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Boycotts Fail to Make a Dent in Target’s Bottom Line

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

Nearly three months after funneling $150,000 to a candidate who opposes gay marriage, Target Corp. is still dealing with the backlash from liberal groups who oppose the move. But while discussing the economy and other factors attributing to a fairly good year, the company told Ad Age last week that the negative attention hasn’t actually hurt the bottom line.

First, some quick background: The Minneapolis-based retail giant made the July 6 donation to a pro-business group called MN Forward that is backing GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. The contribution was allowed under the Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United ruling and related regulatory decisions that allow companies to give unlimited amounts from their corporate accounts to political causes.

Target faced an outcry from groups that saw the donation as a betrayal to the company’s gay-friendly reputation. But in an interview with Ad Age’s Natalie Zmuda, Target Exec VP-Chief Marketing Officer Michael R. Francis said the protests and boycotts appear to have had a “negligible impact,” given sales for July and August were in line with expectations. Still, the retailer is taking the situation seriously.

Full Story from Advertising Age

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Target Apologizes to Employees for Anti Gay Marriage Candidate Donation

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Unable to extinguish a firestorm of protest among some of its customers and gay rights supporters, Target Corp. on Thursday took the unusual step of apologizing for making a political donation.

CEO Gregg Steinhafel sent a message to company leaders saying he was “genuinely sorry” that the donation had disappointed some. The message was posted on the company’s Intranet, making it available to all employees.

Minneapolis-based Target had tried for days to emphasize that the $150,000 donation to MN Forward, a pro-business group backing Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, was based solely on a tax and jobs platform. But because of Emmer’s stance against gay marriage, many perceived the donation as flying in the face of Target’s longstanding commitment to workplace equality.

Full Story from the Star Tribune

Click here for gay marriage resources.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

GOProud Stays At Hotel Owned By Anti Gay Marriage Advocate

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Hosting a reception today for Tammy Bruce, the lesbian conservative radio show host who believes marriage should be reserved for heteros, GOProud has taken over part of the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. And they’re loving it!

Chairman Christopher Barron, who will likely be working on his red tan by the pool, isn’t afraid of you homos calling for a boycott of the hotel over owner Doug Manchester’s $125,000 donating to pass Prop 8. “Dear Boycotters of the Manchester Grand Hyatt – It’s really really nice here. That is all :D ,” he tweeted today.

Full Story from Queerty

Click here for gay marriage resources in California.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.

CA: San Diego Manchester Hyatt Changes Hands, Mostly; Boycott Continues

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010

San Diego Port Commissioners on Tuesday approved the transfer of the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel downtown from developer Doug Manchester to the Hyatt Hotel Corporation. The hotel has been the target of protesters and a boycott since Manchester donated $125,000 to Proposition 8, the measure that banned gay marriage in California.

Fred Karger and his group, Californians Against Hate, have been leading the boycott.

“We’ve offered from day one to meet with Doug Manchester to try to negotiate an end to the boycott,” said Karger. “He has always refused to meet with us.”

Full Story from 10 News

Click here for gay marriage resources in California.

To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.