Liberty Counsel
Liberty Counsel is a 501(c)(3)[2] tax-exempt religious liberty organization that engages in litigation related to evangelical Christian values.[5] Liberty Counsel was founded in 1989[1] by its chairman Mathew Staver and its president Anita L. Staver, who are attorneys and married to each other. The Southern Poverty Law Center has listed Liberty Counsel as an anti-LGBT hate group, a designation the group has disputed.[6] The group is a Christian ministry.[7]
For the racehorse, see Liberty Counsel (horse).History[edit]
Liberty Counsel started as a religious liberty organization that focused its litigation efforts on freedom of speech cases.[8] The organization used freedom of speech arguments instead of religious free exercise claims in its cases.[9] In addition to litigation, Liberty Counsel saw education of its members and public officials regarding religious rights as a goal.[10]
Founder[edit]
Liberty Counsel's founder, Mathew Staver, was dean of Liberty University School of Law for eight-and-a-half years. He worked to start the school with Jerry Falwell, Sr.[88][89]
Liberty Counsel currently or previously had interlocking boards with other organizations.[3]