Salvos show their support at Melbourne Pride March
Salvos show their support at Melbourne Pride March
7 February 2023
A Salvation Army team took part in the Melbourne Pride March last Sunday, officially marching behind the Red Shield for the first time. Photos: Kim Landy.
A team of more than 50 Salvos marched in the Midsumma Festival’s Pride March in Melbourne on Sunday 5 February, with others supporting from the crowd gathered along St Kilda’s Fitzroy Street.
The Salvation Army has been part of the Pride March since 2016, marching under the Social Mission rainbow banner. This year, for the first time, the team officially marched under the Red Shield and inclusion icons of The Salvation Army with a banner designed specifically for the event.
The Salvos team spread a warmly received message of inclusion and acceptance.
The Army’s presence at the march, under the banner of the Red Shield, demonstrates to the rainbow community that the Army is inclusive in the social and community services it offers.
“It shows to the community that we stand alongside them so we can build trust and positive connections in what has been, historically, experience of exclusion and discrimination,” said Captain Stuart Glover, Secretary for Mission.
“Our involvement in events such as these centres around our commitment to inclusion and effective inclusive practice, enabling The Salvation Army to be recognised as a safe and welcoming space for all people, especially those most vulnerable.”
The team included officers, soldiers, staff, supporters and LGBTIQA+ community members. There was also wide representation from the Social Mission and Community Engagement departments, including Alcohol and Other Drugs, Homelessness, Youth, and Family Violence – as well as Salvos Stores chaplains.
“Firstly, we wanted to show support to our LGBTIQA+ staff, and secondly, to show our support for our rainbow clients as well as the wider LGBTIQA+ community,” said Chris Brett-Renes, LGBTIQA+ Inclusive Practice coordinator – Social Mission and Community Engagement.* “We wanted to send the message, ‘If you need us, you are in safe hands with us.’ The team was so enthusiastic, and we had an amazing reception from the crowd. People were calling out, ‘We love you, Salvos!’”
The team organised their banners and networked with other churches and organisations in the marshalling area before the march.
A safer place
Captain Belinda Cassie, Ministry and Support Coordinator, Youth Services – Victoria, marched for the first time this year. “It was a great day, and I’m glad I got to be a part of it,” she said. “Highlights (included) the camaraderie and unexpected conversations with people in the organisation that you don’t encounter generally, and the parade supporters who suddenly registered who we were and started calling out variations of ‘Yay for the Salvos’. I don’t doubt for a second that some people from that crowd will feel safer coming through our doors in the future because we were there today.”
Major Rebecca Inglis, Area Officer – Metro West, Victoria, also marched. “I’ve become increasingly aware of the disadvantage and exclusion experienced by the LGBTIQA+ community, and it’s not okay with me,” she said. “I want the Salvation Army to be an organisation, to be a church, where all people feel welcome ... loved, respected and safe. I took part in the Pride March as a way of saying that to our community. While I was very much out of my comfort zone, if one person saw the Salvos participating and now knows that they can come to us for help, safety, hope, then it’s worthwhile.
“The LGBTIQA+ community certainly experiences hardship and injustice, and so the Salvos need to be where they are to live, love and fight, to see lives transformed with the love of Jesus.”
Grace and forgiveness
March participants and those supporting from the packed streets all commented on how emotional they felt as the grace and support from the crowd were directed towards them.
Head of Social Mission, Major Jenny Begent (white shirt), has played an instrumental role in the Salvos’ Pride March participation since 2016.
“This year’s march was very emotional for me,” said Major Jenny Begent, Head of Social Mission, who has joined the Salvos in the Pride March since 2016. “To unfurl and march behind the Red Shield banner, which symbolises who we are, said that we haven’t always got it right, but we are trying desperately to do so.
“As Christians, we are often giving grace, but as we marched, it was about receiving grace. People were clapping and calling out how great it was to see the Salvos. In many ways, we have rejected and been negative about this community, and here they were saying they want us, they appreciate us.
“From an organisational point of view, our DNA is in the ‘whosoever’. We are called to love people, and anything else is up to the Holy Spirit. We have always opened our doors and our hearts to everyone, and I hope it stays that way. It’s time to step up.”
Captain Penny Cooper, Family and Domestic Violence Specialist, is another march regular. “I started crying partway down the road as I was overwhelmed by the knowledge that the respect that The Salvation Army has in the rest of my world is not as secure in the LGBTIQA+ space,” she said. “And yet, in a community where many have been deeply hurt in our name, we were embraced, extended grace, thanked for what we do and rejoiced with.
“This was evident through the voices that were heard throughout the day. There were cries of ‘Go Salvos’, ‘Thank you for all you do’, “Thank you for helping me out over and over again’, ‘YES! Salvos!’
