Susan's Place Transgender Resources

A Transgender Volunteer for the Salvation Army

By JENNIFER FINNEY BOYLAN
Published: December 16, 2013

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/17/opinion/boylan-a-transgender-volunteer-for-the-salvation-army.html?emc=edit_tnt_20131216&tntemail0=y&_r=0 (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/17/opinion/boylan-a-transgender-volunteer-for-the-salvation-army.html?emc=edit_tnt_20131216&tntemail0=y&_r=0)

BELGRADE LAKES, Me. — I GOT to the Waterville mall a few minutes early. My shift began at 11, and snow was falling from a pewter sky onto the parking lot. I'd been having a hard time. This was about four Christmases ago, a few years after I'd come out as transgender. In the aftermath of that unveiling, I'd lost a couple of important friendships. Getting into the spirit of the season had been a struggle.

Then, one day, I saw someone ringing a Salvation Army bell outside a Walmart. I thought, hey, I could do that. And so I signed up, hoping it might help dispel the blues. I wasn't sure how the charity would react to the fact that one of their volunteers was a 6-foot-tall trans woman, though. This was before stories of the organization's antigay discrimination really started emerging, or at least before they'd reached my ears. Still, I knew that it was a traditional religious charity, and I could picture the scene — the head of the Red Kettle corps taking one look at me, knocking the Santa hat off my head, contemptuously snapping all my candy canes in half.

Instead, as I drew near, the woman standing at the entrance to the mall said, "Oh, thank God you're here. My arm is about to fall off." And with that, she placed the bell in my hand.

"Wait," I said. "What am I supposed to do?"

She looked at me as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "Just keep shaking," she said.

I've rang the bell before, and I'll do it again. The bottom line is the Salvation Army helps people. They gave me heating oil one year, and I've paid them back in spades. Their policies are not perfect, but helping is helping. I'll tell you the hard part, keeping the bell ringing. The clapper lkes to start going in a circle around the inside of the bell. Please remember the needy, hugs, Devlyn

Hi,

Iv been involved with the Sally Army for many years, and well known to them. iv never had any concerns and worked with them out in the field  doing things plus play in the bands and two bands join together,

remember not every person can or will accept an  others difference 5 have rejected my difference out of some 300 i know and i accept that, and even being in the womans groups just about all are happy with myself being with them, 
The main detail is let the people see you get to be a part of what ever is going on join in and youll find most members / people will accept and let them see you are okay after all , you put your self out there  get liked and show others you can do what ever is needed youll soon fit in .

Its when you stand back and dont join in then that makes it harder for others to get to know you and gain thier trust,

Plus as in other groups you dont ether get asked or told they wont you on thier commitee's,if you dont join in

because you are there at meetings or doing what ever is needed with out being asked can you do this or that,

Nice to hear others getting out and doing things,

It's you are allready doing it helping getting things done or help where ever,

...noeleena...

I think Jenny has a better message for our folks in this -- Her comment about the inscription on the carrillion bell in regard to "Ministering to those who do not wish to be ministered to, by ringing the bell." (approx).  Bells have a significance to me in many ways of imagery and metaphor and I a very sure that Jenny included that on purpose.  Take a minute to think about how, even if trans* and not in the highest of people's favor we can ring other bells to minister to those who do not wish to know us so they are aware of us in a non threatening way and may start thinking the right way. 

Thank you all.  I have long held prejudicial opinions of the Salvation Army.  I guess I have a tough time with religion.  You've given me pause to reflect. "The bottom line is they help people."  Hmm