Target pulled two books off its shelves that upset one Twitter user because of the books’ critical stances towards transgender ideology (1). This book banning included Irreversible Damage by Abigail Shrier (2). Target also abruptly stopped selling Matt Walsh’s previously best-selling children’s book (3). Additionally, Target received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the HRC. Among other requirements, this means the company has pledged to vet vendors based on LGBTQ policies (4). Target is currently facing a shareholder lawsuit for the $12 billion share value loss that ensued from its transgender advocacy (5)(6).

Target does not have an employee matching program, but it donates to a wide variety of different causes corporately. These organizations cannot be “religious organizations for religious purposes,” though the company does not have a written policy prohibiting donations to religious organizations that engage in nonsectarian community work (1).

Target does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (1)(2).

Target advocated against the Georgia voting integrity bill (1). Target has supported the Equality Act, transgender participation in girls’ sports, and led the fight on “gender-inclusive” restrooms until a boycott caused the company to install private stalls (2)(3). Target opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (4). CEO Brian Cornell is a member of the Business Roundtable and signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders and customers (5)(6). Target is a Ceres Network Member, committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2040 (7)(8). To celebrate LGBTQ Pride month in 2023, Target sold compression tops and binders sized for preteens and baby-sized “tuck-friendly” swimsuits (9)(10). CEO Brian Cornell suggested that conservative customers boycotting the company due to sales of transgender-themed merchandise were more dangerous than rioters from the 2020 George Floyd protests (11). Despite intense backlash, Target doubled down on its LGBTQ Pride advocacy in November by releasing LGBTQ holiday ornaments (12).

Target funds employee expenses related to abortion, including travel out of state (1). Target sells LGBTQ youth apparel, including apparel designed to promote Satanism, abortion, and transgenderism by a proclaimed Satanist designer (2)(3)(4). The company pledged $110 million toward racial justice, though it is unclear how much is going toward ideological groups (5)(6). Target is a Platinum Sponsor of the HRC and donates to the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) (7)(8). Target has donated over $2.1 million to GLSEN, which aims to provide LGBTQ books to schools, integrate gender ideology into all school curricula, create “anti-racist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students”, and “ensure that … staff or educators shall not disclose any information that may reveal a student’s gender identity to others, including parents or guardian…” (9). The company has also donated to the National Urban League (10)(11). Target funded the Boise Pride event, featuring drag shows with children as young as 11 years old (12). The company is a Bronze sponsor of Out and Equal and a corporate partner of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (13)(14). 

Target has donated to the Equality PAC (1)(2).