Conservative group launches boycott of Target over transgender policy

A Christian activist group is calling for a boycott of Target Corp. after the retailer affirmed last week that transgender people are welcome to use store bathrooms that align with their gender identity.

More than 450,000 signatures had been collected in support of the boycott as of Sunday, according to a Web posting by the American Family Association of Tupelo, Miss.

Target made clear in a statement last week that it stands for equity and equality and that it strives to make customers and employees "feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day."

The American Family Association says the policy could be exploited by "sexual predators" and "poses a danger to wives and daughters."

The policy, which applies to fitting rooms, too, is not the first to pit Target against the American Family Association. In 2004, the group objected to Target's decision to ban Salvation Army bell-ringers from store entrances but stopped short then of calling for a boycott.

The group began collecting signatures on the transgender policy last week. On Friday, the retailer wasn't backing down.

"As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work — and our guests an inclusive place to shop — we continue to believe this is the right thing for Target," spokeswoman Molly Snyder told Reuters.