US: World Vision offers to refund donations after reinstating gay staff ban

PinkNews Exclusive
Christian charity World Vision has confirmed that it is willing to refund donations to anyone who donated before a ban on married gay staff was put back in place.

The charity initially announced on Monday that they would begin to allow married gay staff, leading some LGBT groups to call for donations to be made in solidarity.

However, after the move sparked anger among conservative Christians, the policy was reversed two days later, and the ban put back into place on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the charity told Pink News today: “Anyone who wants their donation refunded can contact [email protected].”

Blogger Rachel Held Evans, who had called for donations to be made to the charity after Monday’s announcement, wrote yesterday: “This whole situation has left me feeling frustrated, heartbroken, and lost. I don’t think I’ve ever been more angry at the Church, particularly the evangelical culture in which I was raised and with which I for so long identified.”

World Vision is one of the largest Christian charities in the world, providing disaster and other forms of aid to 250 million people annually. It operates in nearly 100 countries worldwide and has revenue of approximately $2.79 billion (£1.69bn).

• Nov 29 2023

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