Minneapolis-based Target Corp. has changed the way it will make future political contributions, according to The Washington Blade. The new policies, which were enacted quietly last month, come after controversy and protests from the LGBT community over a $150,000 contribution the otherwise equality-minded retail chain made last summer to MN Forward, a group that supported anti-gay marriage candidate Tom Emmer’s unsuccessful bid for Governor of Minnesota.
Target’s new rules include the establishment of a policy committee made up of senior executives who will oversee decision-making for all financial contributions given to political candidates or parties. Target spokesperson Jessica Carlson told The Blade that the new policy committee will “determine whether Target will make political contributions directly to candidates, political parties or to other groups such as 527 or 501(c)(4) committees.”
In other marriage equality news, the Maryland Senate advanced a bill legalizing same-sex marriage on Wednesday, according to the Washington Post. The full Senate will now debate the bill before a final vote, which is scheduled for Thursday. If the Senate passes the bill, it moves to the House and then to the desk of Gov. Martin O’Malley, who has pledged his support for gay marriage.—Katherine Dean
