active in opposing LGBTQ+ rights and gender-affirming care. They have issued numerous statements and testify in state legislatures to support anti-trans laws.

   Transgender Care: They oppose evidence-based, gender-affirming care, asserting that treatments like puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones lack a scientific basis, violate the Hippocratic Oath, and lead to the "sterility of minors." This stance directly contradicts all major U.S. medical organizations.

   Sexual Orientation: They oppose gay marriage, gay adoption, and gay parenting. They have promoted the discredited practice of "conversion therapy" for LGBTQ+ youth.

   Rhetoric: They have made baseless and false claims linking LGBTQ+ people to "grooming," pedophilia, and mental health issues.

   Abortion and Family Structure: The organization strongly opposes abortion and advocates for the "two-parent, father-mother nuclear family" as the only optimal setting for child development. They were a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit seeking to limit access to the abortion pill mifepristone.

6. American Family Association

   American Family Association (AFA).

   Overview of the American Family Association (AFA)

   Designation: The American Family Association is designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The SPLC adds groups to this list not for simply holding religious objections, but for the "propagation of known falsehoods" and the use of "demonizing propaganda" against LGBTQ+ people.

   Leadership: The current President of the AFA is Tim Wildmon. The organization was founded in 1977 by his father, Donald Wildmon, initially as the National Federation for Decency.

   Mission: The AFA states its mission is "to inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture, and give aid to the church." A major part of this work involves promoting "traditional moral values," which the SPLC notes often takes the form of attacks on marginalized groups.

   Activities and Propaganda: The AFA is a large organization with a significant media presence, operating the American Family Radio (AFR) network of nearly 200 stations and activist websites like OneMillionMoms.com. Their activities are primarily focused on:

   Anti-LGBTQ+ Activism: The group is known for organizing boycotts and letter-writing campaigns against companies that support LGBTQ+ rights or feature LGBTQ+ content in their media. Their messaging includes claims that homosexuality is a "dangerous choice," a "lethal behavior addiction," and an "agenda" that will lead to the downfall of society. The AFA has frequently linked homosexuality to pedophilia in its rhetoric.

   Anti-Muslim Rhetoric: The AFA has also engaged in promoting anti-Muslim sentiment, with past leaders suggesting a ban on Muslim immigration to the U.S. and claiming Muslims have no First Amendment right to build mosques.

   Media Focus: Historically, the AFA was heavily focused on protesting perceived "indecency," obscenity, and profanity in television and media.

   Controversy over the Hate Group Label:

   The AFA and other organizations on the SPLC's list strongly dispute the "hate group" designation, arguing that the SPLC is politically biased and is targeting them for holding orthodox Christian and conservative viewpoints. They claim the SPLC's list is a "smear machine" that incites hatred against them.

7. Americans for Truth

   Americans for Truth about Homosexuality (AFTAH).

   Overview of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality (AFTAH)

   Designation: AFTAH is classified as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). The SPLC's designation is based on the organization's reliance on "known falsehoods" and "demonizing propaganda" to defame LGBTQ+ people. The SPLC clarifies that this designation is not based on holding religious or moral beliefs that view homosexuality as unbiblical, but rather on spreading discredited and harmful claims.

   Leader: The founder and president of AFTAH is Peter LaBarbera.

   Mission: AFTAH describes its mission as "dedicated to exposing the homosexual activist agenda."

   Core Beliefs and Propaganda:

   The group rejects the idea that sexual orientation is innate and promotes the discredited idea that people can change or be "cured" of homosexuality (known as "ex-gay" therapy).

   AFTAH has a history of publishing and distributing propaganda that equates homosexuality with pedophilia, sexual deviance, and a "lethal behavior addiction."

   LaBarbera and AFTAH have faced international criticism and action; in 2014, LaBarbera was denied entry into Canada by customs officials who cited his potential violation of Canadian laws against hate speech.

   Response to Hate Group Label: Peter LaBarbera has publicly stated that he considers being on the SPLC's hate list a "point of pride," claiming that "If you are not on the SPLC hate list, you are not doing enough."

   The video SPLC Reports on Role of Pseudoscience in Anti-LGBTQ+ Efforts is relevant as it is a report from the organization that designated Americans for Truth about Homosexuality as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group.

8. American Vision

   American Vision (AV), an organization designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

   Overview of American Vision

   Mission: American Vision's stated mission is to "equip Christians to restore America's biblical foundation." The organization promotes a far-right religious and political ideology known as Christian Reconstructionism.

   Ideology (Christian Reconstructionism): This is a theological and political movement that advocates replacing American democracy with a theocratic government governed by a strict interpretation of Old Testament Mosaic law.

   Key Beliefs and Advocacy:

   The group's founder and long-time leader, Gary DeMar, has been a prominent proponent of Christian Reconstructionism.

   American Vision has been labeled a hate group by the SPLC specifically due to its historical support for the death penalty for practicing homosexuals. DeMar has previously suggested that the "occasional execution of 'sodomites' would serve society well" as it would drive the practice "underground."

   The group has also advocated for the execution of abortionists.

   They actively work against the separation of church and state, arguing that the U.S. was founded as a "Christian nation."

   Activities: AV primarily operates as a Christian ministry, publishing books and "educational resources" for Christian schools and homeschoolers, and hosting "Worldview Conferences" to train parents, teachers, and activists in developing a "Biblical worldview."

9. American Values

   American Values (AV), an organization led by Gary L. Bauer that has a history of promoting anti-LGBTQ+ and socially conservative views.

   American Values (AV) Organization

   Leader: Gary L. Bauer, a prominent conservative activist who previously served as President of the Family Research Council.

   Mission and Ideology: American Values, as a 501(c)(3) social welfare nonprofit, states it is "deeply committed to defending life, traditional marriage, and equipping our children with the values necessary to stand against liberal education and cultural forces." The organization focuses on promoting anti-abortion, anti-LGBTQ+, and pro-Israel policies.

   Controversial Stance: AV is part of a larger network of groups headed by Bauer that campaign against LGBTQ+ equality, including same-sex marriage and what they term "liberal education."

   SPLC Designation: While the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) does not currently list American Values itself on its public list of active hate groups, it identifies organizations with similar ideologies, like the Family Research Council (which Bauer formerly headed), as anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups for propagating falsehoods and demonizing rhetoric against LGBTQ+ people. The SPLC's "Extremists and Ideologies" information mentions a group called American Values as one that "perpetrates far-right ideology vilifying the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants."

10. Americans for Truth About Homosexuality

    Americans for Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH) is an anti-LGBTQ hate group that works to oppose gay and transgender rights. It was designated as such by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for spreading what the SPLC calls "hateful propaganda" and "known falsehoods."

    Key Information

    Founder and President: Peter LaBarbera.

    Mission: AFTAH describes its mission as "exposing the homosexual activist agenda."

    Core Beliefs and Rhetoric:

    Opposes LGBTQ Rights: The organization actively campaigns against all forms of LGBTQ rights, including same-sex marriage and protections in schools.

    Homosexuality is Not Innate: AFTAH rejects the idea that sexual orientation is innate and promotes the discredited idea that people can "leave the homosexual lifestyle," often supporting "ex-gay" or conversion therapy.

    Falsehoods and Misinformation: AFTAH is known for publishing false and defamatory claims about LGBTQ people, often linking homosexuality to pedophilia and asserting that gay people have shorter life spans—claims that have been thoroughly discredited by scientific and professional bodies.

    Hate Group Designation: The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) classified AFTAH as an anti-LGBTQ hate group in 2010 due to its propagation of known falsehoods and use of demonizing propaganda. LaBarbera has publicly embraced this designation.

    Activities: The group’s activities include maintaining a website and blog to disseminate its views and engaging in public and international activism to oppose LGBTQ advancements.

11. Ansar al-Shari’a in Benghazi

    Ansar al-Shari'a in Benghazi (AAS-B) was a Salafi-Jihadist militia that operated in Benghazi, Libya, and was a prominent entity in the country's post-2011 civil unrest. It was designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States and listed as a terrorist entity by the United Nations.

    Overview and Key Actions

    Founding and Goal: AAS-B was formed in February 2012, with the primary goal of establishing Shari'a (Islamic law) in Libya. Its leader was Mohammad al-Zawahi (killed in 2014) and a key senior leader was Ahmed Abu Khattalah (later captured).

    Al-Qa'ida Affiliation: The group was ideologically aligned with and cooperated closely with Al-Qa'ida and its regional affiliates, including Ansar al-Shari'a in Darnah and Al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). It ran terrorist training camps that benefitted Al-Qa'ida-associated groups.

    2012 Benghazi Attack: AAS-B was a primary group involved in the September 11, 2012, coordinated attack against the U.S. Special Mission and Annex in Benghazi, which resulted in the deaths of four Americans, including U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens.

    Other Activities: The group was responsible for numerous terrorist attacks and assassinations, particularly targeting local security forces and political actors in Benghazi between 2011 and 2014, often cooperating with other extremist groups to carry out suicide bombings.

    Status

    In 2017, Ansar al-Shari'a in Libya (which encompassed the Benghazi and Darnah branches) announced its formal dissolution due to heavy losses in fighting and leadership, as well as defections of its members to other groups, including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in Libya.

12. Ansar al-Shari’a in Darnah

    Ansar al-Shari'a in Darnah (AAS-D) was a Salafi-Jihadist militia that operated primarily in the city of Darna, Libya, following the 2011 Libyan Civil War.

    It was designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States and listed as a terrorist entity by the United Nations due to its association with Al-Qa'ida and its involvement in terrorist activities.

    Overview and Activities

    Founding and Leadership: AAS-D was formed in early 2012, one of several Ansar al-Shari'a groups that emerged across Libya. Its leader was Abu Sufian Ibrahim Ahmed Hamuda Bin Qumu, an Afghanistan veteran with ties to the Libyan Islamic Fighting Group.

    Goal: The group aimed to establish Shari'a (Islamic law) in Libya and remove Western influence.

    Affiliation: Initially, AAS-D was ideologically aligned with and worked closely with Al-Qa'ida and its affiliates, including Ansar al-Shari'a in Benghazi and Ansar al-Shari'a in Tunisia. It also maintained training camps in and around Darna.

    Key Activity: AAS-D was implicated, along with Ansar al-Shari'a in Benghazi, in the September 11, 2012 attack on the U.S. facilities in Benghazi, which resulted in the death of the U.S. Ambassador and three other Americans.

    Decline and Link to ISIS

    The group's influence in Darna declined significantly after a major faction within AAS-D publicly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in October 2014, leading to the formation of the Islamic State's presence in Darna. This defection and the subsequent fighting with local rival militias severely fragmented and undermined AAS-D.

13. Ansar al-Shari’a in Tunisia

    Ansar al-Shari'a in Tunisia (AAS-T) was a Salafi-Jihadist terrorist group that operated in Tunisia.

    It was officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States and has been listed as a terrorist group by the United Nations, the United Kingdom, the Tunisian government, and others.

    Overview and Activities

    Founding: AAS-T was founded in early 2011 by Seifallah Ben Hassine, also known as Abu Iyad al-Tunisi, following his release from prison during the Tunisian revolution. The group's name translates to "Partisans of Islamic Law."

    Goal: Its stated goal was to establish an Islamic state and implement Shari'a (Islamic law) in Tunisia.

    Activities & Attacks: Although it initially focused on dawa (proselytizing or missionary work), the group was implicated in several high-profile violent acts, including:

    The September 14, 2012, attack against the U.S. Embassy and the American school in Tunis.

    The assassination of two secular Tunisian politicians in 2013, Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi.

    Attempted suicide bombings against tourist sites in Sousse and Monastir in late 2013.

    Affiliation: AAS-T was ideologically aligned with Al-Qa'ida. It was also involved in recruiting Tunisian youth to fight abroad, particularly in Syria.

    Designation and Decline

    The Tunisian government formally declared Ansar al-Shari'a a terrorist organization in August 2013. This designation led to a widespread security crackdown and arrests, which severely crippled the group's operations in Tunisia. Many of its remaining members fled the country, often traveling to join other militant groups in neighboring Libya or in Syria.

14. Ansaru

    Ansaru, formally known as Jamāʿatu Anṣāril Muslimīna fī Bilādis Sūdān (The Vanguard for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa), is an Islamic fundamentalist militant and terrorist organization primarily operating in Nigeria.

    Key Facts 🌍

    Designation: Ansaru is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. Department of State and is also listed as a terrorist group by the United Nations Security Council and the Nigerian government.

    Ideology: The group espouses a Salafi-Jihadist ideology and aims to expel secular and Western influences from Nigeria to establish an Islamist state, with a stated goal of reviving the Sokoto Caliphate and restoring the "dignity of Muslims in black Africa."

    Affiliations: Ansaru is a splinter faction of Boko Haram (splitting in 2012) and is closely aligned with Al-Qaeda and its regional affiliate, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), occasionally calling itself "al-Qaeda in the Lands Beyond the Sahel."

