Equality Michigan targets Target

By Todd A. Heywood

Equality Michigan, an organization representing the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Michigan, is calling on its constituents “to look closely at where they are spending their hard earned dollars.”

The move comes as campaign finance reports from the 2010 election show Target, Best Buy and 3M donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to a political action group which was funding anti-gay candidates, reports Michigan Messenger sister publication the Minnesota Independent. As a result of those donations, the Human Rights Campaign downgraded the corporations’ Corporate Equality Index ratings.

“Target, which prides itself on being a family company, defended its initial contributions by saying that their donations were based on a desire to invest in economic development. In Michigan, we know better than most that everything possible needs to be done to promote economic growth and sustainability, and to create healthy, stable communities,” says Emily Dievendorf, policy director at Equality Michigan. “What Target neglected to consider in their support of anti-gay candidates is that public policy makers that work to allow the denial of basic human rights for LGBTQ individuals and families are supporting and compounding economic and social vulnerability – for all citizens.”

“If corporations are not willing to consider the implications of the availability of housing, health care, jobs, and parental and spousal rights on the success of their communities, they should refrain from using their profits to weigh in on our selection of political leadership,” Dievendorf continued. “When corporations do choose to take active roles in political races, they should be prepared to have consumers interpret their support as an indication of their corporate values.”

The statement fell short of an outright call for a boycott, and in a follow up interview, Dievendorf had this to say about the move.

“We cannot tell anybody where they should spend their money. However, it is Equality Michigan’s position that if Target’s political investments are considered, supporters of equality will conclude that continuing to shop there would be counterproductive to their goals, to put it mildly,” Dievendorf said.

In July, when campaign finance reports showed the corporations were donating to the Minnesota Forward group, a call for a boycott was issued by MoveOn.org. Here is a video of a creative protest at a Target in Minnesota.

Minnesota Independent also reports that Target’s positive buzz saw a sharp decline in July following the disclosures.

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