US conservatives suspend plans for Moscow meeting

New York (AP) — A U.S.-based conservative group that supports Russia's efforts to curtail gay rights and abortion is suspending its plans for an international conference in Moscow this September because of the turmoil related to Russia's annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

The World Congress of Families (WCF), headquartered in Rockford, Ill., said Tuesday the uncertain political situation — including sanctions imposed on Russia by the U.S. and some European countries — "has raised questions about travel, logistics and other matters" essential to planning for the conference.

Don Feder, a spokesman for the group, said it had not been determined whether the upcoming conference — World Congress of Families VIII — would be held at a different location or rescheduled for Moscow at a later date.

According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, “The WCF is best known for its biannual world conferences, where speakers and sponsors have comprised a ‘Who’s Who’ of the American religious right, including representatives of particularly hard-line groups like the American Family Association, Americans for Truth About Homosexuality, Concerned Women for America and the Family Research Council.”

The SPLC noted that “In an April 2009 newsletter, the WCF lauded the government of Uganda’s efforts to pass its infamous ‘kill the gays’ bill, saying that the country’s ‘stand against homosexuality has been condemned by international groups seeking to advance the homosexual agenda’ but that Uganda ‘will not bow to foreign pressure.’” 

The SPLC identifies the WCF as one of six US anti-gay groups that encourage other countries to criminalizing gay sex.

This staff report includes information by David Crary, AP National Writer.

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The Gayly – March 25, 2014 @ 3:15pm