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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowIndiana Attorney General Todd Rokita criticized Target’s Pride campaign in a letter released Thursday, claiming the corporation is infringing on states’ ability to “safeguard citizens.”
The letter was signed by the attorney generals of six other states—Idaho, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi, South Carolina and Kentucky—and expresses legal concerns over Target’s “possible violation of fiduciary duties.” They are all Republicans.
“Transanity doesn’t sell,” Rokita said in a press release. “Let’s all unite around pride in America instead of falling into the trap of dividing along lines of identity politics.”
When asked about his authority on the topic, Rokita’s office referenced the letter, which says “As the chief legal officers of our States, we are charged with enforcing state laws protecting children and safeguarding parental rights.”
The Indiana attorney general does not prosecute criminal cases involving obscenity and nothing in state law governing the office references parental rights.
In the letter, Rokita claims the $60 billion company, which has nearly 2,000 stores across the country, sold products that promoted “gender and sexual identity” among children. Rokita lists LGBTQ+ themed onesies, bibs and overalls, shirts labeled “Girls Gays Theys,” a shirt that features drag queen Katya Zamolodchikova and girls’ swimsuits with “tuck-friendly construction” and “extra crotch coverage.”
Rokita cites a National Review article for his claims, although the article only mentions the “tuck-friendly” swimsuits. That article links a Tweet from “Gays Against Groomers” that pictures the swimsuit; however, there is no indication the clothing is meant for a child.
According to a Target spokesperson and the Target website, the store does not have a “tuck-friendly” swimsuit for children.
Although Target has not released a statement about the letter yet, they reaffirmed their support for Pride Month in a statement May 24.
“For more than a decade, Target has offered an assortment of products aimed at celebrating Pride Month. Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work. Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.”
Rokita also criticizes Target’s use of Pride merchandise designed by Abprallen, a brand owned by a gay transgender man that features Pride-centric products. Some products include references to Satan, and others allude to violence, such as a pin of a guillotine labeled “homophobe headrest.” However, the merchandise Target sold did not contain references to Satan or violence, and Target pulled all products from the shelves in late May.
In the same sweep, Target removed other forms of Pride merchandise from stores, citing threats to employees.
Rokita claims Target also sold products with “anti-Christian designs” such as pentagrams or horned skulls, but links a Reuters article with no mention of that claim. In fact, images showing Target selling these products were AI-generated—the actual products do not exist.
The attorney general goes on to criticize Target’s partnership with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, or GLSEN. Target has donated $2 million to the organization over 11 years, although it’s unclear if the corporation donated in 2023.
Rokita claims the organization supports “secret gender transitions for kids” by advising schools to not report a child’s gender identity to their parents. Schools not reporting information about a student’s gender identity is relatively common, with organizations like the American Psychological Association recommending schools respect student privacy.
Notably, Indiana passed a law last session requiring parental notification if students request to change their names or pronouns.
Rokita added that the entire Pride campaign, which he said harmed Target’s stock price, shows the company’s neglect for its shareholders.
While Target’s stock dropped in late May, whether or not it was entirely due to backlash over Pride merchandise is unclear. During Target’s drop in stocks, the S&P 500 Retail Index fell 7%, and other retailers like Walmart and Macy’s fell as well.
Although Target has consistently put out Pride merchandise during June, they aren’t the only stores to do so. Kohls, Old Navy and Walmart all sold some form of Pride clothing, and other companies have supported or partnered with the LGBTQ+ community, such as Budweiser and Cracker Barrel.
Government entities in Indiana also grapple with toeing the political line on Pride. Last month, the Department of Correction was the only state agency to publicly support Pride. Multiple local governments made their support clear, although some—like Westfield’s mayor removing a Pride post—got cold feet.
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There isn’t any actual crime in the state on which to focus? Todd needed a headline?
Beep beep. Here comes the clown car.
Pride month ended June 30. The clowns can return to their libraries, churches, and elementary schools where they belong.
He’s lousy
What a moron.
Do we need to start submitting product approval by the bigots desk?
No I think a common sense approach is best. We all decide where we want to spend our dollars and let the chips fall where they may!
We’ve got big, important quality of life and pocketbook issues affecting all Hoosiers – black or white, male or female, gay or straight and this sad excuse for a public official is consumed with dividing, polarizing and driving us apart with sham issues like what Target is selling?!? Shame on you, Mr Rokita. You violate your oath to serve all Hoosiers fairly and impartially with shameless grandstanding nonsense like this!
He’s a completely vile, horse’s patootie.
Rokita and other republicans seem to be more concerned about attacking LGBT communities; but meanwhile hide behind their “second amendment” stance paid for by the NRA lobby while Hoosiers die from Gun violence, and they continue to oppose some common sense gun law changes. Pro life? Not by their actions! Protecting all Hoosiers? Don’t think so! (BTW, I am a gun owner – but am appalled by the legislative agenda which the law enforcement agencies clearly opposed!)
Yes, truly, it’s Todd Rokita that’s the criminal mastermind and not a company committed to placing shirts that say “Satan Respects My Pronouns” right at the entrance to every one of its thousands of stores. Those poor attacked LGBTers! They aren’t ever ever the aggressors themselves, are they? Always the victims, 300% of the time.
It is indeed a sham issue, and Rokita is stepping out of line by what he’s doing. I will concede that. A crooked company like Target should have the right to sell what it wants to sell and face the consequences…and boy is it facing the consequences.
But to deflect with gun violence (which is mostly “leftists killing other leftists”) and to pretend that the LGBT community isn’t doing everything it possibly can to make us return to the 1950s–when “pervert” and “homosexual” were basically synonymous–is just covering for the rot and degeneracy that have helped American cities make excuses of open street defecation. Keep frothing at a munchkin like Rokita–truly in control of the levers of power!
Here’s an idea … don’t shop Target if you don’t like them. Encourage a boycott.
Go into Target and buy lots of their stuff and go home and set it on fire if that floats your boat.
That will actually drive the change you’re after, declining sales and a brand that’s mud.
His letter is disappointing and disgusting.
His time could be much better spent on Menard’s deceptive advertising of their “everything on sale 11% off” ads, when in fact nothing is 11% off, it’s a mail in rebate that’s not even cash, only store credit.