Kory Hurst

Hi [Name Withheld],

I was hoping to catch you before you replied to my previous message. I saw another article suggesting that the Salvation Army is homophobic.

http://www.xtra.ca/public/National/Dont_put_your_pink_dollars_in_Sally_Anns_kettles-9494.aspx

The banning of transsexuals incident is real, but it was 9 years ago, perhaps the position of the Salvation Army has changed. Do you currently have segregated shelters? Can transsexuals choose which shelters they go to? Are any of your shelters open to transsexuals?

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TNUKdigest/message/1676

The links at the bottom of that page, I don’t find particularly damning. Although I would appreciate some further information about your intervention in the Canada v Mossop case. I guess I could presume that the Salvation Army does not support extending benefits to same sex couples, but that would just be a presumption. Does Salvation Army Canada oppose extending benefits to same sex couples?

The other two links I don’t really think related to the Salvation Army’s policy on homosexuality.

I realize that I have given you some detailed and specific questions, and I appreciate you spending the time to try to answer them.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks again,

Kory

Preamble:
Saw this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXcSQ6OW6oA and the links in the description, and was frankly stunned. Then I got my Christmas mailing form Salvation Army, and thought I better dig some more. Sorry, this is just raw text, as it was sent to them (web form).

Begin Note:

I have often donated in the past, and received a standard mailing for Christmas.

I am hesitant to give because of the position statements about homosexuality and marriage on the Salvation Army USA web site (here: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf/vw-dynamic-index/B6F3F4DF3150F5B585257434004C177D?Opendocument).

Here are some other disturbing links:

Salvation Army opposes repeal of Section 28

http://tinyurl.com/yb4hvnr

“Salvation Army: Deal Made To Promote Faith Initiative” (10 July 2001)

http://tinyurl.com/ydpa29m

“Charity Is Told It Must Abide By Antidiscrimination Laws” (11 July 2001)

http://tinyurl.com/yzr2kuq

“Salvation Army Uses Homeless To Fight Gay Benefits” (24 May 2004)

http://tinyurl.com/2ef7kdm

I don’t see anything like this on the Canadian.

What is the relationship between the Salvation Army Canada and the US and Internation Salvation Army Organizations?

Does the Canadian Salvation Army have a different position on homosexuality?

I would like to give again, as I appreciate the good work that you do, especially in Vancouver. However I could not donate to an organization with these positions.

Thank you,

Kory