Florida sues Target over its DEI policies

Florida filed a lawsuit this Thursday against Target over its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, claiming it had misled its investors by hiding the financial risks of its "radical LGBTQ activism."

The state prosecutor's office claims those veiled intentions led to the "disastrous" 2023 Pride campaign, "exceptionally offensive to Target customers for obvious and apparent reasons," the lawsuit reads.

Products for boys and women launched at the time sparked controversy, leading to public calls for a boycott. As a result, the plaintiffs claim, the company suffered losses that cost investors "billions" of dollars.

"While Target told their investors they would keep the company out of controversy to protect the stock price, the retailer engaged in a marketing campaign targeting and sexualizing children," Florida's newly appointed attorney general, James Uthmeier, declared in a video.

Uthmeier claimed that losses stemming from the campaign had put "the retirement accounts of Florida's teachers and first responders at unnaceptable risk." The prosecutor and his office filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Florida State Board of Administration (SBA), the state agency that oversees retirement funds and owns Target stock.

"Our public servants should not suffer diminished retirement security because companies focus on lefist virtue signaling rather than shareholders returns."

Listed as co-plaintiffs are America First Legal, Boyden Gray PLLC and Lawson Huck Gonzalez PLLC. The three initiated another case against the retailer in August 2023, proceedings that are still ongoing.

Earlier this month, the company was the subject of another similar lawsuit filed by several shareholders, led by the Rivera Beach Police Pension Fund.

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