To those mentioned above and all others affected by this situation,
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Earlier today, I received word that local LBGT groups plan to protest at the newly opened Wilson Yard Target Store on Saturday m
orning over the retailers recent corporate donation made to MN Forward. As a Wilson Yard team member, I feel torn between my job and my lifestyle. While I cannot in good conscience insert my raw opinion either way into the matter as I have a personal stake with both sides, I do feel my unique position allows me an opportunity to bring in a third perspective that until now has remained fairly silent over this unfortunate situation.
By ‘third perspective,’ I mean the perspective of the LGBT Target Team member.
Here in Chicago, the opening of the new Wilson Yard Target store has created much excitement. Not only has it brought over 300 local permanent jobs to the struggling Uptown neighborhood, but it is already being touted as one of the best, cleanest Targets in the area. However, in the gay community, that excitement quickly waned as news started to surface about the donation mentioned above.
As a gay man, I have experienced overt discrimination and harassment from those who disagree with my lifestyle. Even in the local/national media realm, news is consistently filled with how the LGBT community has, and continues to be, discriminated against. So, with news that one of our longtime corporate allies made such a large contribution to a political action committee whom actively supports a candidate that is a known enemy of the LGBT community, its no surprise that I feel somewhat disheartened and torn.
On one hand, Target is my employer. I, along with many other gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered, depend on Target for our livelihoods. On the other hand, the election of anti-gay politicians can have great affects on my life as well. Thus, I have several requests for both my friends protesting and for my employer.
To those protesting, please remember your purpose for protesting. It is a powerful tool and should be treated as such. While my words are not meant as encouragement or discouragement of this, upon proceeding with this please create an open dialogue. Be open to discussion, and above all, know that you are not protesting those of us employed by Target.
To Target and its CEO, Gregg Steinhafel. I am grateful for your quick response to this situation and your dedication to more careful review process for proposed donations in the future. However, I urge you to make this right by taking the advice of the Human Rights Campaign and provide at least an equivalent, if not greater, contribution to pro-LGBT organizations to compensate for the harm that can be done to our community should Tom Emmer be elected as Minnesota’s Governor.
Again, I thank you for taking the time to read this. It is my hope that soon a satisfactory conclusion for all parties can be reached.
Sincerely,
Ryan S. Justice
Wilson Yard Target Team Member and Gay Man
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5 Comments
Comments
You sure you really want to speak to this as you are a new employee? Haven’t you been unemployed long enough? No one is going to hold you responsible for the actions on the corporate side of things.
Frankly, I have been harassed by my friends for checking in at Target. I was very careful in my wording that I am confident this will not result in the scenario you mention.
In all honesty, gay employees at Target are some of the hardest hit by this situation and we conversely don’t have much of a voice for the very reason you mention.
I feel like this perspective needs to be known by both sides, and could have a positive outcome.
If I were you, I wouldn’t address it publicly nor would I use four square to check into my work.
Your job is your job and your friends should be OK with it. Yes, what Target did is bad but there are a lot of other shitty companies out there that do worse and treat their employees unfairly.
Hang in there, shut up and I’m sure Target will do the right thing. If you hate your job, well, that’s another story.
Ryan,
This was very eloquently and fairly stated, and especially brave given your employment at Target. I hope people do realize the distinction between protesting Target as a corporation versus those who are simply employed by them. Personally I think there are many worse companies out there, and I like that Target has at least been responsive and apologetic about what’s been going on. Hopefully they will take the advice of the HRC and cease these type of divisive political contributions in the future.
Pat
I would just lay low and collect the paycheck. A gurls gotta get paid, ok?
Be careful Ryan!
Thanks everyone for your concern, but it would be a huge PR mistake firing a gay employee over this. I’m really not concerned that I will lose my job. The fact of the matter is that out of all the big box retailers out there, Target treats its employee the best. It’s not unfair to them like Wal-Mart. Also, for them to fire me over this would most likely result in even worse PR for them with regards to their treatment of the gay community.
As I said, I’m truly not worried.
RIGHT ON RYAN!!
God bless you RyanJustice. I read the comments from peeps who think you should not have said anything. Bullshit. If we acquiescent to injustice we suffer the worst for it. I love your bravery Mr RyanJustice.
I was a new transgender employee of a Walmart and was in the lunch room while the infamous Jerry Springer show “Is it a man or Woman’ was on.
