Target Sues San Diego Gay Rights Group

Well, of course. They can't risk anyone catching The Gay.

---

And I'm more concerned with issues of free speech than shopping at Target.

---

I think everyone makes good points about where people should be able to assemble and whatnot, but I just feel like since Target has really spent the past couple of years saying "Yeah we like the gays" all the while having to account for some uncomfortable donations that perhaps suing a gay rights group might not be the best thing in the world for them.

I wonder if the group are actually harassing customers or if some customers simply find it harassment to have to even think about gay marriage. Maybe a bit of both?

I don't mind being asked for a signature, but I really hate nowadays when someone is collecting, but they won't take any money. Instead, they want you to sign up to make a monthly donation automatically? Does that happen in places other than Chicago? Twice I was willing to give money, once to Greenpeace and once to the Humane Society, and they were unequipped to accept cash.

I wonder if the group are actually harassing customers or if some customers simply find it harassment to have to even think about gay marriage. Maybe a bit of both?

If they're exhibiting the behavior that eatlasagna described then I could see how it could be defined as "harassment". If I came out of a store and someone was waiting directly in front of the door staring me down I'd feel a bit put off myself no matter their cause.

---

I guess I'm just someone not bothered by Save the Planet people, register to vote people or those seeking equality for gay Americans.

Shopping at Target is such a tiresome (if necessary) experience in and of itself that it is often redeemed when someone asks me to be more civic and globally conscience on my way to the car.

I sign or don't sign ballot initiatives or petitions. Often times I get a sense of what I might be asked to vote on in an upcoming election.

If someone gives me the fish-eye because I say "no, thank you" or simply walk on by...well, so be it. I can't ever think of a time when it aroused any hostile feelings that I carried into the store, home, or a message board.

---

Updated On: 3/26/11 at 02:17 AM

Direct from Target.com:
Target has a long-standing solicitation policy at our stores nationwide. To provide a distraction-free shopping environment for our guests, we do not allow solicitation or petitioning at our stores regardless of the cause being represented.

Seems pretty clear to me that this isn't them targeting this group in particular (or as noted earlier the Salvation Army).

---

Well, if they're on Target property, Target has the right to say "You can't be here," regardless of whether they're inside or outside the doors.

I was always under the impression one had to get permission to set up shop outside of a store. That's what groups I've been involved with in the past have done.

---

Kad is correct. You are supposed to ask any place of business if you can set up tables or anything. Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, or anyone.

Now, I don't know about California's laws (I don't and never plan to live there), but at least here in TX, the property consists of the parking lot and store front (hence why an employee can be fired for drinking in the parking lot).

---

As a proud Californian, I say "Thank you."

Ya know, that was pretty uncalled for. I've never said anything against you (or even your state, I just have no real interest in living on the West Coast) or even anything that was terribly inflammatory in this thread or any other that would warrant a comment like that.

---

Oh trust me, anyone who knows me knows I want out of Texas badly. To borrow from the show Community, to me the West Coast is a lot like religion. I see it's appeal, and I would never take it from anyone, but it isn't for me. So, I apologize if you took it as an attack on your state, because it certainly wasn't meant as one.

---

I also live in San Diego. Interesting, I was just having this same conversation with a friend a couple of days ago about how they seem to "target" you as you walk out the Target doors. Sometimes it's a little creepy as they fight for your eye contact. Other times it's just annoying as I just want to go home.