GLAAD TODAY RESPONDED TO REPORTS OF VIOLENT THREATS AGAINST TARGET STORES FOLLOWING THE COMPANY HOSTING PRIDE DISPLAYS AND PRODUCTS

New York, NY – Wednesday, May 24, 2023 – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today responded to reports of violent threats against Target stores following the company hosting Pride displays and products.

Statement from Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD:
“Anti-LGBTQ violence and hate should not be winning in America, but it will continue to until corporate leaders step up as heroes for their LGBTQ employees and consumers and do not cave to fringe activists calling for censorship. The fact that a small group of extremists are threatening disgusting and harsh violence in response to Target continuing its long-standing tradition of offering products for everyone should be a wake-up call for consumers and is a reminder that LGBTQ people, venues, and events are being attacked with threats and violence like never before. An avalanche of research shows that Americans are comfortable seeing LGBTQ people in ads and marketing and that consumers, especially younger ones, prefer companies that include LGBTQ people internally and externally.”

Facts about LGBTQ inclusion in ads/marketing and about anti-LGBTQ violence today:

• More than 160 LGBTQ community events have been targeted with violence and threats in the past year. Everything from firebombing a donut shop to armed militias showing up at public libraries of all places.
• Gallup found over 20% of Gen Z are LGBT, that number has grown each year.
• For four consecutive waves, fielded annually, GLAAD has found that non-LGBTQ people’s level of comfort seeing LGBTQ people in ads has remained stable at 75% (3 out of 4 non-LGBTQ people). You can see the original question in the link below and here 
• A report released in December 2022 by GLAAD and the Edelman Trust Institute found: If a brand publicly supports and demonstrates a commitment to expanding and protecting LGBTQ rights, Americans are 2x more likely to buy or use the brand and ages 18-34 are 5.5x more likely to want to work at a company if it publicly supports and demonstrates a commitment to expanding and protecting LGBTQ rights. Additional findings here.
• GLAAD’s 2022 Accelerating Acceptance poll measuring attitudes, progress, and challenges in pursuit of full acceptance for the LGBTQ community found:
  • More than half (54%) of transgender and nonbinary people feel unsafe walking in their own neighborhoods, compared to 36% of all LGBTQ adults, as well as less safe in various environments, from work, to social media, or in a typical store. 
• A 2020 GLAAD and P&G poll of U.S. consumers found: 
  • 75% of respondents were comfortable seeing LGBTQ people in ads. 
  • Respondents also looked favorably upon companies that included LGBTQ people in their advertisements. 
  • 85% of respondents believe it reflects the company’s commitment to offering products to all types of customers.
  • 82% of respondents believe that it reflects the company’s value for all kinds of diversity.
  • 80% of respondents believe that it reflects that the company is making a statement about the importance of recognizing LGBTQ people.
  • More info from the poll here.