the war is over

This post is for any of you that care that we have been boycotting Target because of their campaign contribution to an anti-gay candidate.  It has been hard.  It has been months. 

And then a Christmas miracle. 

The Human Rights Campaign scores big businesses by how gay friendly they are- a green rating is the best (it means companies that support LGBT equality in the work place and that HRC suggests you support. ) Just in time for Christmas, HRC gave Target a green rating!!!!

I've been somewhat bothered by the apparent inconsistencies in how big business conducts themselves and what to give credence to (how can a company we and all our friends have been boycotting get the highest gay friendly rating?) but as our friend Katie said, how they treat their gay employees really says it all.  Do they offer domestic partnership benefits?  Is it a good, fair place for gay people to work? I guess the answer is yes.

So today the drought was over and I stepped over the electronically controlled threshold of my Bangor Target. I told Ella I was going to Target today and she said, "What?  I thought we didn't shop at Target."  My good little activist.

I expected red carpet and champagne ("oh you're back!"  "we've missed you!") but somehow was content enough with the giant sparkly ornaments hanging from the ceiling, the familiar sights, my easy navigation of the store (even without my list which was on the kitchen table at home).  And I was oh so grateful NOT to be in Walmart...The cashier didn't give me any knowing smiles and I managed to refrain from explaining my absence to her.

As I calmly, joyfully walked up and down the aisles Maya smiled at me knowingly and said, "Momma, you love Target, don't you?"