Salvation Army Commissioner: LGBT members cannot become soldiers

Paul O’Grady launched a six-part documentary series called, Paul O’Grady: The Sally Army & Me and, in the final episode, tackles the organisations policy that people from the LGBT community cannot become soldiers.

In the documentary, O’Grady was allowed to wear the uniform for the camera but still wouldn’t be allowed to be a soldier.

The Daily Mail reports that in the last episode, O’Grady addressed the organisations Commissioner Clive Adams and said, “It’s always bothered me that they don’t accept people in same-sex relationships as soldiers.”

Clive Adams then tells O’Grady that he “wouldn’t be allowed to be a member.”

“That’s upsetting, really, because I know so many men and women who are gay and lesbian and they’d be the most wonderful officers,” O’Grady says.

But Adams defends the policy, “You could volunteer for us, you could come to our church services. If you want to become a soldier in the Salvation Army, you have to commit to what we believe.”

After the meeting, O’Grady said, “Within the organisation they have restrictions but within the organisation, they’re not judgemental at all. They’ll help anyone regardless of sex, race, religion or whatever.”

O’Grady, speaking on his desire to create the show, said, “My childhood ambition was to beat the drum in The Salvation Army and work in a dry cleaners… and I’ve done neither of them.”

O’Grady was at least allowed to beat the drum and did so in the documentary, walking down Oxford Circus having achieved his childhood ambition. You can watch a video of O’Grady marching down Oxford Street below:

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