Target boycott T-Shirt
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Many people across the country have come out publicly to criticize Target Corp. for donating $150,000 to help Tom Emmer, a Minnesota GOP gubernatorial candidate who opposes gay marriage. Target's money went to MN Forward, a group that is running TV ads supporting Emmer.
Gregg Steinhafel, Target’s Chief Executive Officer, sent an email to Target employees in Minneapolis to assure them that his support of the gay community is "unwavering." The email explained that Target's political donations were intended to support business objectives such as job creation and economic growth. He attempted to defend the organization by explaining that the company doesn't have a social agenda or necessarily agree with all the positions of candidates it supports.
"Let me be very clear," Steinhafel said, "Target's support of the GLBT community is unwavering, and inclusiveness remains a core value of our company." Even though Steinhafel claims that company doesn't have a social agenda or necessarily agree with Tom Emmer, Steinhafel seems to support the candidate. He gave a $2,000 personal donation to Emmer, the maximum amount allowed under state law.
Steinhafel’s comments seem to be similar to Doug Manchester, the owner of the Grand Hyatt Hotel and the Grand del Mar Hotel in San Diego, who donated $125,000 to help get Proposition 8 on the ballot in California. After losing over $7 million from a retaliation boycott, Manchester launched a website to issue a defense statement to clarify the “Hyatt’s long-standing and commendable support of the GLBT community.” Statements of support for the LGBT community are hard to believe when the “supporters” who make those statements formulate an alliance with groups dedicated to taking away LGBT rights. It sounds like the community isn’t buying Steinhafel’s defense comments any more than they bought Manchester’s.
Watch this video of a lady protesting Target's donation to anti-gay candidates
The community is already standing up to protest Target stores. A Facebook page calling for a boycott already has over 18,000 followers as of today. Shirts advocating the boycott are being sold online. The shirts display the Target logo with a slash through it and the word “Regret” in replace of “Target.”
The protest is encouraging people to contact the retail chain and voice their disapproval. Target can be reached with the following information:
Gregg.Steinhafel@target.com
612-696-6234
fax: 612-696-6325
In addition to contacting the store, the protest is encouraging people to stop shopping at Target. According to ABC, Target was the largest single donor to MN Forward, which had raised more than $1 million as of last Tuesday.
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Comments
Why would Target, a retailer, support an anti-marriage political candidate? What about their wedding registry? What about their morals?
As a justice of the peace,I perform non-religious civil marriage ceremonies for couples all the time, many of whom have been together for 20, 30 and 45 years. So Target's against these couples? Why?
Onward to full civil and marriage equality rights in the 21st century,
Joe Mustich, Justice of the Peace,
Washington, Connecticut, USA.
From the woman below "highlighted in beige"...I couldn't respond to her message. They blocked her? Beige? That could be her hair color? Anyway, marriage for straights only. Yeah! Who needs ya!
Now just add a Coors logo on the back of the "Regret" T-shirt, with the phrase "you betcha".
This anti target oversimplified inane sensationalized propaganda draws an apples to oranges comparison to the response of Mr. Steinhafel to those of Mr.Manchester. The major difference being the totality of the issues. Mr. Manchester and Prop 8 were but just one anti gay issue with no other issues to be considered; contrast that to Target's support in a gubernatorial race were multiple issues are at stake. Target's support for a person that is more supportive of the freer market then the pro gay candidate. Has a business Target is looking out for it's best interest. So when we in the gay community support pro gay socialist candidates we are actually being guilty of doing the same thing that Target is doing because socialist are bad for business.
The two situations are not the same. Prop 8 was an up or down vote on gay rights the support of a anti-gay GOP gov candidate is not the same thing if the GOP gov candidate is going to support the rights of businesses like target.
So, naturally, it would follow that if Target gave funds to a candidate who wished to see that American schools once again became racially segregated or who wished to prohibit inter-racial marriage, it would be OK--as long as that candidate was also supportive of a "freer" market? No. Bigotry is bigotry, and it is always unacceptable. When some people are denied their civil rights, ALL are in danger of being denied civil rights.
A former HQ employee here- This is not new for Target- PAC money in the past mainly went to Republicans, only recently have they tried to donate to Dems too, fearing such backlash. Gregg S also supports MN whack job Michelle Bachman. It is NOT just "supporting free market practices" that is BS. I once attended an HQ politics lunch meeting and the speaker BRAGGED that Target has more money and influence than many small countries? Something to be proud of??? Alarming!!!!
