October 1, 2013 | Celeb Watch

David Bromstad defends work for Salvation Army

Popular HGTV star David Bromstad will be hosting a fundraiser for the Salvation Army on October 18 in Fort Lauderdale.

The collaboration has many fans scratching their heads as to why Bromstad, who is openly gay, would lend his name and time to an organization with anti-gay policies.

For example, the Salvation Army considers homosexuality to be an "unnatural urge." The official Salvation Story: Salvationist Handbook of Doctrine says gays are "deserving of death," and last year Maj. Andrew Craibe, the Australian Salvation Army spokesman, confirmed the passage was accurate. (Note: the Salvation Army later apologized for Craibe's "miscommunication," pointing out that gays were only deserving of spiritual death. Phew!)

Said Bromstad on his Facebook page:

Dear fans,

I've read your feedback on my participation with The Salvation Army USA, as an openly gay person whom just happens to also be a celebrity, I took the Salvation Army's request to participate in their fundraiser as one step in the right direction towards equality. If we simply separate ourselves from those that we assume appose us or our beliefs then we will never make strides in the right direction. I applaud the Salvation Army's symbolic handshake towards acceptance and would be foolish to not extend my hand in acceptance.

Some commenters said Bromstad had made the right decision. "A little goodwill goes a long way," said one Facebook fan. "If we never extend the olive branch, then things will never change. Good on you, David!"

Others were not so sure this was the right move. Said another, "I want to believe all people are capable of change, but when an organization publiclly [sic] expresses their hate of OUR KIND, they will never get another one of My Gay Dollars or support. "

We think David should reconsider: there are so many other social service non-profits that could use his help.