Let us explain.
psychotherapist
On Monday, star and licensed psychotherapist and social worker Karamo Brown shared that he was working with the Salvation Army. But he’s not the first celeb to partner with the controversial company.
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karamo / Via instagram.com
“So excited to help the @salvationarmyus #RescueChristmas this year!” Karamo captioned his post on Instagram. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the holidays will be harder on our most vulnerable neighbors. Donate through RescueChristmas.org to provide food, shelter, and presents under the tree for families in need! 🎄🎁”
He joins the likes of other big-name stars, like Becky G, Meghan Trainor, Carrie Underwood, Destiny’s Child, Chris Rock, Kelly Clarkson, and Kim Kardashian, among others, who have worked with the Salvation Army in the past.
Christopher Polk
Read the full list on SA’s website here.
Karamo soon started facing backlash after posting his partnership with the org: “Karamo continues to be so disappointing,” one person wrote.
Karamo continues to be so disappointing.
“Can his PR team do any research before he co-signs an organization with known anti-LGBTQ views?” one person tweeted.
Can his PR team do any research before he co-signs an organization with known Anti-LGBTQ views. @Karamo https://t.co/35V4j0r49X
Here’s why that backlash is warranted.
Vox
Huffington Post
Advocate
The Salvation Army does, in fact, have a long history of anti-LGBTQ controversies and allegations dating back to the ’80s, according to Vox , Huffington Post , and Advocate
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But more recently, in 2012, a case worker for a Vermont Salvation Army branch alleged that she was fired after her supervisor learned she was bisexual.
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That same year — in an attempt to deny that the Salvation Army was anti-LGBTQ — spokesperson George Hood said , “A relationship between same-sex individuals is a personal choice that people have the right to make. But from a church viewpoint, we see that going against the will of God.”
Mario Tama / Getty Images
Sexual orientation is not a choice, and it is not against the will of God. Period.
Tim Boyle / Getty Images
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In 2017, The Salvation Army branch in Brooklyn reportedly rejected transgender people at their substance abuse centers, according to ThinkProgress.
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Still, “The Salvation Army provides all of our services, including but not limited to: food, shelter and support of survivors of human trafficking; according to one’s gender identity,” said SA rep Laura Krueger in 2017.
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The Salvation Army has continued to emphasize that it is not anti-LGBTQ, but because of its past and recent controversies, a lot of people have a hard time believing them.
The salvation army forced a trans homeless woman to freeze to death bc they kicked her out of a shelter bc she was trans. Do not give them shit. https://t.co/eN7amZSRq5
FUCK THE SALVATION ARMY THREAD
Twitter: @milknmuffins
@milknmuffins / Via Twitter: @milknmuffins
As a reminder, as someone who was homeless: Salvation Army makes you pray for your meals. They make you sit up and beg like a dog. They hate queer people. They hate trans people. They are a lie of an organization. Support groups like Outside In instead. https://t.co/mlBNOwgoTy
So, maybe this holiday season — especially when funds and resources are so sparse — think twice about which charities you donate to. Do the research, and make sure you’re standing with the right organization!
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