In defiance of the war against transgender people, Target announced Tuesday that its transgender employees and customers are “welcome” to use the bathroom or fitting room facility that bestaligns with their gender identity.
This isn’t a new act for Target. Last year, the company announced support for the federal Equality Act, which, provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination. The company also received high praise, as well as some anger, over its decision last year to stop labeling toys and bedding departments either for “boys” or “girls.”
Because of the decision to allow anyone to use any bathroom, many people have decided to boycott Target. "More than 340,000 have signed a pledge to stop shopping at Target," Fox News says, "in response to the corporation’s announcement this week that transgender employees and customers will be allowed to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity."
The boycott pledge was started by the conservative American Family Association (AFA).
"Target's policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims," AFA President Tim Wildmon said in an open letter. "This means a man can simply say he 'feels like a woman today' and enter the women's restroom ... even if young girls or women are already in there."
He suggested that Target should install separate unisex bathrooms instead of giving all genders access to facilities designated for women or men.
But not everyone is so upset. Jessica Willard on Target's Facebook says, Target has family restrooms, if you are truly concerned about this highly unlikely scenario, then use the single room family restroom. Nothing stopped a man from using the women's restroom prior to their statement. Absolutely nothing has changed, it is still illegal to sexually abuse or be a sexual predator. Instead of laying blame on the transgender community, everyone should be putting their efforts and concerns into making the predator behavior unacceptable in the first place."
Amanda Jarvis also writes on their page, "I love Target and I fully enjoy working for a company that supports Equality and doesn't discriminate."
The announcement was the first of its type by a major U.S. retailer and comes on the heels of laws in Mississippi and North Carolina that required people to use the bathroom that's stated on their birth certificates.
Target ends their announcement by saying, "Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And you’ll always be accepted, respected and welcomed at Target."
