Orlando – Target has gotten a lot of heat over the company’s transgender-inclusive restroom policies, but some local LGBT supporters want the company to know they “Stand With Target.”
About 25 people rallied June 1 at the Grant St. Target just south of downtown Orlando to thank Target for publicly supporting transgender customers’ and employees’ rights to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity. The group cheered each person who came to shop and presented each shopper with a flower.
Gina Duncan, Equality Florida’s transgender inclusion director, organized the event. She says people gave the group a thumbs up, several wanted photos with them and one man, exiting after shopping, came over and wanted a hug.
“It was gratifying to observe that the majority of shoppers were supportive,” she says. “Despite coming under national criticism from right-wing evangelicals, Target truly ‘walks the talk’ by publicly supporting transgender customers’ right to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity.”
Target made its announcement of transgender support April 19. The June 1 rally was in line with a movement by Freedom for All Americans, which in partnership with GLAAD, Family Equality Council and GLSEN, encouraged people to shop at Target, wear red, and document via social media that they #StandWithTarget to kick off Pride Month.
Abstract photo by Dana Ng.
