The Human Rights Campaign, a LGBT rights organization offers a list of corporations that are considered Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, transgendered (LGBT) friendly through its "Corporate Equality Index". Among the companies that scored 100% are two companies currently embroiled in controversy and outrage over their corporate support of political candidates with strong ANTI-GAY beliefs. Those companies are the favored retailers TARGET and BEST BUY.
Both retail corporations are favorites of the LGBT community for its known employment policies and community support. For many in the LGBT community, especially gay men, Target is favored over other "big box" retailers for the style selections for household goods are more attractive and have an "upscale" feel.
To be honest, I know a lot of people in the LGBT community that despise Target's arch rival WALMART for the illusion of Walmart being much lower class because of its retail base, locations and selections are considered "downscale". And there are the many political beliefs about Walmart being anti-gay, anti-union and they pay their employees low wages. I won't go into those "issues" today because the "target" (pun intended) today is the retail corporations many in the LGBT community considered to be friends of the community.
Both Target and Best Buy are based in the state of Minnesota and thanks to a recent supreme court decision that overturned laws prohibiting large corporate donations to political concerns, both corporations made donations of $150,000 and $100,000 dollars respectively to a political action group (PAC) called "MN Forward" (Minnesota Forward). This political group is working to elect TOM EMMER, a Republican running for Governor of Minnesota and who is opposes gay marriage and other LGBT friendly concerns. In addition Target's CEO and his wife each donated $5,000 to Tom Emmer's campaign, the maximum amount allowed to donate to a political campaign under current laws.
News of these political donations angered the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender community. Many feel betrayed and are now engaged in a boycott of both retailers.
Talk about this boycott brings this question for the LGBT community. Where are all of our friends? For years, people have suggested that we never support Walmart and I have friends in urban areas who would very easily disparage shopping and the people who shop at Walmart. Many also have the belief that we should only support LOCAL businesses and I agree with supporting LOCAL businesses. But if people are concerned about a retailer's political support, are you as concerned about the LOCAL "Mom & Pop" business? Do we know how much of the money you spent at a local business was donated to a political campaign or religious organization that you may not agree with? Think about that.
IN the area where I live, it is very likely that a locally owned business will support political campaigns and religious institutions that also support ANTI-GAY policies including the opposition of gay marriage. It is also more likely that a locally owned business will not offer the type of LGBT friendly benefits that large corporations like Target and Best Buy mainly because of the cost of offering benefits and very likely because the owner of the local business may have his or her personal beliefs. I see a lot of local businesses who post campaign signs and those signify to me where their political support leads. And some local businesses are VERY vocal in their political support, some even forbid political expressions by their employees if they differ from management. This was proven true in my town with a mayoral campaign last year. And I no longer patronize that local business because of their action toward an employee whos political support differed from the owner of the business.
So as there are many social network groups and lots of people calling for a boycott of Best Buy and Target and you may find yourself struggling with the decision as to where to shop,ask again WHERE ARE OUR FRIENDS? The answer is the same as in politics itself. THERE ARE NO "REAL" FRIENDS. A retailer or politician is only your "friend" when you are willing to give them your dollar and your vote. After you leave the store or the polling place you are only left with hope, as in I hope I didn't waste my money or my vote. And sadly, when it comes to business and definitely when it comes to politics DEMOCRATIC and REPUBLICAN alike, your satisfaction is rarely guaranteed or realized.
The classic soul song in this blog offers a story of one who had friends when his wallet was open and his generosity was strong. But after sharing with others he finds that his "friends" really didn't give a damn. And the truth is that TARGET,Best Buy, Walmart, or the local "Bubba's haberdashery and hardware" store may not give a damn about you as much as they do your wallet either.
"Where Are All My Friends" by Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes (1974)
Lead Vocals by the late Teddy Pendergrass.
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