Community wants answers from Target on marriage amendment
Monday, June 13, 2011 at 8:30 am
- 27 Comments
Twin Cities Pride is asking the LGBT community for feedback over the decision by Target to stay neutral on an anti–gay marriage amendment that will appear on the ballot in 2012. The Minneapolis-based big box retailer has long been a major sponsor of Twin Cities Pride, one of the largest LGBT celebrations in the country, but political giving to candidates who oppose LGBT rights has prompted Twin Cities Pride to defend itself over accepting Target’s sponsorship.
Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel told shareholders last week that the company would not take a stance on the amendment, and that has fueled further controversy over the retailer’s sponsorship of Pride.
Target’s independent campaign expenditures to Minnesota Forward in support of Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer sparked outcry and protest during the 2010 election, but Twin Cities Pride defended its decision two weeks ago when it announced Target as a major sponsor.
“Twin Cities Pride strongly opposed Target’s contribution to Minnesota Forward and deeply regrets that a Pride sponsor chose to align itself with this particular PAC,” the group said in a statement. “However, Pride draws a clear distinction between the views of the candidate in question, and companies that chose to support this PAC. Target is a model employer in the community and a champion of LGBT equality in the workplace.”
The group, which holds its annual festival June 25 and 26, said that Target continues to make donations to LGBT causes that exceed $500,000 each year in Minnesota and cited changes that Target announced in February to its political giving process.
“A continued sponsorship is a step in the right direction for Target and excluding them from this year’s event would unfairly prevent Target from repairing their reputation in the LGBT community,” the group said.
But Steinhafel’s statement on the anti-gay marriage amendment at a shareholders meeting last week reignited the controversy. “Our position at this particular time is that we are going to be neutral on that particular issue,” he said, “as we would be on other social issues that have polarizing points of view.”
To that Twin Cities Pride said, “Our Board of Directors was appalled this week to learn that Target has publicly stated a neutral position on the Constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman.”
The group says it will use the opportunity to educate Target about the amendment and solicited comments on its Facebook page to send to Target. Those comments ran the gamut.
“I don’t like how it is seeming that Target is jumping on the ‘band-wagon’ when it benefits them, but then jumping off or feigning neutrality when asked to stand by their actions,” wrote one community member. “You can’t have your cake and eat it too Target. Choosing to throw themselves in the ring politically and by sponsoring Pride, I feel, opens them up for needing to state where they are on this issue.”
Another commenter had even stronger words. “Pride is a sacred space because it is often the only time LGBT people get to experience full inclusion and welcome in a public space. It is HIGHLY offensive that a company who has funded politicians who are virulently anti-gay would be allowed to have a presence at our event. There will be a very public response.”
Others were eager to give Target a pass based on the chain’s pioneering work on workplace inclusion and hefty giving to LGBT charities.
“Guys, these companies are LEADERS, I’ll say it again, LEADERS in GLBT equality in the workplace. Just because they don’t shout from the heavens like Home Depot has done, doesn’t mean they aren’t equally as important to the GLBT community,” wrote a commenter.
Wrote another, “Yes, it is upsetting that they are ‘neutral,’ but given their strong internal non-discrimination policies I think we can take a “we are disappointed but we’ll wait and see.”
Some called for pulling support from any business that stays neutral on the marriage amendment. “With the anti-gay amendment on the ballot next year, we have to ask ourselves if we really want the support of ‘neutral’ businesses,” one comment read. “We should be embracing the companies that actually appreciate us and want us to have equal rights! Neutral will not give us civil rights.”
And another commenter snarked, “Target is like getting medical care from someone who just shot you on purpose.”
Follow Andy Birkey on Twitter27 Comments
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 9:17 am
It would be fair to assume that Target is one of the hallowed “job creators” defended by the GOP. Monies given on behalf of Target to LGBT causes may well be intended to placate that minority community. Neutrality might therefore be best viewed as a dodge.
Jeff Wilfahrt, Rosemount, MN
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 9:29 am
Target has stepped into the fray and should declare which side it supports. Let the chips fall where they may. I doubt that’ll happen though.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 10:28 am
Target is not a church, they don’t have to define their position on “moral” issues that are not directly related to their business practices. Do you expect a company to weigh in on every controversial issue. What’s next? Are we going to hear about whether or not they support a strip club that is zoned for construction next to a daycare? People can make their decisions about whether or not to patronize a company based on their practices and ideals but, they shouldn’t expect companies to stand for their political positions (no matter what side they are on). If you want toothpaste, go to Target. If you want political action go elsewhere.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 11:49 am
Bull. People dont want to buy toothpaste from a company that supports ‘Kill the Gays’ candidates and policies, and shouldn’t.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 12:05 pm
So, if this amendment was related to racial or sex discrimination, Target would remain neutral? I think not.
