Target: Transgender customers can use whichever restroom they choose
Target has released a statement supporting its transgender customers and affirming their right to use the restroom of their choice
“You’ll always be accepted, respected and welcomed at Target.”
–In a statement posted to their corporate website, retail giant Target has reasserted their company policy that transgender customers can use the restroom that best matches their gender identity. “We welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity,” the statement reads.
It comes as several states consider — or have already passed — laws which demand that transgender people use restroom or changing facilities that match their birth gender, not their gender identity. Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder told the Minneapolis Star Tribune that it was “a restatement of a policy. It’s just us being very overt in stating it.”
Yesterday, a trans student in Virginia won a legal ruling which determined that his school’s policy forcing him to use a separate bathroom constituted discrimination. Last week, Ted Cruz called North Carolina’s anti-LGBT law HB 2, which forces trans people to use a restroom that corresponds with their birth gender, “perfectly reasonable.”
Read the full statement from Target below:
Recent debate around proposed laws in several states has reignited a national conversation around inclusivity. So earlier this week, we reiterated with our team members where Target stands and how our beliefs are brought to life in how we serve our guests.
Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It’s something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day.
We believe that everyone—every team member, every guest, and every community—deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally. Consistent with this belief, Target supports the federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination.
In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.
We regularly assess issues and consider many factors such as impact to our business, guests and team members. Given the specific questions these legislative proposals raised about how we manage our fitting rooms and restrooms, we felt it was important to state our position.
Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And you’ll always be accepted, respected and welcomed at Target.
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.