Donation dilemma: Red Cross, Salvation Army raise questions for gay donors

[kweerwolf]

Two of the most prominent non-profit agencies providing relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina have complicated histories on gay issues, raising questions for gay donors who want their gifts to help victims of the natural disaster without also hurting the fight for gay civil rights.

In addition to helping disaster victims, the American Red Cross supplies almost half of the nation's blood supply, according to its Web site. But in 2001, the agency drew fire from some gay critics when it urged the federal Food & Drug Administration to continue a rule banning blood donations from gay men.

<snip>

THE SALVATION ARMY, another prominent agency offering help to Katrina victims, has an even more controversial record on gay issues.

A church as well as a charity, the Salvation Army stands firm in its fundamental belief that homosexuality is not condoned in scripture, but "we have no stance against the gay community whatsoever," Maj. George Hood, the Salvation Army's national community relations and development secretary, said in a 2003 interview.

http://www.southernvoice.com/2005/9-9/view/actionalert/actionalert.cfm

[rox63]

1. I gave to the Red Cross

Because they are on the ground feeding and housing people. I know the Salvation Army does that as well. But at least the Red Cross does it without a religious message attached. And even though they are a somewhat religious organization, I may contribute to Habitat for Humanity. Because all those people will need housing somewhere. And Habitat is pretty unique in it's mission to build houses for people.

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. The Red Cross is NOT a religious organization

The symbol of the International Committee of the Red Cross, of which the American Red Cross is an affiliate, comes from the national flag of Switzerland, where the Red Cross got it's start. In Muslim countries, crosses of any sort are considered Christian icons (whether they are or not) and so the symbol and name of the Red Cross are replaced by the Red Crescent.

The ICRC was founded in Geneva, Switzerland -- a country that has stayed neutral in most conflicts in the last centuries -- in 1863 to organize an "army of medical services" during times of war. With the creation of the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC was given the authority to investigate and implement the terms of the conventions. It's current mission is humanitarian aid in the face of any major emergency, be it war or natural disaster.

While many leading members and proponents of the ICRC have been Christian, the organization itself is entirely secular, with a humanitarian, not religious, purpose.

See:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Red_Cross_and_Red_Crescent_Movement

[TechBear_Seattle]

2. I will NEVER support the Salvation Army

Back in the mid 80s, I was a deacon with the Metropolitan Community Church of Tucson. At that time, the church was downtown and we had a lot of homeless people -- many of them gay men who knew and trusted MCC -- come to us seeking assistance. We sent many of those men to the SA shelter about three blocks from us.

Until they realized that we were a "gay church" and that many of the referrals we were making were gay men. The local Salvation Army commandery sent us a polite but firm letter notifying us that they would not longer accept any referrals we made for those reasons. It seemed that their "moral vision" was far more important than their moral mission.

[fudge stripe cookays]

4. Unbelievable.

Thanks for the info.

I knew they were not sympathetic, but I had no idea how much. I've found a group here in Dallas to help; going through either of these orgs has been bothering me.

My family has its own history with the Red Cross, and now that I know this about the Salvation Army, I'm even more disgusted.

FSC

[TaleWgnDg]

10. Nor will I support The Salvation Army . . . see my post #8 in this thread

[kweerwolf]

5. I have mixed feelings on the Red Cross, the the Salvation Army ...

... never gets a cent of my money.

When they have bell-ringers out during the holidays, I've put notes in their kettles that I will not support the SA and will give money to other charities as long as they continue their anti-gay stance.

Not that it's done any good so far, but at least it makes me feel better. :)

[TaleWgnDg]

8. . . . now, you've hit a cord . . . !!

.
As for the Salvation Army . . . now, you've hit a cord!!

Why do I say that?

Because the Salvation Army is a religion. As such it has the complete and broad protection of the first amendment's freedom of religion. Meaning? That the Salvation Army may discriminate pursuant to its religious tenets. What are those religious tenets? Homophobia. Yes, the Salvation Army openly and continuously does discriminate against gays, period. It will not hire gays. It will fire gays if outed. And, it teaches homophobia.

However, this homophobic religious "charity" called The Salvation Army receives more donations -- more money -- than any other charitable institution in America!

Another tidbit about the Salvation Army. Not too long ago a local attorney brought a federal claim against the Salvation Army regarding its practice of "reforming" drug addicts and alcoholics by using them as a workforce at the Salvation Army but not giving them minimum wages. Well, that attorney came down hard on the Salvation Army as did the court too. Nope, merely because the 'Army housed, fed, clothed, and gave the addicts a stipend does not mean that they are slaves. Indeed.

