Gay rights group: Target won’t make political donation sought in to quiet uproar

Gay rights group: No donation from Target

MINNEAPOLIS — A national gay rights group says Target Corp. has decided against giving money to gay-friendly causes to quiet the uproar over a $150,000 donation that helped support a conservative candidate.

Human Rights Campaign spokesman Fred Sainz said Monday that Target made its decision after two tentative agreements fell apart.

The group says it will respond by contributing the same amount to candidates in Minnesota who support gay marriage.

A Target spokeswoman didn’t immediately return calls seeking comment.

Minneapolis-based Target has long cultivated a good relationship with the gay community. But it’s been the subject of protests for contributing money to MN Forward, a group supporting GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, an opponent of gay marriage.