This Pride org lost a corporate sponsor. The community did something surprising.

Author: Greg Owen

The organization behind Minneapolis Pride celebrations has raised close to $100,000 from public donations after dropping a major retail chain as a sponsor.

Last Friday, just days after the Trump administration went after DEI in the federal government, Target announced it would scale back or end it’s own DEI initiatives and cease participation in outside surveys, including the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Corporate Equality Index.

The company has been the subject of right-wing attacks over its annual collection of Pride merchandise. Following a 2023 boycott attempt, Target bowed to anti-LGBTQ+ pressure, announcing that its 2024 Pride merchandise would only be available in specific markets.

Otto said Twin Cities Pride hasn’t “shut the door” on reestablishing ties with Target in the future.

“But when it comes to right now, our community does not want to see someone who has rolled back [DEI] policies in a place where they want to celebrate and feel empowered,” he said.

Target scored 95 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Corporate Equality Index, a measure of companies’ LGBTQ+-inclusive workplace policies. Target has an employee resource group called the Pride+ Business Council that creates events and experiences for LGBTQ+ team members to connect and get involved. The company also hosts internal events during Pride Month for interested employees to learn, reflect, celebrate, and connect with the LGBTQ+ community.

Last year, Target took pride in their support for LGBTQ+ employees in a statement to LGBTQ Nation.

“Target is committed to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month and year-round,” the statement said. “Most importantly, we want to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our LGBTQIA+ team members, which reflects our culture of care for the over 400,000 people who work at Target. We have long offered benefits and resources for the community, and we will have internal programs to celebrate Pride 2024.”

The statement also boasted about the company’s involvement in Minneapolis’ Pride events, as well as the Pride gear that they sell each year. In 2020, the company pledged to give $10 million to social justice initiatives and to rebuild areas of Minneapolis damaged by riots, according to CBS News.

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Actual Story on LGBTQ Nation
Author: Greg Owen