David Bromstad, Gay HGTV Designer, Criticized For Hosting Salvation Army Event

Will This Gay Designer Lose Fans Because Of The Salvation Army?
David Bromstad during HGTV Celebrates the Premiere of Their New Show 'HGTV Design Star' at Helen Mills Theatre in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by M. Von Holden/FilmMagic)
David Bromstad during HGTV Celebrates the Premiere of Their New Show 'HGTV Design Star' at Helen Mills Theatre in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by M. Von Holden/FilmMagic)

David Bromstad, the openly gay designer and host of HGTV's "Color Splash" series, is coming under fire for hosting an upcoming event for the Salvation Army.

On Oct. 18, Bromstad will host the Red Shield ReDesign Bash, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla, and while his participation in an event for a thrift store chain normally wouldn't cause controversy, the Salvation Army's established anti-gay history has the designer in some hot water in the eyes of many gay fans, who have expressed disappointment.

Bromstad took to his Facebook to address the controversy - saying:

Dear fans,

I've read your feedback on my participation with The Salvation Army USA, as an openly gay person whom just happens to also be a celebrity, I took the Salvation Army's request to participate in their fundraiser as one step in the right direction towards equality. If we simply separate ourselves from those that we assume appose us or our beliefs then we will never make strides in the right direction. I applaud the Salvation Army's symbolic handshake towards acceptance and would be foolish to not extend my hand in acceptance.

As of this writing there are almost 300 comments on his Facebook post, most shaming him for agreeing to host an event for a company which has expressed anti-gay viewpoints in the past.

Should Bromstad still host the event in light of the Salvation Army's expressed anti-gay views? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

(h/t to Towleroad).

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