GENESEE COUNTY, MI: A coalition of gay-rights activists -
spearheaded by Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians And Gays
(PFLAG) and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) - is
protesting the Salvation Army this holiday season by dropping leaflets
in the charity's collection kettles.
The protest originated from a Michigan chapter of PFLAG, but has spread
nationally to the organization's 80,000 members. Copies of the leaflet -
which reads, "I would have donated $5, but the Salvation Army's
decision to discriminate against gay and lesbian employees prevents my
donation now and in the future" - are available for members to download
from the organization's website. An e-mail alert was also sent out.
The grassroots action is in response to a mandate from the Salvation
Army's national office forbidding any of its four regional divisions
from granting benefits to same-sex domestic partners.
