Gay activists in Chicago have joined in
protesting against retail giant Target, gay
weekly the Windy City Times reported.
A Saturday demonstration organized by
the gay rights group Gay Liberation Network attracted about 50 people
to a new Target store located on Broadway.
The company is among those who
contributed to MN Forward, an independent political fund supporting
Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, an anti-gay Republican.
Emmer has been linked to the Christian
rock band You Can Run But You Can't Hide International, whose
members strongly oppose gay rights. He also opposes the right
of gay men and lesbians to marry.
An
apology by the Minnesota-based retail giant for its $150,00
contribution failed to mollify critics who say the company needs to
make amends to the gay community.
The Facebook page Boycott
Target Until They Cease Funding Anti-Gay Politics continues
to attract members at a fast clip, more than 60,000 as of Saturday.
Electronics giant Best Buy Co. and
other Minnesota-based businesses – including Red Wing Shoes and
Polaris Industries Inc., a manufacturer of snowmobiles – are also
being criticized for contributing to MN Forward. However, Target
gave the most money and has previously supported the gay community.
“Companies like Target need to
understand that they can't have it both ways when it comes to issues
of our basic rights, and that the facts will eventually come out,”
Illinois State Representative Greg Harris, who is openly gay, told
gay website ChicagoPride.com. “I hope that they will rethink
this contribution and find a way to make it right.”