Hundreds of thousands have signed a pledge to boycott Target over the store’s policy to be inclusive towards transgender customers and employees.
Target recently announced that transgender customers and employees are free to use store bathrooms that correspond with their gender identity. The American Family Association, a Christian activist group, responded with a call to boycott Target. Their online pledge has gotten nearly 500,000 signatures in support.
"Target’s policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims," the American Family Association said on their website. "And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women’s bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go?"
Target, which is based in Minneapolis, is the first nationwide retailer to weigh in on the issue. This comes after North Carolina passed a law that does not allow transgender people to use restrooms that correspond with their gender identity. Gov. Pat McCrory said the law is meant to ensure safety. In response to the law, PayPal ended plans to open a new global operations center in Charlotte. Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and several other music acts canceled concerts in the state as well.
In response to the boycott pledge, Target said, "As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work, and our guests an inclusive place to shop, we continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target."
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