Since 1865, the Salvation Army has provided social services, such as shelter, food, and rehabilitation programs, to people in need. While known for its goodwill and iconic holiday red kettle campaign, the organization has faced controversy within the LGBTQ+ community over past policies and statements perceived as discriminatory.
In this episode, we’re exploring the Salvation Army’s complex relationship with the LGBTQ+ community and the steps it has taken in recent years to improve inclusivity.
Additional Resources:
Committee’s Inquiry into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
https://web.archive.org/web/20130828082009/http:/salvos.org.au/about-us/media-centre/documents/MRVictorianParliamentaryCommitteeInquiry.pdf
Suit Claims Group's Staff Is Pressured On Religion
https://www.nytimes.com/2004/02/25/nyregion/suit-claims-group-s-staff-is-pressured-on-religion.html
Settlement in Salvation Army Suit on Proselytizing
https://archive.nytimes.com/cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/17/settlement-in-salvation-army-suit-on-proselytizing/?_r=0
No Ban on Harry Potter, Twilight Xmas Donations, Says Sally Ann
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/no-ban-on-harry-potter-twilight-xmas-donations-says-sally-ann/article_960140df-14e5-5a1f-99a4-950986847d40.html
The Salvation Army's History of Anti-LGBT Discrimination
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-salvation-armys-histo_b_4422938
Salvation Army Cuts S.F. Programs / Charity Spurns City's Domestic Partner Law
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/salvation-army-cuts-s-f-programs-charity-3004997.php
Charity Is Told It Must Abide By Antidiscrimination Laws
https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/11/us/charity-is-told-it-must-abide-by-antidiscrimination-laws.html
Salvation Army Uses Homeless to Fight Gay Benefits
https://chicago.gopride.com/news/article.cfm/articleid/1824489
B.C. Salvation Army Volunteer Tells Gay Rights Supporters Not to Donate
https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-salvation-army-volunteer-tells-gay-rights-supporters-not-to-donate-1.1081136
Statement in Response to Australian Radio Interview
https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usc-wm4/news/radio_interview_statement/
Salvation Army Refers People to Ex-Gay Groups
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/salvation-army-refers-people-to-ex-gay-groups_b_4344605
Salvation Army 'Does Not Consider Homosexual Orientation a Sin'
https://www.advocate.com/business/2013/11/27/salvation-army-does-not-consider-homosexual-orientation-sin
Ellie Goulding Threatens to Cancel Her Cowboys Thanksgiving Halftime Show Over Salvation Army Concerns
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/music/2019/11/12/ellie-goulding-threatens-to-cancel-performance-during-cowboys-thanksgiving-halftime-show/
Salvation Army Says It's No Longer Homophobic
https://www.out.com/news/2019/11/18/salvation-army-says-theyre-no-longer-homophobic
Chick-fil-A Stops Donations To Anti-LGBTQ Groups
https://www.forbes.com/sites/rachelsandler/2019/11/18/chick-fil-a-stops-donations-to-anti-lgbtq-groups/
Macy's Won't Host Salvation Army This Holiday Season
https://www.advocate.com/news/2022/11/18/macys-wont-host-salvation-army-holiday-season
Salvation Army Commander: Yes, We Are Faith-Based Charity. But We Serve and Love Everyone.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2019/11/22/salvation-army-lgbt-backlash-poverty-gay-marriage-column/4269694002/
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