So much for the Salvation Army. NO WAY, I SAY !!!!!

Here's a website that seems to be an independent organization which deploys accountability on charities. It claims it is "America's Largest Charity Evaluator." In other words, b4 you write out that check/donation know where your money goes . . .

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

.

[Meldread]

6. Simple: Give to gay organizations.

There are plenty of heteros looking out for heteros. We need to look out for our own first. Also, it isn't likely that we'll see major donations coming from straights and we know for a fact that most non-gay organizations will give LGBT folks a hard time. Look out for our own, that should be our motto when dealing with who to send money and other donations too.

[Ian David]

7. Gay-friendly and progressive relief organizations and complicating factors

Secular Humanist Aid and Relief Effort
https://secure.ga3.org/05/donate_to_help_katrina_victims

Hurricane Katrina LGBT Relief Fund
http://www.nyacyouth.org

Rainbow World Fund
http://www.rainbowworldfund.org

Humanist Charities
https://www.americanhumanist.org/secure/humanistcharities.php

Network For Good
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/






Katrina Delivers Second Blow To Gay Families
by Fidel Ortega 365Gay.com Miami Bureau

Posted: September 1, 2005 5:00 pm ET

(Dallas, Texas) Recovering from the devastation of hurricane Katrina may be particularly difficult for same-sex couples who are not recognized in any of the three states directly hit by the storm or in those states where refugees have fled.

Louisiana has a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and prevents the state from recognizing any legal status for common-law relationships, domestic partnerships or civil unions. Mississippi and Alabama both have defense of marriage acts which also deny rights to gay and lesbian couples.

The Federal Defense of Marriage Act prevents FEMA from providing any relief in the form of family benefits to same-sex couples.

The laws also will directly impact gay and lesbian families where one partner has died as a result of the hurricane.

Federal DOMA bars Social Security survivor benefits. State benefits would also be denied.

<snip>
The Red Cross was the first major aid agency to help gay and lesbian couples in the immediate aftermath of 9-11.


More:
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/09/090105nolaGay.htm


In partnership with many organizations around the country, the Family Pride Coalition and our partners have launched the “Hurricane Katrina LGBT Relief Fund” to ensure that LGBT youth and families, among the most vulnerable members of our community, receive the critical support they need to regain stability in their lives.

The next few days are critical. No amount is too small to make a difference.

Outstanding national partners are working together to support this effort and are listed below. More groups are joining all the time.

You can invest in this life-saving effort right now at http://www.nyacyouth.org /.

Thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4508159



Humanists support disaster relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

You may opt to have 5% of your donation go toward the creation of the Humanist Charities. All contributions are tax deductible.

Please fill in the following information to make a contribution to Hurricane Katrina relief and the creation of Humanist Charities.

If you wish to participate in this program, you can donate online through the AHA�s form on this page.

Go to:
https://www.americanhumanist.org/secure/humanistcharities.php



Gays Open Wallets For Katrina Relief
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: September 13, 2005 11:00 am ET


(Houston, Texas) Gays and lesbians across the country have opened their hearts and their wallets to the victims of hurricane Katrina.

The world's largest LGBT aid organization, the Rainbow World Fund, so far has raised $250,000 for relief efforts, and more money is coming in daily. The money is being given to America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest food bank network, to provide food aid to the survivors.

The fund is unique in that it specifies the money comes from the LGBT community. It also does not use any of the money raised to cover its operating expenses.

Second Harvest provides meals and groceries to survivors, transports foods, and secures additional warehouse space to help ASH's food banks - many of which were affected by Katrina - to restore service and operations.

More:
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/09/091305nola.htm


Also:

Rainbow World Fund
The Rainbow World Fund is a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and supportive heterosexual humanitarian service agency. Rainbow World Fund’s mission is to promote LGBT philanthropy in the area of world humanitarian relief. Endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign
Details
http://www.rainbowworldfund.org/


Network For Good
The Network For Good is an e-philanthropy site where individuals can donate, volunteer and get involved with the issues they care about. Founded in 2001 by the Time Warner Foundation and AOL, Inc.; the Cisco Foundation and Cisco Systems, Inc.; and Yahoo! Inc., Network for Good is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Features links and online giving to all major charities.
Details
http://www.networkforgood.org/topics/animal_environ/hurricanes/

More:
http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/083105hurricane.htm

[TaleWgnDg]

9. I strongly disagree with your assessment of America's 2nd Harvest . . .

.
I strongly disagree with your assessment of America's Second Harvest . . . IanDB1, your post states:

Gays Open Wallets For Katrina Relief
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: September 13, 2005 11:00 am ET

(Houston, Texas) Gays and lesbians across the country have opened their hearts and their wallets to the victims of hurricane Katrina.

