Salvation Army Bans LGBTQ Members – Unless They’re Celibate

During the holiday season it’s not uncommon to see the Salvation Army Santa ringing a bell and collection donations.  This year you might want to think twice before you donate.  A “nondiscrimination communications” memo, obtained by Queerty shows that discrimination is in effect at the Salvation Army. The memo is signed by Commissioner Paul Seiler and it states that “For anyone in a Salvation Army ministry position, the theological belief regarding sexuality is that God has ordained marriage to be between one man and one woman and sexual activity is restricted to one’s spouse.”

The memo also advises members that they can be terminated if they attend same-sex wedding ceremonies in uniform and members are also banned from officiating same-sex weddings, even out of uniform.

In March 2016, the Salvation Army allegedly left a Dallas, Texas homeless trans-woman on the streets and refused her shelter.

Please consider donating this Holiday season to organizations that help ALL homeless individuals, such as the National Coalition for the Homeless and the True Colors Fund.

Please comment here with more suggestions for donations to LGBTQ organizations.

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Spread Harmony

Spread Harmony

Microsoft’s new holiday ad is promoting peace, love and harmony. The ad tackles such issues as LGBTQ rights, Muslim Americans, and the strained relationship between the African-American community and police officers. To us at Hayden’s List, this ad embodies the “true” meaning of Christmas and emulates the Golden Rule of “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Of course celebrating what is good and right in the world is upsetting to some “Christians.”  The ad was blasted by Bill Donohue, founder of the Catholic League. He claims that Microsoft is “exploiting Christmas” by “pushing the LGBT agenda.”  Donohue added “If the bi-coastal elites at Microsoft really believe in diversity, then let them have their LGBT celebrations in June during gay pride month, and leave December to Christians.”

Microsoft described their ad as bringing people together who are making a difference in the world. “This is their vision of hope, peace and beauty. We wanted to lift people up and remind them that ordinary people can make a difference.”

Thank you, Microsoft. We here at Hayden’s List will continue to spread harmony.

You can watch the ad here.

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Seattle Woman Shuts Down Homophobic Neighbor With Christmas Display

Seattle Woman Shuts Down Homophobic Neighbor With Christmas Display

Lexi Magnusson, a Seattle mom who is new to the neighborhood believes her new neighbor found out she was raised Mormon and therefore thought making derogatory comments about the LGBTQ community was accepted.  But Magnusson did not start a neighborhood brawl.  Instead she decided to use her Christmas display to let her neighbor know where her family stands on LGBTQ issues.

Magnusson told The Huffington Post that she and her husband no longer attend the Mormon Church. Regarding her neighbor Magnusson said, “I imagine she thought we still held the same belief about LGBTQ issues as the Church does. We absolutely do not. It’s why I left the Mormon church.”

The neighbor told Magnusson that she had moved to protect her children from the dangers of a gay lifestyle. Magnusson said that she only responded verbally with “‘Your kids are going to be exposed to this no matter where you take them. Kids these days get it. They know not to be horrible to other kids based on how they were born.” Magnusson let her Christmas lights do the rest. She mounted 10,000 Christmas lights on the bushes lining her house in the color of the rainbow, the LGBTQ rainbow.

Looks like Magnusson’s neighbor may have to move again.  Merry Christmas!

http://www.scarymommy.com/woman-uses-christmas-lights-message-homophobic-neighbor/

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Sprint’s Holiday Ad Features LGBTQ Couple

Sprint’s Holiday Ad Features LGBTQ Couple

Verizon’s former, “Can you hear me now?” spokesperson, Paul Marcarelli, now works for the competition, Sprint. Sprint’s new holiday ad features Paul with his real-life boyfriend as they go shopping for a Christmas tree.  We love it for its subtly.  Instead of going overboard to let audiences know they’re featuring a gay couple in the ad, the clip flows naturally and without making it a big deal. You can watch the commercial here.

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2016/11/new-sprint-ad-features-pitchman-boyfriend-shopping-christmas-tree/

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Anti-Gay Preacher Ruins Christmas for Texas Children

A video has surfaced showing Pastor David Grisham of Alaska ruining Christmas for the children in Amarillo, Texas. Pastor Grisham was at a Westgate Shopping Mall when he told children “Santa’s not real. And parents you all need to stop lying to your children and telling them that Santa Claus is real when in fact he’s not.”

Parents reacted strongly. “I’ve got my kids over there, we don’t need you coming over here blabbing whatever it is you’re blabbing,” one father told Pastor Grisham. “But that and the calls of other parents who told Grisham to keep his preachy pie-hole shut fell on deaf ears.” The pastor continued his tirade against Santa Claus. “The man you’re going to see today is just a man in a suit dressed up like Santa but Santa doesn’t exist,” Pastor Grisham said.

Parents posted complaints on the Westgate mall’s Facebook page and demanded that Pastor Grisham be banned from the mall.

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2016/12/antigay-preacher-mall-kids-santa-not-real/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Sendible&utm_campaign=RSS

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#AnywhereButTarget… We Disagree

There is a website and hashtag circulating this holiday season to encourage consumers to shop #AnywhereButTARGET.  Hayden’s List feels differently. We believe in supporting companies that support us, the LGBTQ community. Here’s why Target deserves our support:

– In 2014 Target joined several other national companies to sign on to an amicus brief in support of marriage equality. The brief evaluated the issues created by states that both prohibited marriage equality and those that refused to recognize marriages that were conducted legally in other states.
– Long before they were legally required to do so, Target offered comprehensive, competitive benefits to their LGBTQ team members and their families.
– In June 2015, Target shared their #TakePride philosophy and celebrated Pride Month with volunteerism, sponsored events and a new merchandise collection.
– In August 2015, Target introduced, to much criticism, gender neutral signs for children’s bedding and children’s toys
– Target was recognized by the Human Rights Campaign as one of the Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality, earning a score of 100 on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index.
– Target announced in April 2016 the support of Federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBTQ individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination.
– Target welcomes transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.

This holiday season, please support those businesses that support us. Check out the retail section of your city on Hayden’s List. Spread some joy by helping a community member find a LGBTQ friendly or not so friendly store by leaving a review here.

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Christmas Love

Christmas Love

Happy Christmas Eve, Everybody!

As you guys know by now, we love to love here at Hayden’s List.  And because love is the reason for the season, we want to know where you guys celebrate your love.

Is there a particular service you attend or would recommend?

Do you go to a welcoming church, synagogue or temple?

Where do you gather in the name of love?

Tell us because we’d really like to join you.

Wherever you worship, however you celebrate love, we wish you warmth and joy this season.

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