Target Sells T-Shirts To Raise Money For Group Working To Defeat Gay Marriage Ban In Minnesota - Polidicks

[url]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/02/target-gay-marriage-ban-minnesota_n_1564739.html?ncid=wsc-huffpost-cards-headline[/url] [quote] ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Two years after Target Corp. angered gay marriage supporters with a political donation that benefited a fiery gay marriage opponent seeking the governor's office, the retailer is now upsetting same-sex marriage opponents by selling T-shirts to raise money for a group working to defeat a gay marriage ban in Minnesota. The Minneapolis-based retailer is taking heat in its home state, where voters will decide this November whether to put a gay marriage ban into the state constitution. One organizer of gay marriage opponents warned that their displeasure could spread to 32 other states where voters have banned gay marriage. "Target is attacking traditional marriage, which is an incredibly misguided thing for them to have done," said Chuck Darrell, spokesman for Minnesota for Marriage, a group campaigning to pass the constitutional marriage amendment. "It's an insult to the overwhelming majority of their customers." Target's move comes two years after it endured a backlash from gay rights supporters for giving $150,000 to a campaign group backing the conservative Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, Tom Emmer, who narrowly lost to Democrat Mark Dayton in a race that went to an automatic recount. The donation set off protests and calls for a boycott from a constituency that had seen Target as an ally. Supporters of gay marriage see Minnesota as having the potential to halt their long losing streak in statewide votes. The T-shirt promotion will raise up to $120,000 for the Family Equality Council, a Washington-based group that is part of a Minnesota coalition pushing to defeat the constitutional amendment. The $12.99 shirts will be sold on Target's website through June, or while supplies last. They come in four designs, emblazoned with words such as "harmony" and "pride." Singer Gwen Stefani designed one shirt featuring a rainbow and a cloud that says, "LOVE IS LOVE." Target hasn't taken a position on Minnesota's ballot question. Spokeswoman Molly Snyder said the T-shirt promotion was organized by a group of gay Target employees and their allies. She said it is Target's second promotion to benefit a specific group. The first, during last year's holiday season, raised money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through the sale of limited-edition plush dogs. "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," the company said in a statement noting its long-standing support of the gay community. Another statement from the retailer notes "a broad range of strongly held views" on the marriage issue and urges employees to vote. Family Equality Council director Jennifer Chrisler said the T-shirt proceeds will fund her group's work around the country, ranging from community building to political advocacy. She added that Target, a longtime sponsor of the Twin Cities gay pride festival, is now sponsoring Family Equality Council retreats for gay families in Massachusetts and California. "I know and understand what a big reaction that donation had two years ago, and I think they have taken steps, serious steps, to show that they understood that reaction," Chrisler said. "But I really think this is an extension of the longtime partnership we have had and their commitment to family." Minnesota for Marriage doesn't plan to organize action against Target because of its focus on the November vote, Darrell said. Instead, he is asking supporters of the constitutional amendment to counter the Target promotion by donating $12.99 on his group's website. He said donations are up since Target started selling the T-shirts. Darrell also urged Target to get out of the marriage issue – and stay out. "Just get out of this debate and do what they're good at," Darrell said. "Get out of the business of trying to redefine marriage."[/quote]

I really respect that company, and as a result, I will deliberately drive to Targets regardless of how close the closest Wal-mart is and how far the nearest Target is. I will never see the inside of Wal-mart again, and I shouldn't have been in the first place. Besides, at least Target employees know where the merchandise is and have their stores arranged logically.

Glad to see they're trying to redeem themselves a little bit.

[QUOTE=Lord_Ragnarok;36177579]I really respect that company, and as a result, I will deliberately drive to Targets regardless of how close the closest Wal-mart is and how far the nearest Target is. I will never see the inside of Wal-mart again, and I shouldn't have been in the first place. Besides, at least Target employees know where the merchandise is and have their stores arranged logically.[/QUOTE] I don't respect them by any definition of the term, but I'm glad they're trying to make amends for that previous fuckup they had

Wow now I have to avoid all targets now that I know they preach sin

There's no link in the article or images of the shirts so here you go. [URL]http://www.target.com/c/ways-to-shop-pride/-/N-56ep7#?lnk=sr_rd_pride&ref=sr_shorturl_pride[/URL] [IMG]http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072593_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072588_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072617_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072616_138x138.jpg[/IMG] I don't like any of them :v: [editline]3rd June 2012[/editline] Although some Rainbow sunglasses would be pretty awesome.

