Target becomes latest corporation to nix DEI programs after once being a champion of equality

Author: Jacob Ogles

Target just became the latest major U.S. corporation to roll back diversity initiatives in the wake of President Donald Trump’s election and inauguration.

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The company issued a memo, available to read on social media, announcing the conclusion three-year diversity, equity and inclusion goals. The company also said it will end its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) program sometime this year.

The corporation also specially said it will be “stopping all external diversity-focused survey’s including HRC’s Corporate Equality index.”

The Human Rights Campaign effort has long provided national benchmarks on corporate policies, practices and benefits relevant to LGBTQ employees. Target in 2025 earned a score of 100% and was dubbed a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion,” an honor the retailer no longer seems interested in holding onto in 2026.

Related: More companies than ever have this DEI practice, despite anti-LGBTQ+ push

The company memo also said target will be “evolving” a Supplier Diversity program to instead focus just on Supplier Engagement, a move intended to “better reflect our inclusive global procurement process across a broad range of suppliers, including increasing our focus on small businesses.”

The end to DEI programs and the promotion of LGBTQ inclusivity marks a significant shift from a company that once weathered protests of its inclusive bathroom policies and prominent Pride displays from hate groups. But it wasn’t a sudden change. The company in 2023 pulled some of its Pride Month collection merchandise amid threats and violent protests in stores.

The shift from DEI efforts comes as a number of national brands and corporations abandon a commitment to diversity, equity or inclusion. Meta, Amazon, McDonald’s, Molson Coors and Lowe’s are among the companies to end some of all DEI programs amid right-wing backlash and as Trump nixed all federal government efforts aimed at protecting a diversity of employees.

Some companies like Costco and Apple have remained resolute in continuing DEI efforts.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Jacob Ogles