Target Amends Giving Policy
The big-box retailer has changed its political contribution policy in the wake of last year's uproar over its donation to a group supporting an antigay candidate.
By Advocate.com Editors
Target Corp., which angered gays last year with a donation to a political group supporting an antigay Minnesota gubernatorial candidate, has amended its policy for political contributions.
Among the changes, reports the Washington Blade, is the establishment of a committee of senior executives to oversee donations to candidates, parties, and political action committees. “The policy committee and our CEO are responsible for balancing our business interests with any other considerations that may be important to our team members, our guests or other stakeholders,” Target spokeswoman Jessica Carlson told the Blade.
Minneapolis-based Target, a retailer known for trendy but inexpensive merchandise, drew protests and boycott threats last year after it was revealed it had donated $150,000 to MN Forward, which in turn took out ads supporting Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Emmer, an opponent of marriage equality and other LGBT causes. He narrowly lost the November election to gay-friendly Democrat Mark Dayton.
