At shareholder meeting, Target stays neutral on gay marriage ban

The obvious solution is for Target to refrain from making ANY corporate political donataions whatsoever while continuing its inclusive policies when “giving back to the communities.”

Because the aftertaste from last year is still too strong, I still hesitate, often unable, to set foot inside any Target store.

*donations

“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in a period of moral crisis, preserve their neutrality.” – JFK

“Target should stick to business and stop meddling in our democracy.”

Citizens United opened the door to this kind of political advocacy, inviting corporations to make their political/social voices heard. Target was one of the first to discover the consequences of such advocacy. That they didn’t learn the lesson is clear from their decision to remain “neutral” on Minnesota’s marriage-inequality amendment. There is NO neutrality on the issue of civil rights. That was the lesson they failed to learn.

All heterosexuals have a natural aversion to homosexuality.
Homosexuality is a fringe sexuality affecting only 2-4% of society (CDC 2010)
Homosexuality is abnormal by any reasonable standard.
Homosexuality rarely if ever occurs in nature (excluding humans).
Homosexuality is a highly promiscuous sexuality.
Homosexuality is a health risk.
Homosexuality is a mental health risk (suicide, dementia)
Homosexuality is therefore incompatible with human biology.
Subsequently, homosexuality is a lie against nature and therefore is both unnatural and immoral.
Homosexuality cannot produce offspring
Homosexuality is a naturally selected genetic dead end.

The quotes attributed to me in this article came from my blog post at thomascwaters.com. I’m glad to see the content used here as those ideas represent the comments I made at the protest as well as in the stockholders meeting. However, I feel it is disingenuous to portray Target as remaining neutral on the gay marriage ban. Those were the words used by the CEO, but they are just empty words when viewed in light of Targets actions. By knowingly turning a blind towards politician’s stance on civil rights issues like equality for the LGBT community including marriage equality, but still funding them, Target is an accomplice in efforts designed to harm the LGBT community and that is not a neutral stance at all.

Taget can do better at growing profits and improving sales by distancing itself as a corporation from politicians and social agendas designed to segregate and marginalize portions of their customers such as gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people.

HG Said:
“All heterosexuals have a natural aversion to homosexuality.” – False, I am a hetero male and haven’t a single aversion to homosexuality.
“Homosexuality is a fringe sexuality affecting only 2-4% of society (CDC 2010)” – Cherry Picking. I believe Andy or Paul called you out on this previously.
“Homosexuality is abnormal by any reasonable standard.” – Abnormal by religious standards maybe. Which aren’t always “reasonable”.
“Homosexuality rarely if ever occurs in nature (excluding humans).” False – there have been many accounts of homosexuality amongst species in the animal kingdom.
“Homosexuality is a highly promiscuous sexuality.” – HA! Like straight folk aren’t promiscuous. I know a few.
“Homosexuality is a health risk.” – CAN be, it’s amazing what a condom can prevent!
“Homosexuality is a mental health risk (suicide, dementia)” – Only due to being persecuted by bigots such as yourself.
“Homosexuality is therefore incompatible with human biology.” – False.
Subsequently, your arguments aren’t very good thus far.
“Homosexuality cannot produce offspring.” – Nor can couples who are infertile. Try again.
“Homosexuality is a naturally selected genetic dead end.” – Homosexuality has been around since the dawn of man…I think we are doing ok! Strike threeeee (or five or six) yer outta here!

Go troll somewhere else please! Thanks!

I’d like to add that none of the comments expressed by HG are actually true. There is real value at having honest and open dialogue about things where people disagree, but that dialogue must start with facts and not lies and misrepresentations.

Still the pathetic bigot, eh, HG? Go troll elsewhere.

Bigot, homophobe… you know all those names you tolerant liberals hurl at those you can’t debate.

