A photo has resurfaced of Pete Buttigieg volunteering for the Salvation Army, and reaction has ranged from shock to shrug.
The organization has a long and well-documented history of discriminating against LGBTQ people, raising questions as to why Buttigieg would show it pubic support. It has turned people away from shelters for being transgender and lobbied against marriage equality and anti-discrimination legislation.
The out presidential hopeful has reportedly been collecting donations with the group for years and even held a mayoral event at a Salvation Army center in 2018.
Related: Here’s The Internal Document The Salvation Army Doesn’t Want You To See
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The photo had a polarizing effect on Twitter.
Lol fuckin dumbass pic.twitter.com/k7LkGbEpDz
— DJ ACCIDENT REPORT (@eric_shorey) December 3, 2019
“How can you have your preferred pronouns in your bio yet ring a f*cking bell for a homophobic & transphobic organization,” someone asked. “What next? Is he gonna be posing and eating a chick-fil-a sandwich?”
“I really can’t stand this story,” countered another. “Mayor Pete was out on the streets helping vulnerable people, and you slate him because it’s for an organisation that itself is questionable. But his charitable work isn’t questionable, and it doesn’t make him less gay.”
Related: Officer Speaks Candidly About Life And Struggles As A Bisexual Man Inside The Salvation Army
Salvation Army communications director David Jolley told Out last month that the organization has “evolved” on LGBTQ issues.
“As we build and remodel emergency shelters and transitional housing across the country, we consider ways to help LGBTQ+ individuals feel safe and cared for,” he said, pointing to recent initiatives specifically supporting LGBTQ folks like a homeless shelter for transgender people in Las Vegas.
Buttigieg has not publicly commented.
Chrisk
Hmm..couldn’t he of just did a soup kitchen or food bank? Oh well. His heart is in the right place.
Jenniferp412
OK… He is done. We are not allowed to forgive anyone for anything in their past! That is the rule in the liberal rule book. Goodbye Pete.
PeteP
Democrats need to stop demanding purity and eating their own. This is how you lose elections.
mikeTigg
Bravo! Well said.
masterwill7
Glad that at least some people get it!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
That organization has been very vocal in it’s anti-Gay agenda…
There are plenty of other organizations that Pete could have chosen to work with… Sorry epic failure on that one Pete…
🙁
maleficent
“epic failure….” you’re an epic ignorant fool. shut up
Rex Huskey
He’s a politician and many folks benefit from their collections
timbarguy
By the author’s logic, any LGBT individual who worked for, attended, or sent their kids to a Catholic or Evangelical school or college is guilty of the same sins at Pete. So too would be the gay person who dare volunteer or raise money for a Catholic-run children’s hospital. Oh, the horror! The author needs to realize that 98% of LGBT folks don’t live, breath, and Tweet “all things gay”. They don’t isolate themselves by living in big city gay ghettos, working for an LGBT-focused industry, or writing LGBT purity-test hit pieces for gay rags. Lastly, while the author chooses to see Pete’s actions as a betrayal to his community, I choose to see it for what Pete does well…reaching out to others and building bridges. Imagine the dilemma the Salvation Army execs are having when they see, not just an LGBT individual ringing bells on their behalf…but a leading Presidential candidate no less. THAT is the sort of actions that will change the hearts and minds of the SA. And that is why Pete should be commended, not excoriated. Because this POS article certainly isn’t helping our cause with the SA.
rustyiam
Iv worked with them, great group of people who do a tremendous amount of good work for the needy, when I saw this ridiculous story it reminded me to donate to them again ;). Thanks queerty!
Den
Their website claims “Our hiring practices are open to all, and we provide the same benefits to opposite-sex and same-sex couples.”
In the past they have been banned from San Francisco, but for the last three pride events have had a booth, and an outreach.
Their ulterior motive may well be to “cure” gay folks, as they are evangelical.
But if their aid is offered without discrimination, especially in small communities where it is most needed, we should cut them (and Pete) slack.
And regarding Pete and the democratic field. Unless we want another four years of disruption to the checks and balances in our constitution, corruption and lies, and erosion of hard won rights for people like ourselves; we would be wise to be less myopic in our criticism of candidates.
Den
Accidentally posted that as a response to rustyiam. Clearly he is not a democrat, and likely adores the authoritarian and corrupt nature of Trump.
