April 19, Target released a statement of inclusivity for the transgender community and support for the federal Equality Act, which provides protection to LGBT individuals. and opposes action that enables discrimination.

In the follow up email, Target stated " we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity."

This has resulted in gender-neutral restrooms in their stores, as well as a boycott against the corporation from American Family Association who said "This means a man can simply say he ‘feels like a woman today’ and enter the women's restroom... even if young girls or women are already in there."

Target's corporate statement has added to the controversy policies and bills being passed through our nation over the use of transgender community and restrooms. Several states have passed laws requiring individuals to use the restroom matching the sex on the birth certificate, and similar policies and ordinances are slowly making their way to local government and school districts.

These policies and laws are discriminatory and demonizes a marginalized community!

In a report released from the Human Rights Campaign, "175 anti-transgender bills are filed in 16 states so far," and of the 125 anti-LGBT bills passed, "44 of which were anti-trans."

The transgender community faces a lower life expectancy, higher rate of incarceration, and workplace discrimination!

Yet, our privileged elected government officials choose to further discriminate against a community because they do not fit in the gender norms of our society.

Despite various efforts to discriminate and demonize this community, the transgender community is not going anywhere. They have been here since this country was founded and are granted the same rights and dignity granted to them by our Constitution.

The transgender community is no different from you and I. They want to pursue higher education, obtain a career with benefits and livable wages, get married, start a family, and live the American Dream.

So, who are we as their fellow citizens to deny them their inalienable rights?

These restroom bills were not constructed to protect the family, but to further discriminate the transgender community.

I've shared a restroom with a transgender woman of color.

I have friends who are transgender, and I have never been attacked or felt threatened in their presence.

Would you like to know why?

Because they're people! Just like you and I!

I'm blessed to have them as my friends, mentors, and colleagues and it's unjust for them to be the victims of hatred.

I'm not calling you to become an advocate for transgender rights, but calling you to educate and learn about a community before you decide to boycott an organization based on what your elected government officials say.