HG,
In order
1) I don’t, so you’re wrong,
2) irrelevant,
3) biased and wrong,
4) no it isn’t, some amphibians even change gender, wrong,
5) compared to straight adolescent males? you’re wrong,
6) Straight women have the highest rates of new HIV and HPV infection, you’re wrong,
7) oppression and abuse also mental health problems, you’re wrong,
8) non-sequitar and biased,
9) false premises yield false conclusions, biased,
10) misleading, infertile straight couples have options gay couples should have,
11) see answer to 10)

My regards to Tom Pritchard.

Praise Jebus, God hates knowledge, Amen.

Lane,

No trolling about it. Many here asked me to state my opposition to homosexuality in non-religious terms. The above is a start and for those same reasons, I oppose any attempt to normalize homosexuality by changing marriage.

HG, honey, Carl practically demolished all of your “non-religious” “arguments” – and didn’t even break out in a sweat while doing so. Just go on out of here.

HG

How can you advocate the oppresion of any group of American citizens? Is not America founded on the basis of freedom?

Also I would like to see your response to Carl’s rebuttal. Oh, and it took him less than a half and hour to write a completely original argument. No copy and pasting.

John,

Carl’s rebuttal? Arey you kidding? That was nothing more than an attempted quip.

No wonder you folks can’t see the obvious. Hell, you even bought his “rebuttal” of #10. You can’t even admit homosexuality can’t produce offspring. You thought it profound enough to require my response?

Pathetic.

HG

So you do advocate the oppresion of American citizens?

Thanks for nothing Target. Your lack of support, for legal marriage equality, is a slap in the face. Your corporation sucks!

A threat of a boycott from homsexuals is no more a threat of a boycott from those who oppose gay marriage. Don’t be so naive as to think Target should take a stand either way. They’re in business to make money, not policy.

The story states

“as a corporation, they were giving vast sums of money, which was knowingly going to anti-gay politicians.”

That seems like Target supporting oppresive policies.

In asserting that homosexuality can’t produce offspring, he doesn’t take into account viable sperm and egg cells in those who are LGBTI as well as the reality that there are millions of households headed by same-gender couples raising children. That is why he does not want to respond. He has no case other than his anti-LGBT animus which I refuse to help normalize. Meh.

It should be obvious, but for the record, the “he” above is HG.

All heterosexuals have a natural aversion to homosexuality.
Some not all. The aversion is a learned behavior like racism though and mostly in people 40 and over or Republicans. Certainly none of my nieces and nephews have any aversion to my partner and me.

Homosexuality is a fringe sexuality affecting only 2-4% of society (CDC 2010)
So?

Homosexuality is abnormal by any reasonable standard.
Since it occurs naturally it can’t be abnormal.

Homosexuality rarely if ever occurs in nature (excluding humans).
Completely wrong.

Homosexuality is a highly promiscuous sexuality.
No more than heterosexuality. Humans are just sexual by nature. That’s why the majority of straight marriages have one or both partners cheating during the marriage. Since society has actively discouraged gays from forming committed relationships though it’s wouldn’t be surprising if we appeared to be promiscuous since we can’t hide it behind a marriage like straights do.

Homosexuality is a health risk.
Everything is a health risk if you do it dangerously.

Homosexuality is a mental health risk (suicide, dementia)
Only because people who are against homosexuality insist on making our lives as miserable as they can.

Homosexuality is therefore incompatible with human biology.
Huh?

Subsequently, homosexuality is a lie against nature and therefore is both unnatural and immoral.
Garbage in garbage out.

Homosexuality cannot produce offspring
So? Multitudes of ways to have offspring if they want.

Homosexuality is a naturally selected genetic dead end.
And yet more are born all the time. I wouldn’t be surprised if in early tribal periods of human history homosexuality was something that naturally occurred to control population in the tribe and reduce tendency towards inbreeding if to many males and not enough females or the reverse.

HG,

I’m comfortable with my response. Your arguments, however, are specious and misleading. Certainly not a basis for public policy or constitutional amendments.

Praise Jebus, God hates monogamy, Amen.

