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Target disinvited from Twin Cities Pride after DEI rollback
Trump frequently targeted DEI initiatives during his presidential campaign, a stretch that coincided with several prominent consumer brands, including Harley-Davidson and John Deere, reducing or phasing out their diversity commitments. McDonald’s and Walmart made similar moves after the election.
Target’s decision to follow suit doesn’t mean Twin Cities Pride will permanently “shut the door” on the company, Otto said: “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.”
Seth Ketron, a University of St. Thomas marketing professor, said companies’ decisions often hinge on boosting their bottom line. But he questioned why Target, a retailer that has self-consciously built a brand around inclusivity, would suddenly abandon that posture — and potentially alienate loyal consumers.
“It could be that they’re afraid of … political blowback of some kind,” Ketron said.
Yohuru Williams, a St. Thomas history professor and director of the school’s Racial Justice Initiative, has spent years consulting companies on their DEI efforts. He called Target’s program “incredibly innovative,” with the retailer not only committed to promoting internal diversity, but highlighting Black and LGBTQ history in its line of products.
“In every way, Target seemed to have made this firm and bold commitment,” Williams said. “I think that’s why it feels like such a betrayal to so many in terms of what’s happening now.”
Twin Cities Pride, one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations in the Midwest, has made the decision to disinvite Target from participating in this year’s festivities following the retail giant’s recent rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Target, based in Minneapolis, has long been a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community and has been a prominent sponsor of Twin Cities Pride for many years. However, the company recently faced backlash for reportedly scaling back its DEI efforts, which included reducing budgets for employee resource groups and diversity training.
In a statement released by Twin Cities Pride, the organization expressed disappointment in Target’s actions and emphasized the importance of standing up for the values of equality and inclusion. As a result, Twin Cities Pride has decided to rescind Target’s invitation to participate in this year’s event.
The decision to disinvite Target has sparked a mix of reactions, with some applauding Twin Cities Pride for taking a stand against corporate entities that fail to prioritize diversity and inclusion, while others have criticized the move as being too harsh.
Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it is clear that the intersection of corporate responsibility and LGBTQ+ rights continues to be a topic of debate and discussion. As Twin Cities Pride moves forward with its plans for this year’s celebration, the organization’s decision to hold companies accountable for their actions serves as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to create a more inclusive and equitable society.
Tags:
- Target
- Twin Cities Pride
- DEI rollback
- LGBTQ+ community
- Diversity and inclusion
- Pride celebrations
- Corporate responsibility
- Social justice
- LGBTQ+ rights
- Minneapolis-St. Paul events
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