A petition started by a Christian group that is encouraging consumers to boycott Target has garnered more than half a million signatures.
According to the American Family Foundation (AFA), the Boycott Target Pledge has received more than 590,000 signatures since it was posted on the group’s website last Wednesday.
The AFA started the petition in response to a Target corporate blog post last week in which they encouraged employees and customers to use the restroom the corresponds to their gender identity.
“Clearly, Target's dangerous new policy poses a danger to wives and daughters. We think many customers will agree. And we think the average Target customer is willing to pledge to boycott Target stores until it makes protecting women and children a priority,” the AFA’s petition reads.
The group is also urging supporters to use the hashtag #BoycottTarget and to post their feelings on Target’s Facebook page.
Despite the boycott and pettition, Target is sticking by its policy of inclusiveness.
"We certainly respect that there are a wide variety of perspectives and opinions. As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work — and our guests an inclusive place to shop — we continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target," Target spokeswoman Molly Snyder told NPR.
Snyder also added that hundreds of Target’s stores have single-stall and family restrooms if guests feel uncomfortable.
Alex Hider is a writer for the E.W. Scripps National Desk. Follow him on Twitter @alexhider.