TSG,

All heterosexuals have a natural aversion to homosexuality or else they wouldn’t be heterosexual. Ask any heterosexual if he has any desire to choose a same sex mate. The answer is no because heterosexuals have a natural aversion to homosexuality.

Heterosexuality is the norm among humans by an overwhelming majority. Homosexuality is a fringe sexuality and as such is abnormal as it relates to human sexuality.

Homosexuaity is a document health risk given the behaviors associated with it. (CDC)

Even a Netherlands study, where gay marriage is allowed and society is more accepting, similar high mental illness rates are found among homosexuals.

Disease is not compatible with human biology, that’s why we call it disease. Behaviors which produce or promote disease are unhealthy. Homosexuality is unhealthy sexual behavior.

Homosexuality is a genetic dead end for the individual homosexual, not homosexuality.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ANiu3YdJg&feature=player_embedded

It’s a fact the medical community acknowledges. Homosexuality is a high health risk. Homosexuals esepecially should be awake to this reality. Their health and life may depend on it.

Target,

I support the retail community and am inclusive in my shopping choices, which is why I am neutral on local ordinances banning big box stores.

Your logic is perplexing, HG. “Aversion” means repulsion or dislike. Straight ol’ me has no repulsion or dislike of homosexuality.

John,

I don’t believe marriage is oppressive. Not at all.

Paul, you have no repulsion to having sex with another man?

That question is inappropriate – and none of your business, HG. Oh, I don’t know that marriage isn’t oppressive at all given the high divorce rates and collateral damage …

I have no such repulsion, thanks for asking. I’m not interested in having sex with men, and I don’t find the idea of two people expressing themselves sexually repellent. Might be hard for you to grasp, but I don’t have any negative associations about sex based on the gender of those involved.

Why aren’t you interested, Paul?

HG

That is in no way an answer to the question I asked you.

Do you advocate the oppresion of American citizens?

HG,

How would any answer by Paul advance your position?

Praise Jebus, God hates fact based public policy, Amen.

Carl,

Paul is pretending that he has no repulsion to having sex with a man.

HG

I do not eat meat. With your logic I should have an “aversion” to those that eat meat and they should have an “aversion” to me. Since I don’t speak Italian I should have an “aversion” to those that do. Since I don’t like the Packers I should have an “aversion” to their fans. Well, sorry to disapoint you, but I enjoy the company of those that live their lives differently from me. That doesn’t mean that I need to partake in their activities but I will support them as long as my freedoms are not impuned on.

John,

Way off there. I didn’t say heterosexuals have a natural aversion to homsexuals, but to homosexuality. Huge difference.

HG,

One of the most bizarre posts I’ve ever read. Are you a psychic?

Praise Jebus, God hates rational debate, Amen.

Carl,

No, just a realist.

HG

Just because someone does not partake in the actual activity does not mean they have an “aversion” to it. I do not eat meat but I do not have an “aversion” to the act of eating meat. Your logic on this issue is baseless and indefensible. There has never been an argument that can defend bigotry.

John,

Quit being obtuse. You know as well as everyone else that taste is food is not the same as taste in women or men. Hetorosexuals do not have any desire to have sex with a member of the same sex. They are turned off by the thought of it. Hence, they’re hetersexual. It’s a natural aversion no matter how you slice it.

HG: Let’s stick to the topic at hand, which is Target’s decision to remain neutral on the constitutional ban on gay marriage in Minnesota. Apologies for indulging your tangent a bit ago, but now let’s refocus, shall we?

Sure Paul. I’ve already had my say on that matter.

First off, Target should not contribute to the campaign of anyone who voted for the bill that put a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on the ballot in 2012.

HG: Here are your same arguments, recast against another minority group (with my sincere apologies to those with dwarfism). HG: Please let me know if you agree with the “conclusion.”

