Retail giant Target will now allow transgender people to use the bathroom and fitting rooms in accordance with their gender identity and not their biological sex.
"Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It 's something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day," the company said in a statement.
Target has been in news for its policies on gender sensitivity. Last year, it said it would cease using sex-based signs for toys. Similar changes were to be made in Home and Entertainment, where they said, "suggesting products by gender" was unnecessary.
"But we never want guests or their families to feel frustrated or
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"Recent debate around proposed laws in several states has reignited a national conversation around inclusivity. So earlier this week, we reiterated with our team members where Target stands and how our beliefs are brought to life in how we serve our guests," Target said.
"Given the specific questions these legislative proposals raised about how we manage our fitting rooms and restrooms, we felt it was important to state our position," it continued.
Target is based in Minnesota, where a Republican state senator reportedly proposed a bill to limit bathroom access by biological sex.
Evangelist Franklin Graham criticized rock singer Bruce Springsteen 's cancellation of a concert in North Carolina over a state law banning transgender men to use women 's bathrooms.
"Bruce Springsteen, a long-time gay rights activist, has cancelled his North Carolina concert. He says the N.C. law #HB2 to prevent men from being able to use women 's restrooms and locker rooms is going 'backwards instead of forwards. ' Well, to be honest, we need to go back! Back to God. Back to respecting and honoring His commands. Back to common sense," he wrote on his Facebook page.
The store is known to have offered benefits to same-sex couples, and publicly came out in support of gay