The company has added its name to a list of businesses backing
marriage equality, alongside Apple, Intel and Starbucks, in a Wisconsin and
Indiana case due to be heard by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
In a blog,
Target’s HR chief Jodee Kozlak revealed the business had signed an amicus
brief.
She wrote: “This week, Target joined several other national
companies to sign on to an amicus brief in support of marriage equality. The
brief is currently pending in the Seventh Circuit.
“The issues it addresses have significant impact on businesses. But
it is more than that and we agreed that now is the right time to more directly
share our views on this issue.
“At Target, we have long offered comprehensive, competitive
benefits to our LGBT team members and their families, often above what is
legally required.
“We continue to do so today because we believe doing so is right
for our team and for our business.
“But current laws — in places like Wisconsin and Indiana that are
addressed in this brief – make it difficult to attract and retain talent. These
disparate laws also create confusing and complicated benefits challenges across
multiple states.
“We believe that everyone – all of our team members and our guests
– deserve to be treated equally. And at Target we are proud to support the LGBT
community.”
Human Rights Campaign president Chad Griffin said: “Today Target
joins a growing chorus of Americans and businesses that know these bans on
marriage equality serve no purpose other than to harm families.
“Discrimination should have no place in our society, much less our
laws.”
Target in 2010 faced boycotts from pro-equality groups, after
it donated to a candidate who vocally opposed rights for same-sex couples.
The case is due to be heard by the court on August 26.
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