The LGBTQ Community and The Salvation Army
All people who come to us for services are offered assistance according to their need and our capacity to help
The LGBTQ Community and The Salvation Army
All people are deserving of Christ’s love, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
You can help The Salvation Army serve our LGBTQ brothers and sisters
Your donation will allow us to continue to provide crucial services to the LGBTQ community.
Donate Now
The Salvation Army is committed to serving the LGBTQ community through:
Homeless Shelters
Each of our homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, permanent supportive housing services, and re-entry resources are available to anyone in need, according to their need and our capacity to help regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Period. And because a majority of homeless LGBTQ people are under 18, we take special care of that vulnerable community.
Read how The Salvation Army’s Young Adult Resource Center (YARC) in Houston collaborates (and shares a roof) with Tony’s Place, a center for LGBTQ youth who do not have stable housing.
In addition, almost one-third of transgender people have been rejected from an emergency shelter. This is why The Salvation Army in Southern Nevada created a safe dorm in Las Vegas to offer safety and shelter to this group, which is statistically more vulnerable to assault.
Help with Substance Abuse
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, LGBTQ adults are more likely than their straight counterparts to abuse substances. The Salvation Army recognizes the need for all people, regardless of income, to have access to rehabilitation programs. Our LGBTQ-friendly programs provide housing, food, counseling, community, and employment as we work to treat the symptoms and, ultimately, the root causes of prolonged alcohol and drug dependence.
Hear Richard’s story of recovery through the Salvation Army’s Adult Rehabilitation Center in Denver that demonstrated he was worthy of Christ’s love.
Job Training
Despite progress toward hiring equality, LGBTQ Americans often lack access to educational resources, counseling services, and vocational training to help them obtain well-paying jobs. Our unique programs help LGBTQ individuals cultivate vital life skills needed for successful and stable careers.
Food Insecurity
More than a quarter of LGBTQ Americans are food insecure and rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). As one of the nation's largest providers of social services, we understand the importance of helping people maintain their dignity when looking for nutritious food by providing options.
That’s why we opened DMG (Do More Good) Foods, our grocery store in Baltimore that is the first in the nation to combine social service with a traditional grocery-shopping experience.
Teenage Suicide
LGBTQ youth contemplate suicide at almost three times the rate of heterosexual youth. With a presence in every ZIP code in the nation, we’re committed to providing spiritual and emotional care to those in need regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Helping those in need is the heart of our mission.
We’re motivated by the love of God to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
We embrace people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
Our hiring practices are open to all, and we provide the same benefits to opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
The Salvation Army Embraces All People
- A Place to Call Home
- Salvation Army Insists It's on Our Side - Really
- Transgender homeless finding more options in Las Vegas (Las Vegas Review-Journal)
- Columbus Dispatch article on The Salvation Army and the LGBT Community
- In the Spirit: Gay Man Recalls Kindness Shown by Salvation Army (Wisconsin State Journal)
- Setting the record straight on the Salvation Army (San Diego Gay & Lesbian News)
- The Salvation Army's Response to Australian Radio Interview
- San Francisco: Why The Salvation Army has a presence at Pride events
- Salvation Army vows LGBTs are welcome
Questions & Answers:
The LGBT Community & The Salvation Army
Does The Salvation Army serve the LGBTQ Community?
Yes. Any person who walks through our doors will receive assistance based on their need and our capacity to help. Our mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human need in His name without discrimination.
Does The Salvation Army provide shelter to transgender people?
Yes. When a transgender person seeks help from us, we serve them in the same manner as any other person seeking assistance. Too often, LGBTQ Americans experience unacceptable homophobia or transphobia when seeking shelter. The Salvation Army seeks to be a welcome, safe place for all men, women, and children.
Does The Salvation Army consider the sexual orientation or gender identity of an applicant in its hiring practices?
No. We embrace talented people regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Our hiring practices are open to all.
Does The Salvation Army provide benefits to the spouses of employees in same-sex marriages?
Yes. We provide the same benefits to opposite-sex and same-sex couples.
Equal Opportunity Employment
The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to providing a respectful environment for all applicants and employees that is free from unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law. Such equal opportunity for employment will apply to recruitment and hiring, training, promotion, salaries and other compensation, transfers and layoffs or termination.
Non-Discrimination in Programs and Services
In providing its programs and services, The Salvation Army is committed to accommodating all those in need without unlawful discrimination or harassment based on age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic in accordance with our capacity to help.
