MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, USA – June 23 2019 – Twin Cities Pride Celebration
The organization behind Minneapolis Pride celebrations has raised close to $100,000 from public donations after dropping a major retail chain as a sponsor.
Twin Cities Pride rejected Target’s annual donation after the mega-retailed rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives last week.
Related:
Stay connected to your community
Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter.
The nonprofit said earlier this week that it was “parting ways” with Target, one of its biggest sponsors, following the retailer’s announcement it was scuttling DEI initiatives.
“Unfortunately, in a time where it’s been a really, really rough week for our community given everything that has come down from the new administration, this was kind of the straw that broke the camel’s back,” Andi Otto, the org’s Executive Director, told the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Otto said he was “absolutely shocked” by Target’s capitulation in the face of DEI backlash.
The company has sponsored Twin Cities Pride’s June festival and parade for at least 18 years, Otto said, donating $50,000 to $70,000 annually. Losing the company’s sponsorship would leave a significant gap in the organization’s funding.
“But what is more important is that we send the message that companies need to do the right thing,” Otto said.
In a Monday Instagram post announcing the group’s move to cut ties with Target, Twin Cities Pride called on supporters in the community to help fill in the funding gap.
“This year, Twin Cities Pride made the bold decision to part ways with Target as a sponsor, standing firm in our commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion and equity. This choice means losing $50,000 in funding so we’re calling on you — our incredible community and supporters — to help us fill the gap.”
As of Thursday morning, the group had raised nearly double their stated goal of $50,000. Organizers said all funds raised above that amount “will go right back into our community to ensure that every dollar makes a difference.”
“Thanks to YOU, we met our $50K goal in under 24 hours!” the nonprofit posted to Instagram. “Your generosity fuels the heart of Twin Cities Pride.”
Otto said Twin Cities Pride hasn’t “shut the door” on reestablishing ties with Target in the future.
“But when it comes to right now, our community does not want to see someone who has rolled back [DEI] policies in a place where they want to celebrate and feel empowered,” he said.
Target scored 95 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Corporate Equality Index, a measure of companies’ LGBTQ+-inclusive workplace policies. Target has an employee resource group called the Pride+ Business Council that creates events and experiences for LGBTQ+ team members to connect and get involved. The company also hosts internal events during Pride Month for interested employees to learn, reflect, celebrate, and connect with the LGBTQ+ community.
Last year, Target took pride in their support for LGBTQ+ employees in a statement to LGBTQ Nation.
“Target is committed to supporting the LGBTQIA+ community during Pride Month and year-round,” the statement said. “Most importantly, we want to create a welcoming and supportive environment for our LGBTQIA+ team members, which reflects our culture of care for the over 400,000 people who work at Target. We have long offered benefits and resources for the community, and we will have internal programs to celebrate Pride 2024.”
The statement also boasted about the company’s involvement in Minneapolis’ Pride events, as well as the Pride gear that they sell each year. In 2020, the company pledged to give $10 million to social justice initiatives and to rebuild areas of Minneapolis damaged by riots, according to CBS News.
Subscribe to the LGBTQ Nation newsletter and be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.
Don’t forget to share:
Good News is your section for queer joy! Subscribe to our newsletter to get the most positive and fun stories from the site delivered to your inbox every weekend. Send us your suggestions for uplifiting and inspiring stories.
