If you are local to Portland, you may have seen this post on Portland Rescue Mission last year. My first car was actually purchased through Portland Rescue Mission and it shocked and saddened me to read that they discriminate against gay people.
Today I came across this post, which bummed me out even more. As you know, I used to LOVE Salvation Army. Despite the giant cross on the wall, I liked to shop there. We attended a new store’s grand opening recently. I’ve found great stuff there. But le sigh, I am not going to be shopping there anymore.
The Salvation Army has a history of active discrimination against gays and lesbians. While you might think you’re helping the hungry and homeless by Thumbnail image for Why you shouldn’t give to the Salvation Armydropping a few dollars in the bright red buckets, not everyone can share in the donations. Many LGBT people are rejected by the evangelical church charity because they’re “sexually impure.”
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The organization also has a record of actively lobbying governments worldwide for anti-gay policies – including an attempt to make consensual gay sex illegal. (Yes, you’re paying lobbyists with those donations.)
Whether you are an avid thrifter like me or have thrown some change to their bell-ringers, please don’t support this awful ‘charity’. Despite raising prices, Goodwill does not discriminate. Value Village has no mention of religion on their website and are generally my favorite chain thrift store. Deseret Industries is affiliated with the LDS church but I haven’t found any mention of discrimination. If you have information that I have left out or more stores to suggest, please leave it in the comments!
