Target Investors

Shopping baskets stacked at a Chicago-area Target store, seen in a file photo.

(Charles Rex Arbogast | The Associated Press)

The rights of transgender individuals have been in the news in a big way lately and one of the nation's largest retailers is now weighing in.

In a post on its website Tuesday, Target reiterated an existing policy: that transgender employees and customers are welcome to use the bathroom or fitting room that corresponds with their gender identity.

The post also expressed support for federal legislation protecting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.

"Inclusivity is a core belief at Target," the post said. "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 chain said it spoke out now given the ongoing national debate over LGBT rights, particularly when it comes to bathrooms.

A recent North Carolina law mandating people use the bathroom that corresponds to the gender on their birth certificates sparked some major backlash. And ESPN just fired Curt Schilling over an anti-transgender Facebook post.

Students at a college in Troy held a topless protest yesterday in response to police treatment of a student who identifies as androgynous.

Target's post generated a robust response.

The American Family Association, a conservative group, called for a boycott. Many took to Twitter to attack the chain and vowed to stop shopping there.

So Target says use whatever bathroom you, desire men or women's in their stores My family will not spend another dime at Target.#enough — rick burgess (@bigvox) April 21, 2016

Others expressed support.

Watch out, guys! @Target is trying to kill your kids with tolerance and common sense. #targetbathroom https://t.co/OhFOxYZpgn — Alex Lilly (@alex_lilly) April 20, 2016

Even if there was rampant abuse of the #targetbathroom policy by pervs, why would transgendered individuals be blamed? They just need to pee — Susan Gail Taylor (@TheSusanGTaylor) April 20, 2016

Either way, Target won't be the last business to confront this issue.

Contact Kevin Tampone anytime: Email | Twitter | Google + | 315-454-2112