Yes, Target wants the gay community (and their supporters) as customers, but they don’t respect them.
If Target wants to avoid this controversy, then they should stop trying to buy politicians.
And they SHOULD take a stance against discrimination. These two postures are the right ones for any moral company.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 12:17 pm
Target got their fingers burned in the last election cycle. I dont think you’ll hear or see any public pronouncements or funding again for a while.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 2:08 pm
@ML, no Target is not a church, but that hasn’t ever stopped them or any other corporation from weighing in on whatever issue they choose. By nearly-directly supporting Tom Emmer in the last election, the corporation showed its true self. Most large corporations (IMO) that support progressive causes do so either because they’re required to by law (EEO) or because they want to look good to a relatively large and/or vocal minority. Consider the similarity between the words “corporation” and “corruption”. Corporations are in business for ONE sole purpose… to make money… for their stockholders/owners. Not to be nice to nobody else. They do NOT give a crap about you, or me, even if I DO own a few shares (which I most assuredly do not!)
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 2:16 pm
Remember this story the next time you see one of Targets ads claiming how involved they are in the community and how much they give to community needs. Let’s face it, the only reason Target has a corporate giving program is because it’s good PR and makes them look good. That of course translates into more sales and bigger profits. They would never give a dime to anything that might alienate some shoppers. It’s all about the shoppers and how much they spend. Nothing else.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 2:35 pm
There is no such thing as “neutral”–neutral maintains the current prevailing systems of access and power. It is impossible to NOT participate in consumer culture (and I don’t necessarily want to not participate). Thus, I will make the best choices I can about where I spend my money. Given Target’s position, I will continue to not shop there and look for companies on the production/distribution end that see that it is possible to do justice and do business… and treat all of there employees equally.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 3:07 pm
Twin Cities Pride’s outrage comes VERY late in the game here… after the deal has been inked. Considering Target’s anti-gay actions have been going on for over a year, and right in the FRONT yard of TCP, I find their polling the community, and attempt to take Target to task, too little WAY too late.
It makes our community look like a sell-out. I’d rather pay for my own Pride, thank you very much.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 3:11 pm
Btw, Mr. Birkey, the last comment you quoted, “Target is like getting medical care from someone who just shot you on purpose.” is not snark. It’s dead on.
And for those applauding Target’s past leadership in LGBT issues, I do not argue. But they were PAST, and NONE had or have occurred under the current regime of anti-Gay Steinhafel.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 3:49 pm
Just proves Target does not really care about LGBT once again. I have not and will not shop at Target until Target changes… It is no longer shame on Target it shame on LGBT for give them one more dime to fight against us.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 4:16 pm
I will never forget the first Pride Phil and I attended. It was an amazing experience. It truly was a feeling of love and acceptance felt at our very core. We were so in need of it at that point on our journey as parents with a beloved gay son. It gave us hope. It is the one time of the year when everyone who gathers together is supportive. In the Twin Cities that means being in the midst of hundreds of people who are not only supportive but also working for the day of equality. Now that companies can freely give to political candidates and with Minnesota in the midst of this shameful marriage amendment battle with candidates fighting for and against it …. statements by a CEO do matter if that company is one who wants to freely give politically. Steinhafel’s “neutral” statement sent a strong message to me. It was not a good one. The people pushing for this amendment know there are already laws in place in Minnesota banning marriage for people like my son. They want to make certain my son never has the hope to marry in Minnesota. They want it written in our constitution so it is permanent. If you are “neutral” with that reality …. then you do not support the gay community. Having controversy in the midst Pride is sad …. especially for those who just came out or live in areas they don’t feel safe to be out. Pride should continue to be the one precious time of the year with 100% love and support.
