From "Outing the Salvation Army</a
Dec. 23rd, 2004 09:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
theweaselkingThe Salvation Army has a long history of discrimination based on sexual orientation. The organization offers health benefits to married heterosexual employees, their spouses, and children. Single employees are also covered, but no coverage is extended to gay or lesbian domestic partners.
In 2001, the Salvation Army revoked an earlier decision to offer domestic partner benefits in its West Coast division. Prior to reversing the decision, the church/charity was inundated with complaints from outraged supporters who equated the policy with an endorsement of same-sex marriage.
The Washington Post that year leaked a 79-page internal memo from the Salvation Army that claimed President Bush made a "firm commitment" to honor the organization's request to be exempt under Bush's "faith-based" initiative from state and local laws banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
In exchange, said the Post, the Salvation Army agreed to spend nearly $1 million on lobbyists and strategists to vigorously and publicly support the president's pet project.
The Salvation Army's attempt to circumvent local anti-discrimination laws in exchange for its support of the controversial "faith-based initiative," seems to be in direct conflict with its own mission statement to meet human needs "without discrimination."
In 2001, the Salvation Army revoked an earlier decision to offer domestic partner benefits in its West Coast division. Prior to reversing the decision, the church/charity was inundated with complaints from outraged supporters who equated the policy with an endorsement of same-sex marriage.
The Washington Post that year leaked a 79-page internal memo from the Salvation Army that claimed President Bush made a "firm commitment" to honor the organization's request to be exempt under Bush's "faith-based" initiative from state and local laws banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
In exchange, said the Post, the Salvation Army agreed to spend nearly $1 million on lobbyists and strategists to vigorously and publicly support the president's pet project.
The Salvation Army's attempt to circumvent local anti-discrimination laws in exchange for its support of the controversial "faith-based initiative," seems to be in direct conflict with its own mission statement to meet human needs "without discrimination."