OzJosh
Homophobia aside, the Salvation Army has also been exposed for prolific child sexual abuse through the years. They’re likely second only to the Catholic Church for the number of abuse cases, and they’re just lucky that it’s the Catholics who have taken the brunt of the media coverage. Yes, they supposedly do “good works”, but given the extent of their abuses it’s fair to say that the good they do isn’t much more than a cover for the evil. And the SA remains virulently and aggressively homophobic. Frankly, supporting either the Catholic Church or the Salvation Army is something no gay man with a conscience should do.
rustyiam
@ den clearly I don’t like the authoritarian and corrupt leftists and for the record I am an independent as are most registered voters. I know people like you just love to put others in a box in order to make your life easier which is too bad because by doing that you shut down any possibility of discussion!
sdwilsn
I think the writer needs to do some background checking on the Salvation Army. Go to their website for example…they help everyone including Gays. Many people are referring to the head of the Salvation Army from 2012 that said marriage should be between a man and woman…However, this organization does many things for LGBTQ people and do not turn them away when they are in need.
JamJewel
I see other gay people in their thrift stores enjoying their great bargains all the time. “Poor” has no orientation.
Den
The “saintly” Pat Robertson has urged people not to go to thrift stores lest they bring home garments in which demons are hiding, waiting to take over their bodies.
Be warned! 😉
Tombear
Sorry, Pete made a mistake. Still comparing Mayor Pete’s accomplishments to Trump is really unfair. Pete the Harvard Graduate, Rhodes scholar to Trump who graduated at the bottom of his class at Wharton. Pete who is committed to one husband while Trump is an adulterer and has been married three times. Pete is a moral intellectual while Trump is a imbecile who is morally reprehensible. Oh, that’s right, Trumpturds are lucky to have a GED! I’m voting for Mayor Pete and I hope you guys and gals will too!
mikeTigg
I completely agree with you and if I could, I would vote for Mayor Pete in a heartbeat but I’m Canadian so I can’t.
I also don’t think Pete made a mistake. Whether we like it or not, The Salvation Army has one of the biggest creds universally as a charity.
rray63
I can’t believe some of the stuff I’m reading. Maybe, we could protest enough to get the Salvation Army shuttered. They are one of the most horrible organizations ever. They do no good. Why don’t you folks open your pockets and put forth the money and good will they do. Shouldn’t be hard.
Michael1500
Realistically, PB is simply reaching out to all elements in his Presidential campaign. I don’t think he’s doing a good deed for “humanity,” but simply campaigning. I’m not criticizing him—- I think he’s the best candidate in the race, and not because he’s gay. He knows it’s highly unlikely that he will even secure his party’s nomination, much less convince the redneck electorate to sweep him into office, so he’s leaving no stone unturned. As a gay man who supports gay causes, I’m not one to think we should actively condemn every organization if they show signs of being “anti-gay.” A lot of those organizations simply support what they perceive to be “American values,” without attacking the gay community directly. The Gays are making more progress with an olive branch of cooperation (not submission) and we don’t need to get hysterical at every small sign that we’re not supported by a certain organization. Sometimes these companies and organizations modify their stance by witnessing the growing groundswell of support for us—- not because we’re in their faces yelling.
Wolfie
It looks like looks an old pic. . Homophobic Salvation Army story was never national news and I really doubt that Pete goes out of his way to read Bil Browning of LGBTQNation. Doubtful he knew or was even aware of it.
ScottOnEarth
Maybe Pete didn’t know about Salvation Army’s history on these topics? Besides, he’s just looking for a photo opp….he doesn’t really care about feeding the hungry.
DuMaurier
Put me in the ‘shrug’ category. The Salvation Army isn’t Focus on the Family or some other single-minded org without any purpose other than destructiveness.
BABloom
I do not support the Army and actively discourage donations. I do however, encourage folks to learn the source of this photo.The staff of the city of South Bend engage in an annual contest where different parts of the government compete to see who can raise the most money in the kettle for individual families in need in their town.
Samuel1966
I wonder how many of you had sat down in a restaurant , gone to a store, or even made a donation without knowing their background! Pete probably didn’t know that Salvation Army was like that. Stop being such a hypocrite because I bet that neither of you make a background check in every place you put your foot in!!!!!!