Retail giant Target is facing criticism from the LGBTQ+ community after announcing plans to scale back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The decision, which includes ending its three-year DEI goals and its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives by 2025, has sparked a significant backlash – especially in its home base of Minneapolis.
Following the announcement on Friday, organisers of the Twin Cities Pride Festival—a long-time recipient of Target’s sponsorship—declared that the retailer would no longer be welcome at this year’s event.
Andi Otto, executive director of Twin Cities Pride, told MPR News that removing Target’s involvement was necessary given the current socio-political climate.
“In the current climate that we are having to live in as a community, I made the decision that it would not be in the best interest of our community to have Target’s presence at Pride or the parade this year,” Otto said.
In a social media post, Twin Cities Pride confirmed that it had “made the bold decision to part ways with Target as a sponsor,” despite the move resulting in a loss of $50,000 in funding. A fundraiser to replace the lost sponsorship had raised nearly $28,000 at the time of writing.
Target has not yet responded to media requests for comment regarding the Twin Cities Pride decision.
The retailer’s decision to roll back its DEI programs follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order directing a review of such initiatives. The move also places Target among a growing number of companies—including Amazon, Lowe’s, Meta, McDonald’s, American Airlines, and Boeing—that have scaled back or eliminated DEI efforts in response to increasing scrutiny.