Target sells T-shirts to help pro-gay marriage group
T-shirt promotion organized by a group of gay employees of retail giant
- ST. PAUL, Minn. — Two years after Target Corp. angered gay marriage supporters with a political donation that benefited a fiery gay marriage opponent seeking the governor's office, the retailer is now upsetting same-sex marriage opponents by selling T-shirts to raise money for a group working to defeat a gay marriage ban in Minnesota.
The Minneapolis-based retailer is taking heat in its home state, where voters will decide this November whether to put a gay marriage ban into the state constitution. One organizer of gay marriage opponents warned that their displeasure could spread to 32 other states where voters have banned gay marriage.
"Target is attacking traditional marriage, which is an incredibly misguided thing for them to have done," said Chuck Darrell, spokesman for Minnesota for Marriage, a group campaigning to pass the constitutional marriage amendment. "It's an insult to the overwhelming majority of their customers."
Target's move comes two years after it endured a backlash from gay rights supporters for giving $150,000 to a campaign group backing the conservative Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, Tom Emmer, who narrowly lost to Democrat Mark Dayton in a race that went to an automatic recount. The donation set off protests and calls for a boycott from a constituency that had seen Target as an ally.
Supporters of gay marriage see Minnesota as having the potential to halt their long losing streak in statewide votes.
The T-shirt promotion will raise up to $120,000 for the Family Equality Council, a Washington-based group that is part of a Minnesota coalition pushing to defeat the constitutional amendment. The $12.99 shirts will be sold on Target's website through June, or while supplies last. They come in four designs, emblazoned with words such as "harmony" and "pride." Singer Gwen Stefani designed one shirt featuring a rainbow and a cloud that says, "LOVE IS LOVE."
Target hasn't taken a position on Minnesota's ballot question. Spokeswoman Molly Snyder said the T-shirt promotion was organized by a group of gay Target employees and their allies. She said it is Target's second promotion to benefit a specific group. The first, during last year's holiday season, raised money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through the sale of limited-edition plush dogs.
"Target is pleased to be able to bring our guests products they want while, in turn, helping support the LGBT community through the donation of 100 percent of the purchase price to the Family Equality Council," the company said in a statement noting its long-standing support of the gay community.
Another statement from the retailer notes "a broad range of strongly held views" on the marriage issue and urges employees to vote.
Family Equality Council director Jennifer Chrisler said the T-shirt proceeds will fund her group's work around the country, ranging from community building to political advocacy. She added that Target, a longtime sponsor of the Twin Cities gay pride festival, is now sponsoring Family Equality Council retreats for gay families in Massachusetts and California.
"I know and understand what a big reaction that donation had two years ago, and I think they have taken steps, serious steps, to show that they understood that reaction," Chrisler said. "But I really think this is an extension of the longtime partnership we have had and their commitment to family."
Minnesota for Marriage doesn't plan to organize action against Target because of its focus on the November vote, Darrell said. Instead, he is asking supporters of the constitutional amendment to counter the Target promotion by donating $12.99 on his group's website. He said donations are up since Target started selling the T-shirts.
Darrell also urged Target to get out of the marriage issue — and stay out.
"Just get out of this debate and do what they're good at," Darrell said. "Get out of the business of trying to redefine marriage."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
That's a cute shirt, I might need to pick one up.
I really want a shirt with this logo...
I <3 George Takei.
Thank God......it's Friday!!!
Quoting Friday:That's a cute shirt, I might need to pick one up.
I really want a shirt with this logo...
I <3 George Takei.
They are selling the shirts on their official website online.
BTW, I like your t-shirt idea..Do you have one for Uhura? Nichelle Nichols is my namesake!
That's a cute shirt, I might need to pick one up.
I really want a shirt with this logo...
I <3 George Takei.
Quoting shimamab:
You should make one!
Quoting Friday:That's a cute shirt, I might need to pick one up.
I really want a shirt with this logo...
I <3 George Takei.
I think Takei has one, I just can't find it right now. If he doesn't it might be due to Paramount and copyright laws. They are tough about that kind of thing.
Thank God......it's Friday!!!
Quoting NWP:They are selling the shirts on their official website online.
BTW, I like your t-shirt idea..Do you have one for Uhura? Nichelle Nichols is my namesake!
That's a cute shirt, I might need to pick one up.
I really want a shirt with this logo...
I <3 George Takei.
The one I posted came from the school that tried to ban saying 'gay' so George Takei said they could use his name but if you check the Star Trek website, I'm sure they have plenty of Uhura goodies. You might have to search for Nichelle instead of Zoe Saldana, the new Uhura but I'm sure they have em. Here's the site
http://store.startrek.com/
I still think it's awesome you were named after her, not just a pretty name but quite a lady and role model.
Here's a vid of Takei's comment on It's ok to be Takei. Always watched ST, never noticed him beyond his voice. Did call his coming out, no straight man would wear the leather cape he wore in Voyage Home, but he is very cool and funny. He has a page on FB and posts some great stuff.
Thank God......it's Friday!!!
I can't see the pic of the shirt, but it doesn't change my opinion of Target (I love that store). I won't buy one, but it doesn't me that they sell them.
http://www.allegiancemusical.com/its-ok-be-takei-merchandise
Another reason to love the source of all that is good - Target.
Obama: NSA secret data gathering 'transparent'
- NWP
on Jun. 1, 2012 at 10:25 PM