All normal persons have a natural aversion to dwarfism.
Dwarfism is a “rare disease” affecting less than 1% of society (NIH 2010)
Dwarfism is abnormal by any reasonable standard.
Dwarfism rarely if ever occurs in nature (excluding humans).
Dwarfism usually doesn’t effect sexuality, and so promiscuous sexuality occurs.
Dwarfism can present many health risks.
Dwarfism can present mental health risks (suicide, depression)
Dwarfism is therefore incompatible with human biology.
Subsequently, dwarfism is a lie against nature and therefore is both unnatural and immoral.
Some types of dwarfism cannot produce offspring.

Conclusion: Persons with dwarfism should not be allowed to marry or partake of American civil rights in general.

HG: how is this different than your set of “arguments”?

Glen,

Why you comparing a birth defect to homosexuality? Do you think homosexuality is a birth defect?

I don’t thing homosexuality is a birth defect. Therefore, there is no comparison between the two.

HG: “Homosexuality is…”

One of the absolute worst thing gay people can do is believe you, believe that somehow they are destined to a life that you have laid out before them. It is a lie. In fact is is morally irresponsible to say that gay people -are- anything, because then they think that is their destiny. It is not. Gay people are just as capable of living healthy, normal, and productive lives as anyone. And they should be encouraged to, not discouraged from, doing so.

To condemn anyone to say that, no matter what you do, you’re going to h-ll, then what incentive would they ever have to do good? To do so is the epitome of immorality.

HG:

I was showing you how your list of statements relating to one facet of how a person is born was nothing more than a list of nonsequiturs and paralogia. Unfortunately, I forgot one primary principle: only engage in honest dialogue with those who desire the same. Have a nice life.

On a level, I think Glen’s analogy is apt – and appropriate to illustrate his point that no one in our society should be treated differently because of who s/he is – regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ability, height, weight, color of hair if present and so on.

I was born with a profound hearing loss. I consider myself Deaf; my disability is part of my identity. So is being a gay male.

HG would do well to be reminded that some Irish have curly like just like a lot of blacks – and to remember that a human being is a human being is a human being …

Sheesh.

… some Irish have curly HAIR just like a lot of blacks – …

Enough of HG being the center of attention, let’s refocus on the real target of this article.

Joe,

I never said homosexual’s are, I said “homosexuality is”. Again, huge difference.

As far as homosexuals go, they should acknowledge the facts about their sexuality and behave carefully to avoid the risks at the very least. Someone once said, “if you won’t be wise, be careful”.

Sorry Glen, the two are not analogous.

Target is just an example and it’s the “tip of the iceberg” as far as the anti-Amerikan Supreme Court ruling.. (Citizens v United). If a corporation can spend 50 or 100 thousand dollars on a politician (generally a Republikan) they can pass great legislation like “Right to Work” for less and Tax Breaks to ship American jobs to our economic overlords in China.. My god !! The CEO of Target can save MILLIONS , pay people less , create NO jobs and with the rest of his pocket change he can fluff up his Swiss Bank account.. What’s more American then being pro Chinese??

I don’t think Target is anti Gay..I think Target would rather pay off a Republikan in order to screw over Target’s employees.. The anti Gay thing happened because Emmer was such a homophobic NUTBALL .. Target gave to his campaign thinking that they could scrape a few bucks off their payroll so that the CEO could carpet his yacht …Isn’t it interesting how profits and policy get mixed up with civil rights issues???

@ HG
Dude! You seem like a Homosexual expert.. You have bullet points, links and extensive rebuttals on this topic.. It must take alot of time and energy compiling all of this information.. If you need some “Hands On” education I’ll suggest a website called “Rentboy.com” That seems like a good educational site for all of the Evangelical types…

HG: “I never said homosexual’s are, I said ‘homosexuality is’. Again, huge difference.”

As the Supreme Court said “there is no legal difference between status and conduct. A tax on wearing yarmulkes is still a tax on Jews.”