The whole lunchroom was shouting out in a uproar making bets about who was fooling them about being a ‘real’ woman. Who they’d fuck ect.
I stood up in front of the TV and told them we have feelings and are human! I toke the remote from a burly man and changed the channel.
I was up in front of the store management the very next day and they demanded a explanation. By the end of the interview they promised to change the channel selection on the TV so it would not show anymore ‘springer’ type shows again./ They promised to equally uphold the companies second motto ‘Respect the Individual’.
After a year I am still a valued employee at that Walmat in the very center of the most conservative state of Texas and they have been true to there word without fault.
STAND UP for your DIGNITY! DO NOT lie down in subservience and hope your invisibility will shield you!
GOD BLESS You RyanJustice!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I am sorry to hear of the struggles you have gone through at Wal-Mart, but am grateful that out of that ordeal everything turned out for the best for you.
Oh, and Ryan Justice is my name. I’m not sure why there isn’t a space in it, alot of people think its a wacky username I came up with.
Ryan,
I really admire you for this. It’s been years since I’ve seen you, but next time I do, you’re getting a huge giant hug.
Thank you for being awesome.
Thanks Jessi, or Chessi as you go by now
. It has been awhile! Thanks for reading and commenting!
Another approach is to write, FAX, email members of Target’s Board of Directors
These directors:
Richard M. Kovacevich
Anne M. Mulcahy
……Solomon D. Trujillo
Stephen W. Sanger
can be reached at:
Target Corporation
1000 Nicollet Mall
Minneapolis, MN 55403
E-mail: investorrelations@target.com
Director Roxanne S. Austin can be reached at
Move Networks, Inc.
President Roxanne S. Austin
796 East Utah Valley Drive
American Fork, UT 84003
801-756-5805 phone
801-756-5806 fax
email: usinfo@movenetworks.com
Director Calvin Darden can be reached at
Darden Development Group, LLC
Attn: Calvin Darden
885 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075-2277
Phone: (678) 585-9595
Director Mary N. Dillon can be reached at
United States Cellular Corporation
Mary N. Dillon, President and Chief Executive Officer
8410 W. Bryn Mawr
Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60631-3486
Telephone: (773)399-8900, 888-944-9400
Director James A. Johnson can be reached at
Perseus, LLC
James A. Johnson, Vice Chairman
2099 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 9th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006
Tel.: 202-452-0101
Fax: 202-429-0588
info@perseusllc.com
Director Mary E. Minnick can be reached at
Lion Capital Inc
Mary E. Minnick, Partner
888 7th Avenue
43rd Floor
New York, NY 10019
Tel: +1 212 314 1900
Fax: +1 212 314 1950
Director Derica W. Rice can be reached at
Eli Lilly & Company
Derica W. Rice, Chief Financial Officer
Lilly Corporate Center
Indianapolis, Indiana 46285
Phone: 317-276-2000
Director John G. Stumpf can be reached at
Wells Fargo & Company
John G. Stumpf, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer,
420 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94104
Thanks for speaking up,Ryan – I think it’s like soldiers who disagree with their generals about the war — the stronger the movement is, the safer you are. Emmer (who Target’s money supported)is also anti-worker, pro-tax cuts, and probably anti-union. We’re in good company to object to Target’s support to this creep!
Thanks for commenting Tina!
Ryan, although I don’t know you personally, you come across as an amazing guy. I’ve been an avid reader of your blog here and on ChicagoNow for a couple of months now. And always enjoyed what you had say, especially concerning issues affecting the gay community. So I just wanted to let you know that I support you wholeheartedly. Keep up the great work, my friend !
Thanks George for your kind words and for reading, it means a lot to me!
It takes courage to speak when your livelihood could be at stake. But your carefully worded mail conveys message of enlightenment to Target authority (considering what we contribute to fashion, advertisement and retail.) Your speaking out may also have given hope and peace to other lgbt workers in your establishment. We need more of you everywhere. Ryan. Kudos!
You are a brave guy!
Thanks Fausto!
It’s never wrong to stand up and demand your equal civil and human rights.
Good on you.
Just remember, Ryan, even though Target is your employer, they do not have the right to silence ANY opinion you may have about them, nor can they terminate you for such a reason.
I, myself, have problems with some of Target’s policies and are very vocal about it when I’m off the clock.
Keep free-thinking alive amongst us all… that’s what makes everyone unique
Thanks South Texas Team Member! That is precisely the reason I had no worries about writing this