Karamo Brown Works With Salvation Army, Gets Backlash
"Queer Eye" star Karamo Brown is working with anti-LGBTQ organization Salvation Army, BuzzFeed reports.
Brown follows in the footsteps of other celebrities such as Meghan Trainor, Carrie Underwood, Chris Rock, Kelly Clarkson, among others. On Monday, the "Queer Eye" star posted to Instagram and Twitter that he is "So excited to help the @salvationarmyus #RescueChristmas this year! 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!"
While the Salvation Army's incidents of anti-LGBTQ discrimination are generally known, a more detailed history was compiled by trans activist Zinnia Jones, citing the organization's public stances against same-sex marriage, teaching acceptance of LGBTQ people in public schools, and more. Salvation Army has also advocated for the legal protection of religious organizations in denying service to LGBTQ people on the basis of religious belief. More recently, the organization has come under fire for discrimination against transgender people at a substance abuse center in New York City.
In response to accusations of anti-LGBTQ bias, the national commander of the Salvation Army, David Hudson, penned an editorial for USA Today defending the organization from "misinformation and mass bandwagon-jumping" that puts "risk to our ability to serve millions in need." Hudson also acknowledges that leaders in the organization subscribe to anti-LGBTQ religious beliefs, while touting Salvation Army's services as "ready to help vulnerable LGBTQ people at this very minute." What's missing is an acknowledgment of, and apology for, past anti-LGBTQ activity.
While the comments have been disabled for Brown's Instagram post, backlash to the "Queer Eye" star's work with Salvation Army surfaced on Twitter.