 In 2013, the Ruth Institute was designated as an anti-LGBT hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.Following publication of the "Department of Justice Guidelines to Ensure the Civil Rights of Transgender Students" in 2016, Morse responded with objections that the guidelines are "far-reaching" and "of questionable legality".In 2017, Vanco (Global Cloud Xchange) stopped processing online payments for the Institute stating, "The organization has been flagged by Card Brands as being affiliated with a product/service that promotes hate, violence, harassment and/or abuse."