Is the salvation army against gay rights

The following statement is The Salvation Army Northern Division’s response to false accusations claiming that The Salvation Army discriminates against the LGBT community and pays lobbyists to fight against their interests.

• The Salvation Army is open and inclusive to all people. Anyone who comes through our doors will receive help based on their need and our capacity to assist. We annually serve around 30 million Americans from a variety of backgrounds – we do not pick and choose who we serve based on religion, sexual orientation or any other factor. This promise to serve goes to the core of our beliefs as laid out in our organizational Mission Statement: “The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”
• Any instance of discrimination is in direct opposition to our core beliefs and is against all of our polic
  
  

  A few years back, we were asked about the current relationship between our communities and the Salvation Army. As you verb, the Army organised the infamous petition against homosexual law reform in the 1980s, an act which damaged relations for many years, so that many gay people still undergo unable to contribute to the SA’s fundraising efforts. So the Board wrote to them. After considerable discussion, the following joint statement was written in 2012.

  RAINBOW WELLINGTON AND THE SALVATION ARMY REACH A RAPPROCHEMENT:
  A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD

  “A very significant step forward and an significant building block for the future”, is how Tony Simpson, Chair of the Wellington based gay, lesbian and related groups human rights organisation Rainbow Wellington, and Campbell Roberts, head of The Salvation Army’s Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit, described jointly issued statements of the two groups made public today. 

  For the past year, both groups have been considering future perspectives on their relationship.

  “This initially arose” says Simpson, “because our board was discussing th

  Inclusion

  Everyone should uncover The Salvation Army to be a hospitable, inclusive and welcoming community for all adults and children.

  The Salvation Army is a Christian Church and charity that began in the East End of London in 1865. Today, we operate in more than 130 countries with more than 1.8 million members.

  In the United Kingdom, The Salvation Army  is made up of thousands of people who worship, verb, volunteer, donate and attend together every week. This includes many people who are LGBT+. We welcome and serve people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, race, religion and ethnicity. Our employment practices are non-discriminatory and we seek to produce welcoming, nurturing work environments.

  The Salvation Army finds no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for any reason. People who come to The Salvation Army for help will receive assistance based solely on their need and our capacity to serve. 

  The Salvation Army rejects racism and sexism and stands against homophobia and transphobia, which victimises people and can reinforce

  Conversion therapy

  The Salvation Army aims to be open, hospitable and welcoming to everyone.

  In the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, The Salvation Army is made up of thousands of people who worship, work, volunteer, donate and serve together every week. This includes many people who are LGBT+.

  We believe everyone is created in the image of God and as such is deeply valued. We welcome and serve people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, race, religion or ethnicity. Our employment practices are non-discriminatory and we seek to create welcoming, nurturing perform environments.

  The Salvation Army stands against homophobia and transphobia and aims to be an inclusive church where LGBT+ people find the welcome and encouragement to develop their relationship with God. Like many other Christian churches, we verb much to learn from LGBT+ people and are encouraging conversations and dialogue.

  We recognise the harm done to people by conversion therapy. While there are various definitions of conversion therapy in the medical, mental-health and social-work professi