by Barbara Dozetos Gay.com Network
The church that received a large donation from the Case Foundation announced who the donor was Monday.
America Online chairman Steve Case and his wife, Jean, donated over $8 million last month to a school run by the Rev. James Kennedy, whose church also sponsors anti-gay programs including the "ex-gay ministry" Worthy Creations.
Jean Case graduated from the Westminster Academy in 1978. The Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., sits adjacent to the school. According to its Web site, "It exists primarily to educate the children of Coral Ridge families."
Among its other ministries, the church lists Worthy Creations, which "provides a way out of the gay lifestyle for those who desire to change." This program and the church's Center for Reclaiming America, run by Janet Folger, launched the summer 1999 national ad campaign thanking Sen. Trent L ott and pro football player Reggie White for their public anti-gay views.
Eighteen other right-wing organizations, including the Family Research Council and the Christian Coalition, joined in to fund the "Truth In Love" ex-gay ad campaign, featuring Anne Paulk, wife of John Paulk. He was removed last month from his position as chairman of the conversion ministry Exodus International after he was spotted in a gay bar in Washington, D.C.
Jean Case is CEO of the $135 million Case Foundation, which has a pattern of giving money to pro-youth and family-oriented causes.
Posted October 18, 2000