After Target announced they would allow transgender people to use whichever bathroom matched their gender identity, a petition formed to boycott the retailer.
Target announced on April 19, 2016 that they "stand for inclusivity" saying "everyone... deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally."
"Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity," said a statement from the company. Click here to read the full statement.
Since releasing their statement, more than a half-million shoppers have signed a petition, pledging to boycott the store. The petition was created by the American Family Association (AFA) on April 20.
The following is part of the AFA's statement on the matter:
"This means a man can simply say he "feels like a woman today" and enter the women's restroom...even if young girls or women are already in there.
Target's policy is exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims. And with Target publicly boasting that men can enter women's bathrooms, where do you think predators are going to go?
Clearly, Target's dangerous new policy poses a danger to wives and daughters. We think many customers will agree. And we think the average Target customer is willing to pledge to boycott Target stores until it makes protecting women and children a priority."
The AFA said a solution would be to provide a unisex bathroom, allowing the retail store to separate men's and women's facilities, while accommodating all customers.
As of late Tuesday morning, April 26, there were more than 711,000 signatures on the petition,