Good info--I love Target, but if the owner supports homophobia--I won't be shopping there anymore. Tweeted it.
We used to drive down to Fargo and Grand Forks to shop, particularly at Target. No more.
I've never really cared for Target stores, this sort of actions just confirms the beliefs I already had about them.
I will no longer shop at Target stores. I have posted to all my friends on Twitter & Facebook. STOP THE HATE!
First off, kudos to the grandmother in the video standing up for her family. A very brave and courageous woman!
Secondly, the boycott should be handled just as in the video. Make your last purchase at Target then go immediately to the customer service desk and return each and every item. Explain to the manager why you're doing this and the nature of the boycott. Remain calm and civil to the manager and all Target employees.
Tomorrow (Saturday), I'll be doing just that at my local Target.
I will not shop at Target anymore. This hypocrisy does NOT demonstrate that "Target's support of the GLBT community is unwavering, and inclusiveness remains a core value of our company." They just lost my money. I'll go to any and all of their competitors. Best Buy doing it makes me sad, though, I love that store. But I'll shop elsewhere.
A step against immorality and perversion. My new favorite store.
CEO should be FIRED W/O PENSION. This chain wants to MOVE TO OCCUPY THE OLD SEARS (Mervyns) LOCATION IN SAN FRANCISCO ON GARY / Masonic? I was in favor NOW OPPOSED.
Sorry Target - I don't believe you. You support anti-gay bigots
Would Target support a racist or anti-semetic candidate if they happen to be pro-business? I don't think they would. What hypocrites.
Boycott Target until they make this right.
And this is were I have a problem. Socially, I am very liberal. Fiscally, I'm conservative. So who do I vote for? Typically, the socially liberal candidates win my vote. But, I'm not a business. It is in the best interests of businesses to support candidates who support their fiscal ideals, whether or not the candidate supports their social morals. Unfortunate, but true. The sad truth is that shareholders require businesses to look past their morals when supporting those candidates who will make them the most money.
Best argument yet. I'm gay and thought this was all just silly. Your comment has made me think
A lot deeper. Thank you.
And this is exactly how unbridled capitalism destroys lives. People should come before profit.
How smart was it to contribute to a canidate who "will help them economically" and suffer the loss of sales nationally in a boycott? I spent over 100.00 every Saturday at Target for years, no more....
I grew up in a small town over an hour drive from the nearest Target store. Even though it was such a long drive, we still made the trip regularly. After I grew up I moved to the Cities and stayed a loyal customer of target for over 20 years. I now live within 1 mile of a Target Store. Being so close to Target, I go there at least once a week. No more! I always thought they cared for thier customers. Now I see that politics means more to them than customer loyalty. Even though the nearest Kmart is about 45 minutes away, I will now be taking my business to them.
Sorry Target, but if you are not loyal to me, why should I be loyal to you.
It looks like the thought police are at it again. They try to pressure people into accepting their beliefs. Why can't people have their own beliefs and values without being persecuted for it? Why can't Target support any candidate they want without a bunch of homosexual "Brown Shirts" trying to beat them down. Special interests tells me not to go to Wal-Mart because they are anti-union, homosexual agendas tell me not to go to Target because they are anti-gay, so where am I supposed to shop. How about this, wherever I darn well please. I used to be liberal until I got tired of the strong arm bull-crap that they pull everyday. Let's all berate Tom Emmer because he has his own opinions and beliefs. Sounds like a hate crime against Tom Emmer because people berate him because of his beliefs.
Target just angered about half of the shopping public. Not their finest hour. I will never shop at Target again.
I think when a corporation donates money that the employees and shareholders should have a vote on the matter. When a CEO donates money in the company name then the CEO is basically stating that everyone or the majority of those involved with the company support the person/the cause. The CEO of Target was very disrespectful to a lot of employees, the shareholders and the customers. I won't be going to the Keene, NH Target store anymore!
Add to the list for boycotting. The following businesses or CEO's supported a politician who also as Emmer believes does not believe in homosexual marriages: Home Depot, Build a Bear, Microsoft, Walmart, Kinko, Dell,Staples, Starbucks, and Men's Wearhouse. The politician they supported...... gasp! no! Barack Obama! Obama states, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman." This whole Target/Emmer issue is nothing but a political stunt set up to intimidate people. Hypocrites!
Laus, do the other companies mentioned (or the President), 1) support Christian fundamentalist rock bands that state islamists are more moral than Christians because they kill gay people, 2) give money to such causes, and 3) vote to not allow domestic partner benefits for gay couples? Please provide us that list.
