Lady Gaga Severs Exclusive Target Deal Over Chain's Donations to Anti-Gay Political Group

By John Mitchell Posted Mar 9th 2011 09:45AM

Lady Gaga has dissolved a deal with retail giant Target over the chain's controversial policy regarding political donations. "She and Target didn't see eye to eye on Target's policy of political donations and how they affect the LGBT community," a source close to the singer tells The Advocate.

Gaga had inked a deal with the retailer to offer an exclusive deluxe edition of her highly anticipated forthcoming album 'Born This Way.' Gaga, an ardent gay rights activist, told Billboard last month the deal "hinged upon their [Target's] reform in the company to support the gay community and to redeem the mistakes they've made supporting those groups."

Apparently unhappy with the company's efforts, the singer and Target "came to a mutual decision to end their overall exclusive partnership" (via E!).

Last year, it was revealed that Target had donated corporate funds to MN Forward, a political action committee that supported anti-LGBT Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer's failed 2010 run for office.

Target's support for an anti-gay group is, of course, in direct conflict with Gaga's personal politics on LGBT issues. The singer has been a longtime gay rights advocate, and last year spoke at political demonstrations in Maine urging senators there to support a repeal of the military's now-defunct Don't Ask Don't Tell policy, which barred openly gay soldiers from serving in the military. More recently, she has pledged the proceeds from the release of a stripped-down version of 'Born This Way' to anti-bullying charities. Gaga is also the face of cosmetics giant MAC's Viva Glam campaign, which benefits AIDS research.

"That discussion was one of the most intense conversations I've ever had in a business meeting," Gaga told Billboard of her meetings with Target while negotiating the deal. "Part of my deal with Target is that they have to start affiliating themselves with LGBT charity groups and begin to reform and make amends for the mistakes they've made in the past."

Her most recent single, 'Born This Way,' is itself a "manifesto" of the singer's beliefs regarding the need for full equality for all persons regardless of race, sexuality, ethnicity or religion. In a preface to the song, Gaga opens her video with a voice-over that espouses the need for "the beginning of the new race. A race within the race of humanity, a race which bears no prejudice, no judgment, but boundless freedom." The song itself includes lyrics like, "No matter gay, straight, or bi, lesbian, transgendered life / I'm on the right track baby, I was born to survive / No matter black, white or beige, chola or orient made / I'm on the right track baby, I was born to be brave."

'Born This Way' debuted in mid-February to enormous digital download sales and record-shattering pickup at radio (it's the biggest debuting title in the 18-year history of the Billboard chart, according to Nielsen BDS), and has spent the last three weeks at No. 1.

Tags: Lady Gaga

Comments

(68)

Wednesday 09 March

By pamliska

Vote down Vote up Report this

Could we possibly get that lucky?

By Greg

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I will now go back to Target. Since she's gone, Talentless Freak

By cocobeee123

it is ok homosexuals represent two percent of the population. why does lady ca ca cause hate? I thought she was all about love and unity. OH! i guesss it is only love and unity IF it is up to lady ca ca's standards.

By Alan

You need a lesson in statistical demographics Pal. 2% ????????????? Try PROVABLY between 9 % to !2% of the population whether it be in the USA or any nation. That translates to approx 700,000,000 men and women are gay. Just accept nature.

By Rob

Hope Target reconsiders. One thing for sure though many of their stores here in the Philly area have gay employees.

By Tony

I am not gay or a GaGa fan, but I refuse to shop at a store that supports any type of bigotry.

By exoticdoc2

Your mistake is that this is not bigotry. Not in the sense of being bigoted against another people group is. This is a moral issue. Being black, asian, or whatever is what you are and there is no right or wrong about it, being homosexual is what you do and immoral. Big difference.

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

are we bigots against pedophiles too? is that NOT 'their' sexual preference?

By JD

Wow. Conceited much? It's interesting to see a liberal being so judgmental, demanding others believe and do what she believe to be right and just (hmmm, thought that was reserved for conservatives). Then demanding others to "redeem" themselves to her satisfaction. Then -- and ONLY then -- will she grace Target shoppers with her presence. It's laughable.

By Chuck

Who cares Ur-no-lady GagGag.

By Pam J

What I have an issue with is her saying that Target had made all these "mistakes" donating to these places. She is a flippin' singer. What right does she have telling Target that they made a mistake doing something they believe in. I may not agree with the gay lifestyle, but I respect everybody's right to their beliefs. I don't want to be told I am making a mistake believing what I believe. Who takes this woman seriously anyway?

So what? Target stood up for what is moral. They can do without woman goo-goo.

By RAS

ARE YOU KIDDING! I'll shop at TARGET more often because of their stand. It's time to stand up for morals in this country. Thank you, TARGET.

By Dan

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

So Target's corporate executives made a donation to an anti-gay political group. However Target hires millions of people and among them there may be a signifigant number of GLBTs or family members of GLBTs, so think of whom you may be hurting before you jump on the BOYCOTT bandwagon.

By Johnnie Rave

You people can't see when someone is trying to better this world. I am gay and I love Lady Gaga. She is standing up for what she belieaves in and the fact the most teenage that are gay, bi, lesbian, and yes even transgendered get bulled is something to stand up for. There is finially someone out there stand up for us. I don't support any type of bigotry. GAGA KEEP BEING DIFFERENT, WE WERE BORN THIS WAY!

so are pedofiles.

By Clint

Target can't afford a Gaga fan boycott, they had better recosider and drop their affiliations with Klan-like organizations.

By Andy

Idiot!

who gives a crap about what this shemale says....bfd

By pete

Good for here. Politics should be a personal thing, not corporate blackmail.

On the other hand, if Target had made it know they support anti-gay, I'd have been giving them more business and support over the years.

Page 2 of 4