Do Target’s New Pride T-Shirts Mean It’s Time to Forgive Their Anti-Gay Past?

Posted by Kevin Farrell on May 23, 2012 in Style | 55 comments

Target debuted a line of gay pride t-shirts this week, just in time for the parades and celebrations occurring throughout the country for much of June and July.

The collection of ten pride shirts boasts two designed by Miss Harajuku herself, Gwen Stefani. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Family Equality Council.

But here’s the thing, the shirts will not be sold in stores and are only available for purchase online. Which means that the people who really should be exposed to Target’s LGBT progress won’t be.

That skeptical sales strategy, coupled with the fact that Target refuses to take a stand either way on Minnesota’s potential constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage has us feeling a bit uneasy about the new shirts. After all, it wasn’t too long ago that Target donated $150,000 to a outspokenly anti-gay politician.

So while it’s great that Gwen Stefani has partnered with the bullseye brand, we’re still having flashbacks of Lady Gaga breaking her contract with Target because of their failure to update their LGBT policies and improve their treatment of LGBT employees. Let’s also not forget that Target actually sued and LGBT grassroots organization last year, and an employee at Target Field warned a lesbian couple they needed to adhere to the ten commandments.

We want to hear how YOU feel about Target’s role in the gay community. Are these shirts a welcome addition to pride season or a one-foot-out-the-door product line. Has Target done enough to make up for their anti-gay past? Or are you still unimpressed by their lack of a firm commitment to LGBT equality?

Sound off in the comments!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=537726244 Adam Kuglin

You guys ought to know by now that Target Corporation has nothing to do with Target Field except for owning the naming rights. We can call Target out without needing to be disingenuous about it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001673588801 Cassandra Huber

I’m still not impressed. You cannot “make up” for what you said or did in the past. You can change your view but that past stuff is still there.
http://www.facebook.com/jjim2000 Jim Jimerson

Target is trying to make it look as they are GLBT friendly, but as their actions show they are not. I will be spending my “pink” dollars at other Glbt friendly retailers either online or in stores.

http://twitter.com/mnforequality MN for Equality

And by actions, you mean things like sponsoring the Minnesota AIDS Walk, supporting the Red Ribbon Ride (nearly half a million dollars raised for HIV/AIDS education and prevention), volunteering with Bridge for Youth and other LGBT organizations across the country, financial support for Project 515, Pride sponsorships, Out and Equal presentations and sponsorships, team member benefits (health insurance, team member discount, partner leave)… And these things aren’t just in the past year, these are things that Target has done for many years; long before it was “cool” to support the LGBT cause.

I realize that the argument is mostly futile as I’m sure there will be an argument even with the above points (there always is). The reality is that Target has a long history of supporting our community. Donating up to $120k to the Family Equality Council is another example of this commitment.

Can they be better? Sure. But before you start tearing them down, you might want to make sure you’ve got all of your facts in order.

So buy a tshirt, or don’t. At least educate yourself on all of the great things that Target does for our community.

http://profile.yahoo.com/HFT6XGWBKWP2LPS5Z7DRW4F2ZM Community

What is your justification for the anti-gay donations?

Anonymous

First of all.. they’re not “anti-gay” donations. They donated to a pro-business organization, like EVERY business does and that organization, in turn donated to a Republican candidate for governor who is not in favor of marriage equality. Let’s get the facts straight.

We have to stop getting in a hissy and insulting people because they do not support marriage equality. I mean.. Barack Obama did not support marriage equality until last week… where we calling him anti-gay and a bigot?

Kit Warner

I think for this situations and all others like it, rather than attack them when they try to do something good because it’s “Not good enough”, we should fully show them support and encourage them to do more.

Good, but not good enough = bad. Who wants to deal with somebody like that?
Thank you! Now lets keep moving in this positive direction = good! That’s what needs to happen.

