Every year, Watermark offers its readers an alternative to simply boy-cotting the Salvation Army‘s holiday donation drive – downloadable slips to place in the red buckets instead, stating that you do not support the Salvation Army based on their anti-gay history, practices and attitude.
We always get tons of reactions – some good, some VERY VERY ANGRY.
This year, we thought our readers might be interested to hear what others have to say about our initiative to boycott the bellringers.
Facebook comments
“Just say no to the bell ringers with the little red buckets. Haters don’t deserve your donations.” — Roanne Saliba
“They have supported my family at our greatest need twice. And because they helped my parents(lost home in a fire in the late 1960’s) as well as my sister(domestic violence victim whom her ex was murdered a month after she escaped) in their biggest time of need, that is enough of a reason to indeed donate to the Salvation army. No matter what their stance is.” — Arlene Gutierrez
“Let them know it’s not ok and will cost them donations. Print lots and put them in every kettle you see. Let the bell ringers know too. Chances are they may not know themselves.” — Shawn Bernquist
“Great idea! Will definitely print some out and put them in the buckets. Shame on them – yes, they do a lot of good for a lot of people, but that does NOT absolve them.” — Bill Hirschi
“Drop this in their little bucket!” — Jessa Hartzell
People who filled out the WatermarkOnline.com “Contact Us” form
“My question is: how you perverts can sleep when you are trying to take way benefits for the poor. Shame on you!” — Zorro Torres
“Gay poeple, I well never put one of your papers into that RED KETTLE.Those poeple are there for a very good reason, to help the needy.That’s more then I can say about you.Needy poeple need help,so why do you gay poeple protest that for?” — Byron Potter
“Why would your org. stoop so low as to attack the Salvation Army who provides desperately needed help to the poor?” — Lisa D’Alia
“Shame shame on you for talking about boycotting the Salvation Army. They help ALL people regardless of anything.” — Michaele Lucca
“Why is it important to you to lie about the Salvation Army. In thiis day and age it is very simple to get true information. The Salvation Army is truly a wonderful organization that does not discriminate against anyone including your constituent lgbt readers. What you are doing is truly immoral and unethical as well as hypocritical. You should really do your homework and then apologize to the Salvation Army.” — John Greene
“You sick ass queers are only doing a disservice to the homeless and needy by your stupid boycott of the Salvation Army.” — Jerry Douglas
Emailed responses
“Thanks to much for sending this to us. We have been reminding the Salvation Army about their anti-gay stance for many years. And yes, we do not contribute.” — Carl & Bob
“I never give to them at anytime of the year. Once they stop the hate I will reconsider.” — Steven Powell
“I don’t know if the Salvation Army pays any of its ringers. I do know that, some years ago when I belonged to a church in Tampa, a group of us from the church volunteered to be bell ringers for two-hour shifts at local stores. I’m sure that many well meaning people still stand out in the cold and ring those bells because of the good feeling it gives to believe you’re doing something nice for someone in need. I’m no longer a bell ringer, and I haven’t given to the Salvation Army for years (since I learned about their anti-LGBT policies). But I’ll be happy to use Watermark’s statements as “donations,” so they keep getting the message. Thanks! — Eunice Fisher
“Only the abominable queer community could stoop lower then a snakes belly and boycott such a Godly organization as the salvation army. Another anytime low reached by an alltime low reaching antChrist pack of animals ..” — cyberpreacher25
And just for fun… after Watermark was mentioned by name in The Catholic League’s press release titled “GAYS CONDEMN THE SALVATION ARMY,” slamming us for encouraging people to boycott:
“Uh oh….now you got the Pope pissed off.” — Randy Stephens
“They can condemn but when it’s done to them they don’t like it.” — Rick Hamblin
“Woo! Can we start a club of people that have been condemned by The Catholic League?” — Logan Donahoo, with Orlando’s Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
“This could be my proudest moment of 2012!” — Steve Blanchard
“Now you know you’ve made it! Congrats.” — Kim Armstrong
