As several "Boycott Target" groups sprang up on Facebook, Target Corp. on Friday defended its $150,000 donation to a group supporting ultra-conservative Minnesota Republican gubernatorial candidate, Tom Emmer, who openly opposes gay marriage. Target was able to make the donation because of the Supreme Court's recent decision that threw out parts of a 63-year-old law that prohibited campaign donations from corporations.
In an e-mail to employees, Target's chief executive officer Gregg Steinhafel wrote that the donation was a business decision.
"Target has a history of supporting organizations and candidates, on both sides of the aisle, who seek to advance policies aligned with our business objectives, such as job creation and economic growth," wrote Mr. Steinhafel. "It is also important to note that we rarely endorse all advocated positions of organizations or candidates we support, and we do not have a political or social agenda."
He also reiterated the retailer's dedication to equal rights.
"Let me be very clear, Target's support for the GLBT community is unwavering, and inclusiveness remains a core value of our company," said Mr. Steinhafel. He then listed a number of ways the company supports diversity, including providing domestic partner benefits and the sponsorship of the annual Twin Cities Gay Pride Festival.
The Citizens United ruling changed regulations in about half of the states, but the Target donation in Minnesota was said to be among the first major new corporate actions to face scrutiny. Local and national gay rights groups have particularly condemned the action. By late Sunday, one Facebook group, "Boycott Target Until They Cease Funding Anti-Gay Politics," had more than 27,000 followers.
Best Buy's contribution to the same organization is also being protested. But Target was said to be singled out because of Mr. Emmer's conservative views, which include support of Arizona's immigration laws.
"[The contribution] seems really contradictory to how they've acted in the past," Monica Meyer, the interim head of the gay rights group OutFront Minnesota told ABC News. "I do think that people are rethinking their shopping, particularly during election season. And I have heard some people saying it's a good thing Costco exists."
A website, www.goodguide/contributions, breaks out each corporation's political donations by party. Although skewed toward Republican donations, Costco, along with Gap, Walgreens, Rite Aid and Starbucks, are reportedly among the retailers generally supporting Democratic causes.
Discussion Questions: Should retailers openly support one political party over another? How big a risk is a consumer backlash from such actions?
- Target, Best Buy Angers Gay Customers By Making Contribution to GOP Candidate - ABC News
- Target Corp. defends Minn. political donation - The Associated Press/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Open Letter to Gregg W. Steinhafel, Chairman, President, and CEO of Target Corporation - OutFront Minnesota
- Boycott Target Until They Cease Funding Anti-Gay Politics - Facebook
- Vote with Your Dollars - goodguide.com