    History and Activities

    Origins and Split from Boko Haram

    Ansaru emerged in January 2012 as a breakaway faction of Boko Haram. The split was reportedly due to ideological disagreements, with Ansaru criticizing Boko Haram's indiscriminate attacks and mass killings of Muslim civilians, preferring a more targeted approach against Nigerian government, security, and Western interests.

    Tactics and Targets

    Ansaru's operations have historically focused on high-profile attacks and kidnapping-for-ransom.

    Kidnapping: The group has targeted and kidnapped foreigners (primarily Westerners) and politically connected individuals for ransom, including the kidnapping and execution of European construction workers in 2013.

    Attacks: Ansaru has ambushed Nigerian security forces, including military convoys and bases, especially in the North-Central and North-Western parts of the country.

    "Hearts and Minds" Strategy: In areas underserved by the Nigerian government, the group has attempted to gain local support by providing security from criminal gangs and distributing essentials like food and agricultural supplies.

    Operating Area

    While Boko Haram has been centered in Nigeria's northeast, Ansaru has historically operated in and around states like Kano and Kaduna in North-Central and North-West Nigeria, extending its activities into the Benin-Niger-Nigeria triborder area. The group has seen a resurgence of activity, particularly in the ongoing Nigerian bandit conflict.

15. Asbat al-Ansar (AAA)

    Asbat al-Ansar (AAA), meaning "League of the Partisans," is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) based primarily in Lebanon. It is a Sunni extremist, Salafi-Jihadist group with ideological ties to Al-Qaeda.

    Key Information on Asbat al-Ansar (AAA)

    Designation and Status

    Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO): AAA was designated an FTO by the United States Department of State in March 2002.

    International Listing: It is also listed as a proscribed terrorist organization by the United Nations, the United Kingdom, Canada, and several other countries.

    Ideology: The group adheres to an extremist, Salafi interpretation of Islam and is committed to Jihadism.

    Goals and Objectives

    The group's main objectives center on imposing an extreme version of Islam and eliminating perceived Western influence:

    Establishment of an Islamic State: The primary goal is to overthrow the Lebanese government and establish an Islamic state in Lebanon.

    Anti-Western and Anti-Israel: It aims to thwart perceived anti-Islamic and pro-Western influences in the country and supports the elimination of Israel.

    Sectarian Opposition: The group is virulently opposed to other religious sects in Lebanon, including the Shia, Christians, and Druze.

    Area of Operation

    Primary Base: AAA's main base of operations is the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon in southern Lebanon. Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon are largely governed by their own internal factions, making them difficult for Lebanese security forces to penetrate.

    Membership: The group is composed primarily of Palestinian refugees and a smaller number of Lebanese members, with an estimated strength of a few hundred fighters.

    Activities and Attacks

    AAA emerged in the early 1990s and has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, primarily in Lebanon:

    Domestic Attacks: In the mid-1990s, the group assassinated Lebanese religious leaders and carried out bombings against "un-Islamic" targets such as nightclubs, theaters, and liquor stores.

    International Targets: The group has plotted against foreign diplomatic interests, including an attempted assassination of the U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon in 2000 (for which a member was later sentenced in absentia) and a rocket-propelled grenade attack on the Russian Embassy in Beirut in January 2000.

    Links to Al-Qaeda: AAA has maintained ideological and operational links with Al-Qaeda, including providing fighters to the insurgency in Iraq after 2005.

16. Barrio 18

    The group known as Barrio 18 (also called the 18th Street Gang) is not classified as a traditional "hate group," but it is designated as a major transnational criminal organization (TCO) and a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

    Barrio 18 Profile and Designation

    Barrio 18 originated in Los Angeles, California, in the 1960s as an offshoot of an existing Hispanic gang. It is one of the largest and most violent street gangs in the Western Hemisphere, operating primarily in the United States, Mexico, and especially the Central American "Northern Triangle" countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

    Core Activities and Structure

    Barrio 18 is a decentralized network of autonomous gangs, or clicas, with an estimated membership ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 members across its territory.

    Its primary activities are criminal and profit-driven:

    Extortion: This is one of the gang's main sources of revenue, often imposed on businesses and individuals in territories they control.

    Drug Trafficking: They are heavily involved in the street-level distribution of illicit drugs.

    Violence and Homicide: They are known for their extreme cruelty and high rates of murder, assault, and racketeering used to maintain control and intimidate rivals (especially MS-13) and the civilian population.

    Other Crimes: The gang also engages in robbery, kidnapping, human smuggling, and sex trafficking.

    Terrorist Designation

    Due to the scope and severity of its violence, both in its tactics and its destabilizing effect on Central American governments and societies, Barrio 18 has been formally designated a terrorist entity:

    Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO): The United States Department of State designated Barrio 18 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in September 2025, stating that the group "has conducted attacks against security personnel, public officials, and civilians in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras."

    Domestic Terrorist Group: The governments of El Salvador and Guatemala have also designated Barrio 18 and its rival, MS-13, as terrorist organizations domestically.

    This designation reflects the modern trend of classifying powerful transnational gangs that use organized violence against state and civil targets as terrorist threats, even if their core motivation remains financial and criminal rather than purely political or ideological.

    The designation of Barrio 18 as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. State Department is discussed in this video: US designates Barrio 18 as foreign terrorist organization - Anadolu Ajansı.

17. Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)

    The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is not classified as a "hate group" in the context of domestic Western extremism (like white supremacists or neo-Nazis), but is universally designated by major global powers as an ethno-nationalist terrorist organization.

    Profile of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA)

    The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) is a militant separatist organization operating primarily in the Balochistan region of Pakistan, with command and support elements operating from neighboring areas like Afghanistan. Its campaign is rooted in ethno-nationalism and secessionism, seeking the complete separation of Balochistan from Pakistan to establish an independent Baloch state.

    Ideology and Core Grievances

    The BLA's struggle is fundamentally political and nationalist, driven by long-standing regional grievances:

    Secession and Sovereignty: The primary goal is political independence for the resource-rich Balochistan province, which they view as having been forcibly incorporated into Pakistan following the end of British rule in 1947.

    Anti-Exploitation: The group campaigns against what it perceives as the economic exploitation of Balochistan's vast natural resources (gas, minerals) by the Pakistani government and foreign entities, particularly China.

    Anti-Chinese Sentiment: Due to its opposition to the massive infrastructure projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the BLA views Chinese citizens and associated development projects as legitimate targets, portraying them as part of a foreign occupation.

    Ethnic Targeting: While their main enemy is the Pakistani state, the BLA has been accused of ethnic cleansing and targeting non-Baloch settlers, workers, and government officials, particularly those of Punjabi or Pashtun ethnicity, in a campaign to rid the region of "outsiders."

    Tactics and International Designation

    The BLA employs traditional guerrilla warfare tactics alongside acts of high-casualty terrorism:

    Terrorist Attacks: Tactics include assassinations, IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks on security forces and infrastructure (like gas pipelines and railways), and targeted suicide bombings.

    The Majeed Brigade: This is the BLA's specialized unit, responsible for high-profile and deadly suicide attacks, including assaults on security convoys, luxury hotels, and the Chinese consulate in Karachi.

    High-Profile Targets: Notable actions have included attacks on the Karachi Stock Exchange and the Gwadar Port Authority Complex. The group is noted for its increasing sophistication and recent surge in operational capability.

    The organization is formally designated as a terrorist organization by a number of countries and entities, including Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States (which lists it as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist and, more recently, a Foreign Terrorist Organization). This international consensus focuses on their violent methods and targeting of civilians, making them a designated terrorist threat rather than a hate group focused on ideological or religious bigotry within Western contexts.

    The US decision to designate Balochistan Liberation Army as a foreign terrorist organization sparked regional tensions and is discussed in this video: US Designates Balochistan Liberation Army as Terrorist Group, Sparking Regional Tensions | NewsX.

18. Bible Believers

    The organization referred to as the "Bible Believers" is a small, decentralized, Christian fundamentalist group known primarily for its confrontational public protests and extremist anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, particularly in the United States.

    It is important to note that the term "Bible Believers" is also a common, generic descriptor used by many mainstream Christian denominations. However, the group associated with hate-group designation and public controversy is a distinct, highly confrontational street-preaching entity.

    Profile of the Bible Believers (Extremist Faction)

    Core Ideology and Beliefs

    The extremist faction of the Bible Believers adheres to a highly literal and fundamentalist interpretation of the Bible, which they use to justify their intensely hateful rhetoric. Their core ideology is dominated by anti-LGBTQ+ extremism.

    Hostile View of LGBTQ+ Individuals: They view homosexuality and all LGBTQ+ identities as a grievous sin, proclaiming the belief that God condemns and will judge these individuals.

    Confrontational Evangelism: Unlike many fundamentalist groups that confine their views to churches, the Bible Believers actively seek confrontation by engaging in street-preaching and protests in public spaces, often using inflammatory signs and language.

    King James Version (KJV) Onlyism: Like many fundamentalists, they often insist that the King James Version of the Bible is the only true, authoritative English translation.

    Activities and Public Controversies

    The group's notoriety stems entirely from its controversial and provocative public actions, which have sometimes involved legal challenges:

    Public Protests: They are often seen gathering in public areas, especially on college campuses, at pride events, or near high-traffic urban centers, carrying large, often graphic, signs that display their anti-LGBTQ+ messages.

    Targeting Muslims (Dearborn, MI): One of the most documented controversies involving a group identifying as the Bible Believers occurred in Dearborn, Michigan. At the Arab International Festival in 2011 and 2012, members wore shirts and held signs with overt anti-Islam messages, which led to violent confrontations with attendees.

    "Heckler's Veto" Lawsuit: Following the Dearborn incident, the Bible Believers sued Wayne County officials, alleging their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated when police removed them (rather than the hostile crowd) to restore order. The en banc Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ultimately ruled in favor of the Bible Believers in 2015, holding that the police had impermissibly effectuated a "heckler's veto" by cutting off the protected, albeit offensive, speech in response to a hostile crowd. This case is often cited as a key ruling regarding the protection of unpopular speech.

    Classification

    While the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) does not list a singular, centralized U.S. organization named "Bible Believers" on its current list of hate groups, the rhetoric and actions of this particular faction, especially its focus on demonizing an entire class of people (LGBTQ+ individuals), align with the criteria for designating an extremist or hate-oriented organization.

    The group often operates as loosely affiliated individuals or small local cells, rather than a single, large national church. Their methodology is rooted in public harassment through the aggressive promotion of religious intolerance.

19. Boko Haram

    Boko Haram is an extreme Islamist terrorist organization that originated in Northeast Nigeria and has since destabilized the broader Lake Chad region, including Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. While not typically labeled a "hate group" by organizations tracking domestic extremism, its ideology is fueled by profound hatred and intolerance, leading to acts of violence that are classified as terrorism and crimes against humanity. The organization's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad, which translates to "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad."

    The Ideology: "Western Education is Forbidden"

    The popular name Boko Haram is derived from the Hausa language and loosely translates to "Western education is forbidden" or "sinful." This phrase encapsulates the group's core ideology: a radical strain of Salafi-Jihadism that fundamentally rejects all things secular and Western, including modern education, democracy, constitutional governance, and the rule of law. Their primary goal is the violent overthrow of the Nigerian government and the establishment of an Islamic caliphate governed by their extreme interpretation of Sharia law.

    History and Leadership

    The group was founded in 2002 in Maiduguri, Nigeria, by preacher Mohammed Yusuf. Initially, it was a non-violent movement advocating for Islamic purity. However, a series of clashes with Nigerian security forces led to a violent uprising in 2009, which resulted in the death of Yusuf while in police custody.

    Following Yusuf's death, Abubakar Shekau assumed leadership and transformed the group into a highly brutal and operational insurgency. Under Shekau, Boko Haram gained global notoriety for its mass-casualty attacks and the widespread use of kidnapping, most notably the 2014 abduction of over 276 schoolgirls from Chibok .

    The group's alliance with international terror networks has been inconsistent. It had historical ties to Al-Qaeda affiliates but pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in 2015, operating for a time as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP). However, an ideological split in 2016 divided the organization into two main rival factions:

    The Shekau-led faction (reverting to the original Boko Haram name).

    ISWAP, which became the dominant and more sophisticated threat.

    Shekau was killed in May 2021 during an attack by rival ISWAP forces, significantly weakening the original Boko Haram faction.

    Tactics and Impact

    Boko Haram has been ranked among the world's deadliest terrorist organizations, responsible for the deaths of tens of thousands of people and the displacement of millions. Their tactics are ruthlessly indiscriminate:

    Mass Attacks: They frequently employ suicide bombings (often coercing women and children), improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and coordinated armed assaults against urban and rural targets.

    Targeting Civilians: Victims include Christians, moderate Muslim leaders who oppose their extremism, government officials, security forces, and anyone associated with secular institutions, such as schools and hospitals.

