Target is welcoming transgender shoppers to use restrooms and fitting rooms that corresponds with their gender identity.
The Minneapolis-based retailer released a statement on inclusivity on Tuesday amid national conversation about protection rights for the LGBTQ community – as North Carolina remains in the spotlight for restricting transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice.
Molly Snyder, a Target spokeswoman, told a Minnesota publication it is not a new policy, but the retailer wanted to clarify its position. This appears to be a first for a big-box retailers.
A statement was released on the company's website.
Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It's something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day.
We believe that everyone—every team member, every guest, and every community—deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally. Consistent with this belief, <a href="https://corporate.target.com/article/2015/09/equality-act">Target supports the federal Equality Act</a>, which provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination.
In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.
We regularly assess issues and consider many factors such as impact to our business, guests and team members. Given the specific questions these legislative proposals raised about how we manage our fitting rooms and restrooms, we felt it was important to state our position.
Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And you'll always be accepted, respected and welcomed at Target.
In February, Washington's full Senate narrowly rejected a bill that would have repealed a new state rule allowing transgender people to use bathrooms and locker rooms in public buildings consistent with their gender identity.
Sen. Doug Ericksen, a Republican from Ferndale who sponsored the measure, argued during debate on the floor that the rule, created by the state's Human Rights Commission, leaves business owners unable to stop men posing as transgender people to sexually assault women in locker rooms.
"Under this rule, practically, what can he do to be able to protect his members that are uncomfortable?" Ericksen said.
Many Democrats defended the state rule that went into effect on Dec. 26. Sen. Cyrus Habib, D-Kirkland, said there is no civil right protecting people from being uncomfortable, but there is "a civil right to be included."
The worry that people might abuse the commission's rule is unfounded, added Sen. Pramila Jayapal, D-Seattle.
"There have been no sex offenders that have been posing as transgender people to get into bathrooms," she said.
Cox Media Group
