GOP: Party of hate

Republican attorneys general from seven states have signed a letter to Target, insinuating that the retailer's LGBTQ+ youth content and merchandise may be considered obscene and in violation of law. The letter criticizes Target for offering youth-sized clothing featuring Pride themes and asserts that the states are obliged to “enforce state laws protecting children” from “content that sexualizes them,” including obscenity laws.

  Erin in the Morning

Where have these concerned people been all the time stores have been selling sexy clothing for little girls?

The list of attorneys general who have signed onto this letter threatening Target with promoting “obscene” merchandise are:

Todd Rokita - Indiana Attorney General
Tim Griffin - Arkansas Attorney General
Raul Labrador - Idaho Attorney General
Daniel Cameron - Kentucky Attorney General
Lynn Fitch - Mississippi Attorney General
Andrew Bailey - Missouri Attorney General
Alan Wilson - South Carolina Attorney General

[...]

The letter also suggests that Target may be breaching the law by making decisions that are allegedly “unprofitable” and not in the best interests of its shareholders, citing this as a violation of the company's fiduciary duty.

I don't think Target has any fiduciary problems selling rainbows.

The letter, which is six pages long, does not provide specific details regarding potential legal consequences if Target continues to sell the merchandise in question.

Of course not. Vagueries and inuendos are the better part of intimidation.

Notably, this follows a wave of bills introduced in various states that aim to ban LGBTQ+ content under obscenity laws, including measures to ban drag, ban books with LGBTQ+ characters, and restrict LGBTQ+ content in schools and libraries.

[...]

Earlier this year, Target was the focus of a vehement campaign led by far-right groups for offering LGBTQ+ merchandise. Figures like Matt Walsh played a leading role in this campaign, which resulted in an onslaught of threats, violence, and harassment aimed at the store's employees.

And THAT's what should be pursued in a court of law.

Target, in response, removed the controversial merchandise from numerous locations to safeguard its staff. However, the threats persisted throughout Pride Month.

[...]

Earlier this year, several states either proposed or enacted legislation classifying LGBTQ+ content as obscene. For example, Texas passed a law widely interpreted as banning LGBTQ+ books from schools. Llano County in Texas also enacted a ban on several LGBTQ+ books, which was subsequently blocked by a judge on the grounds of likely unconstitutionality. Moreover, a number of states approved laws categorizing drag — defined by these laws as dressing and performing in a gender different from one’s assigned birth gender — as obscene.

Milton Berle, Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis, Robin Williams, Julie Andrews, Danny Kaye, Bing Crosby, and other stage and screen stars are lucky they're already dead.

Among the proposed laws that did not pass were a West Virginia bill that sought to label “exposure to transgenderism” as obscene and a Montana amendment aimed at designating LGBTQ+ internet content as obscene if accessible by minors.

Fortunately there are still some sane and humane jurists.

While most legislation labeling LGBTQ+ content as obscene did not pass this year, advocates are concerned about the growing momentum behind such measures. There is an escalating trend among states in targeting the LGBTQ+ community, particularly on issues pertaining to gender identity.

Gotta hate and punish SOMEBODY. Always go for the group with the least support and power. It's the bigot's way.

The readiness of attorneys general from several states to suggest that even rainbow logos could be deemed potentially obscene indicates the likelihood of further legislative attempts in 2024.

This one is so ridiculous, it made me actually send a letter of my own to Missouri's AG:

...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.