The world's largest LGBT aid organization, the Rainbow World Fund, so far has raised $250,000 for relief efforts, and more money is coming in daily. The money is being given to America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest food bank network, to provide food aid to the survivors.

The fund is unique in that it specifies the money comes from the LGBT community. It also does not use any of the money raised to cover its operating expenses.

Second Harvest provides meals and groceries to survivors, transports foods, and secures additional warehouse space to help ASH's food banks - many of which were affected by Katrina - to restore service and operations. (boldface-type emphasis added by TaleWgnDg)

America's Second Harvest by its own admission funnels its services through religious institutions to deliver and/or distribute its services/goods to the end victims. Are some of those religions homophobic? discriminate against gays? work against gay civil rights? Here, on America's Second Harvest website it states:

""Q: What Kinds of Organizations Operate A2H Emergency Food Programs?

A: 76% of pantries, 71% of kitchens, and 43% of shelters are run by faith-based agencies affiliated with churches, mosques, synagogues, and other religious organizations" http://www.secondharvest.org/site_content.asp?s=82
see also: http://www.secondharvest.org/site_content.asp?s=235

In light of this . . . I strongly urge all w/i the LGBT community and those who support the community . . . to check out alternatives to A2H. In addition, an apparent independent charity evaluation organization is http://www.charitynavigator.org/ . . . look up America's Second Harvest and see how it is rated. However, it will not be rated as to GLBT issues but only as to fiscal accountability. In contrast, see how the American Red Cross is rated. Then take a look here where Charity Navigator posts 4-star charities (highest rating). Are there any GLBT charities listed there? Understand what is contained w/i that ratings system.

.

[Ian David]

12. Thanks for the heads-up on that. n/t

[TaleWgnDg]

11. Yes to the Red Cross; and a huge "NO!" to the Salvation Army.

(1.) The American Red Cross is one of America's oldest non-religious charities. It has no affiliation with any religion! It does not discriminate against GLBTs. However, that being stated, I believe that its policy not to accept blood from any male who claims to have had sex w/ another male w/i a certain time-frame is misguided and misdirected and is probably protection against litigation only. Otherwise, the American Red Cross has done outstanding charitable service for years across America w/o regard for race, creed, color, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or minority status.

(2.) The Salvation Army

Bill Berkowitz
WorkingForChange.com
7/24/01

Discrimination, Faith-Based Style: The Story Behind the Salvation Army’s Secret Anti-Gay Discrimination Plan with the President

Behind closed doors, the Salvation Army and the Bush Administration spent months working on a secret plan. In exchange for mobilizing on behalf of the president's faltering faith-based initiative, the administration would make a "firm commitment" to legislation circumventing state and local anti-discrimination measures barring discriminatory hiring practices against gays and lesbians. Revelations in the Washington Post blew the lid off that puppy. Now, the president's faith-based initiative may be jammed up for months to come.

The 79-page, Salvation Army internal document, dated May 1, was uncovered by the Post in early July. Within 24 hours of the paper's first story - before you could shout, "compassionate conservatism" - Democratic legislators, and dozens of gay, civil rights and liberal organizations registered their outrage. The administration started backpedaling quicker than a Michael Jackson moonwalk.

http://www.workingforchange.com/article.cfm?ItemID=11613
.

.

[bluedawg12]

13. No dilemma: Just say NO! to SA

Give to Noah's Wish they rescue animlas from disaster, that is their only mission hey don't over lap with other animal groups.

Check 'em out Noah's Wish on the net.

Fundamentally, a code word.

Fundamentally it is the belief of gay Americans that it is immoral to support groups whose agenda openly discriminates against all of God's children and selectively scapegoat, shame, and judge gays.


Talking Points:

Jesus came to introduce The New Laws .

The Beatitudes in St. Matthew are quite in accordance with the scope and the tendency of the First Gospel, in which the spiritual character of the Messianic kingdom -- the paramount idea of the Beatitudes -- is consistently put forward, in sharp contrast with Old Testament prejudices.

Jesus moved beyond Leviticus. And so did modern day christians, otherwise the SA wold be sacrificing goats.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill. (Verse 6)

Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Verse 10)

-Mathew: Verses 6 and 10.