‘Queer Eye’ Star Karamo Brown Hit With Backlash For Partnering With Anti-LGBTQ Salvation Army

On Monday, December 7, Queer Eye star Karamo Brown shared a post on Instagram and Twitter announcing his partnership with The Salvation Army to try and raise money for “families in need” this Christmas.

Unfortunately, The Salvation Army has become well-known in recent years for its well-documented anti-LGBTQ behaviors.

As a prominent LGBTQ celebrity, Brown faced harsh backlash online for the partnership.

So excited to help the @SalvationArmyUS #RescueChristmas this year! Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the holidays will be harder on our most vulnerable neighbors. Donate through https://t.co/B8h8mBBl34 to provide food, shelter, and presents under the tree for families in need! 🎄🎁 pic.twitter.com/bxS0xBYXup

— Karamo (@Karamo) December 7, 2020

Karamo continues to be so disappointing. pic.twitter.com/jvZ5U1sP3p

— Cinderblock’s Weightloss Journey (@GayChemist) December 7, 2020

Can his PR team do any research before he co-signs an organization with known Anti-LGBTQ views. @Karamo https://t.co/35V4j0r49X

— Meatball (@fatdragmeatball) December 8, 2020

In 2012, a Salvation Army worker was fired after management discovered she was bisexual.

As a reminder, as someone who was homeless: Salvation Army makes you pray for your meals. They make you sit up and beg like a dog. They hate queer people. They hate trans people. They are a lie of an organization. Support groups like Outside In instead. https://t.co/mlBNOwgoTy

— b*tch that fight bears in the forest (@KivanBay) November 26, 2017

I know you meant well but please do 5 minutes of research before pledging your support to anti-lgbt “charities” 😫

— Calum McSwiggan (@CalumMcSwiggan) December 7, 2020

Trying to fix their anti-LGBTQ public relations problems that same year, company spokesperson George Hood said:

“A relationship between same-sex individuals is a personal choice that people have the right to make. But from a church viewpoint, we see that going against the will of God.”

Also, please disclose your adverts. It’s against the law not to do so and massively unethical. I thought you were doing this out of the goodness of your heart but hopped over to insta to see it’s an ad. Huge fan of your work but this is really not cool 😕

— Calum McSwiggan (@CalumMcSwiggan) December 7, 2020

Yup. Really disappointed to see @Karamo support such an anti-trans organization. @jvn can we get you to fundraise for something not evil?

— Probably Dave (@cephalobloop) December 7, 2020

You posted this on Instagram and turned off the comments, which clearly shows that you know it’s wrong. You talk about being positive and loving one another all the time, yet you accept a paycheck from charity that hates trans/gay people and is very dangerous. You suck.

— Andy Herren (@AndyHerren) December 8, 2020

Though the organization has continued to insist it offers support to people in need regardless of their sexual orientation, many online have trouble believing that is true.

Some of them have even shared anecdotal evidence of LGBTQ discrimination they’ve experienced first-hand.

A few minutes on GOOGLE and you can see the troubled history of the Salvation Army with the LGBTQ community. Oh and while Karamo didn't disclose it here on Twitter seems his participation is PAID — not out of the goodness of his heart — see his IG post below. Disappointing. pic.twitter.com/McN54tbaqP

— robert.malcolm (@overturnH8) December 8, 2020

I personally love giving what little money I have to organizations who specifically let trans people die in the cold. bc if there's one thing I remember about Jesus, he forsook the marginalized in their time of need

— muhcuhlin (they/them) 🐛🏳️‍🌈 (@zestyenby) December 7, 2020

The best thing you can do to help is to demand Salvation Army take ownership for and change their behavior towards LGBTQ folks who come to them in desperate need. That would save many more lives and be a good use of your platform! You're the culture guy, I'm sure you cna do it.

— All I Want for Christmas is Antifa Trash Panda (@kittystryker) December 7, 2020

Many wondered how Karamo Brown could have thought this partnership was a good idea.

His posts on Instagram and Twitter became were more outrageous to some because he was paid for them by The Salvation Army.

you’re a gay man. this anti-lgbtq+ organisation would let you die in the streets if you were homeless, but that paid partnership money just hits better than having standards huh? do better PLEASE.

— joe (@jxeker) December 7, 2020

Oh dear. pic.twitter.com/tYWNttWu83

— AJ (@aj_malakai) December 8, 2020

Some people considered the possibility that Brown had simply not done his research…but this seemed unlikely.

Sir… 🤦🏽‍♂️
I know you have a press team.
I know you have the ability to google. What I don’t know is why the hell this was your choice.

Please read the WHOLE thing. https://t.co/1DrJqOW30m

— Anthony Lee Medina (@AntLeeMe123) December 8, 2020

Either you didn’t do your research or they gave you so much money that you don’t care about the harm they’ve done. Either way this is a bad look. I suggest you rethink this partnership.

— GhouLeanne 👻 (@leannelithium) December 7, 2020

As of the writing of this article, Brown is still partnering with The Salvation Army, though his fans are urging him to reconsider. 

Written by Collin Gossel

Collin Gossel is a writer and comedian living in Brooklyn, New York, but there are nights when he looks up at the stars and wistfully thinks to himself “there’s got to be more out there…” You can catch Collin improvising new musicals every Tuesday night at the Magnet Theater’s Musical Megawatt, or follow his unfiltered thoughts on Twitter and Instagram @CollinGossel.--