| WASHINGTON
- July 10 - The Human Rights Campaign urged the Bush administration at a news conference today to clarify a news report that it had cut a deal with the Salvation Army to promote employment discrimination against gays in return for the charity's public support for President Bush’s troubled “faith-based” social services initiative.
“We at the Human Rights Campaign believe in, and support, the principle of religious freedom,” said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg at the news conference, held in the wake of a report by The Washington Post about a leaked Salvation Army memo. “What we cannot support, however, is federal funds being used by organizations to discriminate based on sexual orientation.”
The memo said that in exchange for the group’s support, the administration had made a “firm commitment” to shelter religious charities that receive federal funds from city and statewide ordinances that protect gays and lesbians from discrimination.
“This kind of backroom deal — this quid pro quo arrangement — that would allow religious organizations to circumvent civil rights laws enacted by elected officials in state and local municipalities is reprehensible,” said Stachelberg.
White House spokesman Ari Fleischer tried to downplay the memo today, saying that the Salvation Army had misinterpreted the administration’s intentions. Asked if there was a trade-off, Fleischer told the The Associated Press, “Oh no, absolutely not.” He added that there never has been a deal, and the author of the report misread the administration’s position. “They’ve been advised of that,” he told the AP.
Based on the memo’s vivid details illustrating the administration’s alleged commitment to the Salvation Army, however, HRC is calling on the administration to further clarify its position and fully disclose its objectives.
The Salvation Army proposed amending a current regulation that said that federal agencies cannot award assistance to local or state authorities that require religious charities to “adopt terms or practices for those with religious responsibilities” or to provide employment benefits if they are “inconsistent with the beliefs and practices” of the charity, according to the leaked memo.
Federal, state and local civil rights laws already exempt religious organizations, allowing them to freely discriminate in choosing their clergy and to favor their own religion in non-clergy positions.
What has never been decided by the Court, however, is the question of whether religious organizations may freely discriminate using public funds — federal taxpayer dollars, in this case. In addition, a debate is currently under way in the U.S. Congress as the president’s “faith-based” initiatives proposal moves through the House and the Senate. It appears that the Salvation Army is attempting an end run around Congress, with the assistance of the administration, says HRC.
On the prospect of hiring lesbian and gay Americans, Salvation Army spokesman George Hood said in the memo that “it really begins to chew away at the theological fabric of who we are.” But the organization knew that its sudden endorsement of discrimination would upset those who see the group as non-ideological, according to the memo.
“The Salvation Army’s role will be a surprise to many in the media,” said the report which urged that the group should “minimize the possibility of any ‘leak’ to the media.”
To prevent public relations problems, such as today’s development, the Salvation Army — better known for helping the homeless — projects spending $88,000 to $110,000 a month for lobbying and public relations assistance.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian and gay political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that lesbian and gay Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
Related Links >>
HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg's Statement
Cities and Counties That Ban Employment Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation
"Bush May Make Charity Concession" (The Associated Press, July 10)
"Charity Cites Bush Help in Fight Against Hiring Gays" (Washington Post, July 10)
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