Inclusivity and acceptance
Captain Melanie Cop, Moonee Valley Corps and Recovery Church Officer and a regular march participant, was also touched by the cheers and claps from the crowd. “The Salvation Army hasn’t always been well received, and so this response was emotional for me as it said we now feel happier to engage and celebrate your inclusivity,” she said. “This speaks volumes to the progress we’ve made.”
Networking and connecting with other churches and community groups was another highlight of the march for Melanie. “They are very supportive of our work and are so encouraging,” she said.
Captain Melanie Cop and Simone Garrett (soldier at Brunswick Corps and Recovery Church Moonee member), with Simone’s dog, Hope, at the Midsumma Carnival Salvos stall.
Melanie also worked at The Salvation Army’s stall at the Midsumma Carnival, part of the overall festival, on 22 January. “This stall was to create awareness of the inclusivity of The Salvation Army,” she explained. “I was in uniform, and a lot of people asked me what the Salvos were doing here, that they didn’t think we were inclusive, and how good it was to see us here and learn about what we are doing. They were very supportive. There were a lot of positive responses too, with people sharing their experiences of being helped by the Army over many years.”
Captain Kris Halliday, Brunswick/Richmond Corps Officer, was also part of the Midsumma Carnival Salvos stall with Captain Rachel Attard from Richmond Corps. “It was a blessing to be a part of the joy, colour and acceptance of that day,” he said. “There were a lot of good conversations about who The Salvation Army is and how people can get involved. There were a lot of paradigm shifts – people were so surprised to see us there, happy to hear about the progress we’ve made and how inclusive and open we are. We were honest about the work still to be done, but people understood they could feel welcome, trusting and safe about us.
“There was a sense of camaraderie with the other churches there – that we are all on the journey sharing the Jesus we love who doesn’t discriminate and who includes and loves all his children.
“I waited in the crowd for almost two hours for the Salvos, and it was quite emotional and beautiful to see the big Red Shield come down the street with the team and to experience the response of the crowd. Around me, there was a discernible pause, a lull after the noise of the previous group, people processing that it was us, and then the cheers started. People were surprised but positive to see us there. Marching behind the shield had a big impact – it was clear who we were.
“You understand the broad sense of acceptance in general society and see the Army in the bigger picture as part of that diverse and inclusive society,” he said. “There was a sense of liberation of everyone being their true selves. This is not a fringe issue – people were included and celebrated by all aspects of society. And society is richer, freer, more joyous as a result.”
The Salvation Army wants to see God’s love reach everyone and is open and welcoming to all.
Future events
Chris and his team hope to expand the Army’s involvement next year to include regional Victorian marches and events in other states.
“I think events like this are great, and it is great that we have these spaces where our people can just be themselves,” said Chris. “The Salvation Army has made huge steps forward in the last ten years around LGBTIQA+ inclusion, but there is still a lot of work to be done. We need to see real change organisation-wide because if we don’t, we risk losing staff, church members and officers.
“The appetite for change is there! However, if we don’t continue to affirm, accept, and love our LGBTIQA+ people with the unconditional love that Christ demonstrated, then we risk amazing events like the march being seen cynically by members of the LGBTIQA+ community, both inside and outside The Salvation Army.”
Next month, The Salvation Army is participating in the WorldPride March in Sydney on 5 March. Participants will walk behind the Red Shield banner and join others marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and into the city.
“God’s love reaches everyone, and we want to be open and welcoming to everyone,” said Major Paul Moulds, Team Leader, Greater West Salvos, Sydney. “This is our first time marching in Sydney and our first time in WorldPride, so it’s a momentous occasion. After the event, the Salvos are hosting a praise and celebration service for all who would like to attend.”
*In this new role, Chris is responsible for implementing The Salvation Army Australia’s inclusive practice strategy across social programs and services, which includes safe and respectful behaviour and care towards people who identify as LGBTIQA+. The role sits within the Social Mission Department and reports to Major Jenny Begent, Head of Department.
Comments
Well done Salvos! A great story of a significant event.
It was great to be a part of this historic moment, finally marching under the red shield with pride, literally. Keep on moving forward TSA!
What moving and insightful comments about a wonderful day that brought many of us who marched to tears. As a first time marcher I was nervous about the perceptions or reception we might receive, but we were beautifully embraced and included. Love always wins!!
Thank you all who participated & represented the Salvos - fighting for a more inclusive loving accepting organisation and church.
Definate love moment for me. Happy Sydney Mardi Gra. All
I'm a proud soldier, a proud Mother of a gay son and know love always shines from God's face on all.
Bring on change for the future.
Marching on the 5th, with my head held high and proud
I was a member of many Christian Churches in the past that showed a great disliking and hate to the LGBTIQA still are to this day ( I was one of them). 10 years of being a soldier on October 21st last year I now come to an understanding we need to open our hearts, ears & the word of God to everyone no matter what lifestyle they may be living.