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Target is making some nasty headlines for itself once again in its apparent attempt to embrace a policy of indiscriminate discrimination. In recent years the big box superstore has settled multiple discrimination lawsuits with former employees (racial and/or disability discrimination) to make it seem as though the company just hates all people. Perhaps Target is meant to be pronounced with a French accent after all.
But in the past year, Target has gone on the offensive. Last July, the Minneapolis-based company made a 6-figure contribution to purchase campaign ads for anti-gay Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. Following an uproar from employees and the media, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel apologized. The company struck a deal with Lady Gaga to sell a deluxe limited edition run of her upcoming album, , due out in May. But Gaga backed out earlier this month citing Target's insensitivity to the LGBT community, having no assurances that Target wouldn't continue funding political candidates with anti-gay agendas.
Now Target is suing a group San Diego pro-gay marriage activists to stop them from canvassing -- or talking to patrons about gay marriage -- outside its stores, specifically the Poway location. The lawsuit was filed on March 8. Target was denied a temporary restraining order against between Target and Canvass for a Cause by the San Diego County Superior Court judge. The trial was set to begin today. But, once again, it's not an anti-gay thing, Target assures.
"Our legal action was in no way related to the cause of the organization and was done so to be consistent with our long-standing policy of providing a distraction-free shopping experience by not permitting solicitors at our stores," the company said in a statement sent to The Associated Press.
In other words, don't sweat it, San Diego, it's all a part of Target's policy to discriminate indiscriminately.