Target Boycott: 500K+ Sign American Family Association's Petition on Transgender Bathroom Policy

By WENDY ANN MITCHELL (Patch Staff)

More than half a million people have signed a petition to boycott Target since it announced that the store welcomes transgender people to the bathroom or fitting room of their choice that matches their gender identity.

The American Family Association (AFA), whose mission is "to inform, equip and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture," created the petition because they said Target's policy "is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims," AFA President Tim Wildmon said on the petition page, continuing:

"Clearly, Target's dangerous new policy poses a danger to wives and daughters. We think many customers will agree. And we think the average Target customer is willing to pledge to boycott Target stores until it makes protecting women and children a priority."

The AFA is calling for a single occupancy unisex bathroom as a "common-sense approach and a reasonable solution" to the issue. The organization said that Target’s store policy "endangers women and children by allowing men to frequent women’s facilities."

Target said on their website that "inclusivity" is a "core belief at Target" and something they celebrate"

"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 Connecticut there are 20 Target locations including one in Milford at 1191 Boston Post Road and one in Orange at 25 Boston Post Road. 

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