Posted on 08/05/2005 6:55:39 AM PDT by OXENinFLA
The Red Cross even has Corporate Diversity committees that oversee the implementation of a “diversity code.” The American Red Cross fired an employee, Michael Hartman, for expressing his disagreement with homosexuality.
Hartman had been a volunteer and donor for the Red Cross for over 30 years when he became an employee at the San Diego, California, center. He had been there for about eight months when, in the latter part of May 2005, a mass e-mail was sent to employees reminding everyone that June was Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and employees were encouraged to “observe” the celebration.
The e-mail, distributed by Chief Diversity Officer David Wilkins, stated, “It is my pleasure to announce that June will be recognized as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month at national headquarters…It is only fitting that we reinforce our organization’s commitment to inclusion…by recognizing this important group and celebrating the many accomplishments they have made to our organization…I’d like to take this opportunity during the month of June to encourage field units to extend their reach into gay and lesbian communities.”
As a Christian, Hartman was concerned by the e-mail and expressed his sentiments to his female supervisor, “who did not care.” He then e-mailed several head administrators, who immediately called him into the Red Cross regional center in Pomona, California. Hartman was reprimanded and told that his e-mail was “not appropriate.”
The “inappropriate” e-mail that Hartman sent contained the following statements:
“I would like to start by stating that I am a Christian not willing to compromise my beliefs to promote the agenda of the homosexual community. I would also like to say that I think it’s disgraceful that while most of us [at the Red Cross] are trying to save lives, a select few are using this organization to promote their own lifestyles which in my opinion are unacceptable.”
(emphasis added).
Hartman went on to say that if anyone reading his e-mail “is personally involved in this lifestyle…I think it’s important that you know I have nothing against you as a person but the life you’ve chosen to live.” He added Bible verses including Galatians 6:7 and Joshua 24:15.
After being reprimanded, Hartman took a week off of work because his mother, a U.S. Marine, had passed away. When he returned to the office, he noticed that Gay and Lesbian Pride posters were placed all over the office.
In a later e-mail to the Pacific Justice Institute, an organization that Hartman contacted after his termination, he wrote, “One of my primary jobs is recruiting and promoting the Red Cross. Under the present circumstances I cannot promote something that harbors and encourages this sexual cancer, that we all know is eroding our society.”
Convicted that he had to take action, Hartman “prayed about it” and put together an e-mail to the Southern California region of the Red Cross. In the e-mail, he reiterated, “I respect and value your opinions” but added, “as you explained to me, celebrating homosexual pride month is consistent with our recognition of Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Older Americans Month, and Asian Pacific Islanders Heritage Month…I’m still struggling to see a correlation between celebrating Great Americans and celebrating a sexual preference.”
He also suggested that since the Red Cross is “such a diversified organization,” perhaps it should hold a Christian celebration.
He was put on “administrative leave” from work and called into another meeting with administrators.
James Hartline, an ex-homosexual who is now a Christian conservative activist, went with Hartman to the meeting to serve as a form of representation. The administrators refused to see Hartman unless he was by himself, and when he insisted upon having counsel at the meeting, he was dismissed and told that they would “reschedule” a time to speak with him. Two days later, he received his termination notice.
Hartman has experienced an intensely difficult year - two years ago, he lost all of his belongings in the California wildfires, and he recently lost his mother. A Sunday School teacher and father of three daughters, he said, “I realize what I’m up against, but I’ll go the distance…So many have a complacent attitude, and our kids are facing the consequences.”
He plans to seek help from Christian legal groups such as the Alliance Defense Fund.
Unfortunately, Hartman’s legal options may be limited, as the Red Cross is a privately funded organization and may therefore exert its own prerogative in these matters.
The Red Cross even has its own body of Corporate Diversity committees that oversees the implementation of a “diversity code” for the organization. Employees must participate in “diversity training” seminars, and they are subject to the “diversity vision” of the Red Cross that includes “sexual orientation” on the list of “communities we serve.”
“We are seeing an alarming double standard emerging in corporations and nonprofits,” said Robert Knight, director of Concerned Women for America’s Culture & Family Institute. “If you are not in a specially protected group, you don’t get the same consideration. More and more, Christians are being harshly disciplined or even fired for actions that would bring a slap on the wrist to a homosexual activist or feminist.”
It is important that Christians are alerted to this unfortunate situation. Many Christians give money or support to the American Red Cross without ever realizing that the organization openly promotes homosexuality.
In the words of Michael Hartman, “If the public knew what was going on within the Red Cross I have no doubt their unselfish support would screech to a halt.”
Lindsey Douthit is a Ronald Reagan Memorial Intern with Concerned Women for America. She interviewed Michael Hartman over the phone on July 29, 2005. A representative for the Red Cross could not be reached for comment.
Chief Diversity Officer? Sounds like the d@mn KGB.
I’d like to take this opportunity during the month of June to encourage field units to extend their reach into gay and lesbian communities.
I don't want to even think about what that might mean.
To All Freepers:
I would not donate ONE drop of blood to the American "Red Cross" EVER! Find a good reputalbe local hospital blood bank and donate to them. The "Red Cross" is horribly corrupt and needs to go!
Good find, bookmarking for later.
Forced celebrations tend to be pretty somber.
Not much to celebrate when your employer wants to control what you think.
People need to recognize that emailing your superiors with your opinions of their little pet projects is a bad idea. This is how they avoid meaningful work. Calling negative attention to it is not appreciated. No matter the idea.
I find this whole thing ironic because the Red Cross won't let gays give blood.
This is why my donations go to either my church or the Salvation Army. Whatever Christian heritage the Red Cross may have been founded upon has long since been abandoned.
He's got them there. Hope he sues the pants off them. The RC isn't what is used to be --- and hasn't been for a couple decades.
I tell ya, the number of organizations that one can still support in good conscience is dropping faster than dry leaves off a tree in a hurricane.
The Red Cross can demand and reprimand their volunteers to support, that to some of their volunteers maybe morally irrehensible, in an e-mail, but when one of those volunteers reprimands back, there is hell to pay by the Red Cross leadership it seems.
actions should be taken to put that filth back in the closets (in another country) before generations become lost
Sue them.
Screeching is now in progress!
One also must not forget this a California chapter.
So you are probably correct that the protest should be directed at this California chapter.
" The Red Cross even has Corporate Diversity committees that oversee the implementation of a “diversity code.” The American Red Cross fired an employee, Michael Hartman, for expressing his disagreement with homosexuality. "
Diversity implementation code for stripping Christ and the teaching of the Bible out of our lives and replacing all of it with evil degrading rubbish. It's okay for the homo to express themself in and out of the work place but anyone who expresses disagreement is not allowed the same air time. Double standards geared towards silencing opposing views. I don't condone the queer lifestyle but I don't seek out queer people attempting to take away their ability to make a living UNLESS they're are criminals fraudulently ripping off people or molesting kids as I would do with any hetero people yet it was acceptable to fire Mr. Hartman for his mere opinion. What a mess. My guess is some anti-hetero gay people are in charge of operating the Red Cross?
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