# The neverending homophobia of the Salvation Army **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 1, 2011, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663 "2011-12-01T03:29:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bloodless\_Turnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@Bloodless\_Turnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bloodless_Turnip)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/21 "2011-12-01T16:04:17Z")
The Salvation Army is the only free residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in the U.S. (that I am aware of). Have you priced alcohol rehab lately? They also provide shelter for the homeless, jobs, food, clothing, elderly daycare services, youth services, and disaster aid among other things. The SA is international, they do good work here and in many countries. I don’t agree with their stand on LGBT, but that doesn’t mean I don’t agree with the many good works they do. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/22 "2011-12-01T16:07:18Z")
There are hundreds of free residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers in the US. Pretty much every state operates at least one. ---
**Author:** ![Bloodless\_Turnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@Bloodless\_Turnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bloodless_Turnip)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/23 "2011-12-01T16:14:22Z")
You are correct **Really** , but many of those are government funded centers. Doing a [quick search](http://www.choosehelp.com/florida/free-or-affordable-drug-alcohol-rehabs-in-florida), I see more “low cost” options are available now than when I last had need to check. Glad to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/24 "2011-12-01T16:26:45Z")
I suspect nearly all of them are government funded. I don’t see what difference that makes, though. I put forth that there would be more charities operating free rehab centers if the Salvation Army money was going to them. ---
**Author:** ![Bloodless\_Turnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@Bloodless\_Turnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bloodless_Turnip)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/25 "2011-12-01T16:32:59Z")
Salvation Army is a charity. Government funded rehabilitation centers are not a charity. This thread is about the SA charity. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/26 "2011-12-01T16:43:04Z")
> [@Bloodless\_Turnip](#): > > Have you priced alcohol rehab lately? I could never afford it. Unless I gave up drinking, which I don’t want to do. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/27 "2011-12-01T16:47:33Z")
> [@Bloodless\_Turnip](#): > > Salvation Army is a charity. Government funded rehabilitation centers are not a charity. > > This thread is about the SA charity. Your point seemed to be that people should keep donating to the SA because otherwise there wouldn’t be any free rehab centers. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/28 "2011-12-01T16:55:53Z")
There are plenty of non-homophobic charities, and my donations will go towards them instead. I don’t care how many other good works they do; if an organization actively perpetrates bigotry and discrimination, they won’t get my money. ---
**Author:** ![perfectparanoia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@perfectparanoia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perfectparanoia)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/29 "2011-12-01T17:20:16Z")
There are two facets to the Salvation Army; the religion and the good works projects. The money you put into the kettles goes 100% towards their good works projects. They have a very low overhead and approximately 90% of the money goes directly to people who really need it. I will continue to donate. ---
**Author:** ![Lust4Life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ecc23a/32.png) [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/30 "2011-12-01T17:25:25Z")
I give money to the S.A. because they tackle the unglamorous charity cases. The alcaholics, tramps and drug abusers. The people who smell of piss, vomit and b.o. The people who are likely to shout and swear at those they are being helped by rather then showing gratitude. People like giving money to, and helping with, the fluffy, photogenic charities. If the charity has kids or animals as its subject then they’re on to a winner. I don’t condone their alleged homophobic stance, but they do do a lot of good. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/31 "2011-12-01T17:31:19Z")
> [@perfectparanoia](#): > > The money you put into the kettles goes 100% towards their good works projects. Do you have a citation for this? ---
