Lady Gaga Ends Target Partnership, Reportedly Over LGBT Stance
Lady Gaga has nixed her deal for an exclusive special edition of her upcoming album; The Advocate then reported that a source close to Gaga said that the company's continued political activity -- specifically the main stumbling block.
"She and Target didn't see eye to eye on Target's policy of political donations and how they affect the LGBT community," the source told the magazine's website.
In July, it was revealed that Target's Political Action Committee had made donations to MN Forward, a PAC that supportered Minnesota State Rep. Tom Emmer's campaign for governor. Emmer is a hardline conservative who holds staunch anti-gay rights stances, and has been linked to a ministry that advocates killing gay people.
Following the revelation, Target CEO Gregg Steinhafel apologized and promised Target would more closely oversee its donations, but in December it was discovered that the company's PAC had donated over $30,000 to anti-gay rights politicians, 3/4 of its political spending in 2010. That included donations to MN Reps. Erik Paulsen and John Kline, both of whom are vehemently anti-gay rights.