It really upsets me to see so many of your blogs that are saying “Well, this person/company finally did something nice….but they didn’t donate all of their worth to the lgbt company so I’m not impressed”

=/ Go target.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=24707380 Aaron Daniel

I agree with you. I worked at a Target as an undergrad and was always treated respectfully and the same as everyone else. Yes, they have made poor political contribution decisions, but they have also been a major sponsor of pride events across the country. We shouldn’t exclude good efforts on the community’s behalf, which these shirts are, because of some missteps. Not to mention that 100% of the profits are going to the FEC, so support them!

http://www.facebook.com/Duane4ta Duane Fortier

It will soon be TWO-YEARS since I have ‘darkened’ Target’s Door.

I am NOT ‘fooled’ by this dribble of sensationalism. One of our BIGGEST Vote; is our WALLET..

C’mon people..just do it ! DON”T GO TO TARGET…Hello?
http://www.facebook.com/people/Brock-R-Gemberling/641535935 Brock R. Gemberling

Don’t and won’t shop there. I find all of the walmart esque businesses popping up everywhere are only undermining the average joe mom and pop shops that are what build the foundations of community and ultimately society.
We currently live in a society where image mandates style and style mandates price and price mandates quality……and our society wants it all for nothing so we have these big businesses come in and sell cheap shit to fuel their own nefarious political goals. Yea I would rather stick with mom and pop then big brother Target any day.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Antón-Del-Calizo/604725487 Antón Del Calizo

TARGET has done nothing but harm and this T-shirt on line is way too small to make up for the anti-GLBT actions of the past keep on trying…but my friends and I are not setting foot in your stores OR buying Target ONLINE until you become as COOL as you pretend to be.
Target is the Ted Haggard, Larry Craig, Philip Hinckle of retail.
http://www.facebook.com/martine.maltagliati Martine Maltagliati

Hmmm, I guess it is progress…although I don’t know if i’ll be running to shop there now.
http://www.facebook.com/zeb.walter Zeb Walter

This is just as insulting as when Old Navy sold Pride shirts in a “few” locations and most where bought by employees before they even hit the floor and were then sold on EBay.
http://www.facebook.com/govarubio Govita Rubio

Money is not speech. Money is money. I don’t need to don a tee to know who I am. I don’t need you to judge my political awareness by wearing a politically correct item of clothing, either. What I do need is an opportunity to support institutions that really matter to me. If these shirts were being made for and sold by my local animal or human shelter(s) or food banks, I’d open my wallet and enlarge my tee collection.

But I’m not getting all warm and fuzzy for Target.
http://profile.yahoo.com/ZQIQNR7AUCHCL3WQWFXHCEJP6E carrie

Really? Lame.
http://www.facebook.com/joshewha Joshewha Wilburn

I use to work for Target and I wasn’t sure when they told me they were GLBT friendly. BUT when I left I KNEW they weren’t. Target being GLBT friendly is like Romney being Pro-Gay!
http://www.facebook.com/cblieser Chelsea Buttons Lieser

What I’m seeing is Target trying to bs us and try to make us believe they are LGBT friendly. I’m not buying. How bout they put the tshirts in store and change their policies and maybe i’ll start buying there again.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=688217809 Allison Hoffman

Target only wants your business. They don’t actually give a shit about you. That’s how big retail works. And this coming from some one who’s worked for big retail for over 3 years.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Samantha-Lawrence/1542960106 Samantha Lawrence

Not surprised they began selling these shortly after Obama’s big announcement. Trying to cash in every way they can on us.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=558367602 Crystal Blood

nice shirts, unfortunately still not inclusive of larger sizes
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1163700090 Matthew W. Keilman

Yeah, no. I still won’t shop there.
http://www.facebook.com/tdroxspin Angela Tucci

Are they actually available or is this like Old Navy where the shirts were only available at “test locations”? (Which never existed.)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1513903836 Rick Jewell

no corporation has a stance others than profits; it’s illegal to put anything other than shareholders’ profit first. That is not what a corporation was created for.

T’is but the superannuate ideology of these ‘holders that are students, far removed from their head master, that have become convoluted, inaccurate, and (through no introspective thought [if they're people with this level of standing and power then they must be capable of meta-cognition] amongst the lot) oppressive.

this is what makes corporastion ‘evil’ (just had to do cause you commentators love to use unnecessary quotation marks [suppose it has something to do with readers not being able to find emphasis among the silt] ) ; this is why we need and Consumers Bill of Rights. It’s easier to protect liberties than to quash wickedness. This is exemplary why and how money/power/influence need to be defined.