    Funding: The organization is sustained primarily through criminal activities, including extortion, bank robberies, cattle rustling, and lucrative kidnap-for-ransom operations.

    Despite regional counter-insurgency efforts by the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Boko Haram remains an active and adaptable threat, using the poor economic conditions and existing grievances in the region to recruit and maintain its operations.

20. Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute/Center For Family And Human Rights. 

    Yes, the organization formerly known as the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, and now called the Center for Family and Human Rights (C-Fam), has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    The SPLC classifies C-Fam as an anti-LGBTQ hate group based on its statements and activities.

    Overview and Controversies

    Mission: C-Fam is a right-wing, US-based advocacy group founded in 1997 with the primary goal of influencing social policy debates at the United Nations and other international institutions to align with conservative and religious views.

    Controversial Stance: The organization is a fierce opponent of LGBTQ+ rights and abortion. The SPLC specifically lists C-Fam as a hate group due to its virulent opposition and explosive rhetoric directed toward the LGBTQ+ community.

    Key Controversial Actions & Rhetoric:

    C-Fam has been described as being "heavily focused on global anti-LGBT work."

    The organization's president, Austin Ruse, has made numerous inflammatory statements, including claims that homosexuality is "harmful to public health and morals," "an act of grave depravity," and a psychological issue.

    Ruse has voiced support for laws criminalizing homosexuality and supported Russia's "anti-gay propaganda" law.

    C-Fam has consistently worked at the UN to block measures related to sexual and reproductive health and has resisted the inclusion of "sexual orientation and gender identity" in international human rights law.

    It is worth noting that C-Fam is one of several conservative, Christian organizations that have been designated as "hate groups" by the SPLC for their anti-LGBTQ rhetoric and activism. These organizations strongly reject the SPLC's designation, arguing it is politically motivated and an attack on their religious beliefs.

21. Christian Exodus

    The organization Christian Exodus Movement is considered a Neo-Confederate extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and is profiled in their "Extremist Files."

    It is important to note the distinction: while the previous organization was not listed, the Christian Exodus Movement is explicitly tracked by the SPLC due to its political ideology and goals.

    Nature and Goals of Christian Exodus

    The Christian Exodus Movement was founded in 2003 by Cory Burnell with the explicit goal of establishing a theocratic, "Godly republic" within the United States.

    Political Relocation (The "Exodus"): The group aimed to mobilize thousands of conservative Christians to relocate to South Carolina (and later considered Idaho) to gain a political majority in a specific state.

    Theocratic Secession: The ultimate and most extreme goal of the movement was to transform the state's political landscape by electing "Christian Constitutionalists" to government and then, "if necessary," declare the state a sovereign, independent republic based on Christian principles.

    Neo-Confederate Ties: The group's founder, Cory Burnell, was previously a regional director for the white-supremacist League of the South (LOS), which the SPLC lists as a hate group. The Christian Exodus ideology has been described as Neo-Confederate due to its focus on states' rights, the goal of secession, and the intent to dismantle post-Civil War constitutional amendments.

    The SPLC specifically monitors the Christian Exodus Movement not for its religious beliefs, but for its extremist political agenda of secession and the replacement of the U.S. government structure with a Christian theocracy.

    Book of Exodus: How God's Rescue Plan Points to Christ // Watermark Community Church discusses the original biblical Book of Exodus, which the "Christian Exodus" movement's name is meant to evoke.

22. Church Militant

    The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) classifies Church Militant as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group.

    Church Militant is a conservative, lay-run Catholic media organization founded by Michael Voris. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the official Catholic Church (the Archdiocese of Detroit has publicly stated it is not a Church apostolate).

    Classification as a Hate Group

    The SPLC designated Church Militant as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group due to its pattern of publishing known falsehoods and engaging in groundless name-calling directed at LGBTQ+ people and their allies.

    Anti-LGBTQ+ Content: The organization produces prolific content that focuses on homosexuality with what critics call an "intensity and frequency bordering on obsessive."

    Conspiracy Theories and Lies: The SPLC highlights that the organization has spread conspiracy theories, such as the claim that Communist infiltrators were systematically planted in Catholic seminaries to promote homosexuality, and has repeatedly promoted the debunked lie that links homosexuality to pedophilia.

    Promotion of Conversion Therapy: Church Militant has also endorsed and advocated for so-called reparative therapy (also known as conversion therapy), the pseudoscientific practice that seeks to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

    Views and Controversies

    Church Militant's overall approach is characterized by a "radical traditionalist" Catholic worldview that often puts it at odds with both the mainstream Catholic Church and secular society.

    Criticism of the Modern Church: The group is highly critical of the modern Catholic Church, particularly the reforms of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) in the 1960s, which they view as having liberalized the Church.

    Focus on 'Culture Wars': The organization focuses heavily on "culture war" issues, frequently broadcasting content that is anti-gay, anti-feminist, and anti-immigrant.

    Controversial Rhetoric: Its founder, Michael Voris, has used highly inflammatory language, including an instance where he referred to an African-American Archbishop as an "African Queen."

    The group views its work as part of the necessary "Church Militant" (a historical Catholic term for the Church fighting on Earth) fighting against what they perceive as forces of liberalism and secularism within and outside the Church.

    The video below discusses how the language and imagery of "Christian civilization" are sometimes used in far-right extremism, a topic that relates to the "culture war" focus of groups like Church Militant. Christianity and Far Right Extremism (Online Event)

23. Coalition for Marriage

    The group Coalition for Marriage (C4M) is a Christian campaign organization that has primarily focused on opposing same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ+ equality measures, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia.

    While the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has a list of "Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Groups," C4M is not explicitly listed in the provided search results as one of the groups designated by the SPLC. However, its mission and activities align with the positions of many organizations that the SPLC and other critics categorize as anti-LGBTQ+ or "hate groups."

    Stance and Activities

    The Coalition for Marriage is fundamentally dedicated to the position that marriage should be defined exclusively as a union between one man and one woman.

    Opposition to Marriage Equality: C4M's founding mission (in 2012 in the UK, for example) was to rally opposition to the legalization of same-sex civil marriage. Its main initiative was a petition that opposed any attempt to "redefine" the legal definition of marriage.

    Affiliation with Conservative Christian Groups: The organization is closely linked to and supported by various high-profile conservative Christian advocacy groups and leaders, such as The Christian Institute and former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey.

    Campaign Tactics: In its campaigns, such as during the Australian marriage law postal survey, C4M and its affiliates have used arguments that link marriage equality to other issues, such as the introduction of "radical gay sex education" or "gender-bending" programs in schools, and the erosion of parents' rights. These arguments are often described by pro-equality advocates as fear-mongering and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.

    Recent Positions: The UK-based C4M continues to advocate against same-sex marriage, and a recent post on their site called for the Supreme Court's 2015 ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in the US (Obergefell v. Hodges) to be overturned, affirming their commitment to "real marriage" between one man and one woman.

24. Concerned Women for America

    The organization Concerned Women for America (CWA) is designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as an Anti-LGBTQ+ hate group.

    CWA Designation and Core Issues

    SPLC Classification: The SPLC lists CWA as an Anti-LGBTQ+ group based on its history of "spreading known falsehoods" and "groundless name-calling" about LGBTQ+ people in its public rhetoric and policy work. The SPLC notes that merely viewing homosexuality as "unbiblical" is not the basis for the designation, but rather the propagation of discredited claims to malign an entire class of people.

    Stated Mission: CWA is a large, socially conservative, evangelical Christian women's organization founded in 1979 as a counter to liberal groups like the National Organization for Women (NOW). Its stated mission is to "protect and promote Biblical values among all citizens," and it focuses on seven core issues:

    The family (opposing same-sex marriage and defending traditional gender roles).

    The sanctity of human life (anti-abortion stance).

    Religious liberty (advocating for the right to discriminate based on religious belief).

    Education (opposing secularism and comprehensive sex education).

    Sexual exploitation (opposing pornography and prostitution).

    National sovereignty.

    Support for Israel.

    Controversies: The organization has a long history of legislative and public advocacy against LGBTQ+ rights, including opposing same-sex marriage, hate-crime laws, anti-bullying programs, and reproductive rights. It also has been involved in anti-Islam legislative efforts in various states.

    A National State of Emergency: Human Rights Campaign Sounds the Alarm over Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws in U.S. The video discusses the increase in anti-LGBTQ+ laws in the U.S., which is the context in which organizations like Concerned Women for America are designated for their policy advocacy.

25. D. James Kennedy Ministries

    D. James Kennedy Ministries (DJKM), formerly known as Coral Ridge Ministries, is an evangelical Christian media outreach that has been designated as an Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    Overview and Hate Group Designation

    Founder: The ministry was founded in 1974 by the late minister and evangelist Dr. D. James Kennedy.

    Media Outreach: It operates primarily as a media ministry, producing television and radio programs like Truths That Transform and Kennedy Classics.

    SPLC Classification: The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has listed D. James Kennedy Ministries as an Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Group.

    Rationale: The SPLC cites the ministry's use of its platform to malign the LGBTQ+ community, portraying them as a threat to children and society, which the SPLC considers to be hate ideology.

    Legal Challenge: DJKM filed a defamation lawsuit against the SPLC over the "hate group" label. The lawsuit was ultimately dismissed by a federal judge, whose ruling affirmed that the SPLC's labeling was protected by the First Amendment as a statement of opinion. The Supreme Court later declined to hear the case, ending the legal battle.

    Activities and Stances

    D. James Kennedy Ministries is a major voice for the conservative Christian right, advocating for a return to what it views as America's Christian heritage and a "biblical worldview" in public policy.

    LGBTQ+ Issues: The ministry holds that homosexual conduct is sinful and opposes LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage, hate crimes legislation, and employment non-discrimination laws. It has historically promoted the "ex-gay" movement and conversion therapy programs.

    Political Advocacy: DJKM has a strong focus on political engagement, promoting social conservatism through various initiatives:

    It has trained Christian activists and leaders for service in the public policy arena through programs like the Center for Christian Statesmanship and the Center for Christian Leadership.

    It actively opposes abortion rights and advocates for the separation of church and state to be questioned, arguing for the incorporation of Christian tenets into public life and government.

    Controversies: The SPLC points to specific actions and rhetoric, such as a notorious 1989 newsletter that linked homosexuality with pedophilia, as evidence of the ministry's propagation of false and demeaning claims against the LGBTQ+ community.

     

26. Family Research Institute (FRI)

    The organization you're likely referring to is the Family Research Institute (FRI), which has been designated an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC). There does not appear to be an organization officially or commonly known as the "Anti-Gay Research Institute."

    Family Research Institute (FRI)

    The Family Research Institute (FRI) is a U.S.-based group founded by psychologist Paul Cameron in 1987. It is classified as an anti-LGBTQ hate group due to its practice of publishing and disseminating discredited or false "research" to malign the LGBTQ+ community.

    Hate Group Designation

    Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): The SPLC includes the Family Research Institute on its list of anti-LGBTQ hate groups.

    Basis for Designation: The SPLC's designation is based on the group's practice of propagating "known falsehoods" about LGBTQ+ people. For example, FRI's work has been cited by other anti-gay organizations to make claims, thoroughly discredited by scientific authorities, that LGBTQ+ people have drastically shorter lifespans and are more prone to certain criminal behaviors.

    Activities and Pseudoscience

    The FRI's core activity is generating and circulating what the SPLC and mainstream scientific organizations consider junk science to support a policy agenda aimed at restricting LGBTQ+ rights.

    Defamatory Claims: FRI-promoted claims have historically attempted to equate homosexuality with behaviors like rape, pedophilia, and other criminal or disordered activities.

    Policy Advocacy: The "research" is used to provide an alleged "scientific" justification for policies that oppose LGBTQ+ equality, including efforts to re-criminalize certain sexual acts and support for so-called "reparative therapy" (conversion therapy).

    The FRI's work is often a clearinghouse for material used by a broader network of anti-LGBTQ groups and think tanks.

27. Family Research Council

    The Family Research Council (FRC) is a highly influential conservative evangelical Christian organization based in Washington, D.C., and it is classified as a hate group by a major civil rights organization.

    Here is an overview of the organization:

    "Hate Group" Designation

    Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC): The FRC has been designated as an Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Group by the SPLC since 2010.

    SPLC's Rationale: The SPLC cites the FRC's persistent spread of "false claims about the LGBTQ community based on discredited research and junk science" in an effort to dehumanize LGBTQ+ people and oppose their civil rights. This has included:

    Falsely linking homosexuality and pedophilia.

    Opposing same-sex marriage, non-discrimination laws, and transgender rights.

    Promoting harmful practices like conversion therapy.

    Organization and Activities

    Founding: The FRC was founded in 1983 by James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family (FotF), and became fully independent in 1992.

    Leadership: Its long-time president is Tony Perkins, a former state legislator and ordained minister, who has also served on the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.

