Connecticut Attorney General William Tong and his New York counterpart Letitia James are part of a group of 15 state attorneys general calling on Target (NYSE:TGT) to reaffirm its support of the LGBTQ community following the controversy of its displays of Pride-related merchandise.
In a letter to the retailer, the attorneys general condemned “politically motivated attacks” on Target and called on the company to work with law enforcement and government agencies to address any threats or harassment of LGBTQ shoppers at its stores.
“Target”™s Pride merchandise was a public show of support for the LGBTQIA+ community during a time of escalating hate and discrimination,” said Tong. “The threats and intimidation surrounding those products were despicable. Attorneys general across the country stand ready to protect the civil rights of Target”™s employees, customers, and the LGBTQIA+ community against this hateful bullying.”
“Target”™s decision to remove certain Pride merchandise in response to hateful backlash is wrong,” said James. “As state legislatures nationwide are attacking the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ individuals, we must be unwavering and unapologetic in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. During Pride month and beyond, I will always fight to ensure that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers ”” and Americans ”” can live and shop as their true selves without fear of harassment and intimidation.”
Photo courtesy of Mike Mozart / Flickr Creative Commons
