Target refuses to budge on ‘belief of diversity and inclusion’

Despite increasing backlash, the retailer is keeping its policy enabling people to use restrooms matching their gender identity. Here’s how its voice has steered the national dialogue.

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Target’s stand on gender identity inclusivity is firm.

On Wednesday, May 11—in the wake of the submission of roughly 1.2 million petition signatures to boycott the retailer—Target’s chief exec, Brian Cornell, confirmed that the company would not reverse its public restroom policy.

Despite backlash—and a rising number of consumers’ saying they’ll refuse to shop at Target— The Washington Post reports that Cornell will uphold the company’s decision to let guests and staff use whichever bathroom corresponds with their gender identity.

“We took a stance, and we’re going to continue to embrace our belief of diversity and inclusion, just how important that is to our company, but we’re also going to make sure our focus on safety is unwavering,” Cornell said Wednesday.

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