General Discussion

Are_grits_groceries

(17,139 posts) Mon Dec 12, 2011, 05:48 AM Dec 2011

125

DO NOT donate to The Salvation Army [View all]

There was a thread not long ago about this topic. The SA do help the needy and, the person leading the organization takes a minimal salary compared to other charities. That is all well and good.

However, they are and have been actively involved in assaulting LGBT rights. For a summary of their involvement, please read this article:
http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2011/12/the-salvation-army-ringing-anti-gay-bells-this-holiday-season/

When giving to the SA, you are not just helping the needy. You are supporting a virulently bigoted organization, and your money is considered by them to be a act of approval of all their missions. They don't sit around and separate their funds that they use for those that need help and those that are used to fund hateful causes. When you put money into that red kettle, you are supporting both sides.

As a member of the LGBT community I find this disgraceful and dangerous. In this country, there is still a long way to go in passing gay rights. Every day there is another story about some kid being bullied about being gay or about some gay person being brutally beaten.

Any support given to the SA and other openly anti-LGBT groups only strengthens their resolve. This isn't a zero sum situation. Their good works do not cancel out their hate. If you support one side by giving money for the needy, you support the less admirable side.

There are many charitable organizations that aren't working against LGBT rights. The article that is linked to provides a list of these. Helping bearding hating is unacceptable.

You may think this is an extreme position. However, if you drop money into that kettle, think of those LGBT people who have been hurt in many ways. Think of those you know in the LGBT community. Think of the many other ways there are to help those that need it without hurting anybody else.

(I wrote this because I was so stunned by the number of people on DU who seemed to consider their anti-LGBT rights stance a minor issue compared to their work for the needy)

91 replies

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DO NOT donate to The Salvation Army [View all] Are_grits_groceries Dec 2011 OP

K&R Solly Mack Dec 2011 #1

Working for the needy is important. Behind the Aegis Dec 2011 #2

They're anti-abortion. That's enough for me to pass them by. REP Dec 2011 #3

This information needs to be a priority. FarPoint Dec 2011 #4

Here's an idea I thunk up in my insomnia ashling Dec 2011 #5

I like this idea. pacalo Dec 2011 #6

I like what you wrote very much obamanut2012 Dec 2011 #21

What better time to give them crucial feedback than when they're asking for donations? pacalo Dec 2011 #24

It certainly wouldn't hurt obamanut2012 Dec 2011 #25

Very good idea ashling Dec 2011 #27

I'm a night owl, too, ashling. pacalo Dec 2011 #42

fill their little red buckets with those folded up pieces of paper- SemperEadem Dec 2011 #63

Great idea. Delphinus Dec 2011 #82

Nice childish idea! whistler162 Dec 2011 #18

Good idea, but I'd write on that fake check why you don't like the organization. be more explicit raccoon Dec 2011 #37

I just write something like the following arikara Dec 2011 #75

We have Goodwill nearby and I like to take my household items/clothes over there ... TBF Dec 2011 #7

Sounds Nice! ashling Dec 2011 #29

I'm willing to listen to any feedback. TBF Dec 2011 #33

I love Goodwill. SunSeeker Dec 2011 #66

My mom did some shopping there herself when we were young - TBF Dec 2011 #67

K&R Luciferous Dec 2011 #8

I gave to SA for many years. No more. Graybeard Dec 2011 #9

Post removed Post removed Dec 2011 #10

i used to shop there but now i won`t think of doing that again madrchsod Dec 2011 #11

K&R Odin2005 Dec 2011 #12

Since salvation = god or else Walk away Dec 2011 #13

That's why I don't donate. LNM Dec 2011 #17

I have had from SA on utilities AND food - I didn't have to pray for it SaintPete Dec 2011 #58

That's a given. GoCubsGo Dec 2011 #14

You have my agreement and support. emcguffie Dec 2011 #15

Would the fake dollars fill up the pot and keep other people from contributing? ashling Dec 2011 #30

