http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1496419233001?bctid=3992859111001
son of famed evangelist
Billy Graham,
is rallying his supporters to push back following Target's announcement that it would remove gender-specific signage specifying boys' and girls' items.
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Credit: Jennifer Brett
Target made the announcement recently on its internal blog:
"Our teams are working across the store to identify areas where we can phase out gender-based signage to help strike a better balance. For example, in the kids' Bedding area, signs will no longer feature suggestions for boys or girls, just kids. In the Toys aisles, we'll also remove reference to gender, including the use of pink, blue, yellow or green paper on the back walls of our shelves. You'll see these changes start to happen over the next few months."
Graham, who is president of Samaritan's Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. took issue with the move, posting this message on his public Facebook page:
"In order to be gender-neutral, they won't be separating things like toys and bedding into boys' and girls' sections. Oh really? And they won't be using pink and blue colors to identify sexes. I think Target may be forgetting who has made their stores strong. It's not gender-neutral people out there—it's working American families, fathers and mothers with boys and girls they love. What's next? Are they going to try to make people believe that pink or blue baby showers are politically incorrect? I have news for them and for everyone else—God created two different genders. Jesus said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female (Matthew 19:4). You can't get any clearer than that. If you agree, share in the comments below—and let Target know what you think. Let them know that you are perfectly willing to shop where the genders God created are appreciated. (1-800-440-0680) Target is way off-target on this one! #OffTarget"
Earlier this year Duke University reversed a decision to broadcast the Muslim call to prayer from its chapel tower, a day after Graham posted a scathing criticism on Facebook asking donors not to give to Duke until the policy was changed.
The gender signing decision is a topic of much discussion on Target's Facebook page, a publicly accessible page with more than 22 million followers.
"You lost another customer!" posted Janet Persons Hall. "Bowing to the PC Police, really?"
"I am willing to shop where the genders God created are appreciated," Cindy Eilers posted. "Your recent decision to change your store will result in me not shopping with you anymore. Please reconsider."
Many customers applauded the decision, though.
"Target gained loyal customers this week!" posted Samantha Almeida. "Thank you for listening to your customers and encouraging children to be children. Equal opportunity toys."
Oliver McIntosh went the satirical route: "What the Hell Target! I came in to get my son a toy machine gun to prove he's a red blooded Murican, and I walked out with a Barbie! Now he's gay, thanks a lot Target!"
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