Republican Attorneys General Warn Target of Potential Violations in Controversial Pride Collection

In a joint effort, seven Republican attorneys general issued a warning to retail giant Target regarding its recently launched Pride collection. Led by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, the group expressed concerns about the collection’s allegedly vulgar clothing, which they argued could potentially violate child-protection laws.

The attorneys general, representing the states of Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, and Indiana, claimed that Target’s June Pride collection had the potential to be “potentially harmful to minors.” They also expressed apprehension about the economic interests of the company’s shareholders, citing potential boycotts. Furthermore, the group raised concerns about compliance with state child protection and parental rights laws, stating that the campaign may interfere with parental authority on matters of sex and gender identity.

The group sent a letter to Target CEO Brian Cornell, emphasizing their commitment to enforcing child-protection and parental-rights laws in their respective states. They expressed worry over the company’s promotion and sale of what they deemed potentially harmful products to minors, along with the potential violation of fiduciary duties by Target’s directors and officers.

Target has not responded to the request for comment made by the attorneys general.

This year’s Pride collection by Target garnered criticism for several products that were deemed inappropriate by critics. As a result, the company made the decision to remove some of the clothing, which, in turn, frustrated LGBTQ+ activists. Among the products that received backlash was a girls’ swimsuit that advertised its applicability to “tuck” male genitalia, a feature commonly used by transgender women. Other products included Pride-themed onesies and bibs for babies.

The controversial clothing items were associated with the clothing brand Abprallen, which faced criticism for its affiliation with British designer Erik Carnell. Carnell is known for selling openly Satanic clothing, including a garment with the slogan, “Satan Respects Pronouns.” Following the public outcry, Target removed the products associated with Abprallen from its inventory.

The backlash against Target’s Pride merchandise has had a negative impact on the company’s stock, with a nearly 20% decline since the news broke. The attorneys general argued that Target’s leadership acted negligently and called for a focus on business rather than politics.

In their letter to Target’s CEO, they stated, “Losses of this magnitude – caused by isolating Target’s core customers – raise concerns that Target’s board and management may have acted negligently. Further evidence suggests Target’s leadership may have acted on collateral interests. Directors and officers must act solely in the best interest of the company.”

The controversy surrounding Target’s Pride collection highlights the ongoing debate over the inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes and messages in mainstream retail campaigns. It remains to be seen how Target will respond to the concerns raised by the attorneys general and whether any further action will be taken to address the criticisms and potential legal issues.