Regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity, we’re committed to serving anyone in need.” “We applaud her for taking the time to learn about the services we provide to the LGBT community. “We’d like to thank Ellie Goulding and her fans for shedding light on misconceptions and encouraging others to learn the truth about The Salvation Army’s mission to serve all, without discrimination,” the statement reads. On Thursday morning, the National Commander of the Salvation Army, David Hudson, told Fox News that Goulding will indeed perform at the game as planned. The annual Thanksgiving Day game promotes the Cowboys’ “Red Kettle Kickoff,” which raises money and brings awareness to the Salvation Army’s annual holiday initiative, the red kettle campaign. The campaign seeks to provide shelter and meals for the homeless as well as gifts for children during the holiday season.
The British singer threatened to pull out of the halftime show after her fans wrongly claimed that the Salvation Army discriminates against the LGBT community. Pop singer Ellie Goulding said she will now perform at the Dallas Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day halftime show after threatening to pull out unless the Salvation Army, a faith-based nonprofit organization, made a “solid, committed pledge or donation to the LGBTQ community.”
Kim Simmons, a bellringer for the Salvation Army, greets people as she collects donations in her red kettle on Giving Tuesday on November 28, 2017, in Hallandale, Florida.