Exclusive: Texas Raises Stink Over Target's Transgender Bathrooms
The Lone Star State is coming to the rescue of shoppers confused over whether to leave the seat up or down in Target’s transgender bathrooms.
The nation’s second-largest discount retailer announced on April 19 that they would “welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender.”
In response, more than 1.1 million customers joined a boycott sponsored by the American Family Association.
“Nearly everyone has a mother, wife, daughter or friend who is put in jeopardy by this policy,” AFA President Tim Wildmon said. “Predators and voyeurs would take advantage of the policy to prey on those who are vulnerable.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton also has grave concerns – and he expressed them in a letter to Target’s chief executive officer.
“It is possible that allowing men in women’s restrooms could lead to criminal and otherwise unwanted activity,” Paxton wrote in the letter obtained exclusively by Fox News.
The attorney general is asking for Target to disclose its plans to protect women and children in their bathrooms and fitting rooms.
“As chief lawyer and law enforcement officer for the State of Texas, I ask that you provide the full text of Target’s safety policies regarding the protection of women and children from those who would use the cover of Target’s restroom policy for nefarious purposes,” Paxton wrote.
The attorney general reiterated that Target is free to open its bathrooms to whoever it wants in the Lone Star State. However, he’s not all that sure Texans will welcome such policies.
“The voters in Houston recently repealed by a wide margin an ordinance that advanced many of the same goals as Target’s current policy,” he wrote.
The attorney general told me he has one simple request of Target – how do they plan on protecting women and children in their stores?
“If we save one child from illegal or inappropriate activity, it’s worth it,” he said.
Thus far, Target has remained silent on the boycott.
But AFA spokesman Walker Wildmon told me he’s hopeful that Target will respond to the attorney general’s questions.
“What he’s asking in this letter is exactly what we’ve been asking Target to answer,” Wildmon said. “What about women and children? What about men who pretend to be women and go into these bathrooms just so they can prey on women?”
Wildmon said he is grateful that Attorney General Paxton decided to get involved in the controversy surrounding Target.
“It’s fabulous that someone in leadership in our country is stepping up to the plate and asking the tough questions that need to be asked,” he said.
Far too many lawmakers have capitulated to the demands of corporate bullies trying to advance a radical assault on the culture.
I applaud the attorney general for taking a righteous stand against the stench of Target’s bathroom policies.
From the Hill Country to the Rio Grande, citizens should take comfort in knowing Attorney General Ken Paxton will do whatever it takes to protect women and children in the Lone Star State.
Todd Starnes is host of Fox News & Commentary, heard on hundreds of radio stations. His latest book is "God Less America: Real Stories From the Front Lines of the Attack on Traditional Values." Follow Todd on Twitter@ToddStarnes and find him on Facebook.
(This piece was used with permission and was first posted HERE)
