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Remember my open letter to Target about its support of anti-gay legislation? Well, it appears that the CEO has apologized to Target employees, and a number of pro-equality media outlets have given consumers their blessing to shop at Target once more.
I say “appears” because I haven’t actually seen this apology. I’ve read a few very brief quotes and a promise or two, but nothing substantial. Check out how little the Huffington Post printed about it:
“Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel wrote employees to say the discount retailer was “genuinely sorry” over the way a $150,000 contribution to MN Forward donation played out. Steinhafel said Target would set up a review process for future political donations.”
I’d like to point out that not only is this apology not available to anyone but those employees that received it, but that there was no apology issued to consumers. To the public. To you.
There were also no reparations made for the $150,000.00 already donated to anti-gay rights candidate Tom Emmer. After Target sat down to discuss corrective measures with the Human Rights Campaign – and even wrote up a few tentative agreements – they backed out. (In response, HRC will donate $150,000.00 of its own money to a pro-equality candidate in Minnesota. Want to help? Donate to the HRC by clicking here.)
So let’s keep this boycott going. Keep your letters coming in to Target – all it takes is one click to make your voice heard – and remember that Target hasn’t apologized to you – only its employees. Remember that Target hasn’t changed their donation policies – only said they’d create a “review process.”
It’s simple: Target has done what they believe is the smallest amount of damage control needed to bring you back into its stores.
Tell Target that it’s not enough.
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Sidenotes:
- That’s my local Target. I just found out about this, and am jealous of those who were there.
- Seattle may be liberal, but you’d be surprised at how many people have no idea this is going on. Forward this information on. It’s important.
- Yes, that’s armpit hair. You won’t die just from looking at it. (Those YouTube comments are just ridiculous, aren’t they?)
I WAS ABOUT TO SEND YOU THE LINK TO THAT YOUTUBE VIDEO AS WELL!
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PrincessPoochie and errantly, errantly. errantly said: Awakened Aesthetic – Target is Unwavering…on Supporting Profits, Not Gays http://goo.gl/fb/XMysF [...]
RT @errantly: I hear media outlets say we can stop boycotting @Target. They're wrong. http://ow.ly/1qNOne
[...] you still need more reasons to shop at TJ Maxx and Marshalls, check out Target’s anti-gay rights donations, or how H&M and Wal-Mart destroy what they don’t sell. Then read up on TJ Maxx and [...]
[...] places that are, in my opinion, unethical to shop at. They’re namely big box stores – Target, Wal-Mart* – and trendy chains – Urban Outfitters, American Apparel. The biggest [...]
RT @errantly: Don't stop boycotting: @Target's apology was not 4U! http://ow.ly/1qNOne (ethical clothing options here: http://ow.ly/1qNPVg)
like hell it is the boycott is ongoing where did you get your info boycott target on face book its still going retract that statement imediatly!!
Erin: “a number of pro-equality media outlets have given consumers their blessing to shop at Target once more” does not mean ALL media outlets have. I am aware that there’s a Facebook page, and a grass roots boycott, but those don’t reach people unless we keep talking – and they don’t reach the companies we’re boycotting unless we keep talking to them, too.
A Facebook page is powerful, sure, but it isn’t enough.
I don’t agree with the boycott, but this was pretty funny. The fact remains that this donation aside, Target has been very good on equality issues, including offering benefits to same-sex partners and otherwise being gay-family friendly. The apology to its employees and a promise to do better should be enough, demanding “reparations” seems like a cheap shakedown attempt.
That video is seriously, seriously awesome.
[...] is wearing: Top:K-Mart ($7 Australian) Denim Leggings: Jolt ($39 $27.30) Boots: Target, pre-idiocy ($27 Australian) Scarf: Gift from Lindsay (aww [...]
[...] This article is a follow-up on two others, which expose Target’s choice to fund anti-gay-civil rights legislature. All emphasis within quotations is mine. You can read the first article, An Open Letter to Target, here, and the second here. [...]
[...] Target: An Open Letter, a Follow-Up, and A [...]