This Holiday Season, Invest Your Spare Change Wisely

Ring-a-ling! The sounds of the holiday season are upon us, as are the efforts of many non-profit organizations to raise money for their work toward assisting those in need.

Many donors give a lot of thought before contributing to a charitable cause; others may give spontaneously when approached on the street or solicitated by telephone. There are many reasons to give and many worthy charitable causes – and we all know there is a great deal of need in the world.

But what if a charitable organization has a policy that is discriminatory in nature toward a group of people, based on a specific characteristic?

In 2001, the Genesee County (Michigan) chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) called for a boycott of the Salvation Army’s holiday donation kettles because of the organization’s failure to provide employee benefits to same-sex domestic partners, a policy which still exists today. Other LGBT advocacy groups followed, and an annual call for a boycott on the red kettle campaign continues today.

Like many faith-based organizations, the Salvation Army does good work around the world to help the poor and needy. And, as an evangelical church, the Salvation Army has a right to operate according to their beliefs and policies. You can learn more about the specific policies of the Salvation Army here.

Interestingly, the policy of  Human Sexuality (Marriage & Family Life, Sexuality & Singleness, Homosexuality is currently listed as under review, no doubt because of heightened public awareness around their position on homosexuality. The Human Rights Campaign captured the original policy before it was removed from the SA website, sometime within the past year:

Scripture forbids sexual intimacy between members of the same sex. The Salvation Army believes, therefore, that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life. There is no scriptural support for same-sex unions as equal to, or as an alternative to, heterosexual marriage.

Likewise, there is no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for reason of his or her sexual orientation. The Salvation Army opposes any such abuse.

In keeping with these convictions, the services of The Salvation Army are available to all who qualify, without regard to sexual orientation. The fellowship of Salvation Army worship is open to all sincere seekers of faith in Christ, and membership in The Salvation Army church body is open to all who confess Christ as Savior and who accept and abide by The Salvation Army’s doctrine and discipline.  (from HRC’s web page, Stances of Faith on LGBT Issues)

There are many charitable organizations in need of your support this holiday season. Consider giving locally, to a nonprofit that serves your own neighborhood or community, and that makes every effort to avoid discriminating against anyone, either in policy or in practice.

SOME HELPFUL LINKS

Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership Membership Directory (primarily for Marin County; an internet search will lead you to similar organizations in other counties)

Guidestar - a guide to charitable organizations in the U.S.

Centerlink – an online directory of LGBT centers in the U.S.