Open Letter to the Southern Poverty Law Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

To the leadership of the Southern Poverty Law Center,

For years, the SPLC has labeled Pacific Justice Institute (PJI) a "hate group," identifying it specifically as "anti-LGBT" in your published materials. That is a serious charge, and it deserves a direct and public response.

Specifically, you point to PJI statements, legal positions, and advocacy related to marriage, religious liberty, and policies involving gender identity to support this accusation. From those positions, you conclude that PJI demonstrates hostility toward a specific class of people.

PJI rejects that conclusion, and believes it is fundamentally in error.

For nearly 30 years, PJI has represented clients who believe their constitutional rights have been violated. Our work centers on defending First Amendment freedoms-freedom of speech, the free exercise of religion, and the right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children. These positions are embedded in the U.S. Constitution itself, and we hold to them without apology.

PJI recognizes that the SPLC disagrees with many of our perspectives. However, disagreement on difficult moral and legal questions is not evidence of hatred. A society that cannot distinguish between the two has abandoned any meaningful definition of pluralism.

Your labeling of PJI carries weight. Moreover, it shapes media narratives, influences institutional decisions, and affects public perception. Labels of this magnitude have consequences, and they should rest on standards that can withstand scrutiny.

Which brings us to a simple invitation:

If the SPLC's characterization of PJI is accurate, such claims should hold up in an open forum.

Therefore, as President and Founder of Pacific Justice Institute, I formally invite the SPLC president, Bryan Fair, to join me for a recorded, on-camera discussion on Faith & Law, PJI's primary interview program.

This invitation is straightforward: A single, in-person conversation. Recorded in full. No preconditions. No editorial control. This would simply be a setting where the SPLC's claims can be presented, examined, and answered-point by point, in front of the public.

You have made your case in writing.

Now make it in person.

PJI will walk through your published statements, your criteria, and the conclusions you have drawn about our organization. We will examine how those conclusions were reached and whether they reflect the reality of our work.

When the conversation is complete, the public will see clearly what is grounded in truth-and what is not.

Pacific Justice Institute has long understood that standing on matters of conviction invites opposition. Scripture speaks to this directly in 1 Peter 4:12: "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you…"

At PJI, we are not surprised that opposition is often the cost of taking a truthful position. However, our opponents have made us stronger and more resilient to pursue what is good, just, and true.

As Charles Mackay once wrote:

"You have no enemies, you say?

Alas! my friend, the boast is poor;

He who has mingled in the fray

Of duty, that the brave endure, Must have made foes! If you have none, Small is the work that you have done.

You've hit no traitor on the hip,

You've dashed no cup from perjured lip,

You've never turned the wrong to right,

You've been a coward in the fight."

We will continue to stand in that fight-openly, lawfully, and without apology.

The invitation stands. We look forward to your response. Sincerely,

Brad Dacus

President & Founder

Pacific Justice Institute