April 23, 2016
Target's Full Statement on Shoppers' Restroom Use
Rhuaridh Marr READ TIME: 2 MIN.
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."
On April 19, 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.
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