Attorneys general from seven states have signed a letter to Target explaining that they are “concerned by recent events involving the company’s ‘Pride’ campaign.”
The letter baselessly claims that these states are compelled to “enforce state laws protecting children,” and lies about Pride merchandise. The group of attorneys general, led by Republican Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, also inexplicably argued the Pride collection at Target an afoul of Target’s fiduciary duty to company shareholders. No obscenity charges have been filed against Target, nor have any fiduciary complaints been reported in the media.
In the letter the attorneys general write that they believe Target’s Pride campaign, which the company has participated in for 10 years without incident, was a so-called “comprehensive effort to promote gender and sexual identity among children.” The letter cites “LGBT-themed onesies, bibs, and overalls, T-shirts labeled ‘Girls Gays Theys’; ‘Pride Adult Drag Queen Katya’ (which depicts a male dressed in female drag’); and girls’ swimsuits with ‘tuck-friendly construction’ ” as problems.
Among the falsehoods in the letter are the assertion that swimsuits with ‘tuck-friendly construction’ were marketed to children. The AP fact checked this assertion as False: “The ‘tuck-friendly’ swimsuits are only offered in adult sizes, according to a spokesperson for the company and Target’s website. Kids’ swimsuits in the collection do not feature this label.”
The letter made reference to out LGBTQ designer Abprallen, baselessly attempting to smear the designer and that Target with the so-called “Satanic” label. Again, the AP assesses this assertion as False. “While some items made by the brand Abprallen were among those featured by the big box retailer as part of its Pride month collection, none of the items bore satanic imagery. The three items featured had images of UFOs and planets instead.”
The attorneys general who signed the letter are listed below, along with previous anti-LGBTQ actions and statements:
- Todd Rokita (R – Indiana)
- Sent a letter to healthcare providers requesting information about procedures offered to transgender youth. The letter was largely based on misinformation and included threats against medical providers and families. Every major medical association supports health care for transgender people.
- Tim Griffin (R – Arkansas)
- Opposed President Biden’s proposed rule that would allow transgender students at public schools to participate in sports according to their gender identities.
- Raul Labrador (R – Idaho)
- Opposed marriage equality and opposed Idaho schools establishing rights and protections for all students regardless of sexual orientation.
- Daniel Cameron (R – Kentucky)
- Lynn Fitch (R – Mississippi)
- Signed the anti-transgender so-called “Women’s Bill of Rights” manifesto that invokes the separate-but-equal doctrine for women, and sued the Biden Administration’s USDA over guidance forbidding discrimination against LGBTQ children in the school lunch program.
- Andrew Bailey (R – Missouri)
- Is “committed” to pursuing the dismissal of local public officials who allowed students to attend a diversity celebration last week that included a drag show,” and issued an order restricting healthcare for trans youth and adults, then withdrew it.
- Alan Wilson (R – South Carolina)
The letter from these attorneys general coincides with a campaign of anti-LGBTQ hate organized by extremist groups with the goal of preventing LGBTQ inclusion and representation, silencing our allies, and making LGBTQ communities invisible.
According to a statement from Target dated May 24, 2023, the retailer wrote that in 2023 “we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work.”
These attacks fuel hate against LGBTQ people, just as we’ve seen this year with more than 500 anti-LGBTQ bills that restrict basic freedoms and aim to erase LGBTQ people.
“The readiness of attorneys general from several states to suggest that even rainbow logos could be deemed potentially obscene indicates the likelihood of further legislative attempts in 2024,” writes Erin Reed in The Washington Blade.
A previous open letter to Target from a coalition of 15 different attorneys general expressed support for the LGBTQ community and concern for Target’s actions in the wake of “intimidation and destruction” of Pride merchandise at its stores. The letter called on Target to support inclusivity and reject anti-LGBTQ hate, intimidation, and discrimination:
“We commend, of course, Target’s intention to keep its staff members and customers safe: protecting workers from harassment, violence, threats of violence, and predation is one of the highest priorities of our offices, and we deplore any and all malicious destruction of Pride merchandise and any and all intimidation of Target staff. As we see it, Target has been the victim of potentially criminal acts, in response to which we encourage you to reach out to responsible authorities. We stand ready to help address anti-LGBTQIA+ threats and harassment in Target stores.”
The letter was cosigned by attorneys general Andrea Joy Campbell (D – Massachusetts), Keith Ellison (D – Minnesota), Kristin K. Mayes (D – Arizona), Rob Bonta (D – California), William Tong (D- Connecticut), Kathleen Jennings (D – Delaware), Brian L. Schwalb (D – District of Columbia), Kwame Raoul (D – Illinois), Aaron M. Frey (D – Maine), Aaron D. Ford (D – Nevada), Matthew J. Platkin (D – New Jersey), Letitia James (D – New York), Peter Neronha (D – Rhode Island), Charity R. Clark (D – Vermont), and Bob Ferguson (D – Washington).
Earlier this summer, GLAAD and key national LGBTQ organizations spoke out about anti-LGBTQ attacks on businesses and called on Target to lead. Read more here. For more information about the escalating violence and threats against LGBTQ people, read GLAAD’s statement here.