Earlier this week, your blogger wrote here about Target's gay pride promotion that's occurring online now. The promotion involves donating proceeds from the sale of t-shirts to the Family Equality Council, a national group that supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender families.
Our story pointed out that Target's campaign comes two years after the Minneapolis-based retailer backed a group supporting Tom Emmer, then the Repubican candidate for governor who opposed gay marriage.
In response, an anti-gay marriage group called Minnesota for Marriage issued a press release decrying the Target pride campaign. "Target just doesn't get it," a news release from the group stated, noting the campaign is simply a plot to "make nice" with gay marriage advocates. "It's wrong for a mega-corporation to take sides in an important social issue that has nothing to do with business objectives," the group said.
Of course, Minnesotans take to the polls this November to vote on a referendum that would amend the state's constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman
We asked Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder for a response to the Minnesota for Marriage claims. She reiterated what Target said earlier this week. Here it is:
"Target supports inclusivity and diversity in every aspect of our business and has a long history of supporting the LGBT community through giving, volunteerism and event sponsorship and participation.
"Over the past year, we heard from our team members and guests that they'd like to see an assortment of Pride merchandise available at Target. Target is pleased to be able to bring our guests products they want while, in turn, helping support the LGBT community through the donation of 100 percent of the purchase price to the Family Equality Council."
Janet Moore covers business news for the Star Tribune.