As an employee I can tell you that Target absolutely DOES allow domestic partner benefits for gay couples. And Target donated money to MN Forward, not a fundamentalist Christian rock band or a specific political candidate.
Target employees at their distribution centers allow their employees to say that Homosexual conotations or let their people say slang dergrading sexual words all the time. They also have employee meetings where a man dress up as a woman and everyone laughs. Harasment is filed and taken up almaost year for someone to get in trouble. There is also touching of employee and sexual innuendo when I work there so many inappropriate things happen there. This is for Brent Weiss and Robert Ruby who Work at the Albany, Oregon Distribution Center one is OutBound GL and other is Center Operation Manager. This FAct Because I wrote of every incident time, day, and who said it and if GL was in the area.Thankyou Target for not protecting the rights of people.
I will never shop target again. My money is better spent shopping somewhere else. I will not support "HATE."
Stephen please provide me with empirical evidence that Tom Emmer has ever said he supports rock bands that condone killing gays. This could fall under the Jeramiah Wright clause with Obama. Is Emmer guilty by association if so should Obama be judged the same. If Emmer never said kill the gays, how can you judge him so? Has Tom Emmer donated money to groups that want to kill gays? I don't know, if you have empirical evidence, not some angry blog, but something a person can trust. I have already seen the lies that said Emmer stated he wants all gays dead. Not a shred of truth, however, gullible people believe it. Domestic partners, now you are changing the story. The protest, if read the above story deals with gay marriage, nothing else. If you are outraged by Tom Emmer's stance, you must be equally outraged against Barack Obama's stance. Otherwise you are a hypocrite. This is purely a political stunt trying to scare people from supporting Emmer nothing more.
To your first question:
minnesotaindependent.com/58393/gop-linked-punk-rock-ministry-says-executing-gays-is-moral
On the presidental question, the President is for domestic partner benefits and full equal rights before the law. That means equality in the 1,059 federal benefits and the over 300+ benefits granted at the state level. Obama, wants this done via a civil union, not gay marriage. (However, I'm not thrilled with separate but equal...it never works).
In contrast, Emmer wants zero benefits granted gay couples. See the difference?
Read the article, did not see anywhere that Emmer supports this group. Sorry getting a photo op with Emmer isn't that hard. Let's face it, I could probably get a photo with a minor politician if I wanted. Yes I saw Emmer donated $250 to the band's fundraising. People do donate to things they may not completely agree with. In the article when it quoted Enner's group it seemed he was trying to distance himself from them. Not once did he say that he condoned the killing of gays or support that opinion from anyone else. This would be the Jeremiah Wrigth/Bill Ayers clause that was taboo during the presidential election. Once again you are changing the story, it isn't about civil unions or health benefits, its about gay marriage which president Obama also doesn't agree with. Is it okay for president Obama to be against gay marriage but not Mr. Emmer? That is my stance, we turn a blind eye to a person we support but want to have a witch hunt for those we oppose. That is hypocritcal.
@Laus - The difference between Obama and Emmer are very different. While Obama is against same-sex marriage, he has opened up domestic partnership benefits to Federal employees. Emmer has done the opposite. He is against domestic partnership benefits and is also against allowing gays and lesbians to be parents. While Obama may not be moving our community forward as fast as many of us would like, he is not working hard to take away our few rights that already exist.
Dear Mr. Steinhafel,
As a proud leader in the gay community, I will be boycotting your store located in the "West Hollywood Gateway" complex at Santa Monica and La Brea in West Hollywood, California.
Your donation to a anti-gay candidate Tom Emmer is the reason for this boycott.
My expenditures in this store, as calculated by daily use of Quicken financial software, has amounted to $2,874 in the past 15 months. This is the revenue that you have lost by your ill-advised loss of values and the effrontery to support a vicious socially and politically negative figure such as Mr. Emmer.
Your store was great; it was enjoyable. With your donation to an anti-gay candidate, it's also over.
My decision will be broadcast on various social networking sites. I have over 800 friends on Facebook, most of whom live in the immediate vicinity of West Hollywood Gateway, and I will encourage them to join me in the boycott.
Okay, is the protest about Emmer not supporting gay marriages or not because that is what I am seing in the news. What rights do gays have in jeopardy if Emmer gets into office? You still are American citizens. Most rights people talk about are actually privileges. I still have yet to see in any news (not some angry blog) where Tom Emmer says he will kill gays or take away the rights they currently have. The protest is about his stand on marriage. Do you condemn all politcians that oppose gay marriage? If the answer is yes, then well done you stand by your beliefs and haven't sold out. If the answer is no, then you are a hypocrite. I am willing to accept civil unions, but not gay marriages. Laws mandating gay marriage would encroach on the seperation of Church and State. The State would enforce mores on the Church body that they do not accept. I will say it again, this protest is purely political.
Gregg Steinhafel is a fo-king bigot. I've stopped shopping at Target. We used to spend around $1700 a year there. But we'll go elsewhere now.
If Target truly made the donation thinking it would be good for their business, they should make an equal donation to the opposing candidate for the same reason. This is about influence and ideals. Neither of which should be for sale.
Are you mentally retarded? Obviously if the CEO supports a side favoring economical growth or job creation, then that evaluation has been made in contrast to what the other candidate's agenda would offer.
As an enthusiastic Target customer, this development makes me very sad. No more Target shopping for me. Perhaps the bad Supreme Court Citizens United decision (allowing corporations to contribute without restriction to campaigns) will have an unexpected benefit, if we all just keep alert and see what entities are contributing to what candidates.
nfahr
No more red circled plastic bags for me.
I have one word for you -------- "next"
It is interesting that Laus is trying to defend her/his right to oppose the pursuit of happiness i.e., the respect, stable relationship, security and joy that marriage can bring. Just because Obama opposes it doesn't make it right to deny citizens who have commited no crime, paid taxes, spent their hard earned money at stores like TARGOT. Obama is a politiician-- so who knows what he really thinks. Note he is not willing to say that the law that applies to the protection of the citizens of this country should protect only heterosexual people A man of his intelligence understands that the rights of everyone to the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness SHOULD BE PROTECTED even if he personally has a problem with it. He has sense enough to know that he is not gay and that if he has a problem with it it is HIS PROBLEM not
the person who is gay.
Laus...you were NEVER liberal.
Thats all I have to say.
Laus - why are you trying to pressure others with your ideas and beliefs because that's whats your message above is doing so you are no better than those you are chastising - thought police? Oh so you are an all about me person? Fingures - do you protest when you want something to change? do you go phonebank and do precinct walks for those you want elected? Do you get up off your fanny and do someting when you see and injustice or are you just a bunch of air that likes to spew but takes no action? I WILL NOT SHOP AT TARGET ANYMORE - HEY HAVE FUN shopping there maybe all the same kind of people like you will still be shopping there too - hummm get you all in one place...
This is simple for me. I wouldn't buy baked goods from the KKK so why shop at Target if they support these views. What is KKK had a good business plan for them? Silly. Spending my money is a vote and I will spend it somewhere else.
Gregg Steinhafel states that “Target's political donations were intended to support business objectives such as job creation and economic growth...the company doesn't have a social agenda or necessarily agree with all the positions of candidates it supports.”
History supports Mr. Steinhafel. There was a time when the country was in an economic disaster. It took wads of cash just to buy food. The people rose up and supported a new candidate. Damn the “social agenda”! He had a plan to reinvigorate the economy and buy God he did! Adolf Hitler brought the sagging German economy back to greatness. All the people had to do was ignore his "social agenda".
Michele, yes I was a liberal. The first presidential candidate I voted for was Walter Mondale, that should speak for itself. Evelyn: I am not trying to stand in anybody's way of the pursuit of happiness. I applauded a person who stands up for their beliefs even when it goes against what the majority of their party likes. Condemning all politicians who don't support gay marriage, not just Republican ones. That shows true courage even if I don't have the same views. JC: Yes I do get active in politics. I try to also make informed decisions. I also don't try to insult people if I don't agree with them. If you took offense to the thought police I apologize. All I am trying to get across to everyone is if you are damning Emmer about gay marriages, you better damn all politicians that do not support gay marriages. The story deals with gay marriage, not civil unions, not health benefits, etc... Also, I do quite a bit to help society. I help those noone else will help. Join me!
Who is this bozo named Laus?
Job creation? What garbage! Create jobs by running a good business. Instead, this sheister is trying to purchase candidates.
This is capitalism at its finest
Bozo? Come on don't prove my point for me. If you use slurs against a person in a debate you automatically lose. All I am saying is this protest is against a politician who doesn't support gay marriage. Not about civil unions, insurance, etc... If you are going to be outraged, then be outraged against all politicians that believe it, like Obama. I was outraged when that southern governor disapeared to be off with his South American mistress. Didn't matter what party he belonged to. All I am asking is for you all is to stand up for your beliefs in all circles, not just when it is convenient.
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