The announcement by the Salvation Army in
California that it would provide domestic partner
benefits, DPB's, to their employees in the western
US. This would include gays, lesbians and
the unmarried partners of the Salvation Army's. Covering the 13 states that are
apart of the
Western Division/Corporation. This policy change in direct opposition to
their long history of
basing national policy
decisions on Christian and Pro-Family beliefs.
Whether due to the loss
of funds by San
Francisco's landmark Equal Benefits Ordinance, requires city contractors to
offer DPB's. An honest effort to be fair in
it's treatment of it's employees. Or deflect the negative
publicity received from their covert
operation to obtain Exceptions, Protections and Special
Rights from
President Bush, in exchange
for their support of Bush's faith-based initiative.
[Multiple Articles on the NSA and Bush Faith-Based Initiative, TBC News Archives -Gay Rights National]
Albeit, whatever their reasoning, this "would
have been" a giant step in establishing equality
in the workplace for
gays, lesbians and unmarried partners.
Yes, I said "would have been", that is
because the Commissioners of the National Salvation
Army, NSA, caved to pressure from the
anti-gay right-wing evangelical Christian organizations
Family Research
Council, FRC, and American Family Association, AFA. [AFA Action Alerts],
To prevent any of it's divisions and/or corporations form extending DPB's to their gay and
lesbian employees, the commissioners quickly established a national policy that limits health
benefit access to an employee's spouse and dependent children only, effective
immediately.
Their actions crushed
the hopes of gay and lesbians that we were about
to take that giant step
closer to equality in
the workplace. This policy decision by NSA, exposes their desire to
be
identified as a
repressive anti-gay organizations.
Now it's time, the Salvation Army learn
they will be held accountable for their decision supporting
discrimination against gays and lesbians and
the cost of doing so. Commissioner of the Salvation
Army, Lawrence R. Moretz, said: "We will not sign any government contract or
any other funding contracts that contain domestic partner benefit
requirements." This is not the only loss they will
they will see. I ask that you join with Tampa
Bay Coalition, GLBT and Pro-GLBT organizations
across the nation, by with holding donations
to the Salvation Army. Following the lead of PFLAG
from Flint Michigan, in their protest of the NSA's discriminatory polices. Instead
of dropping your
dollars into the bell ringers kettles who
will be in front of stores everywhere. Drop a note
into the
kettle, with one side informing them, you
usual donation of $ 5. or $ 10., will not be forth coming
due to their discriminatory polices of their
gays and lesbian employees. On the other side of the
note, urges the Salvation Army to change
its "discriminatory policy." [sample note]. TBC has
sent messages to the Salvation
Army, expressing disappointment, outrage and an appeal to
reconsider their decision to prevent other
divisions/corporations from making their own policy.
Along with establishing a National Policy of
Equality for all their employee's and repeal policies
that promote discrimination in any way of
their gay and lesbian employee's or public services.
Please, take a moment and share your opinion,
be polite, yet stern in your opposition to their
policy of discrimination against gays and
lesbians. Cleveland Anti Racist Action has created a
TBC created a protest note that can be
printed out and used to be deposited into Sally Anne's
Kettles. Additionally, we have Salvation Army
Boycott Donations Banners that can be placed
on your web site. It will show your visitors
that you support equality for all employees in their
workplace and will help spread the word of
the national protest. This link will take you to TBC's
The Salvation Army National Headquarters
Commissioner John Busby
National Commander
615 Slaters Lane
P.O. Box 269
Alexandria, VA 22313
Telephone: (703) 684-5500
Fax: (703) 684-3478
John R. Jones, Major
Community Relations
& Development Secretary
As always, your dedication and support is
greatly appreciated. Together we are making a
positive difference in the quality of the
lives of our Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgender
brothers and sisters.
Take Good Care My Friends
Zeke
R. Zeke Fread
Organizer -
Coordinator
Tampa Bay Coalition
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