An Open Letter To Target | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

An Open Letter To Target

This is bigger than you all.

85
An Open Letter To Target
forbes.com

Target, let me start by saying that I love you and nothing in this world could ever stop that.

I support Target. I support letting those who already feel different, feel normal. I support those who look and feel like a woman, use the woman's restroom. I support those who look and feel like men use the men's restroom.

You have been sitting in stalls next to transgender people your entire life. There is no ID required to use a bathroom. There is no check-in to see what your genitalia was at birth. That would be absurd. So the harsh reality is, you have been sharing bathrooms with these people all your life, but now that the media is making it a big deal you feel you must also make it a big deal.

Sexual assault is not a scapegoat. Sexual assault can happen anywhere, anytime. It is something that does not typically happen in a restroom. It is actually much more likely to happen by someone the victim knows. Sexual assault is something I am sure Target looked into, but the threat is simply so minuscule that it was not as large of a threat as someone hating themselves because they cannot use a public restroom.

I feel much more safe sharing a restroom with someone who appears as a woman than someone who appears like a man. You may not realize it now, but if Target were to reverse this policy you could be sharing a restroom with someone who looks like a man. That would be much more harmful than minding your own business about what is under someone's pants. Image is honestly everything, because nine times out of 10 you will have no idea the person next to you is transgender.

Forty-one percent of transgender people have reportedly attempted suicide. You all fear for your children and their well-being, and I completely understand that. What if they were transgender? What if your daughter said, "Mommy, I feel like a boy." Then you would do anything in your power to make sure they felt loved and safe in their own body, or at least I hope you would. Suicide rates are much higher because these transgender children cannot pee without you screaming that they are a danger to society. That is sad. The basic use of a bathroom cannot be had without you all throwing a fit.

So I respect Target and I respect the transgender community. When I have children I would want them to use the restroom they would feel the safest in. Also, If I had such a concern for their safety I would accompany them. Please, try to understand that these people are not harmful to you. You are actually much more harmful to them emotionally than they ever would be to you physically.

I stand with Target.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

675185
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

572954
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments