Target contributions to anti-gaypoliticians never stopped

Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel

Abe Sauer, at awl.com, maintains that Target's stream of money to anti-gay politicians never stopped, despite an August 5th apology by its CEO, Gregg Steinhafel, in which he admitted that the company's decision had affected many "in a way I did not anticipate." Steinhafel promised that "… later this fall, Target will take a leadership role in bringing together a group of companies and partner organizations for a dialogue focused on diversity and inclusion in the workplace, including GLBT issues."

     Documents filed with the FEC in October 2010 show that Target did nothing of the sort; in fact it continued to fund anti-gay candidates, including some of the same homophobes the company had already been dissed for supporting. All this after Steinhafel promised to reform the review process for future political donations.
     Most of Target's significant political donations after August 5th went to anti-gay equality politicians.
     After Steinhafel's August 5 letter, Target's Political Action Committee recorded $41,200 in federal election activity. Of that total, $31,200 went to anti-gay rights politicians or PACs supporting those candidates.
     Human Rights Campaign has penalized Target in its ratings, for "failing to take any corrective action in response to significant community concerns."