Focus on the Family, one of the
nation's largest groups opposed to gay rights, is facing persistent
financial woes.
According to the Colorado Springs-based
The
Gazette, the group's lobbying arm, CitizenLink, is facing a
$2.3 million budget shortfall that must be overcome by September 30.
In a fundraising plea to supporters,
CitizenLink Executive Director Tom Minnery said if the money is not
raised, “our ability to act on your behalf will be severely, and
perhaps irreparably, hurt.”
“The threat is still very real,”
Minnery wrote. “If we don't stay vigilant, last year's victories
can AND WILL be taken from us!”
The ministry built by James Dobson laid
off roughly 250 people in 2008, 75 in 2009 and another 110 in 2010.
At its height in 2002, Focus employed 1,400 people, according to The
Gazette.
CitizenLink has spent millions fighting
laws that recognize gay and lesbian unions – either marriage, civil
unions or domestic partnerships – and the repeal of “Don't Ask,
Don't Tell,” the policy set to expire in 15 days which bans gay and
bisexual troops from serving openly. The group has also railed
against laws that protect transgender people from discrimination.