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Anti-Gay Groups Protesting Target For Selling Pride Tees

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Just days after Target launched its line of gay Pride t-shirts, the haters have come out swinging.

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council has released a statement attacking the big-box retailer’s inclusive gesture:

“Target’s slogan is “expect more.” And when it comes to their politics, Americans do… One of America’s biggest companies isn’t just named Target–it’s becoming one. Starting May 20, the mega-chain’s introducing a new line of same-sex “marriage” merchandise that says, “Love is love.” Target promises to donate 100% of the profits to a national homosexual group–but they don’t specify which one.

Retail analyst Britt Beemer says that Target’s strategy isn’t “very smart,” especially in conservative states, where it does the biggest business. “Anytime a retailer gets away from doing what they should be doing by being involved in a social cause, [they] lose.” The company said it wanted to “resonate beyond fashion.” But if they’re looking to resonate with Americans, they ought to try defending marriage. According to voters, the country’s still very opposed to redefining it. Let Target know that its agenda isn’t your style. Log on to target.com, scroll down, and click “Contact Us.”

We’re not sure if Perkins is being disingenuous or just ignorant—Target has clearly stated proceeds from the shirts will benefit the Family Equality Council, which supports LGBT families (a favorite target of FRC).

Also, the shirts—which are only available online—don’t say anything about gay marriage or even LGBT rights: The innocuous slogans, like “Love is Love,” “Harmony” and ‘Pride,” could mean almost anything. (And we’re fully aware that’s how Target planned it.)

Perkins’ buddies at the American Family Association are encouraging members to send emails to Target to indicate they’re pissed the company is “ramming same-sex marriage down the throats of the American people.” (Gee, that’s not a weird choice of words. No siree.)

The prefab message reads:

Dear Chairman Steinhafel:

Thirty-one states have overwhelmingly voted for constitutional amendments to protect marriage as only between one-man, one-woman. And your company does business in all of these states.

That’s why I can’t understand why Target would purposely choose to offend me by donating cash to support the Family Equality Council’s push for legalizing homosexual marriage.

I urge you to reconsider this promotion and stop supporting a gay marriage campaign.

Otherwise, I will reconsider shopping at your stores and choose making my purchases from your competitors.

In a nice turn of events, it seems Target’s email system is blocking messages from the AFA’s “action alert” system. But  Grand Wizard Wildmon is encouraging his flock to contact the retailer directly.

So if you want to let Target know you support their overture to the gay community, be sure to let them know with a message to [email protected] or by calling 612-304-6073.

Of course, if you think the shirts are just pandering—or are being marketed in a lame, half-measure way to avoid upsetting the right—then, um, don’t.

Source: Back2Stonewall

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