**Author:** ![Mopal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/aeb1de/32.png) [@Mopal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mopal)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/32 "2011-12-01T23:17:28Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Also, people do complain, rightfully, about the outrageous salaries taken by executives of some charitable and non-profit organizations. My understanding is that SA soldiers and officers (they really do use military titles) get really miniscule salaries. They also get free housing, a uniform allowance, and various other expense accounts. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/33 "2011-12-01T23:34:08Z")
> [@shiftless](#): > > So what are the good deeds the SA does with their donations? SA is a religion, so any money they take in is for that religion. If they do good deeds with the money, good for them, but it has never been clear to me what it is they do that is “good”, other than run thrift shops. > [@Bloodless\_Turnip](#): > > The Salvation Army is the only free residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in the U.S. (that I am aware of). Have you priced alcohol rehab lately? > > They also provide shelter for the homeless, jobs, food, clothing, elderly daycare services, youth services, and disaster aid among other things. > > The SA is international, they do good work here and in many countries. > > I don’t agree with their stand on LGBT, but that doesn’t mean I don’t agree with the many good works they do. I once stayed in a SA homeless shelter for nine months. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/34 "2011-12-01T23:42:21Z")
People are shocked that a group that combines evangelism with militarism is homophobic? Really? ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/35 "2011-12-01T23:44:30Z")
Who said that they were shocked? ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/36 "2011-12-01T23:45:22Z")
I was a bit surprised when I heard. Yes, really. I wouldn’t go so far as to say “shocked,” though. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2011, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/37 "2011-12-01T23:46:23Z")
> [@Bloodless\_Turnip](#): > > Salvation Army is a charity. Government funded rehabilitation centers are not a charity. > > This thread is about the SA charity. You are aware that the government funds charitable organizations and activities all the time, right? I can name 20 off the top of my head in the Indianapolis area alone. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/38 "2011-12-02T00:05:42Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Well, like I said above, if the other guys stood at store entrance, rang bells, and solicited donations But that is a very inefficient way to get donations! Quite a high overhead involved in that method of raising donations. That just seems to me to be another reason for not giving to them – I want my money to go to charities that operate efficiently. P.S. The overhead would be higher if they weren’t exploiting the actual bell-ringers. They are paid very little (some even volunteers) for doing that monotonous job out in the cold. And if you are giving money out of pity for those bell-ringers, it doesn’t help them any. They don’t get to come in out of the cold earlier if they collect more, and their pay isn’t increased if there is more in the bucket. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/39 "2011-12-02T00:10:12Z")
Their response: > **[The Salvation Army—Naughty or Nice? - The Chicagoist](https://chicagoist.com/2010/11/29/the_salvation_armynaughty_or_nice.php)** > > The Salvation Army—Naughty or Nice? “This comes up from time to time, and I really feel it is one of the topics about which the Salvation Army is most misunderstood,” explained Jeffrey Curnow, public and corporate relations manager for the Salvation Army, via e-mail. “I appreciate the opportunity to correct the record when it does come up. In fact, the Salvation Army serves countless people across the country every day from any variety of backgrounds, including gays and lesbians. This number probably reaches into the thousands, though it is impossible for us to determine, primarily because we would simply never ask about a person’s sexual identity.” “Because The Salvation Army is a church we do have theological positions on a variety of topics,” said Curnow. “These positions are intended for our church members or those who are interested in our church. Just as you wouldn’t expect everyone you meet to share all your ideas or beliefs, we would never expect everyone we help, our donors, or even our non-church-member employees to necessarily agree with these theological positions.” ---
**Author:** ![Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ed655f/32.png) [@Crown\_Prince\_of\_Irony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crown_Prince_of_Irony)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663/40 "2011-12-02T00:12:23Z")
Wow - I honestly am shocked. I had no idea that SA was so backward in their views on equality. I actually worked in one of their thrift shops in Eugene OR for a couple years, and there were at least two gay employees in my time there, and a bunch of gay volunteers, and I’m pretty sure I served at least a few gay people who had clothing vouchers from our local headquarters. But then again, this was in Eugene, OR, which tends to run pretty liberal, so maybe they knew that wouldn’t fly. Since I used to work for them, I usually give a few bucks in the bucket every holiday season, and we donate our old stuff to them sometimes, but if this is all true, they certainly won’t be getting any more donations from me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-neverending-homophobia-of-the-salvation-army/604663.md?page=3)