    Mission: The FRC describes itself as a non-profit research and educational organization that promotes what it considers to be "family values" and a "biblical worldview" in public policy.

    Lobbying Power: The FRC is a significant political and lobbying force in the nation's capital, advocating for socially conservative policies. Its activities include:

    Lobbying Congress and the White House on issues like abortion, religious freedom, and LGBTQ+ rights.

    Publishing materials, policy papers, and hosting events to mobilize conservative voters.

    Advocating for abstinence-only sex education, and opposing comprehensive anti-bullying measures that are LGBTQ-inclusive.

    "Church" Status: In recent years, the FRC changed its tax status with the IRS to be designated as an "association of churches." This change allows the organization to avoid the public disclosure requirements of its finances and major donors that apply to other non-profit groups.

28. Focus on the Family

    Focus on the Family (FotF) is a major evangelical Christian organization founded in 1977 by psychologist and author James Dobson.

    The organization's classification is a subject of ongoing public and political debate:

    "Hate Group" Designation by the SPLC

    Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Classification: The SPLC, a non-profit organization that monitors extremist groups, has listed Focus on the Family as an Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Group in recent years.

    SPLC's Rationale: The SPLC justifies this designation based on FotF's long-standing campaigns, rhetoric, and publications that the SPLC says are based on demonizing falsehoods about LGBTQ+ people. This includes:

    Promoting the belief that LGBTQ+ identities and same-sex relations are "sinful" and "un-Christian."

    Historically supporting and promoting discredited practices such as conversion therapy (sometimes referred to as "reparative therapy" or "sexual identity counseling") that seek to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity.

    Actively lobbying and advocating for public policies that oppose LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage, non-discrimination protections, and trans rights.

    Focus on the Family's Response

    Rejection of the Label: Focus on the Family strongly rejects the SPLC's designation, calling it "dangerous and reckless slander," politically motivated, and a "fundraising gimmick."

    Defense of Beliefs: The organization asserts that its opposition to LGBTQ+ lifestyles and its promotion of traditional marriage and gender roles are based on "multi-millenia, divinely inspired beliefs" derived from a biblical worldview.

    Claim of "Anti-Sin, Not Anti-Anybody": FotF maintains that its convictions make it "anti-sin, not anti-anybody," and that it treats all people with "love and compassion" while upholding its religious principles.

    Summary of Ideology and Activities

    Focus on the Family's primary focus is promoting what it considers to be traditional Christian family values and views.

    Core Beliefs: It advocates for a traditional family model (a married mother and father raising their children), opposes abortion, and promotes chastity/sexual abstinence.

    Political Influence: The organization is politically influential, spending millions on lobbying and political ads, and often advising socially conservative politicians. It also helped found the Family Research Council (FRC), a separate organization also designated as a hate group by the SPLC, to focus specifically on political advocacy.

29. Genspect

    Genspect is an international organization that focuses on gender identity and is designated as an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    Overview and Designation

    Group Name: Genspect (an abbreviation for "Gender Spectrum" or "Gender Spectator").

    Designation: The Southern Poverty Law Center added Genspect to its list of anti-LGBTQ hate groups in 2024. The SPLC defines a hate group as an organization whose beliefs or practices attack or malign an entire class of people.

    Founder: Stella O'Malley, an Irish psychotherapist. The group was founded in 2021.

    Self-Proclaimed Mission: Genspect presents itself as an international alliance advocating for a "healthy, evidence-based approach to sex and gender" that promotes non-medical, "exploratory therapy" for gender distress, especially in youth. It claims to be an alternative to the "gender-affirming" model of care.

    Controversy and Criticism: Critics, including the SPLC, categorize the group as "gender-critical" or anti-transgender for its comprehensive opposition to gender-affirming care and its promotion of anti-trans legislation and misinformation.

    Core Ideology and Activities

    Genspect's core activities and positions are centered on opposing the medical and social transition of transgender and gender-diverse individuals, particularly youth.

    Opposition to Gender-Affirming Care (GAC):

    The group actively campaigns for bans on medical GAC for people under the age of 25.

    It opposes social transition in schools (such as the use of chosen names and pronouns) without parental consent and clinical supervision.

    Leaked chat logs from the founder suggest the ultimate goal is to "completely end all gender transitions for minors with no exceptions."

    Promotion of Discredited Concepts:

    Genspect endorses the unproven and widely criticized concept of "Rapid-Onset Gender Dysphoria" (ROGD), which attributes the rise in young people questioning their gender to social contagion and peer influence rather than genuine identity.

    The group's materials often promote "exploratory therapy," which critics argue can be a form of anti-trans "conversion therapy" when used to discourage or block a transgender identity, rather than neutrally explore all outcomes.

    Policy and Advocacy:

    The group engages in extensive lobbying and legal advocacy to influence public policy and healthcare guidelines in various countries.

    It has publicly called for the "Re-Psychopathologization Campaign," which seeks to classify transgender identification and the desire for medical transition as a "pathological condition" needing psychiatric intervention rather than affirmation.

    Genspect is linked to other groups that promote anti-trans rhetoric and has affiliations with figures known for their opposition to trans rights.

30. Goyim Defense League (GDL)

    The Goyim Defense League (GDL) is a prominent, active, and virulently antisemitic neo-Nazi hate network operating in the United States and globally.

    Here is a profile of the group:

    Classification and Ideology

    Hate Group Designation: The GDL is designated as an antisemitic hate group by organizations like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and is monitored as a white supremacist and neo-Nazi network.

    Leader: Jon Minadeo II, who operates online under the moniker "Handsome Truth."

    Core Beliefs:

    Virulent Antisemitism: This is the GDL's central belief, promoting the conspiracy theory that Jews control the government, finance, media, and other aspects of American society. Their explicit goal is the expulsion of all Jewish people from the United States.

    Neo-Nazism and White Supremacy: They openly espouse National Socialist (Nazi) ideology, frequently use Nazi imagery like the swastika and the "Heil Hitler" salute, and advocate for the creation of a white ethnostate.

    Holocaust Denial: Members frequently deny the Holocaust, often referring to it as the "Holohoax."

    Other Bigotry: They are proponents of the racist "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory and target other minority groups, including Black people and the LGBTQ+ community.

    Name Origin: The name is an intentional parody of established Jewish organizations, most notably the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish Defense League (JDL). "Goyim" is a Hebrew and Yiddish word for non-Jews.

    Activities and Tactics

    The GDL specializes in public, provocative stunts designed to maximize attention and generate fear.

    "Name the Nose" Tours: The group organizes roadshows, or "tours," across different states where members travel to multiple cities to carry out antisemitic and racist activities.

    Propaganda Distribution: They are prolific distributors of antisemitic flyers and literature, often placing them in residential neighborhoods and on college campuses. The content is consistently false and conspiratorial, often blaming Jews for current events like the COVID-19 pandemic or mass immigration.

    Public Harassment: Members engage in public demonstrations, often displaying swastika flags, chanting hate slogans, and harassing people they perceive to be Jewish or people of color.

    Online Presence: Minadeo operates the online video platform GoyimTV, which serves as the network's main hub for sharing livestreams, podcasts, and video content that spreads their extremist views and allows them to solicit donations. They also frequently use platforms like Telegram and X (formerly Twitter) to organize and recruit.

    Vandalism/Projection: The GDL has been involved in projecting antisemitic messages onto public buildings, including projecting "Hitler was right" onto the Daytona International Speedway and an offensive message onto the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.

31. HAMAS

    HAMAS (an acronym for Ḥarakat al-Muqāwamah al-ʾIslāmiyyah, or the Islamic Resistance Movement) is a major Palestinian Sunni Islamist political and military organization. It is one of the key parties in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.

    Here is a comprehensive overview of the group:

    Status and Designation

    Governing Authority: HAMAS has been the de facto governing body in the Gaza Strip since it won Palestinian legislative elections in 2006 and subsequently ousted the rival Fatah faction in 2007.

    Terrorist Designation: HAMAS has been officially designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States (since 1997) and is also designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union, Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several other nations. Other countries view it as a legitimate political or resistance movement.

    Structure and Wings

    HAMAS operates with a complex structure that includes political, social, and military components:

    Political Wing: This is the visible, public face of the movement. It oversees political strategy, diplomacy (often conducted by leaders based outside of Gaza), and the civil administration of the Gaza Strip.

    Leadership: The group is led by a Political Bureau and a Shura Council. Due to the ongoing conflict, its leadership structure has been in flux, with many top leaders, including Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, having been killed in 2024. The leadership often comprises individuals in Gaza and those in exile (e.g., in Qatar and Turkey).

    Military Wing (Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades): This is the armed, clandestine branch responsible for planning and executing military and terror operations against Israel.

    Activities: Tactics include rocket and mortar attacks, suicide bombings, small-arms attacks, the use of drones, and kidnapping for hostage exchanges.

    Social/Dawa Wing: HAMAS maintains an extensive network of mosques, schools, clinics, and charitable organizations that provide social services and aid to Palestinians, contributing significantly to its popular support.

    Ideology and Goals

    Core Goal: The liberation of all of historic Palestine (which includes present-day Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza) and the establishment of an Islamic Palestinian state.

    1988 Charter: The original charter explicitly called for the destruction of the State of Israel and was considered an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.

    2017 Policy Document: This document was seen by some as a more pragmatic shift. While still rejecting the legitimacy of Israel, it stated that its conflict was with the "Zionist project" rather than with Jews as a whole, and it expressed a willingness to accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders without formally recognizing Israel. HAMAS, however, continues to advocate for "resistance" against Israel.

    Major Conflicts and Funding

    Operations: HAMAS has been involved in multiple armed conflicts with Israel, primarily originating from the Gaza Strip, including major engagements in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, 2021, and the war that began with the October 7, 2023 surprise attack on Israel.

    External Support: The group receives funding, weapons, and training from Iran and raises funds through a global network of charities and businesses, particularly in Gulf and regional countries.

32. Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM)

    Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM), often simply referred to as HUM, is an Islamist militant group primarily based in Pakistan that operates mainly in the disputed region of Kashmir.

    It has been formally designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States and listed as a terrorist group by the United Nations, India, the United Kingdom, Canada, and others.

    Here are the key details about the group:

    Overview and Mission

    Ideology: Islamist Jihadism.

    Primary Goal: To annex the state of Jammu and Kashmir into Pakistan and carry out attacks against Indian troops and civilian targets in the region. It also seeks the expulsion of Coalition Forces from Afghanistan.

    Nomenclature: HUM has repeatedly changed its name to evade sanctions and bans. Previous names and aliases include:

    Harakat ul-Ansar (HuA): A name it used after merging with another group in the 1990s.

    Jamiat ul-Ansar (JUA) and Ansar ul-Ummah (AUU): Names used after the US designated it as an FTO.

    Key Leaders: Past and present leaders include Fazlur Rehman Khalil and Sajjad Afghani.

    History and Activities

    Origins: The group was founded in 1985 as a splinter group of another organization and participated in the Soviet-Afghan War before turning its focus to the Kashmir conflict.

    Major Attacks/Incidents:

    1995 Kidnapping: Linked to the Kashmiri militant group Al-Faran, which kidnapped five Western tourists in Kashmir. One was killed, and the others were reportedly later killed.

    Indian Airlines Flight 814 Hijacking (1999): HUM hijacked an Indian airliner, which ultimately led to the Indian government releasing three imprisoned militants, including Maulana Masood Azhar. Azhar would later found the rival and also designated terrorist group, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

    Links to Al-Qaeda: HUM and its leaders, such as Fazlur Rehman Khalil, have a long history of ties to Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda. Khalil was a signatory to bin Laden's 1998 fatwa calling for attacks on U.S. and Western interests. The group also operated terrorist training camps in eastern Afghanistan prior to the U.S. invasion in 2001.

    Current Status

    Designation: It remains an officially designated terrorist organization by numerous international bodies and countries.

    Activity: Following the formation of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in 2000, HUM lost a significant number of members and much of its funding and weapons were diverted to the new, more radical outfit. While its strength has diminished since its peak, HUM cadres are still reported to be active, primarily in the Kashmir and Doda regions of India and operating out of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

33. Hizballah

    Hezbollah is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the United States and is classified as a terrorist organization by many other countries, including Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and the Arab League (either in its entirety or specifically its military wing).

    This designation is due to its history of conducting terrorist attacks globally, including bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. Its 1985 manifesto called for the destruction of Israel and the expulsion of Western influence from the region.

    Political and Social Entity: In Lebanon, Hezbollah maintains a dual role:

    Political Party: It has an active political wing ("Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc") with elected members in the Lebanese Parliament and participation in the government.

    Social Services: It operates a vast network of schools, hospitals, and charities, which has garnered significant support among the Lebanese Shia community.

    Militia/Paramilitary Group: It is a highly armed, non-state actor—often described as a "state within a state"—that is heavily backed and funded by Iran. Its military wing is considered by analysts to be more powerful than the Lebanese Armed Forces.