This is a fixture of how the most pervasive forces in our lives are inorganic creations of our limited selves: value, politics, and religion.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1594110116 Nhia Pheng Thao

im not going to lie, they kinda look like crap.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=735509170 Brendan Bastine

I opened a target here in Mass… Worked there for 6 months until they found out I was gay…. found a dumb ass reason to fire me and let me go! If target really has changed their tune about the GLBT rights they’d be selling their shirts on the shelves not exclusively online…. it’s been 3 years since i’ve been into target for anything… i’d rather go to walmart or kmart….
http://twitter.com/WildeTravels Wilde Travels

You forgot to mention they are one of the biggest supporters of Twin Cities Pride, held annually in Minneapolis. And that several of their limited-edition, celebrity-designed products aren’t available in stores.

They are a corporation, yes — hard to get warm-and-fuzzy about that — but they’re not the devil you’re making them out to be.
I can think of plenty of other big-box retailers who are a lot worse.
Anonymous

If target really wants to turn over a new leaf they could start with company policies. On the other hand, it does say 100% purchase price (not profit) will be donated to family equality. That’s more than most other companies would be willing to do and something I’m not going to discourage. I’m going to check out their website and see what else I can find out before I decide if I want a shirt or not. That doesn’t mean I’ll buy anything else though. Work on those policies and I’ll think about it.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1473617772 Paula Jo Hardison

Yeah, yeah Target nice try but even with Gwen Stefani you are not going to get me to change my mind about you. How about offer them in store and larger sizes and then donate all the proceeds and then maybe I would allow myself to enter your doors but we know they are NOT going to do this. Sad attempt at trying to redeem yourselves, but I do believe we all know better.
Tyler Columbus

As in all things things take time. We cannot expect change over night. Thought we would like that it is just not gonna happen. It didnt happen with the battle over racial equality or gender equality and it wont happen with orientation equality. Any step in the right direction needs to be seen as a sign of hope. People do not agree with the homosexual lifestyle and that is their opinion and they have a right to that opinion. Just like those who dont agree with interracial couples and marriages, that is their opinion. The only difference is they can do it legally where we are fighting for those rights. It will take time so a step in the right direction is a positive thing, no matter how small a step it is. Way to go Target! You are taking a small step in the right direction!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1150333934 Jason Deason

By offering the product online only as if they are embaressed to have LGBT in their stores? It is a t-shirt for crying out loud….they arent being asked to put the Bullseye on a Pride Float. My money will NOT be used for legislation that will continue to strip my rights!!!!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1563870020 Brendan Michael Lane

As an employee of target for 5 years, I have watched them slowly improve on equality. They have recently extended benefits previously only eligible to heterosexual married couples, to homosexual couples and even allow partners to use an employee discount. While im not happy that the shirts are only going to be available online, I think its one SMALL step in the right direction that they are even offering them.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Mia-Danger-McMahon/562581333 Mia Danger McMahon

I will be willing to forgive Target once I see evidence that they have stopped funding openly anti-gay politicians and organizations, that they have amended their treatment of their LGBTQ employees, and that they are serious about supporting civil rights. Only then will I be willing to invest my most important vote (my paycheck) in them ever again.
http://www.facebook.com/AMGitsMikey Mike Canning

Curious where the money would go form all those shirt sales
http://www.facebook.com/morgana.roeder Morgana Roeder

They’re just full of shit. If they want to let hypocrisy and bigotry be their stance, fine; we can all shop somewhere that we won’t be hated on and preached to.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=734527047 Rosemary Smith

It seems that Target is closeted and wishes the GLBT community to remain that way as well.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1150333934 Jason Deason

No way! I havent shopped there since the last debacle with the $150k and I wont! If we dont stand up and tell these people that are taking advantage of us, that we are not going to support their anti US, then they will continue to steam roll us! Anything Target has to offer, I can do without. My grandmother always said, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” She was right! AVOID Target! If they wanted us back, they should carry the shirts on the racks and ask us to come back to the store. Online only is like pushing us back in the closet!
http://www.facebook.com/Affodell Michelle Kupiec

