Target changes policy following gay protest
Target’s policy on political contributions changed six months after receiving criticism for endorsing an anti-gay politician, reports say. The policy now mandates that an executive committee be responsible for balancing business interests with other important considerations. The committee also oversees donations to parties and candidates.
Target spokesman Jessica Carlson said in the Washington Blade that “these changes are reflective of that perspective that we gained over the 2010 election cycle.”
The retailer received criticism from gay groups after their $150,000 donation to anti-gay Republican Tom Emmer during his Minnesota gubernatorial campaign last year. The LGBT community criticized and boycotted Target and Human Rights Campaign lowered Target’s Corporate Equality Index score by 15 points, according to the Dallas Voice [link].
While Target has supported Twin Cities Pride and says it will continue to support gay pride events in San Francisco and Chicago, when asked to sponsor the Creating Change conference, held blocks away from Target’s Minnesota headquarters, the company declined, according to the Dallas Voice.
