LGBT Activists Demonstrate Outside Target

Activists for the LGBT community gathered outside the West Hollywood Target store on Saturday afternoon to protest the parent company's $150,000 contribution to a political group supporting a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who opposes same-sex marriage.

"We are taking this opportunity to voice our opposition to corporations who donate to politicians who don't support LGBT social justice issues," said lead organizer Doug Carlson.

The candidate in question, Tom Emmer, says on his website, "I believe marriage is the union between one man and one woman. As a legislator, I have consistently supported the constitutional marriage amendment that protects traditional marriage."

The activists said in their announcement they want to send a message to Target that political contributions "should not go to those whose agenda is to take citizens' rights away."

In late July, members of the LGBT community learned about Target's contribution to political group Minnesota Forward. Target Chief Executive Officer Gregg Steinhafel has since issued an apology, but gay-rights activists continue to boycott and press for more action.

West Hollywood's City Council recently passed a resolution calling on Target to apologize to the LGBT community at large and take corrective measures against the individuals responsible for the contribution.

"So far the supposed LGBT-friendly business refuses to make a similar monetary contribution to groups whose aim it is to elect LGBT-friendly candidates," the announcement said.

This is the second demonstration held at this Target on Santa Monica Boulevard and La Brea Avenue. In August, a small group of demonstrators held signs outside the store and requested refunds for their purchases.