Trying to make a quick buck and cover some face without looking too open. I bet they will be back to their same crap after summer.
Anonymous

Frankly as both a Target Team Member and an out and proud gay man, I support what my company is doing. With not only this line, but benefits to same-sex couples as well. Considering that none of the other companies that I’ve worked for in the last five or even years has protected sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies or offered my partner use of my discount, let alone the option of health/vision/dental insurance. Personally, I think that Target is leaps and bounds ahead of other companies. Sure, they screwed up. Haven’t we all? If you can’t learn and grow from your past mistakes, then you are doomed to fail.
As far as the line only being offered online, you can’t stock everything in a store. Not all areas have a Target. You can easily order online and have it sent to you when your closest Target is an hour or more away. And truth be told, you’re not going to find something like this at Wal-Mart or K-Mart. Let bygones be bygones and commend them for working toward a better future for the community.
http://www.facebook.com/alexjtanner Sasha Red

It will be time to forgive Target when they actually change what they are doing instead of playing lipservice to equality
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1127326812 Mark Penney

I went about a year and a half of not shopping at Target. I used to shop their somewhat regularly, but after the whole debacle, I definitely couldn’t set foot in a Target. I did however start to go back to the store, but realized that I didn’t like it so much anymore. I had the reasoning that Target is apparently better than Wal-mart with the issues, but this t-shirt thing actually causes concern. The $150k contribution debacle involved money that went right to the wrong group. The t-shirt situation, we have to buy them and this money can go towards a good cause, but only up to $120k? I don’t really see how that evens out? Especially since the customer is donating and would probably do otherwise, but is now doing it through Target? So, we donate through Target and they save face? Does this make sense? Gee, why didn’t they do some specific shirts for the MN Forward for the $150k? So we would be sure that our money wasn’t going to a candidate who believed that it is okay to kill us (for being gay)? I guess they can disguise that… but try to get publicity and customers off of a stunt like this. I will admit, I am just as forgetful (well not completely), but lazy when it comes to my shopping choices. I definitely have that sour taste now that I see how they are using this… I don’t care about their sponsorship of pride, they realized that they probably can’t pull out of that just yet at least. If you understand Gregg Steinhafel, you’ll understand that he would not really support this stunt unless otherwise for monetary reasons.
Chuck

I have not shopped at Target since the Emmer donation scandal, and I will not be one of those fooled into thinking this is anything but a ploy to win back the “gay dollars” they’ve lost since then. It’s bad enough that many in the LGBT community have already forgotten what they did two years ago, and that Ricky Martin and Barbra Streisand both sold out to Target, so anyone who buys this as sincere needs their head examined. If you want to help the cause, donate directly to the Family Equality Council and bypass Target altogether. The only good thing about this is now the right wingers are going to boycott Target.
http://www.facebook.com/dparkerdavidson D Parker Davidson

i think that it is a step in the right direction but thats one step for an entire bridge that needs to be crossed. im sorry but i will mot shop at target until they stop … how do you say … supporting those who we have worked so hard to defeat… Target is a classic exaple of everything that is wrong with this country today.. and its going to take a lot more than online sales of pride items to make up for that
http://www.facebook.com/people/Eric-Berry/1266905620 Eric Berry

Coming out with an apology for those antigay actions would be a start. If they have done great things for the community they need to air their sins and ask for forgiveness for the bad they have done then I may consider going to target again.
http://www.facebook.com/todd.reazor Todd Reazor

I went to the link, then checked out the home page. I don’t know how anyone is supposed to find any of these shirts. I couldn’t find a link from their home page. That itself speaks volumes.
Anonymous

