Target: ‘Self-Identifying’ as an Employee

Target Stands for Perversion and Absurdity

On April 19, 2016, Target announced the restrooms in all of its stores and employee areas will now be gender neutral (Source). Put most simply, Target now allows men to use the women’s restrooms and women to use the men’s restrooms. All one has to do is “self-identify” as the gender of the sign on the bathroom door to use that particular bathroom.

In an article on Target’s website titled “Continuing to Stand for Inclusivity,” Target official statement reads as follows (Source):

“Recent debate around proposed laws in several states has reignited a national conversation around inclusivity. So earlier this week, we reiterated with our team members where Target stands and how our beliefs are brought to life in how we serve our guests.

“Inclusivity is a core belief at Target. It’s something we celebrate. We stand for equality and equity, and strive to make our guests and team members feel accepted, respected and welcomed in our stores and workplaces every day.

“We believe that everyone—every team member, every guest, and every community—deserves to be protected from discrimination, and treated equally. Consistent with this belief, Target supports the federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBT individuals, and opposes action that enables discrimination.

“In our stores, we demonstrate our commitment to an inclusive experience in many ways. Most relevant for the conversations currently underway, we welcome transgender team members and guests to use the restroom or fitting room facility that corresponds with their gender identity.

“We regularly assess issues and consider many factors such as impact to our business, guests and team members. Given the specific questions these legislative proposals raised about how we manage our fitting rooms and restrooms, we felt it was important to state our position.

“Everyone deserves to feel like they belong. And you’ll always be accepted, respected and welcomed at Target.”

By making this move, Target has made it clear that they are walking lock-step with a God-hating world gone mad. Target’s slogan is “Expect more; pay less.” With this decision, we should expect more from Target–more absurdity and more perversion inside Target stores.

Reading the news about Target’s immoral decision gave me an idea.

The Idea

I decided to drive to my local Target, enter the store with a digital voice recorder in my pocket, make a small purchase and, when I made it to the front of the check-stand, I would ask the cashier the following questions: “Does Target give employee discounts on purchases?” If the answer I received was “yes,” then I would ask, “If I ‘self-identify’ as a Target employee, can I receive the employee discount?”

I determined before I entered the store that I would not tell lies, I would be friendly, I would not cause a scene, or unduly disrupt normal business. I believe I accomplished that. While many people believe I hit the mark, there are many people, mainly professing Christians, who believe I blundered. You will have to determine whether or not I behaviorally succeeded when you watch the video and listen to the audio.

The Experience

I was nervous. What I was about to do could go a hundred different ways–most of them bad. In hindsight, if I made a mistake it was this one: I didn’t hand the three people with whom I spoke in the store a gospel tract. I wish I had that to do over again. While I attribute the oversight to nervousness, I should have been better prepared.

I entered the store and made my way to the row of cash registers. I decided to purchase a Kit Kat candy bar. I waited in line at the cash register. The lady in front of me went on and on about how terrible it was to be back from vacation. She would spend more time talking to the cashier than I would. This is important to note considering there are professing Christians accusing me of disrupting business.

The cashier’s name was Stephanie. A young lady likely in her 20’s, Stephanie was very personable and kind. I did my best to be the same to her. I asked my questions, which obviously confused her a bit. Instead of taking too much of her time, I asked to speak to a manager. Stephanie introduced me to Richard (she called him “Richie”).

Like Stephanie, Richard was friendly and professional. He patiently listened to my questions and concerns. Our dialogue was pleasant. In short order, we reached an em passe. So, I asked if there was another manager with whom I could speak. Richard called for and introduced me to Levi. Levi was the store manager. Again, like Stephanie and Richard, Levi was a very pleasant young man. He was patient and attentive. I believe I responded in kind to all three store employees.

Levi, more than Richard and Stephanie, understood my purpose for being in the store. He didn’t roll his eyes. He didn’t grimace. He didn’t try to blow me off. He didn’t ask me to leave. Levi got it. Levi understood the correlation I was making between the absurdity of “self-identifying” as a member of the opposite sex and “self-identifying” as a Target employee when I wasn’t one.

Having made my point, I shook Levi’s hand and thanked him for his time. A security guard stood close by the entire time, without making himself part of the conversation. He did his job. He watched, listened, and waited for a cue from his manager. None came. I thanked him, too, as I left the store.

I readily admit that I took some deep breaths, coupled with one or two long sighs of relief. I was glad it was over, and I was glad that I did it.

I would do it again. And again, the only change I would make is that the next time I would make sure to have gospel tracts for each person in the store with whom I spoke.

The Response

The response to the video, which you will see below, has been overwhelmingly positive. With more than 9,100 views already, more people have shared this video in the first 24 hours than have likely shared any of my other videos. That’s a lot for my little YouTube channel.

I had what I believe was a profitable Facebook conversation with a woman named Lisa. We are not friends on Facebook. She commented on a mutual friend’s post of my video. It was after midnight, and after multiple calls to repent and believe the gospel, I said goodnight and told Lisa I would pray for her.

There have been many opportunities for me to engage other unbelievers in conversation, which has afforded me the opportunity to speak biblical truth to them. Here’s an example from the comments section of the video.

A person who “self-identifies” as Gwaupindust1 on YouTube asked the following question:

“God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them(Genesis 1:27). Since they are both made in God’s image, which bathroom would God use?”

And here’s my answer:

“God is Triune–one God, in Three Persons. God the Father and God the Holy Spirit are Spirit, so to Them your question does not apply. God the Son–Jesus Christ–took on the form of human flesh, as a the God-MAN. Therefore, being without sin, He would use the men’s room.”

Sadly, as previously stated, a number of professing Christians have voiced their disapproval of what I did, making a number of accusations about my behavior and character along the way. Here are some examples.

Sonja accused me of “tearing into” the cashier. She would later concede I did not and she apologized.

“I am very grateful for Tony’s ministry. Yet this to me is no different than the man tearing into the employee at Chic-fil-a She’s powerless. So is the manager.”

Gayla had much to say, including this:

“Tony went in loaded for bear and completely prepared, and the employees were caught off guard.”

Someone who “self-identifies” as “The Movement” (and a Christian) on YouTube wrote:

“I’m a Christian, but I’m not going to be a jerk like this guy.”

Someone who “self-identifies” as nomoney4flightschool on YouTube wrote:

“That poor girl, and manager! Man, they most likely aren’t the ones who imposed the restroom rules. What point did you make? You really are making Christians look like jerks who could care less for people. Paul taught the church to preach Christ, and Him crucified. Let the Holy spirit do the rest. You cant change the world, only God can. I really wish Christians would in their hearts truly love. You sir just came off as a jerk to be honest. Creating a potential argument, with no mention of Jesus. I do, on the other hand appreciate you sharing the gospel at the end of your video, but seriously I think you just made yourself look like a jerk to those people rather that showing care, concern, and love. I disagree with the restroom rules as well. Just stay out of target if you disagree, and shake off the dust, go elsewhere and preach the good news of the gospel. The Lord bless you.”

I love it when people call me an unloving “jerk” (twice) and then close with “Lord bless you.”

And with that, here’s the video.

The Video