Consumers Hold Target Accountable for Anti-Gay Political Donations

One of the  major stories to come out of the 2010 elections was the unique role that corporate spending played in helping certain candidates. Perhaps no company stepped in more trouble than retail giant Target, which angered thousands of consumers by supporting a host of anti-gay candidates, from failed Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer to Rep. Michele Bachmann and Sen. Roy Blunt.

After Target's political contributions came to light, LGBT activists and straight allies began organizing. Tens of thousands of emails went to Target's headquarters urging them to get out of politics, and numerous Facebook pages launched to protest the company. One of the most successful has been "Money I Would Have Spent at Target," which is keeping a running tab of all money that people would have spent at Target, if it wasn't for the company's anti-gay political agenda. The page has tracked close to $1 million that consumers spent elsewhere.

Change.org had a chance to catch up to the page's founder, and get some input on what's motivating consumers to keep their dollars away from Target, and whether it's having any impact.

1.      What kind of boycott/protest experience have you had in the past?

I've never really been a boycotter or protester in the past.  In my other LGBT equality work, I've always taken a collaborative, "let's work together to find a solution approach."  This is actually my first boycott.

2.      How do you feel those experiences guide you in your current boycott of Target?

For me, Target's initial contribution felt like a betrayal of the worst kind.  This is a corporation that has positioned itself as a friend to LGBT people and to the LGBT community, a corporation that was standing with us in our quest for equal treatment under the law.  To learn this so-called "friend" was supporting those who were taking strong positions against LGBT people revealed their truest convictions.  Personally, I felt a personal boycott was my only option and a way to maintain my own integrity.

3.      What motivated you to start the page?

I had recently watched the July 27, 2010 video of Randi Reitan, mother of a gay son, return a basket full of merchandise she had recently purchased at Target, many of those items were for her grandchildren who love their gay uncle.  In that video Randi explained to the Target employees the reason for her return. She went on to cut up her Target credit card.  Randi's action demonstrated real conviction. The type of conviction that should be honored and held out as an example.  I wanted to create a place, unaffiliated with any organization or any one person, where others like Randi could demonstrate their personal convictions.  Beyond just a member of a boycott page, the Money I Would Have Spent at Target page allows its members to demonstrate their convictions, just as Randi did.

4.      Why keep the boycott up, now that the elections are over?

As we've learned recently, Target's political contributions to anti-LGBT candidates did not end with their $150,000 contribution to MN forward [a political action committee that tried to elect Tom Emmer governor of Minnesota].  My personal boycott of Target continues because I cannot in good conscience spend my hard earned dollars with a corporation that uses those same dollars to fund candidates who do not see me as equal under the law and who work to ensure I am not viewed as equal under the law.  What's worse, Target makes these contributions while positioning itself as a friend to LGBT people and to the LGBT community.

5.      What would it take for Target to make amends?

For me personally, the hypocrisy is so deep and so consistent, I am not sure there are amends that can be made to win me back. Perhaps a change in leadership or a change in policy with public acknowledgment of their inconsistent support.

6.      What impact do you think you, and your page's followers are having?

More than anything, I think the Money I Would Have Spent at Target page gives our members a place to feel connected to those who share the same conviction.  Is it having an impact on Target's policies?  I don't know, but as we approach one million dollars in money spent at places other than Target, there is definitely an impact being made, whether anyone outside our page acknowledges it or not.

7.      Are you satisfied with the participation level on your page?

I am pleased with the participation of those who belong to the page.  To be approaching one million dollars in six months from a relatively small group of people is huge and demonstrates the Margaret Mead quote, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."  That said, I do wish more of those on the Boycott page [another Facebook page addressing Target's anti-gay donations] would see the value of the Money I Would Have Spent at Target page and how it complements the boycott efforts.

8.      Gay activists still hold a grudge against Coors for anti-gay work dating back to the 70s. Do you think Target will reap the same fate?

I do hope so.  As a result of the Citizens United decision, I expect more and more corporations to engage in political giving.  We need to hold them accountable and the best way to do that is to threaten their bottom-line.

9.      What are your current plans for the page?

To hit one million dollars -- once we hit that number, we'll determine the "what's next."

10.  Have you received any forms of harassment or communications from individuals, groups, or corporate representatives opposed to your action?

I have not.

11. Any thoughts on how you might celebrate the $1 million mark?

As we approach the $1 million mark, I plan to issue a press release hoping to get some coverage on the milestone and bring attention back to the larger issue of corporate involvement in politics and the influence grassroots efforts can have.  Again, I want to be careful not to lead out on any big effort but allow page members or other boycotters to own some of the activity themselves.  On a personal philosophy note, I believe too often we allow someone or some organization to speak on our behalf.  The premise of the page is for individuals to speak out for themselves so I don't want to "own" too much of the work (another reason for the leadership anonymity).

12. Would you consider notifying Target (in some fashion) once such a milestone is reached?

I'll also contact Target at the same time to include in the press release any comment they may offer.  Since they've been silent on this issue for so long, I don't expect much of a response.

13. Have you noticed, or tried to find out, what regions most of the active participates come from? (MN for instance)

Here is a list of cities noting the number of "Money" likes for each:

206 Salt Lake City
76 New York
76 Seattle
76 Los Angeles
70 Minneapolis
55 Chicago
55 Kansas City
40 Philadelphia
35 Phoenix
33 Irvine
32 Dallas
32 Denver
32 Livingston
31 Washington
29 San Francisco
29 Tampa
29 Las Vegas
28 Pleasanton
25 Austin

Photo credit: kevindooley