Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has
criticized Target's policy of allowing transgender people to use the
bathroom of their choice, saying it will lead to “criminal
activity.”
The Christian conservative group
American Family Association (AFA) launched a boycott of the retail
giant after it reiterated its policy. AFA claims that 1.1 million
people have joined its boycott.
AFA President Tim Wildmon told Fox News
that the policy puts women and girls in “jeopardy.”
“Predators and voyeurs would take
advantage of the policy to prey on those who are vulnerable,” he
said.
Paxton, a Republican, echoed those
sentiments in a letter to Target.
“It is possible that allowing men in
women's restrooms could lead to criminal and otherwise unwanted
activity,” Paxton
wrote.
Paxton is asking Target to “provide
the full text of Target's safety policies regarding the protection of
women and children from those who would use the cover of Target's
restroom policy for nefarious purposes.”
Despite the vocal claims of opponents,
such incidents have not taken place in the states and cities that
allow transgender people to use the bathroom of their choice.
After the Supreme Court last year found
that gay and lesbian couples have a constitutional right to marry,
Paxton, whose office previously defended Texas' ban in court, said
that county clerks and judges can refuse to issue marriage licenses
to gay couples based on their religious beliefs.