    In summary, while the question of whether it is a "hate group" is less common for an international political and military organization, Hezbollah is widely classified by many Western nations and organizations as a terrorist group based on its objectives, its history of violence against civilian targets, and its armed activities.

34. Liberty Counsel

    Liberty Counsel is a Christian ministry and non-profit legal organization founded in 1989 by attorneys Mathew Staver and Anita L. Staver. It describes its mission as engaging in strategic litigation, education, and public policy to promote religious freedom, the sanctity of human life, and the family based on evangelical Christian values.

    Why is Liberty Counsel considered a hate group by the SPLC?

    The SPLC's designation stems from Liberty Counsel's rhetoric, activities, and legal advocacy efforts that target the LGBTQ+ community.

    Demonizing Rhetoric: The organization's leadership and affiliated personnel have used language that the SPLC cites as malicious and damaging. For example, a leader has explicitly and implicitly compared gay men to pedophiles, particularly in the context of opposing LGBTQ+ participation in organizations like the Boy Scouts.

    Anti-LGBTQ+ Legal Advocacy: Liberty Counsel is a leading opponent of LGBTQ+ equality, using "religious liberty" arguments to oppose non-discrimination protections.

    They have advocated against same-sex marriage and opposed the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

    They have submitted briefs to the Supreme Court urging the decriminalization of sodomy (e.g., in Lawrence v. Texas).

    Promotion of Conversion Therapy: Liberty Counsel is a strong proponent of so-called "conversion therapy" aimed at changing the sexual orientation of minors, a practice rejected and deemed harmful by all major medical and mental health organizations. The group has filed lawsuits to challenge state bans on this practice.

    High-Profile Cases: They gained national attention for defending Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples following the Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court decision.

    The group is also known for its campaigns to defend the public display of Christian symbols and has recently been active in litigation challenging COVID-19 vaccine mandates on religious exemption grounds.

35. LifeSiteNews

    LifeSiteNews is a Canadian-based online publication founded in 1997 with the primary mission of promoting anti-abortion views, stemming from its original connection to the political lobbyist group Campaign Life Coalition.

    Why is LifeSiteNews considered an extremist or problematic source by critics?

    Extreme Social Conservatism: A major focus of its content is the vigorous opposition to abortion, contraception, homosexuality, and transgender rights. The site has been categorized by analysts as a key part of the "Christian-right anti-transgender disinformation ecosystem."

    Misinformation and Conspiracy Theories: The site routinely publishes content that has been described by fact-checking and news organizations as misleading. It has promoted conspiracy theories, including those related to the "New World Order" and the 2020 US election ("Stop the Steal").

    Health Disinformation: LifeSiteNews has been banned from major social media platforms, including YouTube and Facebook, for persistently violating policies against spreading COVID-19 misinformation (e.g., claiming the pandemic was a hoax and spreading misleading claims about vaccines).

    Demonizing Rhetoric: Civil rights groups, such as NARAL Pro-Choice America, have characterized LifeSiteNews as an "anti-choice extremist site" that spreads disinformation and has promoted activities like raising money for "conversion therapy."

    Criticism of the Catholic Hierarchy: The publication is notable for its staunch opposition to the papacy of Pope Francis, regularly featuring writings from his critics.

36. MassResistance

    MassResistance as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group
    . The SPLC has listed MassResistance as an active hate group since at least March 2008.
    What is MassResistance?

    MassResistance is a far-right organization based in Massachusetts that promotes socially conservative and anti-LGBTQ+ positions.
    It was founded in 1995 as the "Parents' Rights Coalition" and adopted its current name in 2006.
    The group and its leader, Brian Camenker, are known for propagating false and harmful claims about LGBTQ+ people and issues.

    Why is MassResistance considered a hate group?
    The SPLC and other civil rights organizations cite several reasons for classifying MassResistance as a hate group:

    Demonizing rhetoric: The group's activism uses anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience to incite fear and disgust. This includes false claims that link homosexuality to pedophilia and violence.
    Misinformation campaigns: MassResistance has a history of coordinating disinformation campaigns against inclusive policies in schools and libraries. For example, they have falsely claimed that LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention programs are designed to "lure children into homosexuality".
    Confrontational tactics: The group is known for its aggressive and confrontational tactics, which include recording people at LGBTQ+ events and spreading misinformation about drag queen story hours.
    Collaboration with extremist groups: MassResistance has associated with other extremist figures and groups, and the SPLC has documented connections between the group's California chapter and a white nationalist.

37. National Organization for Marriage (NOM)

    The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) has been accused by civil rights groups of spreading anti-LGBTQ+ hate speech, but it has not been officially designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
    . The SPLC has criticized NOM for spreading misinformation about LGBTQ+ people and engaging in "repeated, groundless name-calling". Other organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), have been more direct in their condemnation, labeling NOM a purveyor of hate speech.
    Here's an overview of the allegations made against the organization:

    Targeting LGBTQ+ people: NOM has consistently opposed LGBTQ+ rights since its founding in 2007, and has been involved in efforts to fight same-sex marriage, gay adoption, and legal protections for transgender individuals.
    Misinformation campaigns: Civil rights organizations accuse NOM of using distortions and lies to attack LGBTQ+ people. For instance, NOM has claimed that allowing transgender individuals to use bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity would put children at risk.
    "Wedge" tactics: Internal NOM documents revealed a strategy to "drive a wedge between gays and blacks," in an effort to divide pro-LGBTQ+ and minority communities.
    International activities: NOM's president, Brian Brown, has traveled internationally to advocate for anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including supporting a Russian law that banned adoptions by same-sex couples.
    Connections to designated hate groups: Brian Brown also serves as president of the World Congress of Families (WCF), an organization that is designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the SPLC

38. New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)

    While the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) is not a formally organized hate group, it has been described as a Christian supremacist movement by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a civil rights organization that monitors extremist groups
    . The SPLC and other critics cite the NAR's dominionist theology, dehumanizing rhetoric against opponents, and anti-democratic views as features of a dangerous extremist ideology.
    Key facts about the New Apostolic Reformation(NAR):

    A decentralized movement, not a single organization: The NAR is a loose, worldwide movement of churches and individuals, not a formal group with membership rolls. This decentralized nature is why it is difficult to definitively label it as a "hate group" in the traditional sense, but its shared ideology has led many critics to describe it as an extremist movement.
    Dominionist ideology: A core belief is the "Seven Mountain Mandate," which asserts that Christians have a divine mandate to take control of seven "mountains," or spheres of influence, in society: government, media, business, education, family, religion, and arts and entertainment. The goal is to enforce a Christian supremacist worldview.
    Dehumanizing rhetoric: NAR leaders often frame political opponents and those who disagree with them, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community or Democrats, as "demonic" or under the influence of demons. This rhetoric has been described as inciting potential violence by removing the humanity from its targets.
    Political influence: The NAR has gained significant political influence, especially since 2016, with some Republican politicians openly aligning with the movement. Promoters of the Seven Mountain Mandate and affiliated figures have spoken at events that promote election denialism and conspiracy theories.
    Authoritarian and anti-democratic: Critics warn that the movement's push to replace democratic structures with a "spiritual oligarchy" led by self-proclaimed apostles is inherently anti-democratic. A movement leader, C. Peter Wagner, stated that "dominion means that we are the head and not the tail of our society...a rulership and we rule as kings".

    For these reasons, a growing number of civil rights groups and extremism experts consider the NAR to be a significant threat

39. Pacific Justice Institute

    The Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) is an anti-LGBT hate group founded in 1997 by Brad Dacus. Pacific Justice Institute PJI and Dacus have compared legalized gay marriage to Hitler and the Nazis’ ascent in Germany; endorsed so-called “reparative” or sexual orientation conversion therapy; claimed marriage equality would lead to legal polygamy and incest; fought against protections for trans children and fabricated a story of harassment by a trans student; and said that LGBT History Month promotes gay pornography to children.

    Founded in 1997 by attorney Brad Dacus, who is currently its president, the Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) calls itself a “legal organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties.” Throughout its existence Pacific Justice Institute PJI has proved to be a hate group, often given a platform by conservative media to promote its anti-LGBT falsehoods.

     

    Pacific Justice Institute PJI and Dacus advocated for California’s Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state before the law was ruled unconstitutional, with Pacific Justice Institute PJI alleging gay marriage would lead to legalized polygamy and incest; fought against a California ban on so-called “reparative” or sexual orientation conversion therapy, endorsing the debunked practice; testified before congress against hate crime legislation protecting LGBT people; fought and later tried to overturn a California law protecting trans students’ rights; fabricated a story of a trans teen harassing cisgender teens at school; and pushed falsehoods like the assertion that homosexuality is more dangerous than chain smoking cigarettes, LGBT History Month in schools promotes gay pornography, and greeting cards for gay couples lead children to make “potentially deadly decisions.” Dacus, who once compared failure to pass a ban on gay marriage to failure to stop Adolf Hitler and the Nazis, has his own internet radio show and has been a favorite anti-LGBT guest on Fox News and other conservative media outlets.

40. Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays(PFOX)(HATE GROUP)   

    The group Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) is not officially designated as a hate group by organizations like the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
    . However, it is widely considered an anti-LGBTQ+ organization by many sources, including advocacy groups like PFLAG and the SPLC. PFOX is an "ex-gay" movement group that promotes the harmful and scientifically discredited practice of conversion therapy.
    The group's promotion of discredited information and harmful rhetoric has led to significant criticism:

    Scientific consensus: PFOX's central claim—that sexual orientation is a choice and can be changed—is rejected by all major American medical and mental health organizations, including the American Psychological Association.
    Controversial affiliations: The organization has been affiliated with the Family Research Council and other groups that advocate for traditional family values based on anti-LGBTQ+ principles.
    Harmful messaging: PFOX has used controversial public campaigns, such as billboards claiming "nobody is born gay," which have been widely protested for promoting hateful and damaging messages about LGBTQ+ people.
    Promoting misinformation: PFOX has a history of targeting school environments that support LGBTQ+ students with its "ex-gay" propaganda.

    While PFOX may not be categorized as a hate group in the same vein as those promoting violence or racial supremacy, its advocacy for the harmful and dangerous practice of "ex-gay" conversion therapy places it on lists of anti-LGBTQ+ organizations by groups that monitor extremism and civil rights.

41. People Can Change

    an anti-LGBTQ+ organization known for practicing and promoting fraudulent "conversion therapy"
    . The group has been targeted by complaints seeking to shut it down.
    Activities of "People Can Change"

    "Ex-gay" conversion therapy: The group's primary activity was offering pseudoscientific conversion therapy, which falsely claims to change a person's sexual orientation.
    Medical and psychological fraud: Major medical and psychological associations have widely debunked conversion therapy. As a result, in 2016, a complaint was filed with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission to have the organization shut down for engaging in fraud.
    Mental illness premise: The organization operated on the false premise that being gay is a mental illness caused by a developmental disorder.

    Broader "ex-gay" movement
    This group is part of a broader movement of organizations that attempt to change or suppress an individual's sexual orientation. These practices are recognized as harmful and dangerous by mainstream medical and mental health organizations. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) also tracks organizations that promote anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and activities

42. Pro-Life Action League

    Pro-Life Action League is a prominent anti-abortion organization known for confrontational tactics, and some of its leaders and tactics have been criticized as extreme and potentially harmful, with ties to the broader anti-abortion movement which has been linked to white Christian nationalism.
    What the Pro-Life Action League Is:

    An American anti-abortion organization founded by Joseph M. Scheidler in 1980.
    Its stated mission is to end abortion.
    It is currently led by Eric Scheidler, son of the founder.

    Criticisms and Controversies:

    The organization and its founder were accused by the National Organization for Women (NOW) of using extreme measures, including clinic blockades and mob violence, to shut down abortion clinics.
    While not a hate group in the formal sense, critics argue that the anti-abortion movement, of which the League is a part, has been strategically used by conservative forces to mobilize a bloc of white people who hold white Christian nationalist views.

43. Proud Boys

    the Proud Boys are widely designated as a hate group
    . Founded in 2016, the organization is a right-wing extremist and neo-fascist group with a history of political violence.
    Designations and history:

    The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) both designate the Proud Boys as a hate group.
    While the group describes itself as "Western chauvinist" and promotes "pro-Western" values, it is known for promoting misogynistic, anti-immigrant, Islamophobic, and anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs.
    Despite its claims to disavow racism, the group has long been associated with white supremacist ideology and extremists. Some factions have even broken away, arguing the group was not white supremacist enough.
    Several Proud Boys members played a key role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, with leaders later convicted of seditious conspiracy.
    Canada and New Zealand have officially designated the Proud Boys as a terrorist organization

44. Public Advocate of the United States(hate group)

    Public Advocate of the United States, a conservative activist organization founded by Eugene Delgaudio known for its street theater and anti-LGBTQ+ activism, which the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has designated a hate group.
    Key Information:

    Founder and Leader: Eugene Delgaudio.
    Focus: Advocates for conservative, religious, and anti-gay policies.
    Activities: Includes street theater, tax protests, publishing newsletters, political action, and filing amicus briefs.
    Designation: Labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center(SPLC) for its anti-gay activism.
    Controversies: Has faced criticism and legal issues, including allegations of misusing a gay couple's engagement photo to promote its agenda.

