{
"type": "rich",
"version": "1.0",
"provider_name": "Action Network",
"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
"html": "",
"author_name": "HollywoodDemocrats.com",
"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/hd",
"title": "Tell Target: Don't Pander to Right-Wing Hate. Celebrate Pride Nationwide.",
"thumbnail_url": "https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg",
"description": "Over the last decade, Target’s “Pride Collection” of fashions and household goods has celebrated a range of diverse identities. However, last year, Target was harassed so much by right-wing extremists they withdrew the Pride Collection from dozens of stores. But now the corporate behemoth has announced that this year, they will only sell the Pride collection in half of their more than 2,000 stores. Target claims it’s “guest insights and consumer research” that drove the decision, but the truth is much more ugly. Target is caving into right-wing extremists who tore down displays, bullied customers and threatened violence against store employees last year. Giving into bullies, especially in areas hostile to LGBTQ+ people, sends a message not of courage, but of fear. The far right wants to put Pride back in the closet in a campaign of intimidation with the intent to marginalize anyone who identifies with the LGBTQ+ community or supports the freedom to love whoever they want. The bottom line is that Target's LGBTQ+ merchandise is still a meaningful symbol of acceptance, inclusion, and celebration, and to cede ground to these bullies would be to cede ground on the principles of diversity and equality, giving into hate and fear instead of embracing love and freedom. You don’t have to be gay to celebrate Pride, but you do have to be a hateful bigot to demand this merchandise be taken down. We can’t let right-wing extremists dominate what corporate leaders at Target hear. It’s time they heard from the rest of us. Stand up to corporate cowardice. Click ‘START WRITING’ to sign and send a letter to Target’s executive leadership, including CEO Brian Cornell: Don't pander to right-wing hate. Celebrate Pride nationwide now!",
"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/letters/pride-nationwide-2024"
}