Target Corp Apologized For Making Campaign Contributions To Anti-Gay Political Action Committees And Then Continued To Make Campaign Contributions To Anti-Gay Political Action Committees Apparently Believing You Would Never Know

The Awl reports that despite public proclamations to the contrary, Target continued to make campaign donations to anti-gay politicians long after it issued an apology and an assurance that the company would revise its political participation. According to documents filed with the Federal Election Commission in October, 2010, “Target continued donating to a bevy of anti-gay politicians even after Steinhafel apologized and committed to reforming the review process for future political donations. These donations even included some of the same anti-gay politicians the company had already been criticized for supporting.” On August 5th, 2010, Steinhafel, the Chairman, President, and CEO of Target, released a statement apologizing for the company’s decision to donate funds to a political action committee – MN Forward – created by former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty, that supported Tom Emmer, a gubernatorial candidate, who in on record opposing gay equality. In that letter, Steinhafel made mention that “later this fall, Target will take a leadership role in bringing together a group of companies and partner organizations for a dialogue focused on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including LGBT issues.” What has been Target’s progress on taking a “leadership role”? A spokesperson said “As previously indicated, we’re taking a thoughtful and planful approach to this issue. Target is engaged in ongoing dialogue, both internally and externally, with a variety of leaders and expects to have more to share soon regarding our plans.” Oh, and the leadership role included donating $31,200 to anti-gay politicians and/or the political action committees that supported them.