OK.. people need to get out from under a rock. Target has always been, since the 60s and 70s one of the most progressive and gay friendly companies in America. Yes, they donated to an organization that in turn donated to a Republican candidate.. but that was the first year of Citizens United (look it up) and most companies were trying to decide how to handle it. Maybe they got it wrong in this case. Target was one of the first companies to allow benefits for same sex partners, one of the first to include sexual orientation in their anti discrimination policies, actively promotes openly gay employees to senior corporate positions and has spent MILLIONS sponsoring Gay Pride, AIDS walks and other LGBT events around the country for decades. Except for last year, Target has received a 100 score on the HRC Equality Index every year since the Index has been compiled. So before you brand them “anti gay” because of one mistake, do your research. This is the problem with today’s electorate; both conservatives and liberals live in their own “bubble”(stole the term from Bill Maher) and only hear what they want instead of spending the time to study the issues.
Anonymous

OK.. people need to get out from under a rock. Target has always been, since the 60s and 70s one of the most progressive and gay friendly companies in America. Yes, they donated to an organization that in turn donated to a Republican candidate.. but that was the first year of Citizens United (look it up) and most companies were trying to decide how to handle it. Maybe they got it wrong in this case. Target was one of the first companies to allow benefits for same sex partners, one of the first to include sexual orientation AND gender identity in their anti discrimination policies, actively promotes openly gay employees to senior corporate positions and has spent MILLIONS sponsoring Gay Pride, AIDS walks and other LGBT events around the country for decades. Except for last year, Target has received a 100 score on the HRC Equality Index every year since the Index has been compiled. So before you brand them “anti gay” because of one mistake, do your research. Besides.. even if you disapprove of that one donation, you boycotted and they changed their tune. They’re now behaving like you want.. so.. why the anger still? Where was all the indignation, boycott and condemnation of Barack Obama when he didn’t support marriage equality until last week? Should we now not acknowledge his change of views because of all the time he spent on the wrong side of the argument?This is the problem with today’s electorate; both conservatives and liberals live in their own “bubble”(stole the term from Bill Maher) and only hear what they want instead of spending the time to study the issues.
http://www.facebook.com/JosephCWinchJr Joseph Charles Winch Junior

Unimpressed. Target needs to walk the walk if its going to try to seel these products. I do not trust them and I think its not a coincidence that targets are usually very empty compared to walmarts.
http://www.facebook.com/smilezz2much Garrett Compton

I like the harmony t-shirt a lot…but I’d rather not spend my money there and then see another donation to someone who doesn’t support my rights. I don’t shoot myself in the foot that way.
http://www.facebook.com/crain.snyder Crain Snyder

If all of the money goes to the Family Equality thing, then it would be fine to support the shirts/cause. However, i do not doubt that Target gets some kind of financial compensation for the sales. I have t shirts and markers; I will make my own pride apparel. And kiss my husband. I do not need to buy badges of pride.
Anonymous

I don’t shop online. I like to see and touch what I am buying Good try Target but you’re not getting my money this time.
http://www.facebook.com/amos.lassen Amos Lassen

Dog shit smells like dog shit no matter what you call it.
Anonymous

Sell them in store and i will buy them. ^_^ but online only that leaves me feeling uneasy.
kirkc

not time to forgive them if they’re going to use the profits from us purchasing those shirts to fund antigay politicians’ campaigns.
TashMS

ARGHH WHERE DO I GO TO BUY A SHIRT?
juliazale

People are incredibly ignorant sounding here and have formed an opinion without reading or knowing the issue. It’s ridiculous to think your money is better spent elsewhere when most businesses like KMART or Walmarts are rated poorly in terms of all human rights and mom and pops are not listed on the HRC equality index like Target is. With the latter small business folks you have Iittle to no idea how they treat LGBT folks or if they donate to hate groups. I stopped shopping at Target too when I found out their CEO donated to a candidate aligned with a hate group. But their board and share holders held his feet to the fire in order to restore their progay policies and image. They were rated 100 on the index prior to his actions. I’m now back in their stores because I’m sure as hell am not giving money to businesses not listed or poorly rated. Also they have listened to their consumers and corrected the problem. Like someone posted earlier are you no longer going to vote for Obama even if it hurts gay rights because he changed his mind and was wrong orginally? Same goes for Romney flip flopping. Progay then not. Will you vote for him based on his past record or current change of heart?

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