    Note on Similar Names:
    Be aware that other organizations also use variations of "Public Advocate" in their names, such as the social justice law firm Public Advocates or the New York City Public Advocate, a political office. The specific group associated with Eugene Delgaudio is Public Advocate of the United States

45. Return to the Land (RTTL)
    

    Return to the Land (RTTL) is a white separatist group that is currently building an exclusively white, conservative community in the United States, which critics, including the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), have identified as an effort to establish a new model for legalized segregation.

    Overview and Ideology

    Classification: Return to the Land (RTTL) is widely classified by anti-extremist watchdog groups as a white separatist or white identitarian organization. Its members and founders deny being a "hate group" but explicitly state their mission is to create a community exclusively for white people of "European ancestry."

    Goal: To establish all-white, self-sufficient communities across the U.S. as a model for "ethnonationalist" living and to "separate ourselves from a failing modern society."

    Exclusionary Criteria: Membership is explicitly limited to white people of European ancestry. The group bars Jews (as they do not consider them "white" due to Middle Eastern origins) and LGBTQ+ individuals of any race.

    Inspiration: The group's vision is inspired in part by Orania, a whites-only town in South Africa reserved for Afrikaners.

    The Community and Structure

    Legal Tactic: Return to the Land (RTTL) attempts to circumvent federal and state anti-discrimination laws, particularly the Fair Housing Act, by structuring itself as a Private Membership Association (PMA) that is not involved in the sale or rental of real estate. The group, which operates under the LLC name Wisdom Woods, argues that as a private club, it is legally entitled to set its own membership criteria.

    Admissions Process: Potential members must go through an application process that includes interviews and an ideological litmus test. The application explicitly screens for "European heritage" and includes questions about views on segregation, immigration, and "transgenderism."

    Leadership

    Co-Founder and President: Eric Orwoll (also uses the pseudonym Aarvoll):

    He is the public spokesperson for the group and is active on social media platforms like YouTube, where he discusses white identitarianism, philosophy, and politics.

    He has publicly described the compound as a "fortress for the white race" and, while criticizing historical Nazi actions, has also discussed the idea of a "second coming" of a Hitler-like charismatic leader.

    Co-Founder: Peter Csere:

    He is often described as the organization's "de facto number two," responsible for developing the legal framework.

    He has been noted for posting the white supremacist numerical code "1488" in the group's public chat, a reference to the "14 words" slogan and "Heil Hitler."

    Status and Controversy

    The group has drawn widespread condemnation from civil rights organizations, local government officials across the political spectrum (especially after announcing expansion plans), and local residents.

    The Arkansas Attorney General's office initiated an investigation into the group but has stated they have not yet found evidence that the group's activities violate any state or federal laws.

46. SaveCalifornia.com (Save California)

    SaveCalifornia.com has been identified as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    Here are the key details about the organization:

    Name: SaveCalifornia.com (a project of the Campaign for Children and Families).

    Classification: It is designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the SPLC.

    Reason for Classification: According to the SPLC, the group was added to the list for engaging in the propagation of "known lies, vilification and innuendo about LGBT people." This includes language that depicts LGBTQ+ people as predatory, a danger to children, and attempting to convert children.

    Focus: The organization is a conservative activist group founded in 1999 that lobbies and advocates on various social issues in California, primarily focusing on opposing LGBTQ+ rights and other progressive social policies in education and law.

    Actions & Stances:

    They have strongly opposed the inclusion of LGBTQ+ history in public school curriculum, labeling such measures as "sexual brainwashing."

    They opposed same-sex marriage, including supporting Proposition 8 in California.

    They have publicly attacked LGBTQ+ figures, such as calling the late gay rights activist Harvey Milk a "sexual predator" while arguing he was unfit for the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

47. Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM)

     Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) has been designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    Key Details on SEGM and the Controversy

    The Hate Group Designation

    The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) added Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) to its list of anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups, describing it as a "hub of pseudoscience" in a network that uses misleading scientific language to promote an anti-transgender agenda. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) states that Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM)'s actions are aimed at challenging gender-affirming care and maligning the transgender community.

    Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM)'s Stated Mission

    Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM), which is a registered non-profit, categorically rejects the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)'s label. The organization describes itself as an association of professionals promoting evidence-based, ethical care for children, adolescents, and young adults with gender dysphoria. Their stated mission is to bring scientific rigor to the field and facilitate debate.

    Focus on Youth Gender Care

    Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM)'s work is centered on critically appraising medicalized treatment for youth. The group argues that medical interventions—such as puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgery—are based on low-quality, weak evidence and have an unfavorable risk-benefit ratio for minors.

    They advocate for an approach that prioritizes psychosocial support and exploratory psychotherapy as the first-line intervention, pointing to recent systematic evidence reviews in some European countries like the UK.

    Criticism and Affiliations

    Critics and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) argue that Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM)'s advocacy for "exploratory psychotherapy" acts as a veiled push for a form of conversion therapy for trans youth. They are also accused of promoting the scientifically unsupported theory of "Rapid-onset gender dysphoria."

    Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) is closely affiliated with other controversial organizations, such as Genspect (also an Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)-designated hate group), with a number of individuals holding advisory roles in both groups. Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine (SEGM) is noted for its political engagement, with its publications and members often cited in state legislation across the U.S. that seeks to ban or restrict gender-affirming care for minors.

48. Southern Baptist Convention

    The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is not officially listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    However, the SPLC and other critics have heavily scrutinized the denomination's official positions and actions regarding the LGBTQ+ community, citing them as a source of anti-LGBTQ+ extremism and hate.

    Key Details on the Controversy

    The SPLC's Classification Criteria

    The SPLC distinguishes between religious groups that hold conservative theological beliefs and those they designate as anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups.

    The SPLC states that simply "viewing homosexuality as unbiblical does not qualify organizations to be listed as hate groups."

    The SPLC's hate group designation is reserved for organizations that propagate "known falsehoods" (claims thoroughly discredited by scientific authorities) or engage in "repeated, groundless name-calling" and "demonizing propaganda" against LGBTQ+ people.

    The SBC itself is not on the SPLC's general "Hate Map," but several organizations and figures closely affiliated with the SBC's political efforts are on the list (e.g., the Family Research Council and Liberty Counsel).

    Official Stances and Resolutions

    The SBC, which is the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, holds official positions that critics view as hostile to LGBTQ+ rights:

    Homosexuality: The SBC condemns "all homosexual practices" and defines marriage exclusively as a union between one man and one woman. Their resolutions state that LGBTQ+ individuals are not allowed full participation in SBC congregations unless they "repent" of the "sin of homosexuality."

    Opposing Gay Marriage: The SBC has passed resolutions that call for the overturning of the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and opposes all laws that affirm same-sex marriage or transgender identity.

    Gender Identity: Official resolutions affirm the "biological reality of male and female" and oppose policies that contradict the "truth of creation" regarding sex and gender.

    Affiliations and Political Action

    The SPLC and critics argue that the SBC's rhetoric and actions effectively fuel anti-LGBTQ+ efforts:

    Affiliation with Labeled Groups: The SPLC has specifically criticized the SBC for appointing representatives from designated anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups like the Family Research Council and Liberty Counsel to key SBC committees, linking the denomination to their extremist rhetoric.

    Political Mobilization: The resolutions passed at the SBC's annual meetings, while not legally binding on individual churches, serve as influential declarations that signal the denomination's direction and encourage political action to implement "traditional" forms of family life and social order.

    Historical Context: The SPLC has previously noted that the SBC was founded in 1845 over a split with Northern Baptists regarding the issue of slavery, which the Southern Baptists supported. This history continues to be a point of controversy and struggle within the denomination, particularly in light of occasional failures to unanimously and quickly denounce white supremacist ideologies at annual meetings.

     

49. Stand for Marriage

    The entity known as Stand for Marriage is generally not a single, independently listed hate group, but rather a movement or coalition of organizations that have been active in opposing same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights. Some of the most prominent groups that have operated under or promoted the "Stand for Marriage" umbrella have been designated as anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    Key Context on the Stand for Marriage Movement

    What is Stand for Marriage?

    "Stand for Marriage" is a term that historically refers to a loose, right-wing coalition of organizations and political action committees (PACs) formed primarily to:

    Advocate for the legal definition of marriage as exclusively between one man and one woman (often via constitutional amendments).

    Oppose same-sex marriage legislation and court rulings.

    Mobilize conservative voters on social issues, particularly marriage.

    The most famous example was National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which frequently used the "Stand for Marriage" slogan in ballot initiatives across the country (such as California's Proposition 8).

    SPLC Hate Group Connection

    While "Stand for Marriage" is not an official SPLC hate group, its primary member organizations and allies are on the list. The SPLC designates organizations as hate groups if they propagate "known falsehoods" or engage in "demonizing propaganda" against the LGBTQ+ community.

    Key organizations associated with the "Stand for Marriage" movement that have been labeled anti-LGBTQ+ hate groups by the SPLC include:

    Family Research Council (FRC): Listed by the SPLC for its repeated use of discredited research and false claims to attack LGBTQ+ rights.

    Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF): Listed by the SPLC for its legal advocacy against LGBTQ+ non-discrimination policies and for its work on "religious liberty" exemptions that allow for discrimination against LGBTQ+ people.

    The Nature of the Controversy

    The controversy surrounding the movement stems from the rhetoric used in its campaigns:

    Rhetoric of Harm: Critics argue that the "Stand for Marriage" movement framed the debate in terms of same-sex marriage actively harming society, children, and religious freedom, which the SPLC views as a form of "demonization."

    Legal Opposition: The groups actively involved in the movement worked to pass constitutional amendments that would have explicitly banned same-sex marriage, which many view as a fundamental attack on the civil rights and equality of an entire class of people.

    Post-Obergefell Shift: Following the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide (Obergefell v. Hodges), the movement's focus has largely shifted toward passing state-level "religious freedom" laws that grant legal protections to individuals and businesses to deny services to LGBTQ+ people based on religious objections.

50. Tradition, Family, Property(hate group)

    The group Tradition, Family, Property (TFP), specifically the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property (American TFP), is identified as a virulently anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    The TFP is part of an international Traditionalist Catholic movement that advocates for a highly conservative, counter-revolutionary world view rooted in the social ideals of an older, monarchical Christian civilization.

    Key Details and Controversies

    Core Ideology

    The TFP's ideology is based on the writings of its founder, Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira, and centers on defending:

    Tradition: Promoting what it sees as the moral, cultural, and religious legacy of Christian civilization.

    Family: Defining the family strictly as an institution based on monogamous and indissoluble marriage between a man and a woman, primarily for the procreation and education of children.

    Property: Defending the right to private property as essential for family stability and against all forms of socialism and communism.

    The "Hate Group" Designation

    The SPLC's designation stems from the TFP's aggressive opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, which the SPLC characterizes as demonizing propaganda and the promotion of known falsehoods about the LGBTQ+ community.

    Anti-LGBTQ+ Activism: TFP and its associated campaigns, such as America Needs Fatima, frequently organize protests and petitions against LGBTQ+ initiatives, including same-sex marriage, drag queen story hours, and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ student groups at Catholic universities.

    Rhetoric of "Moral Decay": The group often frames LGBTQ+ equality as a sign of "moral depravity" and part of a larger "Revolution" that is leading to the decay of Christian civilization. For example, they have distributed literature asserting that being transgender is "the family's worst enemy" and "offends God."

    Controversial Tactics: TFP members are known for their distinctive public demonstrations, often wearing scarlet capes and black berets, and for employing highly emotional and confrontational rhetoric.

    Other Criticisms

    Beyond the hate group designation, the organization has faced criticism from within and outside the Catholic Church:

    Cult of Personality: Former members and critics have described the international TFP movement as having a cult-like atmosphere centered around the veneration of its late founder, Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira.

    Ultra-Reactionary Views: The group's political vision has been characterized as "ultra-reactionary" and even having similarities to fascism, particularly due to its anti-communist stance and desire to return to a society with an explicitly defined social hierarchy.

51. Truth in Action

    Truth in Action, is a former name for an evangelical Christian media ministry now known as D. James Kennedy Ministries (DJKM).

    The ministry (under all its names: Coral Ridge Ministries, Truth in Action Ministries, and D. James Kennedy Ministries) is designated an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    Key Details and Controversies

    History and Name Changes

    Original Name: Founded in 1974 by Dr. D. James Kennedy as Coral Ridge Ministries.

    The Name "Truth in Action": The organization rebranded in 2011 to Truth in Action Ministries (or simply Truth in Action) to better reflect its goal of motivating followers to take action on cultural and political issues.

