Unholy Donut

A Portland, Maine., doughnut shop recently severed its ties with the Salvation Army, which it had partnered with in an effort to provide Christmas gifts for five needy children, after LGBT activists said the organization had discriminated in the past against individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The Holy Donut had committed to give a doughnut to any person donating presents or winter clothing for the children, but its owners caved to pressure from the activists and declared the shop does “not support the Salvation Army or consider them our ‘partner’ for this project.” They went on to say in a Facebook post that they “apologize to anyone they have offended.”

The Salvation Army, in a statement, refuted any claims of discrimination, “a phantom” it said it must fight “most heavily during the red kettle season.”

“The Salvation Army is open and inclusive to all people,” it said. “Anyone who comes through our doors will receive help based on their need and our capacity to assist. … We annually serve around 30 million Americans from a variety of backgrounds — we do not pick and choose who we serve based on religion, sexual orientation or any other factor.”

The activists, who had threatened a boycott of the doughnut shop, were unmoved at the retail establishment’s declaration and continued to post — or encourage others to post — poor reviews of the Holy Donut.

The needy children? Sadly, they seem to have been forgotten in the politics.