The Bilerico Project
Filed By Bil Browning
http://www.bilerico.com/2011/11/why_you_shouldnt_donate_to_the_salvation_army_bell.php (http://www.bilerico.com/2011/11/why_you_shouldnt_donate_to_the_salvation_army_bell.php)
As the holidays approach, the Salvation Army bell ringers are out in front of stores dunning shoppers for donations. If you care about gay rights, you'll skip their bucket in favor of a charity that doesn't actively discriminate against the LGBT community.
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 Thumbnail image for Why you shouldn't give to the Salvation Armydropping a few dollars in the bright red buckets, not everyone can share in the donations. Many LGBT people are rejected by the evangelical church charity because they're "sexually impure."
I'm not all that surprised. What are some GLBTTIQ-friendly charities?
Quote from: Kreuzfidel on November 22, 2011, 09:35:35 PM
I'm not all that surprised. What are some GLBTTIQ-friendly charities?
Ooh, good question. I shall try to find out which ones (other than glbttiq-oriented charities) are good and accepting with regards to queer folk. Off the top of my head, I'd say Volunteers of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Not sure who else other than some local groups.
I'll post back.
Before I forget, Camp Fire USA is excellent, Girl Scouts of America has non-discrimination policies but they don't enforce them, and Boy Scouts of America are pretty notorious for being awful.
I know that's all child-related, but of course that's relevant to my interests. I'll widen the scope later. I'm genuinely curious now. So many major charities have bad track records.
Great post Felix, thank you!
Jenny
I give them the finger anyways.
The Salvation Army gave me emergency heating oil, I'll always donate to them. The bell ringer was out yesterday, I handed him a dollar, but told him he had to let me ring the bell, which I did with enthusiasm! Hugs, Tracey
There's Medecins sans Frontiers
Isn't there a better use of energy than bashing charities and organizations that help people? I was a Boy Scout for years, we did awful things like cleaning the local park, collecting toys for the poor, and visiting the elderly people in a nursing home. Let's remember, the person who wrote this is a columnist who needs a daily story, and that tinkling bell does stick in your head. We should try to educate, not brand people as enemies. Just my two cents worth. Hugs, Tracey
And another thing, Susan G Komen For The Cure only raises money for one group. The United Negro College Fund only raises money for one group. Since I'm not a black woman, none of it goes to me. This doesn't make them bad charities, in fact, they're great charities. And I would never, NEVER, tell someone not to donate to them. I guess I'm up to four cents now. Hugs, Tracey
If we act like them are we any better ???
I donate to all groups when i can.. I let God work out the details
A number of years ago, I was in an area of Edinburgh, which at that time was basically the haunt for down and outs. (It's now a very fashionable area to live or have an office. A flat in the 70s was going for about £1500. That same flat recently sold for £300,000).
I recall watching an old man, very dirty and seemingly incapable of standing, falling over in a central reservation. I recalled seeing that same man, a number of times in recent weeks. He was just another recruit to the Grassmarket. It's the sort of thing which happened every so often.
Then these two Salvation Army types, a man and a woman went over to him to talk. They helped him sit up. I recall thinking they were probably new. That sort of fellow will suck them dry. Anything you give to that will go in booze.
It was much later, I saw them escorting this old man into a cafe. He was a bit cleaned up by this time. Looking a bit more confident. But the cafe owner clearly knew he was a down and out and went over to stop him coming in. The Salvation Army woman, mover herself infront of the old man.
I didn't hang around to see what happened next. But that made me think. That old man is human. He is clearly in distress. He clearly needs someone to turn to. There but for the grace of God...
Salvation Army is one of those groups that you love and hate at the same time. I used to work alongside them when I did Children Ministry work out in Tennessee.
To get help from them is pretty random. You may get help or you may not. I've seen people get help and I've seen people turned down and both sets of people were in the same financial predicament.
Also, if you ask for help, do not tell them you are transgender, gay, lesbian or bi. I've seen others turned away in receiving help based on their sexual orientation over their current crises. They love selling their clothes to crossdressers and trans because they get money back (they have a belief that the money you give them..from a sinner...can be turned around and used for God's work; like a coin from Caesar's coffers can still help the church type of belief).
So, I reserve mixed opinions about them. I respect that they help out people, however, I do not like their attitude towards the LGBT and the way they will not help you if you are LGBT (unless you repent of your immoral ways...then they will be more likely to give you assistance).