    Current Name: The ministry is now known as D. James Kennedy Ministries (DJKM).

    Basis for Hate Group Designation

    The SPLC lists D. James Kennedy Ministries (Truth in Action) as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group because of its official statements and rhetoric, which the SPLC describes as demonizing gay and lesbian people. The SPLC states the group:

    Attacks LGBTQ+ Individuals: The ministry has been a long-time, vocal opponent of LGBTQ+ rights and same-sex marriage.

    Employs Demonizing Rhetoric: The SPLC contends the ministry "demonizes LGBT people as threats to children, society and often public health" and uses false information to support its claims.

    Promotes Political Activism: The ministry has historically operated social action and political branches, such as the now-closed Center for Reclaiming America for Christ, which aimed to inspire Christians to become directly involved in politics to advance a Christian fundamentalist worldview.

    Legal Action

    In 2017, D. James Kennedy Ministries filed a defamation lawsuit against the SPLC after being listed as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, claiming the designation damaged its reputation and libeled the ministry.

    The lawsuit was dismissed by a federal court in 2019, which found that the SPLC's designation was not based on objective facts but was a subjective opinion and could not be grounds for a defamation claim.

52. Truth Xchange

    Truth Xchange is designated an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    Overview and Activities

    Organization and Mission

    Truth Xchange is a Christian ministry founded by Dr. Peter Jones, a theologian and Presbyterian minister.

    The organization's stated mission is to address what it views as a conflict between Christian orthodoxy and secular worldviews.

    It primarily operates as a research and educational ministry, distributing books, articles, and lectures.

    Basis for Hate Group Designation

    The SPLC includes Truth Xchange on its list of hate groups due to its extreme rhetoric against the LGBTQ+ community, particularly regarding the issue of same-sex marriage and what it terms "gender theory." The SPLC's designation is based on the group's:

    Theological Condemnation: Truth Xchange bases its arguments against LGBTQ+ identities on its interpretation of the Bible, specifically the first chapter of the Book of Romans, which it uses to characterize homosexuality as a fundamental error in worship and a symptom of societal breakdown.

    Demonizing Language: The SPLC asserts that the organization consistently employs dehumanizing and maligning language, accusing LGBTQ+ individuals of attempting to destroy civilization and of holding a "spiritual pathology."

    Advocacy Against Rights: The organization actively campaigns against LGBTQ+ rights, including same-sex marriage and protections for transgender people, by framing them as an existential threat to society.

53. Westboro Baptist Church (WBC)
    

    Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) as an anti-LGBTQ+ and extremist hate group

    The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has listed the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) as an active hate group since at least March 2011 (and was well-documented as such much earlier by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and other groups like the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)).

    What is theWestboro Baptist Church (WBC)?

    The Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) is a small, unaffiliated Primitive Baptist church based in Topeka, Kansas, founded by the late Fred Phelps. The group is notorious for its public protests, which are centered on the message that tragedies and deaths are God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality and other sins. Its primary slogan and website name is "God Hates Fags." The group operates essentially as a cult of personality and is composed mostly of members of the founder's extended family.

    Why is Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) considered a hate group?

    The SPLC and other civil rights organizations cite several reasons for classifying the Westboro Baptist Church (WBC)
    as an extremist hate group:

    Extreme Anti-LGBTQ+ Vitriol: The group specializes in harsh, homophobic rhetoric and grotesque slogans, such as "God Hates Fags," which it displays prominently on signs at protests. They blame the LGBTQ+ community for national tragedies like the September 11th attacks and protest LGBTQ+ pride events and events related to AIDS victims.

    Protesting Military Funerals: Westboro Baptist Church (WBC) gained worldwide infamy starting in 2005 for picketing the funerals of U.S. soldiers, holding signs with messages like "Thank God for Dead Soldiers" and claiming the deaths are divine retribution for America's sins.

    Targeting Multiple Groups: While primarily anti-LGBTQ+, their hate is also directed at a variety of other groups, including Jews, Muslims, atheists, and other Christian denominations they deem insufficiently strict. Their rhetoric against Jewish people has been described by the ADL as virulently antisemitic, including claims like "Jews Killed Christ."

    Confrontational "Picket Ministry": The group's primary activity is a "picket ministry," where they travel across the country to intentionally provoke emotional distress and media attention with their hateful signs. They have faced numerous lawsuits, which they have sometimes leveraged to finance their operations.

54. World Congress of Families

    The World Congress of Families (WCF) is designated as an anti-LGBTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

    It is considered a highly influential organization in exporting socially conservative and anti-LGBTQ+ ideology globally.

    WCF Designation and Activities

    The WCF, which is the main project of the International Organization for the Family, is designated as a hate group due to its global anti-LGBTQ activities and rhetoric.

    Ideology of the "Natural Family": WCF's central doctrine promotes the "natural family" as exclusively the union of a heterosexual man and woman in a lifelong marriage with their biological children. This ideology is used to actively oppose any laws, policies, or cultural shifts that recognize LGBTQ+ rights, same-sex marriage, or reproductive rights.

    Global Export of Homophobia: The organization holds international conferences that gather a network of conservative activists, scholars, and political leaders to coordinate efforts against LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights movements worldwide.

    Influence on Legislation: WCF has been instrumental in supporting and encouraging the passage of discriminatory and anti-LGBTQ laws in several countries, most notably:

    The Russian "gay propaganda" law of 2013, which bans the "promotion of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors. A WCF official publicly praised the law.

    Anti-homosexuality and anti-LGBTQ legislation in various African nations, including Nigeria and Uganda. Critics accuse the WCF of helping to incite homophobic sentiment that has led to legal persecution and violence against LGBTQ+ people in those regions.

    Hateful Rhetoric and Associates: WCF events have featured speakers and partners who promote discredited "junk science," conspiracy theories, and inflammatory rhetoric that links homosexuality to social decay, disease (like AIDS), and demographic decline. They have been criticized for associating with notorious anti-LGBTQ extremists.

to be continued

1. Harakat al-Nujaba (HAN)
2. Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS)
3. Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya (HAAA)
4. Kata’ib al-Imam Ali (KIA)
5. Los Choneros
6. Los Lobos
7. Viv Ansanm
8. Gran Grif
9. Ansarallah
10. Cartel de Sinaloa
11. Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG)
12. Cartel del Noreste
13. La Nueva Familia Michoacana
14. Cartel del Golfo (Gulf Cartel)
15. Carteles Unidos
16. Tren de Aragua
17. Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13)
18. Segunda Marquetalia
19. Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP)
20. ISIS-DRC
21. ISIS-Mozambique
22. Harakat Sawa’d Misr (HASM)
23. Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH)
24. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
25. Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM)
26. al-Ashtar Brigades
27. ISIS in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS)
28. ISIS-West Africa
29. ISIS-Philippines
30. ISIS-Bangladesh
31. Hizbul Mujahideen (HM)
32. al-Qa’ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)
33. ISIS-Libya
34. Islamic State’s Khorasan Province (ISIS-K)
35. Jaysh Rijal al-Tariq al Naqshabandi (JRTN)
36. ISIS-Sinai Province (formerly Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis)
37. Ansar al-Dine (AAD)
38. Haqqani Network (HQN)
39. Abdallah Azzam Brigades
40. Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT)
41. Indian Mujahedeen (IM)
42. Army of Islam (AOI)
43. Jaysh al-Adl (formerly Jundallah)
44. Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
45. Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI)
46. al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
47. Kata’ib Hizballah (KH)
48. Revolutionary Struggle (RS)
49. al-Shabaab
50. Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami/Bangladesh (HUJI-B)
51. Islamic Jihad Union (IJU)
52. ISIS (formerly al-Qa’ida in Iraq)
53. Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA)
54. Ansar al-Islam (AAI)
55. Lashkar i Jhangvi (LJ)
56. Jemaah Islamiya (JI)
57. Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army (CPP/NPA)
58. Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT)
59. Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM)
60. New Irish Republican Army (formerly Real IRA)
61. Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)
62. Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
63. Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE)
64. National Liberation Army (ELN)
65. Palestine Liberation Front (PLF)
66. Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
67. Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
68. PFLP-General Command (PFLP-GC)
69. Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C)
70. Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso, SL)

List of pirates were at war with:

Somali maritime actors — Watchlist (copy-paste text)

Caveat: Somali maritime crime is fragmented, fluid, and frequently clan-based. Some groups are formalized networks while many are short-lived local crews that operate under changing names. This watchlist is a best-effort snapshot based on UN/industry/media reporting (Nov 10, 2025). It may omit small or short-lived crews and will become outdated as incidents, arrests, or alliances change. ICC Commercial Crime Services+1

Hobyo–Harardhere network (Hobyo-Harardhere Piracy Network). Historically one of the most prominent Somali piracy networks, the Hobyo–Harardhere network grew from central Somali ports and has been associated with high-value hijackings and ransom operations. Its best-known leader was Mohamed Abdi Hassan (“Afweyne”), who built broad operational and logistical reach in the 2000s; while some leaders have been arrested or prosecuted, the broader network model and its local recruits have persisted and adapted. Use this entry to flag historic kingpin activity and the ongoing risk of renewed organized hijack attempts. Wikipedia+1

Puntland skiff crews (Eyl / Bosaso & nearby coastal towns). These are local, often clan-based skiff crews that operate from Puntland ports such as Eyl and Bosaso. They typically conduct short-range boardings, kidnappings for ransom, and can sometimes cooperate with mothership operators for longer raids. These crews are numerous, fluid in name and membership, and periodically surge when local grievances, economic incentives, or reduced naval patrols create openings. ICC Commercial Crime Services+1

Galmudug / Central Somalia crews (Harardhere, Hobyo and adjacent towns). Central-coast networks based around Galmudug territory have historically been a source of larger pirate operations using dhows and motherships to extend range into the Indian Ocean. These crews can act independently or link to broader criminal middle-men for logistics and ransom negotiations. Harardhere/Hobyo remain recurring geographic hubs. International Maritime Organization+1

Mothership operators and middle-men criminal networks. Beyond individual skiff gangs, a class of organised criminal actors supplies motherships, fuel, weapons, and ransom negotiation/logistics services. These middle-men facilitate long-range operations, coordinate payments, and connect seaborne crews to land-based support and payment channels; they are a critical element that turns opportunistic boardings into prolonged hijackings. Skuld+1

Al-Shabaab–linked maritime actors and hybrid financiers. Increasingly, reporting indicates that some maritime criminal activity is financially or operationally linked to extremist groups. Al-Shabaab has been reported to take cuts from criminal proceeds and to benefit indirectly from maritime criminal networks; such hybrid criminal-militant links raise both piracy and terrorism-financing concerns and mean that some maritime actors may also fund or cooperate with terrorist groups. Flag these actors for potential cross-designation and for follow-up intelligence. Lloyd's List+1

New / unnamed opportunistic cells (2023–2025 resurgence). Since late-2023 and through 2024–2025 analysts and the IMB have documented a renewed rise in Somali maritime attacks: small, ad-hoc gangs and opportunistic boarding crews have staged attacks, sometimes seizing local dhows or fishing vessels to use as motherships. Many of these cells do not have stable, internationally recognized names — they are best tracked by incident location, clan origin, or the mothership used. ICC Commercial Crime Services+1

Other clan / local crews (catch-all). Numerous small coastal crews operate under local or clan names and may cooperate with larger networks or act independently. Because names are local and shifting, include a monitoring note that “local/clan crews” is a standing category for sporadic incidents reported out of towns such as Kismayo, Mogadishu area ports, Hobyo, Eyl and other coastal settlements. ICC Commercial Crime Services

Watchlist guidance / current status note. Recent maritime intelligence and news reporting (late 2023–2025) indicate a partial resurgence in Somali maritime violence, including attempted boardings and at least one tanker engagement; international naval responses have disrupted some operations (including large captures and trials), but gaps in long-range patrols and the use of seized dhows as motherships remain a danger. Maintain incident-level tracking (date, coordinates, vessel name, alleged group or mothership, outcome) and flag any suspected terrorism-financing links for escalation to regional or international authorities.

