The Salvation Army has taken down links
from its website to two “ex-gay” ministries.
The links, posted under resources for
dealing with “sexual addictions,” ferried users to the websites
of Harvest USA and Pure Life Ministries, which promote the idea that
gay people can – and should – alter their sexuality.
The links were removed after Truth
Wins Out, a group opposed to so-called “reparative therapy,”
objected to their inclusion.
“We thank the Salvation Army for
acting swiftly and decisively in addressing our concerns about links
to 'ex-gay' organizations,” Truth Wins Out Executive Director Wayne
Besen said. “This is a step in the right direction and congruent
with their anti-discrimination campaign. We hope this action leads
to further progress in gaining the full confidence and trust of the
LGBT community.”
The charity group explained in a
letter to Truth Wins Out that the links were mistakenly published.
“We apologize for our oversight and
any confusion this may have caused,” wrote Jennifer Byrd, the
group's director of communications. “The Salvation Army does not
consider homosexual orientation a sin. Please know that we serve
anyone who comes to our doors without discrimination.”
Comments last year from Army Major
George Hood, the group's chief spokesperson at the time, stirred
controversy.
In remarks to the Chicago
Tribune, Hood said that being gay was “a personal choice
that people have the right to make. But from a church viewpoint, we
see that going against the will of God.”
(Related: Salvation
Army's George Hood denies anti-gay allegations.)
The Australian Salvation Army also came
under fire last year for condemning homosexuality as “harmful to
equality.”
(Related: Darren
Hayes calls Salvation Army anti-gay marriage comments “harmful.”)