“Target should stick to business and stop meddling in our democracy”
gripping current gay issues in the news. The fact that the unity and authenticity of so
many families could be put up to a popular vote is of course bound to draw attention
from both the media and individuals; what’s more surprising is that it’s putting the
focus back on an older news story, that of Target’s involvement in gay issues.
many families could be put up to a popular vote is of course bound to draw attention
from both the media and individuals; what’s more surprising is that it’s putting the
focus back on an older news story, that of Target’s involvement in gay issues.
At an annual meeting of shareholders this week, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel made the
announcement that Target as a corporation would “remain neutral” on the vote on
marriage in Minnesota, where its headquarters are located. “Our position at this particular
time is that we are going to be neutral on that particular issue, as we would be on other
social issues that have polarizing points of view,” Steinhafel said.” Perhaps it’s surprising
that the corporation had to make a statement on the issue at all; after all, how much do
shareholders at an annual meeting really care about a multinational corporation’s
stance on one vote in one state? Well apparently, when it comes to gay issues, they
care a lot.
announcement that Target as a corporation would “remain neutral” on the vote on
marriage in Minnesota, where its headquarters are located. “Our position at this particular
time is that we are going to be neutral on that particular issue, as we would be on other
social issues that have polarizing points of view,” Steinhafel said.” Perhaps it’s surprising
that the corporation had to make a statement on the issue at all; after all, how much do
shareholders at an annual meeting really care about a multinational corporation’s
stance on one vote in one state? Well apparently, when it comes to gay issues, they
care a lot.
Despite what Steinhafel stated this week, Target has never really been “neutral” on the
“polarizing social issue” of gay rights. It’s noted that “Target has a long record of
supporting gay and lesbian causes, from offering domestic partner benefits, to being
a major donor to Project 515, a group working to see that gay couples are treated the
same as straight couples under Minnesota law.”
“polarizing social issue” of gay rights. It’s noted that “Target has a long record of
supporting gay and lesbian causes, from offering domestic partner benefits, to being
a major donor to Project 515, a group working to see that gay couples are treated the
same as straight couples under Minnesota law.”
But then again, last year they also made a $150,000 donation to Minnesota Forward,
an extremist anti-gay organization who was working to elect a pro-business but
anti-gay governor. While there was an attempt at a boycott by gay activists, there was
a question as to whether there would the backlash would make the company sit up and
take notice, or whether it would go relatively unnoticed. But it seems like even if gay
activists haven’t managed to bring the company to its knees, its shareholders are still
taking its stance on gay issues very seriously, especially in light of the impending
marriage vote.
an extremist anti-gay organization who was working to elect a pro-business but
anti-gay governor. While there was an attempt at a boycott by gay activists, there was
a question as to whether there would the backlash would make the company sit up and
take notice, or whether it would go relatively unnoticed. But it seems like even if gay
activists haven’t managed to bring the company to its knees, its shareholders are still
taking its stance on gay issues very seriously, especially in light of the impending
marriage vote.
Steinhafel apologized last summer for that contribution, and today he was asked
about it repeatedlyduring Target’s annual meeting in Pittsburgh. After six
shareholder questions on the topic, Steinhafel said, “Does anybody have a
question relating to our business that’s unrelated to political giving? I’d love
to hear any question related to something else.” No such luck. Steinhafel got a
seventh question, and an eighth, then a ninth. He explained that Target has
revised its donation policy since last fall, adding more oversight to the process
and more input from employee groups. But he said Target would remain involved
in making political contributions.
about it repeatedlyduring Target’s annual meeting in Pittsburgh. After six
shareholder questions on the topic, Steinhafel said, “Does anybody have a
question relating to our business that’s unrelated to political giving? I’d love
to hear any question related to something else.” No such luck. Steinhafel got a
seventh question, and an eighth, then a ninth. He explained that Target has
revised its donation policy since last fall, adding more oversight to the process
and more input from employee groups. But he said Target would remain involved
in making political contributions.
Combined with the fact that, according to the Wall Street Journal, Target may be losing
its footing in the market in general, this doesn’t look good for the retail giant. Now that
a dramatic backdrop of families fighting for legal recognition right next to their own
headquarters is in place, Target’s donation history may finally be coming home to roost.
its footing in the market in general, this doesn’t look good for the retail giant. Now that
a dramatic backdrop of families fighting for legal recognition right next to their own
headquarters is in place, Target’s donation history may finally be coming home to roost.
Slightly ironically, Target’s history of interaction with the gay community is largely
positive; “Target has in the past been a major sponsor of Twin Cities LGBT Pride,
where Target temporary tattoos and tchotchkes are ubiquitous. And the retailer will
again be one of the prime sponsors of the monthlong series of events.” Steinhafel drives
home that Target’s corporate policy has always been one of inclusiveness; but experts agree
that its donation to MN Forward was a deviation from that policy, and it appears to have
had consequences, even if its actions didn’t stem from active homophobia. Thomas Waters,
advocacy chair of the Delta Foundation, an LGBT group in Pennsylvania, says:
positive; “Target has in the past been a major sponsor of Twin Cities LGBT Pride,
where Target temporary tattoos and tchotchkes are ubiquitous. And the retailer will
again be one of the prime sponsors of the monthlong series of events.” Steinhafel drives
home that Target’s corporate policy has always been one of inclusiveness; but experts agree
that its donation to MN Forward was a deviation from that policy, and it appears to have
had consequences, even if its actions didn’t stem from active homophobia. Thomas Waters,
advocacy chair of the Delta Foundation, an LGBT group in Pennsylvania, says:
“They acted in a way that was not aligned with their corporate values. That doesn’t
make them homophobes, but it does call into question their value system,” he said.
“Is their support for the LGBT community real? More likely, it is real, but there is
a problem in the way the corporation acts and makes decisions regarding how
they will use profits.”
make them homophobes, but it does call into question their value system,” he said.
“Is their support for the LGBT community real? More likely, it is real, but there is
a problem in the way the corporation acts and makes decisions regarding how
they will use profits.”
It looks like Target is suffering from backlash about its injury to the gay community,
betrayal of its corporate culture, and also a level of corporate involvement in politics and
policy that many don’t appreciate. (That being said, Wal-Mart is considered a “Heavy
Hitter” — which means they donate “overwhelming amounts of money in hope of
influencing the political process”)
betrayal of its corporate culture, and also a level of corporate involvement in politics and
policy that many don’t appreciate. (That being said, Wal-Mart is considered a “Heavy
Hitter” — which means they donate “overwhelming amounts of money in hope of
influencing the political process”)
Mike Dean, executive director of Common Cause Minnesota, says “Target should
stick to business and stop meddling in our democracy,” he said. “Target Corporation
has failed to learn from the controversy last year by continuing to make corporate
political donations.” It certainly seems like Target is failing to learn something.
Finally aggravated at the shareholder meeting after continued insistent questioning
on Target’s donations, Steinhafel snapped “I think we’ve sufficiently addressed that topic."
But it doesn’t look like anyone else is going to let it go.
stick to business and stop meddling in our democracy,” he said. “Target Corporation
has failed to learn from the controversy last year by continuing to make corporate
political donations.” It certainly seems like Target is failing to learn something.
Finally aggravated at the shareholder meeting after continued insistent questioning
on Target’s donations, Steinhafel snapped “I think we’ve sufficiently addressed that topic."
But it doesn’t look like anyone else is going to let it go.
Comments