5 minutes ago · LikeUnlike.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 4:25 pm
Target is remarkably well balanced in many ways, especially regarding community concerns. Perhaps the LGBT are not so and it seems that LGBT is bunch of bullies.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 6:00 pm
Really? who cares what Target thinks? They are not a private citizen. Their opinion holds no weight in the polls. People only want them to make a statement so one side can point to them and say “see?! they’re with us!” If you believe an issue is right it doesn’t matter what a public corporation thinks or says. Rather than sitting here berating one another like a bunch of malcontent little kids maybe you should be out making your opinion known. you know? Protesting? Making use of your First Amendment rights? My generation wants everything handed to them on a silver platter with absolutely no sacrifice on their own part. Where would the civil rights movement had been if they maintained that attitude throughout? “Well, yeah black people are citizens of the US too, and they totally deserve equal rights…. but my bff just updated their status on Facebook and Charlie Sheen just made a post on twitter so I’m kind of busy right now.” It’s just sickening how completely incompetent and self absorbed my generation and the one that raised has become.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 6:32 pm
I would argue that Target needs to take a very strong public stance on this issue. What happened to this LGBTQ Committee they were supposedly forming over the scandal of last year? As I pointed out then, it seemed all too much P.R. and too little substance….
Sadly, and it pains me to say this, we will not be attending this year’s Twin Cities Pride. As long as Target is a visible sponsor and does nothing to adress the mistakes of last year, TCPride needs to not accept “dirty money”.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 6:54 pm
Wow. Glad this information was available. I will not be shopping at Target anytime soon…
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 7:48 pm
I say take all the money from Target that you can; they have it and we need it. Just don’t return the favor by shopping there until such time as they finally stop making political contributions period. I used to spend a lot of money at Target; haven’t been in a store since their donation to MNForward, and don’t intend to.
Comment posted June 13, 2011 @ 8:36 pm
“Neutral” on such an important civil rights issue such as Marriage Equality on top of which is now being fought in a state with such a bigoted amendment going to voters next year?!? C’mon Steinhafel, gay does not equal stupid! Claiming neutrality simply means that you can’t stand our guts! Plain and simple! Period!! BTW your still on my boycott list Target as well as each and every small AND large business which gives so much as one PENNY or MORE in donation funds to the MN GOP!! I STRONGLY urge all Gay/lesbians to NOT do business with any company that supports MN GOP candidates! Nice try Target.
Comment posted June 14, 2011 @ 12:01 am
“The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Target gave HUNDREDS of Thousands of dollars to Anti-LGBT, extremist politicians across the country. Their resources have resulted in the MN Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment, the Paul Ryan “Dismantle Medicare” legislation, WI Governor’s “Union Busting” legislation, etc.
You can’t support something financially and then claim to be neutral about it.
Comment posted June 14, 2011 @ 12:33 am
According this article it’s okay for the homosexual community to destroy people’s careers, give death threats, etc. to bully people into accepting your life style choice and people need to know the truth about it:
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/some-gay-rights-foes-974234.html
Pingback posted June 14, 2011 @ 7:16 am
[...] Minn Indy on Target and Pride [...]
Comment posted June 14, 2011 @ 7:23 am
Twin Cities Pride needs to demonstrate some leadership and courage here. The LGBT community needs to stand up and do something. Selling out to Target and looking past their continued political support of the the country’s leading anti-Gay politicians that promote discrimination and persecution is repulsive . Allowing Target to seek refuge behind a neutrality policy to escape accountability cases real harm – just like the Anoka school district policy – asinine.
Comment posted June 14, 2011 @ 9:06 am
@Dolorosa,
It is not okay “to destroy people’s careers, give (sic) death threats, etc. to bully people.” But keep in mind GLBTs have been subject to these very strategies forever.
However, I ask you, to what extent would you go to defend your civil rights? Is there a limit to your defense of equality, freedom? Please do not impose on others limitations you would not accept yourself.
Praise Jebus, God hates civil rights, Amen.
Comment posted June 14, 2011 @ 10:27 pm
Well, of course their neutral on the issue. They maxed out on their campaign contributions to Bachmann, ya know. Mrs. Christian Values, Gay Bashing, Welfare Foster Mom.
Comment posted November 14, 2011 @ 1:54 pm
I don’t think that the LGBT community needs to poll every company in the state to see where they stand, but when Target helps sponser PRIDE and then remains neutral on the marriage issue, to me that’s a conflict. Let’s look elsewhere for sponsers who are fully supportive. This isn’t a time for neutrality.
I stopped shopping at Target after the Emmer donation.
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