Retail giant Target made it perfectly clear yesterday that transgender guests and staff are welcome to use the restrooms and fitting rooms that match their gender identity. The policy isn’t new, but the company wanted to reiterate their policy in the wake of new laws and proposed legislation around the nation to force transgender individuals into the bathroom corresponding with the gender marker on their birth certificate.
“It’s a restatement of a policy,” Molly Snyder, a Target spokeswoman, told the Star Tribune. “It’s just us being very overt in stating it.”
The corporation has spoken out repeatedly against the measures and has expressed support for national nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people.
The statement posted on the company website reads:
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“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.”
