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Politics & Government

City Council Still Waiting on Target Response

The panel has received no word on its resolution seeking an apology to the LGBT community and corrective measures against individuals responsible for a donation in support of an anti-gay candidate.

Dissatisfied with Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel's apology last month for the company's $150,000 donation to group supporting a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who opposes gay marriage, the West Hollywood City Council has responded by passing a resolution calling on Target to apologize to the LGBT community at large and take corrective measures against the individuals responsible for the contribution. 

The Aug. 16 resolution followed on the heels of a strongly worded letter that Mayor John Heilman sent to Target on the same day as Steinhafel's apology.

"The City Council, mayor included, is still waiting for a response from Target," said West Hollywood director of public information Helen Goss.

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 In his letter, Heilman not only shared the anger of community members who have advocated a boycott of Target, but he also called on the company to establish policies that would forbid contributions to candidates holding positions contrary to the retailer's own pro-LGBT equality policies.

Finally, he called upon Target to make equal contributions to organizations that support candidates who are committed to advancing full equality for the LGBT community. Heilman closed with a request urging a response and action from Steinhafel.

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The CEO did state in an earlier letter that Target would begin a review of its policies regarding financial contributions and that at some point in the fall, the company would be taking "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 LGBT issues."

When asked what the mayor and City Council intended to do if Target did not respond, Goss said, "It is the intent of the mayor's office to follow up with Target in a week or so, and to definitely get a response. If there is something significant to report, it will definitely be released out of public information. The mayor wanted me to say on his behalf that Target has been a very responsible part of the West Hollywood community, and that he expects Target will respond in a responsible manner."

To read Heilman's letter to Target's CEO, click here. 

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