Ellie Goulding Backs Down From Threats to Cancel Game Day Performance After Salvation Army Shuts Down LGBTQ Complaints

Brittany M. Hughes | November 16, 2019
DONATE
Font Size

Pop singer Ellie Goulding has agreed to continue her plans to perform at the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day game halftime show, backing off from her threats to cancel her appearance unless the Salvation Army, who have historically launched their annual Christmas fundraising campaign during the game, makes a "solid, committed pledge or donation" to LGBT groups.

Goulding had initially said she’d back out of the event after a relatively small but vocal minority accosted her on social media for posting in support of the Salvation Army, a Christian-based organization whose annual Red Kettle campaign provides toys for poor children and meets the needs of the homeless. The Jones family, who owns the Dallas Cowboys, have partnered with the famous charitable institution for over two decades, particularly to help highlight its yearly Christmastime fundraiser for the poor.

Critics slammed Goulding for honoring what they deemed a “homophobic” and “bigoted” organization.

Goulding quickly caved to the outrage mafia, posting on social media that she would nix her Thanksgiving Day performance “unless they [the Salvation Army] very quickly make a solid, committed pledge or donation to the LGBTQ community.”

“Upon researching this, I have reached out to The Salvation Army and said that I would have no choice but to pull out unless they very quickly make a solid, committed pledge or donation to the LGBTQ community," Goulding wrote. "I am a committed philanthropist as you probably know, and my heart has always been in helping the homeless, but supporting an anti-LGBTQ charity is clearly not something I would ever intentionally do. Thank you for drawing my attention to this.”

The Salvation Army fired – very politely – back at Goulding for perpetuating “myths” with regard to their commitment to gay and trans persons.

“With an organization of our size and history, myths can perpetuate,” a spokesperson for the organization told NBC5 Tuesday. “An individual’s sexual or gender identity, religion, or lifestyle has no bearing on our willingness to provide service. We stand firmly behind our mission to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.”

The organization followed that up with a longer statement shutting down any claims that the Christian group discriminates against the LGBTQ community when it comes to providing for the needs of the less fortunate.

“We’d like to thank Ellie Goulding and her fans for shedding light on misconceptions and encouraging others to learn the truth about The Salvation Army’s mission to serve all, without discrimination,” the Salvation Army wrote in a statement, per the Fort Worth Star-Telegram

“We applaud her for taking the time to learn about the services we provide to the LGBTQ community. Regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, we’re committed to serving anyone in need. Every day, we provide services such as shelter for the transgender community and resources for homeless youth — 40 percent of whom identify as gay or transgender. Ellie’s performance in the 23rd annual Salvation Army Red Kettle Kickoff during the Dallas Cowboys game Thanksgiving Day on CBS will kick off a season of giving that helps support these and many other programs and services throughout the country.”

In response to getting called on her crap, the Salvation Army says Goulding has reaffirmed her commitment to singing at the Cowboys’ halftime game.

(Cover Photo: Frank Schwichtenberg)

donate