Somali Basin — Pirate cells / actor-types

Caveat: Somali maritime crime remains fragmented and fluid. Several “cells” are informal, clan-based crews that change names and membership; recently there has been a resurgence of attacks and the reappearance of Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) using hijacked dhows as motherships. This list is a best-effort snapshot current to Nov 10, 2025. ICC Commercial Crime Services+1

1. Hobyo–Harardhere network (Hobyo–Harardhere Piracy Network / HHPN).
   Historically one of the largest and best-known Somali piracy networks; associated with high-value hijackings and ransom operations and with notable leaders (e.g., Mohamed Abdi Hassan, “Afweyne”). Still a useful label for organized central-coast cells that can project offshore when motherships are available. Hiiraan Online+1

2. Puntland skiff crews (Eyl, Bosaso and nearby coastal towns).
   Local, often clan-based skiff crews that carry out short-range boardings, kidnappings and occasionally cooperate with mothership operators for longer raids. Puntland areas have repeatedly produced ad-hoc cells. Skuld+1

3. Galmudug / Central-coast crews (Harardhere, Hobyo, adjacent towns).
   Central-coast groups that historically furnished larger pirate operations using dhows and motherships to reach deeper into the Indian Ocean. These crews sometimes form the core of organized PAGs. DCoC+1

4. Pirate Action Groups (PAGs) — coordinated multi-skiff/dhow cells.
   Large, coordinated action groups that combine multiple skiffs, hijacked dhows (as motherships), heavier weapons (including RPGs) and centralized logistics — the operational model behind the 2000s peak and the recent 2023–2025 resurgence. Track PAG sightings, mothership IDs and incident coordinates. Channel 16+1

5. Mothership operators & middle-men cells.
   Organised criminal operators who supply dhows/motherships, fuel, weapons, and ransom-negotiation logistics. They enable small skiff crews to operate far offshore and convert opportunistic boardings into prolonged hijackings. Solace Global

6. New / unnamed opportunistic cells (2023–2025 resurgence).
   Numerous small, ad-hoc gangs reported in 2023–2025 that often do not carry internationally recognized names — they appear as incident reports (boardings, attempted boardings, hijacked dhows) typically recorded by IMB, naval sources and commercial security outfits. These should be tracked by incident (date, coordinates, mothership/vessel name, reported origin). PI Club+1

7. Kismayo / Jubaland coastal crews.
   South-coast crews that sometimes stage local attacks or supply personnel/equipment to larger operations; include vessels taken from local fisheries or dhows used as mother ships. Monitor Kismayo-area incidents separately because of different clan/political dynamics. Wikipedia+1

8. Mogadishu-area and Bay/Gedo feeder cells.
   Smaller feeder cells based near Mogadishu and the Bay/Gedo regions that can provide manpower, logistics or ransom facilitation to maritime actors — they are often involved in onshore support rather than direct skiff attacks. Solace Global+1

9. Hybrid criminals with extremist links (al-Shabaab financial/operational links).
   Some maritime criminal activity has been reported to have financial links to extremist groups; monitor suspect cells for evidence of terrorism-financing or material cooperation. This hybrid channel raises different escalation/notification requirements. Palaemon Maritime+1

Watchlist / monitoring fields (recommended for each reported cell):

• Cell name or incident label | Last reported date | Coordinates (lat/long) | Mothership / skiff description | Suspected base town or clan | Notable leaders / aliases | Incident type (boarded, hijacked, attempted) | Sources / IMB report ID or naval report.

Quick guidance: because many cells are unnamed, maintain an incident-first registry (date, coordinates, vessel, description) and tag incidents to one of the categories above (Puntland skiff crew; Hobyo-Harardhere cell; PAG; mothership operator; unnamed opportunistic cell). This keeps the watchlist usable even when local names are not standardized. ICC Commercial Crime Services+1

what to do if you run across these pirates

Short answer — for a piracy incident in the Somali Basin call UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) immediately:

• UKMTO (24/7 emergency phone): +44 (0) 2392 222060. UKMTO+1

Also report to the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (worldwide reporting) and other centers as backup:

• IMB Piracy Reporting Centre (24-hr hotline): +60 3 2031 0014 (or +603 2078 5763). ICC Commercial Crime Services+1

• MSCHOA (Maritime Security Centre — Horn of Africa) (if operating in their area): +44 1923 958545 / +44 1923 958700. MSC IO

Immediate communications you should also use (simultaneously, if possible):

• Make a Mayday/distress call on VHF Channel 16 (or send a DSC distress). BoatUS Foundation+1

• Activate SSAS (Ship Security Alert System) and company emergency contacts/CSO/Privately Contracted Security Officer (if embarked). Channel 16

What to include when you call/report (keep it short and precise):

1. Vessel name, call sign and IMO number.

2. Position (latitude/longitude) and time (UTC).

3. Nature of incident (boarded / attempted boarding / suspicious approach).

4. Number of assailants, weapons observed, description of vessels/flags.

5. Any injuries, damage, or persons on board affected.

6. Whether the vessel can manoeuvre / needs immediate assistance.

Why call UKMTO first in the Somali Basin: UKMTO is the recognised 24/7 reporting and coordination point for merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden / Somali Basin and will pass information to naval authorities and coalition patrols. Always follow your company SSOP/CSO instructions in parallel. NATO Shipping+1

EMERGENCY CONTACT CARD — REPUBLIC OF THE WOLF PACK XANTHERA

TERRORIST GROUP INCIDENT CONTACTS
(International & Domestic)

Emergency (immediate danger):
– Local Emergency Number (USA 911 / EU 112 / UK 999 / etc.)

International Reporting:
– FBI Counterterrorism (USA): 1-800-CALL-FBI
– UK Anti-Terrorist Hotline: 0800 789 321
– Canada CSIS Tip Line: 1-800-267-7685
– Australia National Security Hotline: 1800 123 400
– Europol Terrorism Reporting: via national police

EUROPOL TERRORISM REPORTING — NATIONAL POLICE NUMBERS

EU / All Member States:
112

United Kingdom (not EU but used by Europol partners):
999 (emergency)
101 (non-emergency)

France:
17 (Police)
112 (EU universal)

Germany:
110 (Police)
112 (General emergency)

Spain:
091 (National Police)
112 (EU universal)

Italy:
113 (Police)
112 (EU universal)

Netherlands:
112 (emergency)
0900-8844 (non-emergency police)

Belgium:
101 (Police)
112 (EU universal)

Sweden:
112 (emergency)
114 14 (non-emergency police)

Poland:
112 (EU universal)
997 (Police)

Denmark:
112 (emergency)
114 (non-emergency police)

Portugal:
112

Greece:
100 (Police)
112 (EU universal)

– UNODC Terrorism Information:

✅ UNODC TERRORISM REPORTING — NATIONAL CONTACT POINTS

UNITED STATES
– FBI Counterterrorism Hotline: 1-800-CALL-FBI
– FBI Tips (online): tips.fbi.gov

CANADA
– CSIS National Security Tip Line: 1-800-267-7685

UNITED KINGDOM
– Anti-Terrorist Hotline: 0800 789 321
– 999 (emergency)

EUROPE (UNODC works via national police; EU-wide 112)
– EU Emergency Number: 112
– Then request transfer to Anti-Terrorism / State Security

Example national numbers:
France – Police 17
Germany – Police 110
Italy – 112 (Carabinieri), 113 (Police)
Spain – 091 (National Police)
Netherlands – 112 (emergency), 0900-8844 (non-emergency)

AFRICA (general UNODC partners)
– Kenya Anti-Terror Police Unit: 999
– Somalia Police (Emergency): 888
– Nigeria (Boko Haram region): 112

MIDDLE EAST
– Jordan PSD: 911
– UAE Police: 999
– Saudi Arabia Security: 999
– Iraq National Security hotline varies by region — use 104 or local police

ASIA
– India Anti-Terror Police (NIA reporting): 011-2436-5550
– Pakistan CTD emergency: 15
– Philippines Anti-Terror Hotline: 117
– Indonesia Anti-Terror (Densus 88 via police): 110

AUSTRALIA / OCEANIA
– Australia National Security Hotline: 1800 123 400
– New Zealand Police: 111

✅ IMPORTANT NOTE
UNODC’s official guidance is:

“Report terrorism to your national police or security authority. UNODC does not receive public terrorism reports.”

Maritime Terrorism Reporting:
– UKMTO: +44 2392 222060
– IMB Piracy/Terror Reporting: +60 3 2031 0014

Non-Emergency / Intelligence Tips:
– FBI Online Tips: tips.fbi.gov
– Local national police non-emergency line

North America

• USA: 311 (varies by city) or local PD non-emergency

• Canada: Local police non-emergency line (varies by province/city, e.g., Toronto PD 416-808-2222)

Europe

• United Kingdom: 101

• France: 114 (Police non-emergency via operator)

• Germany: 110 (emergency), local PD non-emergency varies by state; some use 0221-229-0 (Cologne example)

• Italy: 112 (emergency), 113 (Police non-emergency)

• Spain: 092 (Local Police), 091 (National Police non-emergency)

• Netherlands: 0900-8844

• Belgium: 02-558-30-00 (Federal Police)

• Sweden: 114 14

Africa

• Kenya: 999 (emergency), 0722-221-900 (non-emergency, Nairobi PD)

• Nigeria: 0700 2255 2255 (non-emergency)

• South Africa: 08600 10111

Asia

• India: 100 (emergency), local city PD non-emergency varies (Delhi 011-2385-1444)

• Pakistan: 15 (emergency), local city non-emergency lines vary

• Philippines: 117 (emergency), 02-8722-0650 (PNP non-emergency)

• Indonesia: 110 (emergency), local police stations have separate non-emergency lines

Middle East

• UAE: 999 (emergency), 04-609-2222 (Dubai Police non-emergency)

• Saudi Arabia: 999 (emergency), 800-124-4444 (non-emergency, Riyadh)

• Jordan: 911 (emergency), 06-464-4444 (Amman non-emergency)

Australia & Oceania

• Australia: 000 (emergency), local PD non-emergency 131-444

• New Zealand: 111 (emergency), local PD non-emergency 105

✅ Usage Note:

• Emergency: use 911 / 112 / 999 / local emergency.

• Non-emergency / intelligence tip: use the numbers above to report suspicious activity, extremist behavior, hate groups, or potential terrorism without immediate threat.

PIRACY INCIDENT CONTACTS
(International Waters)

Emergency (active attack / boarding):
– Mayday on VHF Channel 16
– Activate Ship Security Alert System (SSAS)

Primary Maritime Reporting:
– UKMTO (24/7): +44 2392 222060
– IMB Piracy Reporting Centre: +60 3 2031 0014
– MSCHOA (Horn of Africa): +44 1923 958700

Non-Emergency / Suspicious Activity:
– Email voluntary incident reports to UKMTO Watch
– Contact vessel company CSO
– Regional naval patrol channels if applicable

HATE GROUP INCIDENT CONTACTS
(Domestic & International)

Emergency (active threat or violence):
– Local emergency number (911 / 112 / 999)

Domestic Reporting:
– FBI Civil Rights & Hate Crimes Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI
– Local Police Department Non-Emergency Line
– State/Regional Hate Crime Task Force (if available)

International Reporting:
– Local national police non-emergency or emergency line
– OSCE Hate Crime Reporting (via national contact points)

European Union / OSCE Member States

• EU-wide emergency: 112 (immediate danger)

• UK: 101 (non-emergency)

• France: 114 (Police non-emergency)

• Germany: Local police non-emergency lines vary by state (example: 0221-229-0 in Cologne)

• Italy: 113 (Police non-emergency)

• Spain: 092 (Local Police), 091 (National Police non-emergency)

• Netherlands: 0900-8844

• Belgium: 02-558-30-00 (Federal Police)

• Sweden: 114 14

Eastern Europe / OSCE Members

• Poland: 997 (Police), 112 (EU universal)

• Czech Republic: 158 (Police non-emergency)

• Hungary: 107 (Police non-emergency)

• Slovakia: 158 (Police non-emergency)

• Lithuania: 112 (Emergency), local PD 8-700-60020 (non-emergency)

Other OSCE Members

• Norway: 02800 (non-emergency)

• Switzerland: 117 (Police), local PD lines vary

• Finland: 0295 416 000 (non-emergency)

Usage Guidance:

1. Immediate Danger / Violence: Call your local emergency number (112 / 911 / 999).

2. Non-Emergency / Tip / OSCE Reporting: Call the national police non-emergency number above. Include:

   • Date, location, and type of hate crime

   • Suspected groups or individuals

   • Witnesses or evidence available

   • Personal contact information for follow-up

⚠ Important: OSCE itself does not handle direct calls from the public. All submissions must go through your national police or hate-crime contact points.

Non-Emergency Tips:
– FBI Online Hate Crime Reporting: tips.fbi.gov
– Community support or monitoring organizations (local)

EXTREMIST GROUP INCIDENT CONTACTS
(If not clearly Terrorist, Hate Group, or Piracy)

Emergency (active threat):
– Local emergency number (911 / 112 / 999)

International & Domestic Reporting:
– National Security Agency (country-specific)
– Local law enforcement non-emergency line
– FBI General Tip Line (USA): 1-800-CALL-FBI
– Europol (EU): through national police service
– Australia National Security Hotline: 1800 123 400
– Canada CSIS Tip Line: 1-800-267-7685
– UK Prevent / Extremism Concerns (non-emergency): via local police

UK Prevent / Extremism Concerns — Non-Emergency

England, Wales, Northern Ireland: Call 101 (local police non-emergency)

Scotland: Call 101 (Police Scotland non-emergency)

Emergency / Immediate Threat: Call 999

Online reporting / advice: https://www.gov.uk/report-terrorism

Non-Emergency / Suspicion:
– Local community liaison office
– Anonymous national security tip portals