Hey HG, Marcus has a good point. Why are you so obsessed with homosexuality? I mean, 17 of the posts here, about a third of them, are from you over a period of several hours which is nearly a full work day. And from what I’ve seen, that’s only the tip of iceberg. I mean, I love a good debate, but I’ve got a job and a family to attend to. And a life too. What would possess a man?

HG, the health risks for gay people are directly proportional the supportiveness of the environment. The more supportive the environment, the healthier they are. Conservative areas have some of the highest suicide rates, especially for gay people. In fact of those who attempt “reparative” therapy, more people commit suicide than complete it, which is arguably the least supportive environment.

HG: “As far as homosexuals go, they should acknowledge the facts about their sexuality and behave carefully to avoid the risks at the very least.”

Everyone should acknowledge facts about anything they do and behave carefully. This goes to anyone gay or straight. I just don’t think it’s any surprise than when people are pushed outside the norms of society that they start to behave outside of those norms. If people don’t feel accepted in their own communities, they go out and they find their own. No longer bound to their norms they grew up with, yes, people do act outside of those norms. But when people are accepted and stay in the communities they grow up in, they tend more to stay within those norms. It’s not something intrinsic to the way homosexuals are, it’s intrinsic to the way they’re treated by others.

Thank you for your lucid words, Joe. I still get very upset when assholes like HG throw words around blaming us gays for our problems while at the same time refusing to recognize or acknowledge their sordid and often deadly role in this unhealthy social dynamic.

All heterosexuals have a natural aversion to homosexuality.
Homosexuality is a fringe sexuality affecting only 2-4% of society (CDC 2010)
This study has been debunked. FALSE

Homosexuality is abnormal by any reasonable standard. All notarized and practiced medicine society across the globe has stated that homosexuality is a normal and natural occurrence and is healthy. FALSE AGAIN

Homosexuality rarely if ever occurs in nature (excluding humans). close to 1500 species, ranging from primates to gut worms have both homosexual interactions and full blown mating for life. I would say that is way above rare. FALSE ONCE AGAIN

Homosexuality is a highly promiscuous sexuality. Studies have shown that within societies that have accepted same sex marriages, that the “promiscuous” level is the same. An example is that there would be as many divorces as in heterosexual relationships as there would be homosexual. I would also like to remind you that divorce, teen pregnancy, and std’s are highest amongst heterosexual bible belt section of the country. Can we say FALSE AGAIN?

Homosexuality is a health risk. Unprotected multiple partner sex is unsafe sex. No more than heterosexual sex. Sodomy which has the definition of Anal and oral sex is as prevalent in the heterosexual relationship as it is in the homosexual. FALSE

Homosexuality is a mental health risk (suicide, dementia), Read above, all notarized global medical boards state that homosexuality is normal. Higher suicide risks come from the extreme social agenda against them. The bully factor. The Dementia i am sure you are referring to perhaps the idea of AIDS? please note that the highest population in the world of AIDS is within the African heterosexual population. FALSE

Homosexuality is therefore incompatible with human biology. Since it naturally occurs and again, medical society proves you wrong. Again, anal and oral sex occurs in heterosexual relationships regularly. FALSE.

Subsequently, homosexuality is a lie against nature and therefore is both unnatural and immoral. Since 1500 species have homosexuality within its communities, it can’t be a lie. Immoral to whom? To you? Morality is a personal set equation and can not be indoctrinated. I can not force you to be gay, or can you force a gay person to be not gay. You set your morality within your religious choices. I do not follow your morality and you can not set mine for me. FALSE.

Homosexuality cannot produce offspring. Neither can any of the species within 1500 others, and Marriage is not defined on having children. Or a legal license would not be given out till after one can prove that they can indeed have a child together. False

Homosexuality is a naturally selected genetic dead end. Since Homosexuality has naturally occurred since the beginning of time, and the world population is at its highest this is a just a joke of an answer. False!

