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I make a habit of haunting our local Salvation Army resale store, as well as several other second hand stores. Wednesdays, at the local Sally's Boutique (our nickname for the Salvation Army store) are half price days on clothes and shoes, and some really good finds can be garnered.
Today, I finally found, and bought, my first FUR COAT! Yes, it's a faux fur... I wouldn't buy a real one, even if I could afford one, but it's beautiful, it FITS, priced at 40 dollars, but I got it for 20 dollars. It's in wonderful shape... no tears or discolorations. It's mostly white, with some black accents here and there. It's longer than butt length, but not by a lot, with a pink lining.
I know this sounds like a small thing, but for me, it's huge. I ALWAYS wanted a fur coat, but either I couldn't afford one, or I couldn't find one that fit for what I could afford to pay. I plan to show it off at our next support group meeting Friday. I'll be dressed to the nines and strutting my stuff... such as it is. LOL
If I can get pics, I'll try to post them.
Lotsa huggles 'n stuff,
Catherine Linda Michel
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I stay away from the Salvation Army ...,
... because of their virulent anti-LGBT stand on almost any issue.
It is primarily their anti-LGBT stance that turned me against them.
They fought California's Proposition 8 on same gender marriage, and have refused to allow obvious or identified Transpeople jobs, even such jobs as begging in front of stores ringing bells at Christmas.
And at least where I was in California, large donations such as big screen TVs or other large furniture seem to be picked up by untrained people without the right equipment, who can destroy it. My sister and brother-in-law donated their big cabinet big screen, and the jerks actually dragged it down the driveway face down! Since it did not have doors, they not only ruined the front of the cabinet, but scratched the screen beyond use.
Holly
It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Holly
They Are What They Are
While their particular religious stances on some issues bother me a great deal, I still have respect for what they do. They show up at disasters with substantial aid before the Red Cross does, quite often. They're the first employer some people have, when they're on their way back into society from incarceration or addiction/rehabilitation. They serve the poor in our communities.
In short, I think they do more good than bad, and the good that they do do is kind of hard to replace. That said, I think we do need to pressure them on their political stances when possible, but generally they didn't seem to me to spend a lot of time on politics. It surprises (and appalls) me that they got involved in Prop 8. Thank you for pointing that out.
We're all God's children, and while some Christian organizations don't seem to recognize that, others, like the Hicksite Quakers I joined, embrace that deeply.
These things take time. The Salvation Army may or may not find Light on this subject in the future. For now, though, I choose to love them for their positive works, not despise them for their ignorance and bigotry, and find some way to reach out to them.
UPDATE:
I just pulled their position statement on homosexuality. While not ideal, and while it doesn't mention gender identity, it doesn't seem terrible, either. There are many much worse organizations. I have much hope for them in the future (emphasis added):
Sure, there is much to object to in the above (and their misreading of scripture), but I feel we need to embrace and support the progress they've made in their spiritual views.
Sally Ann
Well, when Holly first encountered their anti-LGBT stance, it might have been a while ago, and their officially policy may have changed (maybe several times) since then.
Then again, all religions have people (sometimes large percentages) in them who don't even follow or live up to the stated ideals and policies of their own religion. Often they are ignorant of the "official stance" and believe their church supports their own intolerance and bigotry. And sometimes (unofficially) it does (or some/many in power do, anyway).
It's a complex issue. We want to be taken on our own individual merits, not lumped together as "deviants", etc. Religious people should be judged on their own stances and behavior, not that of their religion.
Also, as Pippa pointed out, some religions can do a lot of good, even if they are still behind the times and following outdated and intolerant policies and scriptural interpretations on a few issues. Whether you support their good works or protest their less enlightened stances by withholding support is up to you.
Lisa the Diplomat
My experiences at our local Sally's
have been completely without prejudice or incident. In fact, they seem to welcome us T-folks. After all, we DO spend money, and their purpose in running their stores is to raise money, right? There are several T gals and guys who shop there and we are pretty much all known to one another. I doubt seriously if the personnel at the store are unaware of who we are, yet they all treat us as the gender we present ourselves to be.
I don't know anything about their national policies, bar what you and some others have said, but it obviously differs from store to store. The one here in Jamestown New York is perfectly at ease with us shopping and buying there.
The Salvation Army DOES do a LOT of good in the world, and maybe it's better to help them help others, than to deny them the money they need so they can help when and where they are needed.
I, of course, respect your feelings and it is your right to not shop where you don't want to, for whatever reasons.
On another subject, I'm so sorry you have to go through what you are enduring to ensure that you remain alive and healthy. I could wish it wasn't necessary to go through what you have to go through, but wishing don't make it so. What I CAN do is offer thanks that you are still with us and hopefully will be for a long, long, long time. You've been a friend when I needed one, a cheerleader for me in my victories, a shoulder to help me through my failures, and a voice of reason for me. Everyone should have a Holly Happy Hart in their lives.
Huggles 'n stuff,
Cathy
As a T-woman, I do have a Y chromosome... it's just in cursive, pink script.
*Sigh*
...this is as close to clothes shopping as I gather I'll ever get.
Dio vi benedica tutti
Con grande amore e di affetto
Andrea Lena
Love, Andrea Lena
Congrats!
Sounds like a very lucky, and lovely, find. Wear it in good health, Hon!
___________________
I have a fur coat, too, but I've lost the courage to go out lately.