A coalition of 15 Democrat attorneys general wrote to Target CEO Brian Cornell, expressing their concern that removing Pride products over safety concerns represents a setback for the “march for social progress.” The group encouraged Cornell to contact their offices for help with anti-LGBTQ threats or harassment.
The prosecutors also pointed to state laws barring discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The attorney general of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington signed the letter.
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“While we understand the basis for this action, we are also concerned it sends a message that those who engage in hateful and disruptive conduct can cause even large corporations to succumb to their bullying, and that they have the power to determine when LGBTQIA+ consumers will feel comfortable in Target stores — or anywhere in society,” the group wrote in the letter.
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The message came after New York Attorney General Letitia James, joined by a dozen state and local lawmakers, urged Cornell in a June 7 letter to demonstrate Target’s LGBTQ commitment by “putting all of your Pride-related merchandise back on the shelves, while taking strong measures to ensure employee safety.”
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“Target’s decision to remove certain Pride merchandise in response to hateful backlash is wrong,” said Ms. James in a Tuesday statement. “As state legislatures nationwide are attacking the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals, we must be unwavering and unapologetic in supporting the LGBTQ+ community.”
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A month ago, Target removed three products by the British brand Abprallen: two pink shirts with the messages “Cure Transphobia, Not Trans People” and “Too Queer for Here” and a bag with the slogan “We Belong Everywhere.” The three items, a small percentage of the more than 2,000 clothing, books, and home decor products in Target’s Pride collection, were pulled following an outcry over the designer’s Satan-themed products. They include a pin, patch, and T-shirt with the message “Satan respects pronouns.” The designer has also expressed sentiments such as “Satan loves you and respects who you are.” The Satan-themed items were not offered at Target.
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Abprallen designer Erik Carnell, who denies being a Satanist, took a poke at critics last weekend by posing on Instagram wearing a “Satan respects pronouns” T-shirt and no pants.
“Get the shirt that caused the religious right to go full Satanic Panic mode and made Target step back from supporting the LGBT+ community despite it having nothing to do with my collab with them!” said the post.
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Target cited “threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety,” prompting the attorneys general to offer their services in protecting staff and customers against “hate-based intimidation, harassment, threats or attacks.”
Target has seen its market capitalization plummet amid the backlash over its Pride Month merchandise, which includes a “tuck friendly” women’s bathing suit for males who identify as female. The bathing suit was not removed.
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The prosecutors also pointed out that while state laws do not create a legal obligation for retailers to offer any particular merchandise or make any specific displays, they do demand that customers be treated equally. “In this context, we urge Target to be mindful of its obligations under these laws as it makes decisions as to how to respond to backlash against its Pride merchandise,” the letter said.
Target’s stock price was $160.96 on May 17, shortly before the issue erupted. Tuesday afternoon's price had fallen to $132.73 as critics vowed to give Target the Bud Light treatment by boycotting the retailer.
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