Target is a an irregularly hot topic in the media recently. If you haven't heard, the chain of upscale Walmart's, known as Target, has put in place a policy that allows any gender to enter any bathroom in their establishment. This rule came out of the Transgender rights movement that has been gaining steam as of late. Target wanted to make it clear that their company was welcoming to all kinds of people. There has, however, been some backlash. That is putting it lightly.
People are boycotting the establishment in droves. Protesters have appeared at numerous locations. So was this announcement a good idea?
My initial response was yes. Trans people should be able to go into the bathroom corresponding with their identify. That is just my opinion.
Upon further consideration of the implications of the policy, the answer enters some incredibly grey area. I say this not because my thoughts on the rights of Transgender citizens has changed but rather because you must consider the context with which this rule change was carried out. We must ask ourselves if it was productive to the LGBTQIA community to have this massive company speak out in such a way. I'd say this announcement hurt them. It was just something not needed to be said. For years and years Transgender people have been using whatever bathroom they want. You just haven't noticed. Was it really necessary to put this directly in the public's view and therefore enable those who do not agree to paint trans people as potential sexual deviants? I say no.
As it is stated in the companies official statement the main support should be not for bathrooms in particular but for the Federal Equality Act. By making a headline worthy announcement, Target has drug the social discussion on LGBTQIA rights down a rabbit hole. There is a much more pressing and productive issue at hand that Target has shifted the spotlight from. And why? So that they can seem more progressive? I believe the true progressive ideal would be to want to achieve the most change. As it stands, if North Carolina were to pass its so-called "anti-LGBTQIA" bathroom legislation, Target would not even be able to uphold its promise in that state. Corporate policy does not trump legislation. The bigger issue, which would be aided by corporate support, is being over shadowed by this attention grab by a company hoping to pander to a group who needs legitimate support.
