More than a dozen leftist state attorneys general have signed onto a letter urging Target to continue promoting the LGBT movement and suggesting that the retail giant reach out to report any “anti-LGBTQIA+ harassment” of workers or customers.
Target has faced significant backlash for offering pro-LGBT-related items for sale, including for children. A few items had been offered from a brand that also sells products with the message “Satan respects pronouns,” but those particular items had not been offered by Target.
Target issued a press release last month saying that it would drop some of the controversial items. But the company also reiterated its support for the “LGBTQIA+ community.”
“For more than a decade, Target has offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month. Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year,” Target’s press release read.
The attorneys general of Massachusetts, Minnesota, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington have joined the letter to Target chairman and CEO Brian Cornell.
“Though we do not doubt Target’s longstanding commitment to LGBTQIA+ equality, and though we laud your intention to keep your staff members and customers safe, we fear your choice to pull Pride merchandise demonstrates that intentional violence and intimidation can set back the march for social progress and LGBTQIA+ equality, which as we have noted is already under intense attack nationwide,” the attorneys general declared in the letter.
“If Target again finds itself facing anti-LGBTQIA+ harassment—whether of customers or employees—store management or the corporate office are encouraged to reach out to our offices. We are ready, willing, and able to work with you in the spirit of progress, inclusivity, and equality,” they said.
“This Pride Month, the LGBTQIA+ community needs and deserves our support and protection more than ever. We urge Target to double down on inclusivity, reject hate in all its forms, and stand firm in the face of intimidation and discrimination. We hope that we can work together with Target to create a welcoming space where members of this community, including Target staff and customers, can express themselves in the joyful spirit of Pride,” the letter concludes.
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