Can somebody give me a quick primer or some links about the Salvation Army RE GLBT discrimination?

[Denninmi]

Just wondering. It's my understanding that the Salvation Army has discriminated against people in the GLBT community quite openly.

These bell ringers are everywhere right now. I gave up buying Boy Scout stuff a few years ago from my niece's kid when I found out that they discriminated as an organization. I feel the same way about the Salvation Army, and I don't want to contribute to a group that practices hate.

When I tell them WHY I don't want to donate to them, I would like to have a concrete example or two to back myself up.

TIA

[MineralMan]

1. Look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salvation_Army

Basically, they discriminate against GLBT people in their hiring.

[WillParkinson]

2. Check this one, too.

http://www.bilerico.com/2010/11/why_you_shouldnt_give_to_the_salvation_army.php

Watch the video for a list.

[sgsmith]

3. They certainly discriminate against T

The Salvation Army's homeless shelters do not allow transgender women to use their female shelters, at least in Texas.

http://www.pamshouseblend.com/diary/8691/

[keepCAblue]

4. SA is both politically and morally corrupt

In 2001, the SA agreed to pay $1 MILLION toward Bush's lobbying/campaign in exchange for the White House (Karl Rove was the architect of the deal) granting all religious charities exemption from anti-discrimination laws passed to protect LGBTs. Imagine the GOOD they could have done with the million dollars--food, clothing, medical help for the poor -- those they claim to *serve*? More recently, when the state of NY passed legislation requiring all business and non-profits to provide benefits to the spouses or domestic partners of LGBTs, the SA threatened to shut down every soup kitchen and homeless shelter in the state, in protest. THAT is moral corruption -- that they would intentionally allow the people they *serve* to go hungry and without shelter in order to coerce the state of NY to allow them to openly discriminate. Beyond repugnant.

"Karl Rove, President Bush's senior adviser, was the Salvation Army's first White House contact in its effort to win approval of a regulation allowing religious charities to practice anti-gay workplace bias, administration officials said yesterday.

The revelation contrasts sharply with the administration's initial insistence that senior officials were not involved with the charity's request, which was hastily rejected Tuesday evening after a news account about the proposed regulation.

An internal Salvation Army document obtained by The Washington Post said the White House had made a "firm commitment" to issue a regulation protecting religious charities from state and city efforts to prevent discrimination against gays in hiring and providing benefits. To secure this commitment, the charity proposed spending nearly $1 million on lobbyists and strategists, and those it retained included a key player in the Bush presidential campaign and one of the campaign's top fundraisers."

Link: http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2010/11/12957/


Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48279-2001Jul11?language=printe

[Denninmi]

5. Thanks to all for your replies.

Here's a link to another charming story, local here in Detroit. They apparently cost a woman her master's degree in social work because they disapproved of her pregnancy while she was a student intern at their local homeless shelter. She's suing for over $2 million. I guess they felt she was a "sinner".

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/26069371/detail.html

http://detnews.com/article/20101208/SCHOOLS/12080341/Ex-student-sues-WSU--Salvation-Army

Now, I ask you, who is REALLY going to burn in Hell? I say its the self-righteous bigots.

I am seriously thinking of writing a little blurb on a slip of paper that says the following:

"Salvation Army -- this is what I'm "donating" to you in 2010, some advice -- If you want my donations, don't discriminate against the Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Trans-Gender Community, Unwed Mothers, or anyone else for that matter. God is about love, not hate, and I don't believe that your practices are consistent with "What Jesus Would Do". Until you change your ways, I won't give you one cent. In your honor, though, I've donated this holiday season to other charities, ones that don't practice hate as part of their "mission. Signed, Disgusted By Your Bigotry, Detroit, Michigan."

A little passive/aggressive, but maybe it would make someone think just for a second.

Should I do it?