(Photo: Getty Images)

BY KONRAD JUENGLING, Guest Blogger
Washington Blade

The Salvation Army is one of the most recognized charities in the United States. What a lot of people, myself included until recently, do not realize is that the SA actively and institutionally works against people in the LGBTQ community. For this self styled “evangelical part of the universal Christian Church,” the homophobia is literally written into its handbook. For its position statement on LGBTQ individuals, “The Salvation Army believes […] that Christians whose sexual orientation is primarily or exclusively same-sex are called upon to embrace celibacy as a way of life.”

Mark Oppenheimer wrote a 2011 story for the New York Times about the SA turning away people because they are gay. While the SA has denied this, we’ve also seen them threatening to leave New York City altogether in 2004 if they were “forced” to abide by the law of requiring health benefits for employees’ same-sex partners. In 2012, we heard SA media relations official Major Andrew Craibe imply on national radio that gays should be put to death. When shopping, remember how you choose to spend (and donate) your money shows support for that organization; just make sure you’re supporting the right cause. Skip the red buckets and support an inclusive, non-discriminatory organization that truly wants to help everyone that comes through its doors.

Read more at Washington Blade

The post Opinion: Boycott the red buckets this season first appeared on Lesbian.com.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already been through a dozen holiday seasons, and the next one is a handful of weeks away. You’re probably contemplating how to keep yourself from having a large hangover and an empty wallet on January 1. As each year draws to an end, it’s a time for reflection and a time to panic, as you try to stretch your last paycheck of the year to cover gifts and celebrations.

How do you avoid a money meltdown as the calendar year comes to a close?

1. Buy gifts for people because you want to, not out of obligation. Make a list of everyone you would possibly want to buy a gift for. Sleep on it. Think about what you might get for each person. Would you be excited to give them the gift, or would you simply be getting them a present because you traditionally exchange gifts at the holidays? As an aside, you’re asking for trouble if you count on a bonus check or gift money to cover your spending, or if you buy items with your credit card.

Read more at TaggMagazine.com

Tagg Magazine is a print and online resource for LBT women in the DC Metropolitan and Rehoboth, DE areas.

The post Spread good cheer without drowning in debt first appeared on Lesbian.com.

This is the time of year where it can be pretty difficult to avoid eating more than your body needs, and to not overdo it on the heavy, rich foods, but you can definitely help yourself by making sure you drink beverages that will aid your digestion and also lower your risk of a heart attack. Drinking fluids might be the most important factor in the survival of human beings.

1. Water

Water is the ideal beverage, with zero calories, which is why I carry around my aluminium container wherever I go. There’s no reason to buy bottled water, since tap water is often just as good, and it’s free. As for flavored water, that is mostly a total rip-off, and also unhealthy, since it can be very high in sugar or artificial sweeteners.

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Care2 is the largest online community of people passionate about making a difference.

The post Drink to your health this holiday season first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Holiday season is finally upon us, and whether you like it or not, that means you will soon be receiving invitations to all of the holiday parties. But what should you wear to the company holiday party? Or to a friend’s holiday party? We are faced with this question each and every year. To make it easier, here are some great ideas and tips on what to wear—and what not to wear—to all of the festivities.

The Company Holiday Party

Your boss will be there, as will your colleagues, their significant others, and maybe even a few clients—so keep it professional! No plunging necklines or major cleavage, no skimpy skirts that show off your assets, and absolutely no ugly Christmas sweaters. Professional does not have to mean boring, however. It’s good to stand out, and it’s definitely time to glam it up more than you would if you were at the office on a regular workday.

Read more at TaggMagazine.com

Tagg Magazine is a print and online resource for LBT women in the DC Metropolitan and Rehoboth, DE areas.

The post What to wear to the holiday party first appeared on Lesbian.com.

Great news for holiday shoppers who will be hitting Abercrombie & Fitch, Starbucks and Target this holiday season: all three companies get top rankings in the new Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s Buyer’s Guide.

The report, also titled “Buying for Workplace Equality 2013,” divides popular businesses and their related products into three categories based on their score on the HRC Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index. With a score of 100, Abercrombie & Fitch and Target rank alongside General Mills and Kellogg’s as being among the businesses and brands to receive the highest workplace equality scores.

Read more at Huffington Post Gay Voices

The post Get the most for your LGBT dollar first appeared on Lesbian.com.

In just a few days, a brand new console generation will be born, with the launch of the Wii U, Nintendo’s follow-up to the monster success of the Wii. It’s an exciting time, for Nintendo fans, for industry analysts, and hell, for gamers in general. So why do some of us feel on the fence about the new system?

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AfterEllen is the pop culture site that plays for your team.

The post Get in the game: November release madness first appeared on Lesbian.com.