Right on Target
The second-largest discount retailer in the United States, Target, recently issued a press release that has garnered both supporters and detractors. The statement declares that restrooms in all Target stores will be available for use by all persons, both shoppers and employees, according to individual gender identity.
The Target statement reads in part, “Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It’s something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected, and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day. 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. In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity. Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And you’ll always be accepted, respected, and welcomed at Target.”
As expected, there has been an organized and passionate backlash from the Christian Right. The American Family Association (AFA) has circulated a petition that asks signers to pledge a boycott of Target. To date, over one million people have signed this pledge. Tim Wildman, President of AFA, wrote, ” 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. Target’s policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims. And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women’s bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go?
Clearly, Target’s 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.” One million signers to the boycott is making a statement.
Since April 19, the stock price for Target (TGT) has dropped 5.4%, the date of this press release. Market pundits are projecting further drops in share price. Seth Golden, a research analyst on the website seekingalpha.com, wrote an article on the Target announcement. He shares these insights: “As an expert in the field of consumer behavior, consumer goods and all things retail, I was puzzled as to the reasons why Target felt the urge to announce such a policy…. The retail industry is not one that is very forgiving and the slightest of dissension from the consumer can bring with it unforeseen declines in the business. For this reason, if nothing else, the policy is decisively dividing among the greater public and will likely impact Target going forward… the human psyche takes the individual to the most extreme scenario aimed at personal and/or family safety. This is the leap from everyday public restroom usage to child molestation that has been proliferating on social media and the national news…. In truth what most people are afraid of is change and the leap from the understanding a change is taking place finds the mind to focus on the extreme...the furthest landing place, i.e. child molestation.”
It is all too tempting to see this issue dissolve into yet one more heated discussion about the transgender community. However, this headline story carries meaning and ramification for issues far beyond that of transgender rights. At its core, this Target action does directly affect this group. There are numerous stories shared by trans-women of their often awkward, and sometimes dangerous, visits to restrooms. “All I want to do is use the facilities!” This is the frustrated cry of those for whom proper accommodations are frequently lacking.
Lest we develop that contagious disease of tunnel vision, this issue has much broader implications. When we begin to believe that social issues involve only one segment of our society, we lose sight of the inter-connectedness of our demographics. The Ls and Gs and Bs and Ts and Qs and As are all in this together! There is no such thing as “Your end of the boat is sinking!” As a straight ally of the LGBTQ continuum, it is my mission to be informed, and to take action when necessary. In this instance, it will result in more than simply signing a pledge to continue to shop at Target!
What you decide to do about the bathroom bills cropping up across the country may not make much of a difference in your daily routine or livelihood. But taking no action does have consequences. Jim Wallis, best described as an evangelical social justice activist and writer, reminds us of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s words, ”Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”
So as the tourist season gets underway once again, keep your eyes open for opportunities to be friendly, to be the voice of reason, to share the best of Rehoboth with those who are here for a few days. Be reminded that “Rehoboth” literally means “Open to all.” And when it comes to making restrooms accessible to all according to gender identity, I say that that attitude is right on target. And I also say, “Right on, Target!”