I don't donate to SA. Lugnut Dec 2011 #16

Thanks for the PSA. I did not know that. lapislzi Dec 2011 #19

quick question on Bolthouse tomm2thumbs Dec 2011 #78

Oh, I agree obamanut2012 Dec 2011 #20

Sigh - this makes me sad nadine_mn Dec 2011 #22

I agree completely. The charities shouldn't work against people, or they shouldn't be charities saras Dec 2011 #23

I agree. SA does good works which is negated by the shit stances they take. uppityperson Dec 2011 #51

Which is why when I have clothing to donate Goblinmonger Dec 2011 #71

The conflict between ideals and goals is very real... hlthe2b Dec 2011 #26

Oh, I fully appreciate it. Are_grits_groceries Dec 2011 #35

I respect your position.. hlthe2b Dec 2011 #36

The poor and needy are very capable of thinking for themselves. Are_grits_groceries Dec 2011 #43

My only experience with the SA directly Silver Swan Dec 2011 #28

And the hierarchy sets the political agenda they have which Are_grits_groceries Dec 2011 #31

du rec. nt xchrom Dec 2011 #32

And they call themselves cHristians! penndragon69 Dec 2011 #34

SA received a public notice of support from the AFA years ago. AlBratt Dec 2011 #38

I did not know this until last week Generic Brad Dec 2011 #39

Recommend Glorfindel Dec 2011 #40

the word "salvation" should be enough to skeptical minds alp227 Dec 2011 #41

Or "army" for that matter jberryhill Dec 2011 #49

I discovered this years ago crim son Dec 2011 #44

I've made up small notes Casandia Dec 2011 #45

When I pass by a bell ringer I tell them the reason I don't donate to them. Still Blue in PDX Dec 2011 #46

Thank you for reminding me. The following is now on my Facebook page: stevenleser Dec 2011 #47

your words irisblue Dec 2011 #61

Please feel free! And this FB post was pretty popular. Amazing how many folks stevenleser Dec 2011 #90

Why don't we consider some alternatives to The Salvation Army? Ian David Dec 2011 #48

Good idea. Jennicut Dec 2011 #55

Plus, consider donating to your local Food Bank. yardwork Dec 2011 #59

If the link in the post is the only "evidence" to support boycotting a charitable styersc Dec 2011 #50

If you read the article, Are_grits_groceries Dec 2011 #52

Is the Rescue Mission okay? nt eilen Dec 2011 #53

They're also Christian DissedByBush Dec 2011 #54

I denied a request last year GentryDixon Dec 2011 #56

I wish another charity could take their place bell ringing DaveJ Dec 2011 #57

I think Homelessville is on some corners hfojvt Dec 2011 #77

Decades ago my cousin married a woman - lynne Dec 2011 #60

This is not a new thing; I've known about this bullshit for years, but it certainly bares repeating. DRoseDARs Dec 2011 #62

I've been participating in PFLAG's "Kettle Protest" for years Mabus Dec 2011 #64

Like it! Vanje Dec 2011 #68

I found an old link to the "Kettle Protest" (from 12/1/2001) Mabus Dec 2011 #80

That's a good idea. LAGC Dec 2011 #76

Link to the 2001 "Kettle Protest" Mabus Dec 2011 #81

the bell ringers don't work for SA grasswire Dec 2011 #65

I have walked up to the bell ringers and told them Mira Dec 2011 #69

They are a bigoted holdover from a bygone era. Boston_Chemist Dec 2011 #70

I've refused to support them for years HillWilliam Dec 2011 #72

I will continue to emilyg Dec 2011 #73

The LGBT community would like to thank you for your support. Are_grits_groceries Dec 2011 #79

The Salvation Army is the only food bank in our small local community PADemD Dec 2011 #74

they are and have been actively involved in assaulting LGBT rights. AlbertCat Dec 2011 #83

had a nice conversation with my sister at thanksgiving ejpoeta Dec 2011 #84

i never donate to them. DesertFlower Dec 2011 #85

I Always Slip A Check Sized Note In Their Kettle AldebTX Dec 2011 #86

I hear what you are saying but the line this morning is 3 blocks long of people who did not get jwirr Dec 2011 #87

Not only that but a number of years ago fredamae Dec 2011 #88

I don't donate to any religious charities Major Nikon Dec 2011 #89

Local, local, local xxqqqzme Dec 2011 #91