[QUOTE=Keegs;36177721]There's no link in the article or images of the shirts so here you go. [URL]http://www.target.com/c/ways-to-shop-pride/-/N-56ep7#?lnk=sr_rd_pride&ref=sr_shorturl_pride[/URL] [IMG]http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072593_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072588_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072617_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072616_138x138.jpg[/IMG] I don't like any of them :v: [editline]3rd June 2012[/editline] Although some Rainbow sunglasses would be pretty awesome.[/QUOTE] Those are terrible shirts but it's still admirable that they're doing this.

[QUOTE=Keegs;36177721]There's no link in the article or images of the shirts so here you go. [URL]http://www.target.com/c/ways-to-shop-pride/-/N-56ep7#?lnk=sr_rd_pride&ref=sr_shorturl_pride[/URL] [IMG]http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072593_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img1.targetimg1.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072588_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img2.targetimg2.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072617_138x138.jpg[/IMG][IMG]http://img3.targetimg3.com/wcsstore/TargetSAS//img/p/14/07/14072616_138x138.jpg[/IMG] I don't like any of them :v: [editline]3rd June 2012[/editline] Although some Rainbow sunglasses would be pretty awesome.[/QUOTE] Second one seems alright to me.

I work at Target. I don't have a single complaint, they're exceedingly good to their workers. Like, the guys we have who came from Wal-Mart tell us stories that make it sound like slave labor. At Target I get a fair wage, I'm treated fairly and they seem to care about us. I literally don't have a single negative thing to say about them.

"It's an insult to the overwhelming majority of their customers." You can tell these people are desperate by how they're constantly trying to assure themselves that they're the majority.

i'd get the second one if it wasn't a girls shirt or maybe that would be extra gay and reinforce the point?? idk

Semi related; Me and my Target co workers signed up for the SF aids walk. Should be pretty fun, tons of us are going not to mention people from other target stores.

Either way, I hate Target. There is nothing good in them, and those stuck up assholes kick me out every time I try to ride fat people like a horse. Well, I don't need their gay shirts anyway, a box of crayons and a Lynyrd Skynard shirt tells me I can make my own.

[QUOTE=JumpinJackFlash;36178276]Either way, I hate Target. There is nothing good in them, and those stuck up assholes kick me out every time I try to ride fat people like a horse. Well, I don't need their gay shirts anyway, a box of crayons and a Lynyrd Skynard shirt tells me I can make my own.[/QUOTE] Lul ~SO random~! XD

I got the worst dresser at target. It fell apart the day after I got it. Other than that Target's okay.

[QUOTE=Col. Mandrake;36178283]Lul ~SO random~! XD[/QUOTE] You come up with that by yourself?

[QUOTE=JumpinJackFlash;36178276]Either way, I hate Target. There is nothing good in them, and those stuck up assholes kick me out every time I try to ride fat people like a horse. Well, I don't need their gay shirts anyway, a box of crayons and a Lynyrd Skynard shirt tells me I can make my own.[/QUOTE] I moved from :gonk: to :v: when I figured out you were joking. At least I hope you were.

Chuck Darrell, spokesman for Minnesota for Marriage, a group campaigning to ban marriage.

If I were to ever lose my job Target is one of the first places I would go apply at. They're pretty cool.

I love Target much more than Walmart Sometimes I'm lazy though and there's always two Walmarts closer to me than any one Target

I get the feeling not all of their workers or patrons will be okay with this. My friend used to work at Target, and there was an older woman working with her who was 100% vocally against gays. I'm pretty sure she was fired either way so fuck her. Just a risky move on Targets part, but very commendable.

My town doesn't have a target, nor do any of the towns within a forty-five mile radius of my house. However, there are two Walmarts and one of them is that Supersized piece of shit. I don't really hate walmart, but I would definitely prefer to shop elsewhere.

There's like 4 different Targets not far from where I live, and two Walmarts. Target has a much..."cleaner" atmosphere then Walmart. I dunno how to explain it, it's just better in a way.

In my town every Wal Mart has a Target across the street from it. It's pretty awesome.

This is nothing but a bunch of PR. In July 2010 Target gave $150,000 to Tom Emmer. an anti-gay, anti-worker candidate for Gov. of MN.

I have two Targets and like three Meijers closer than the first Walmart around me.

[QUOTE=Keegs;36186111]I have two Targets and like three Meijers closer than the first Walmart around me.[/QUOTE]I don't see the relevancy to the tread?