With the public announcement of their bathroom policy, I like many of my friends feel even more committed in my loyalty to Target. While I like to think of myself as an anti-establishment hipster who prefers to shop at local businesses at the end of the day I'm pretty basic. I'm from the suburbs and suburban folks love Target. When I was living in London the two things I missed most were Mexican food (AZ girl in the house) and Target. When I was attempting to purchase the essentials and furnish my dorm room I had to visit at least 3 or 4 different stores located all over the city. Upon arrival I spent an entire weekend schlepping bags from Tube station to Tube station, and eventually up the hill to my Pentonville road dormitory. In the States this would have been a five minute drive, and an hour long Target run.
Convenience, reasonable prices, and good quality is what makes Target so appealing to so many. When I heard that a store I visit on a weekly basis went public with their inclusive and sensitive policy in regards to bathroom use for transgender people I was relieved. I was relieved because I am anti-establishment enough that if I hear about something terrible a company is doing I usually embargo them. Target gets to keep my business, woohoo!
This policy isn't just a relief for shoppers like myself but it's a victory for the transgender community. Because I am a cis gender person I take for granted not having to worry about my safety or comfort using a public restroom, I can only imagine the turmoil this issue causes for trans men and women. Again the privileged group holds the cards and deals out dignity and piece of humanity to the marginalized. I hate this reality, but this is how systems of oppression work. Should we celebrate doing the right thing, yes; but we must remember that this is the bare minimum. Often when I am operating from a place of privilege I will celebrate a small win but may be inclined to become stagnant in the work that still needs boots on the ground. Are bathrooms a victory? Yes. However there are many more advances yet to be made in the struggle toward equity.
Last year there were over 20 documented cases of trans women of color being murdered. Queer and trans women of color still face some of the most disparate access to economic, educational, and Healthcare resources. Queer and trans women of color are subjugated to violence, poverty, illness, and homelessness at the highest rates of any group of people in this country. Cheer for Target but don't forget to look beyond the bathroom. There is still so much work to do.