I hold no aversion to homosexuality as a non homosexual. if your implying that it doesn’t turn someone on, if they are or are not one or the other, one can also be said about holding hands for some, or hugging or kissing or rubbing ones feet or hair. The attraction to a person is more than just what turns them on. There is deep rooted love that comes with the want of marriage. This isn’t just about sex, which is what the extremest are so hung up on, and will always be. Its about the love one has for another. Do I prefer a Man, yes because I am not Gay!

Gay sex, gay love, gay relationship might not be for you. The Gay population cares less about what YOU want, as you should care LESS about what they want.

studies have shown that Gay families can be indeed BETTER for a child than a straight family. Cause there is purpose, want, and presence in the parenting. When there is adoption involved which is more than half of the families there are tests, and investigations of the home involved, which there never is amongst non adoption families.

The indoctrination of your choices and lifestyle has to stop on the public. I do not follow your religious laws. they hold nothing over me, your God is not my God.

marie,

You are sadly misinformed.

HG,

Marie actually appears to be quite well informed. Unlike you lobbing misstatements without proof, she provides information to back her statements up. Bravo, Marie. Bravo.

Not a single link cited by marie. Looks like misinformation to me, Joe.

HG,

You still never answered my question on why you’re so obsessed with homosexuality. :-)

“Not a single link cited by marie. Looks like misinformation to me, Joe.” HG~~

Uhm HG,

The internet 40% Porn , 40 % Commerce and the other 20 % is other (news, blogs, searches, Facebook ect. ect..) Just because Marie doesn’t have a link doesn’t make her any less credible .. (of course with a name like Marie it sounds like she is one of them womens .. her voice don’t count .. yuk yuk) The internet is a cross between porn store, a search engine and Glen Becks diarrhea container.. Any knuckle head can find something that suits their political preference ( even if it is a lie [FOX NEWS] )

Batman has Robin
Shaggy has Scooby
Douche Limbaugh has HG

HG if you would ever crack a science book instead of the Bible you will learn a lot.

Everything I stated has had links a million times here. Do some real research outside what the focus on the family provides, or any group that has been designated a hate group, you might learn a HUGE amount.

For now I protect my children from the dangers of people like you.

marie,

It’s worth noting that HG demands his opposition provide a level of support for their arguments that he cannot provide for his own. And yet when presented with that support by commenters like yourself, Wendy Leigh, Concerned and others he willfully ignores their posts. He’s not debating, informing or even entertaining. He’s preaching.

Praise Jebus, God hates the Truth, Amen.

On another issue, people also need to follow what Target is doing with unions and trying to hold back unions. It will be interesting to see what happens with the union vote at the Target in the New York area, whether they vote in a union and if so, if Target shuts down the store. Target and Best Buy are the two companies in the forfront of anti-union efforts, pouring money into stopping card check, which would make forming unions easier.

[...] http://minnesotaindependent.com/82557/at-shareholder-meeting-target-stays-neutral-on-gay-marriage-ba... [...]

The most hilarious “reasoning” bigots use is that homosexuality occurs in humans. IT OCCURS IN PRACTICALLY EVERY MAMMAL SPECIES! We are talking loving relationships and nasty nasty sex too. That’s not even science, which those people treat like witchcraft, but from HUMAN WITNESSES.

The other one that always makes me laugh at the sheer stupidity of it is the “Health risk!” one. Poor Africans have higher rates of AIDS than gay men, so should we be bigoted against them? Furthermore, this NEVER takes into account that the SEXUALLY SAFEST thing to be is A LESBIAN! ZERO PERCENT STD’S! But the bigots only focus on the guys and what they’ve got in their pants, which further proves that the most rabid anti-gays are nothing more than terrified closet cases.

KB, I love the response of being a Lesbian is the safest sexual practice. I have used that one myself.

Their response is often that there is no such thing as a lesbian! they actually have written (they being radical extremest right wing religious zealots, often posting here) is that they believe that Lesbians live the way they do, because of a politician choice, a statement. You know us women we will do anything to make a statement lol.!

Gee, even Target is learning. They are slow learners, but they manage to get there eventually.