City ordinance imperils senior programs

PORTLAND – The Salvation Army’s refusal to comply with Portland’s domestic partnership ordinance could jeopardize the only activity center and meals-on-wheels program that serves the city’s elderly.

The organization received $60,000 a year from the city to operate its $400,000 meals program and the center for seniors.

But under the year-old ordinance, organizations that get federal funding through the city must provide health and employment benefits to domestic partners of employees.

Salvation Army officials have refused to comply with the ordinance, even if it means losing the money and having to scale back or close the senior programs.

The Bible-based, Christian organization, which believes that Scripture forbids sexual relations between members of the same sex, has asked the city for an exemption.

The issue surfaced in Portland four months after The Salvation Army took a stand against a similar domestic partnership law in San Francisco.

When the Portland City Council approved its ordinance last May, it voted 6-3 to reject an amendment that would have exempted religious organizations from compliance.

Councilor Philip “Jack” Dawson hopes to find a way to let The Salvation Army off the hook. He emphasizes the good the organization does by delivering meals to elderly shut-ins and providing a place for other seniors to participate in various activities.

“There’s got to be a way to continue having them do what they have done so well for so long,” Dawson said. “Hopefully, we can do that without getting into their conscience or religious beliefs.”

Among those who question The Salvation Army’s refusal to provide domestic partnership benefits is Mayor Karen Geraghty.

“I think The Salvation Army should be ashamed of itself for trying to decide who should get health care and who shouldn’t,” Geraghty said. “That decision should cross over every religious line.”

The city is reviewing the ordinance at the request of the Eastern territorial leadership of The Salvation Army, which has headquarters in New York. Local Salvation Army officials sought guidance from the territorial headquarters before signing this year’s contract to receive $60,000 from the city.

The city provides domestic partner benefits to its employees and The Salvation Army’s contract with the city stipulates that it must follow all ordinances related to human rights.