CHICAGO — To counter an anti-transgender day of protest organized by elements of the religious right, pro-trans forces will show their support for Target Stores' pro-equality stance by holding a rally in front of the Target store in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood, 4466 N. Broadway at 10 a.m., Saturday, June 4.
In March 2016, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed into law a bill banning transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender identity.
The U.S. Federal Government examined this law, and found that it violates U.S. Title VII and Title IX which, among other things, ban discrimination based upon sex. Written exchanges took place between NC and the Federal Government, resulting in both sides filing lawsuits.
The Target Corporation spoke up in support of the transgender community, revealing that trans identified Target employees and customers may use the restroom aligning with their gender identity and gender presentation.
The religious right immediately fired back at Target in retaliation of their support by knowingly and maliciously using false information about trans identified persons, painting trans people as sexual predators and deviants. On June 4th, 2016, an organization called Faith2Action, a Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group, has announced that it will hold a day of protest at Target stores across the nation.
Trans activists, Chicago's Gay Liberation Network and allies will hold a counter - protest at the Uptown Target store, 4466 N. Broadway, to support Target and the trans community. This event will take place at 10AM, June 4, 2016, and will take place regardless of whether or not opponents of equal rights show up.
"The courts are very clear that the arguments of comfort, fear, and religion are not compelling enough to restrict the civil rights of others," said Tiffany Foster-Grant, one of the pro-trans protest organizers. "We want the public to know that trans people do not transition because of a sexual fetish or deviant mindset. We are real human beings with real civil rights needs who just want to live our lives as other people get to do. That includes such basics as using restrooms to carry out needed bodily functions while being guaranteed the same safety as other people."
For more information, email the Gay Liberation Network at LGBTliberation@aol.com or call 773-209-1187.
