So at the store I told the guy ringing the bell why I won't give to the Salvation Army

I was thinking about it as I approached, as he was ringing his bell and looking at me directly.

Rather than avoiding his gaze and ignoring him as I walked by, I stopped and said:

"I'd like to help you out, because I know your organization does good work, but I can't because the Salvation Army is virulently anti-gay. If you want to tell some of the higher ups that I won't give until that changes, feel free. And I think it's safe to say there are millions more like me."

I thought he might be hostile, but he smiled broadly and said: "thank you VERY much."

When I was leaving twenty minutes later, he was involved in a discussion with someone, but as I walked by, he called out to me and thanked me again.

I'm sure this brief, rancor-free encounter will change nothing. But, then again, it's sometimes a million small moments that effect change.

I got home and did something I'd been meaning to get around to for days: I wrote out a check to a community services organization my neighborhood.

ON EDIT: For those who don't know some of the history on this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Salvation_Army#Opposition_to_hiring_homosexuals

and put them in their kettles

http://www.soulforce.org/pdf/kettlevoucher.pdf

taking in Texas depriving little kids of toys unless they can prove they are "merikans"

Seems fitting.

Thom Hartmann said that people from all over were calling in , emphasizing that the Texas Sally Ann was doing this all on their own.

And knowing what I do about the Salvation Army, it's antithetical to deny ANY needy child based on ANY criteria.

it obviously wasn't courageous in the least, and that's not why I did it. He's a guy asking for charity funds. I did it mainly to get it off my chest, because it bugs me everytime I see their symbol.

It's not his fault that the SA is run by a bunch of homophobic nitwits.

They give him 3 hots and a place to sleep for ringing the bell, plus a little spending money. Jeez, what's next? You gonna yell at the teenage girl working the window at burger king because of the practices of the meat packers they get their ground chuck from?

:(

I wasn't going to give any money regardless, so why not respectfully explain why? He may or may not relay my message, but he has a brain and a heart and evidently appreciated the input.

Around here, it's volunteers. My church participates (I don't, for Ruggersons' reasons).

So I think what was done was a good educational moment.

bell-ringers amongst the employees forever (well, at least for the 22 years I've been there), and I'm pretty sure many of the other businesses in town do the same thing.

for instance- my parents spent two hours manning a salvation army kettle for their local church this past sunday. they aren't affiliated with the salvation army at all, in the sense of it being 'their organization'.

regardless of whether they have some more formal membership.

again, in the case of my parents- there are no 'higher-up's' in 'their organization' for them to pass anything along to.
had it been my parents the op had approached, he probably would have received a smile and a 'merry christmas', and that would have been as far as it went.

That's why I won't participate in my church's bell-ringing volunteer gigs, either.

And I've explained that, and made my pitch when I was in the vestry. (Sort of the board of directors of the church). Though many good things are done, I can't get by the discrimination, and I won't take part in it.

I'd bet a large number of people who are volunteering have no idea about the discrimination. So I applaud educating them.

Obama said, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman."

the bell-ringers, by and large have no 'higher-ups' to pass anything onto, because they AREN'T part of the organization.

They have the congress and WH and still...nothing.

...

That's another good reason to bypass the ringers and give straight to organizations that don't discriminate.

teens that usually don't get gifts. He has be doing it for years. We are lower middle class and we felt we had a need to help his organization. I don't give to the salvation army either or any churchs because of the same issues. But to be honest with you I don't think they really care how people who are gay and their supporters really feel. But at least I know this organization is going to help some young teens. There is high unemployment where he lives. I know it isn't much but it is a help. So we all can find a great place to give our money to.

There are just as many if not more and certainly louder anti-gay Christians out there that would boycott them if they did have a friendly gay policy. It wouldn't be long before they reversed a gay friendly policy. The boyscouts are the same way. I would never put my son in boyscouts because of their anti-gay policies. People have tried to challenge their policies and have not been very successful either. I will not be donating to the Salvation Army this year but I doubt I would give a lengthy explanation to the bell ringer why I wasn't donating. I do give you credit for the gesture though.

But rather than tell the bell ringers, I say it to every single person around me instead. It's amazing how little people are aware of what the SA org stands for, and informing them is more effective. As someone else said, they aren't going to change their tune anytime soon. They've promoted the same stance since their inception and that's just the way it is.