Unisex Bathrooms Pushing Boundaries? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Unisex Bathrooms Pushing Boundaries?

#TargetBoycott or #GenderEquality?

16
Unisex Bathrooms Pushing Boundaries?

There is no doubt that the LGBT community has been gaining a huge amount of support within the past few years. However, there are still many people out there who are not too fond of the new gay rights laws. With North Carolina's HB2 law and the new hashtag #TargetBoycott, it is clear that people are beginning to take a step back from the community's newfound equality. But for good reason?

Target's recent bathroom policy has caused a lot of controversies. It's attempt to expand inclusive started back in 2015 when it took on the practice of gender-neutral marketing. Its goal was not to get rid of the idea of gender, but rather to organize the store in a way that was based on activity and interest.

While this change had resulted in a significant amount of outrage among its more conservative customers, Target remained true to its beliefs.

"We believe that everyone—every team member, every guest, and every community—deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally. Consistent with this belief, Target supports the federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination."

This statement, written on its corporate web page, is revealing as to how willing the popular retailer is to make each of its customers feel welcome. It shouldn't have come as much of a shock, then, when Target announced its new restroom and changing room policy. However, despite its attempt to make the LGBT community feel more accepted, Target's policy caused an uproar amongst a large population of its customers.

The negative feedback being received is more than just a matter of traditional views being inflicted upon, but rather people feeling unsafe in a public area. The American Family Associations has started a petition to boycott this policy, and this is why.

"Clearly, Target's dangerous new policy poses a danger to wives and daughters. We think many customers will agree. And we think the average Target customer is willing to pledge to boycott Target stores until it makes protecting women and children a priority."

The AFAs pledge to ban Target stores already has over one million signatures, and it is safe to assume that this number will continue to grow within the days to come.

There is a great deal of tension among the general population, and there seems to be no way of telling who is right. There are concerns that Target's new policy is putting women and our youth in danger. However, there are also those who fully support this change, and acknowledge the positive effects that it will have.

How do you feel about this issue? Are people overreacting to this new policy? Is this policy as dangerous as people are making it out to be? And finally, is it fair to the LGBT community to take away their right to identify how they choose?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1199
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16107
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3364
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments