Big Tent News: Salvation Army Takes Heat From Gay Rights Activists

[fightthegoodfightnow]

Salvation Army's Red Kettle Holiday Campaign Takes Heat From Gay Rights Activists

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the Salvation Army's Red Kettle campaign is once again coming under intense scrutiny from lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights advocates.

America Blog is asking LGBT shoppers and allies to give downloadable "vouchers" to Salvation Army bell ringers in lieu of cash in an effort to let the organization know that "bigotry is not a Christmas value," according to blogger John Aravosis.

"The Salvation Army discriminates against gay people, and discriminating donors should find another charity this Christmas than evangelical bigots who advocate against our civil rights," Aravosis writes. "And not just that –- they’ve actively lobbied against pro-gay policies in a number of countries as well."

Source
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/salvation-army-gay-rights-voucher_n_2192085.html

[jehop61]

1. This morning

On the Stephanie Miller show, this all was pretty much debuked when she interviewed the SA. She is raising money for them and is a noted gay activist.

[fightthegoodfightnow]

2. Yea

They say that now under political pressure BUT

They have opposed every piece of legislation here in DCthatwould provide for no discrimination.

From the article

Of course, it isn't the first time the Salvation Army's conservative view of homosexuality has been brought to attention. "The Salvation Army has a history of active discrimination against gays and lesbians. While you might think you're helping the hungry and homeless by dropping a few dollars in the bright red buckets, not everyone can share in the donations," Bil Browning noted on The Bilerico Project last year. "The organization also has a record of actively lobbying governments worldwide for anti-gay policies -- including an attempt to make consensual gay sex illegal."

Then there is this

Earlier this year, an Australian Salvation Army official sparked international controversy after he implied in an interview that LGBT people should be put to death, noting that it was "a part of our belief system."

For more
http://www.queerty.com/salvation-army-director-says-gays-should-be-put-to-death-20120625/

They are back peddling now just like they did then.

Need more?

Browning says the Salvation Army has denied services to LGBT people unless they renounce their sexuality or end their same-sex relationships -- a charge Bukiewicz denies.
"I've seen the discrimination the Salvation Army preaches first hand,” Browning wrote. “When a former boyfriend and I were homeless, the Salvation Army insisted we break up before they'd offer assistance. We slept on the street instead and declined to break up as they demanded.”

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/12/01/9143097-gay-groups-boycott-salvation-army-red-kettle-drive?lite