Here Is How Other Retailers Are Handling The Transgender Bathroom Situation As Boycott Of Target Grows

Target has seen their stock drop drastically as the national debate over transgender employees and customers using one restroom or the other continues. Many are now beginning to boycott Target and the petitions are growing every single day since they are allowing people use the gender bathroom they identify with. While the focus is on the major retailer, many are wondering how other big stores are handling the issue.

The petition to boycott Target has now reached over 1.1 million signers as of Saturday evening, and the American Family Association believes it will keep growing. The boycott states that Target allowing transgender people to use the bathroom they identify with is “exactly how sexual predators get access to their victims.”

On their blog, Target still said they believe everyone “deserves to feel like they belong.” Now, a number of other major retailers and stores are speaking up on the transgender bathroom issue and letting the world know where they stand as well.

As of now, Walmart isn’t really saying anything on the policy regarding transgender customers and employees. AL.com has reached out to see what their policy is on the situation, and they simply aren’t saying anything as of yet.

Many have wondered on Walmart’s stance since Target has been so strong and steadfast in their policy, but there is still nothing known on the situation. Back in 2011, Walmart did add transgender employees to its non-discrimination policy.

USA Today is reporting that a number of other stores and retailers have spoken up to let their policy be known, and it is likely that backlash will soon come their way.

Barnes & Noble, Hudson’s Bay, Starbucks, and Saks Fifth Avenue have now revealed their stance on things and have said that both customers and employees are welcome to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with. They’re in the same boat as Target, and some expect other boycott petitions to start soon.

Barnes & Noble spokeswoman Mary Ellen Keating said that they simply want all people to be treated with respect.

“As a company, Barnes & Noble treats all employees and customers with dignity and respect. For our transgender employees and customers, that means that they are allowed to use the bathroom of the gender they identify with.”

Sears and Kmart are both still keeping quiet about the situation of bathroom use, but have reiterated how they have “strict policies against discrimination and harassment of any kind.” Saying that hasn’t had them leaning one way or another.

Macy’s, Simon Property Group, and Whole Foods have still not said anything one way or the other like Kmart, Walmart, and Sears. Chick-Fil-A has not said anything either way as well, and they are pretty much ignoring the situation entirely.

Western Journalism got a quote from a customer service representative with Chick-Fil-A, and there was nothing said about the transgender bathroom situation at all. The rep simply said that they are only focused on “serving good food to hungry people.

The transgender bathroom situation is only just beginning as so many restaurants, retailers, and stores still have to reveal their stance.

Stores like Lord & Taylor, Starbucks, Barnes & Noble, Saks Fifth Avenue, and a number of stores are revealing the way they have embraced the issued of allowing transgender people to use the bathroom they identify as.

Target is getting nothing but negative publicity right now and the petitions to boycott keep gaining more and more supporters. This doesn’t seem like anything that will just go away, and it will be interesting to see how other stores are handled now that they have revealed their stance as well.

[Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images]