Twin Cities Pride says Target will not be in parade or festival after DEI rollback

Twin Cities Pride said in a comment on a social media post that Target will "not have a presence" at the Pride festival or parade following Target's decision to roll back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals.  

Twin Cities Pride statement

What they're saying:

Executive Director of Twin Cities Pride Andi Otto released a statement that read as follows:

"Target executives have been in touch with Twin Cities Pride about changes to the company's DEI programs. We are working through what this means for the LGBTQ+ community and the long-standing partnership between Target and our organization. We will keep the community informed about any crucial updates that come from these discussions." 

In a comment pinned under that post, Twin Cities Pride said "We want to ensure all of our community that Target will NOT have a presence at the festival or parade. We are deeply disappointed in their announcement. We are committed to continuing conversations with them about the impact it has on our community and those in our community who are their employees."

Target statement

The other side:

Earlier this week, Target announced it will scale back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, joining retail giant and rival, Walmart, as well as a number of prominent American brands. 

READ MORE: Target rolls back its DEI goals following Trump’s executive order

Target, which operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more than 400,000 people, said it also would conclude the diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, goals it previously set. 

The goals included hiring and promoting more women and members of racial minority groups, and recruiting more diverse suppliers, including businesses owned by people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, veterans and people with disabilities.

Minneapolis City Council member statement

Local perspective:

Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez released a statement expressing his disappointment with Target's decision.

"I urge everyone to consider supporting small businesses and family-owned grocery stores in our community," Chavez said. "These local businesses are often more aligned with our values and can benefit from our support." 

Chavez concluded his statement by saying he will "continue to push back against corporate pressures and prioritize the needs of our community."

The Source: A social media post from Twin Cities Pride, a Minneapolis city council member and FOX affiliate reporting. 

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