Target transgender
Target transgender
The rights of transgender individuals have been in the news in a big way lately and one of the nation’s largest retailers is now weighing in.
In a post on its website Tuesday, Target reiterated an existing policy: that transgender employees and customers are welcome to use the bathroom or fitting room that corresponds with their gender identity.
The post also expressed support for federal legislation protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.
“Inclusivity is a core belief at Target,” the post said. “It’s something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day.”
Many took to Twitter to attack the chain and vowed to stop shopping there
@Target I used to enjoy shopping at your store, but if you cant protect our nations children, i wont be back! #targetbathroom #targetboycott
— Shelly Perrin (@SweeetAroma2011) April 20, 2016
So Target says use whatever bathroom you, desire men or women's in their stores My family will not spend another dime at Target.#enough
— rick burgess (@bigvox) April 21, 2016
I will NEVER shop at .@Target as long as perverts allowed n same bathroom as my granddaughters/grandsons! https://t.co/CWdBP6ef0Q
— DarlingDeb (@RealDarlingDeb) April 20, 2016
Others took to social media to express support for the chain.
Watch out, guys! @Target is trying to kill your kids with tolerance and common sense. #targetbathroom https://t.co/OhFOxYZpgn
— Alex Lilly (@alex_lilly) April 20, 2016
Even if there was rampant abuse of the #targetbathroom policy by pervs, why would transgendered individuals be blamed? They just need to pee
— Susan Gail Taylor (@TheSusanGTaylor) April 20, 2016
below is the full statement from Target:
Recent debate around proposed laws in several states has reignited a national conversation around inclusivity. So earlier this week, we reiterated with our team members where Target stands and how our beliefs are brought to life in how we serve our guests.
Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It’s something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day.
We believe that everyone—every team member, every guest, and every community—deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally. Consistent with this belief, Target supports the federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination.
In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.
We regularly assess issues and consider many factors such as impact to our business, guests and team members. Given the specific questions these legislative proposals raised about how we manage our fitting rooms and restrooms, we felt it was important to state our position.
Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And you’ll always be accepted, respected and welcomed at Target.
