T-C Pride Mission Statement in Conflict with Its Sponsors

I have been looking at what is happening for Pride in Minneapolis. I want something to do--aside of just going to bars, bars, bars.
First thing that comes up in the Twin Cities Pride website is the major sponsors. Come to find out that Target is one of them. Now, I have my pet-peeves about Pride (like it's mostly for whites, males, not much actions that could change lives of LGBT people, etc, etc.). Pride=party in many ways. That's fine.

BUT, I am highly surprised whoever organizes Twin Cities Pride decided to still collaborate with corporations like Target. If I'm not mistaken, Target supported GOP Gov. candidate Tom Emmer, who's platform was very anti-lgbt. Also remember that this last elections yielded many new MN Congress Members who promised anti-lgbt legislation. Hence constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in MN.

"The mission of Twin Cities Pride is to commemorate and celebrate our diverse heritage, inspire the achievement of equality and challenge discrimination and we welcome those organizations with missions that align with our message to participate in our events."

If organizers of T-C Pride had paid any little attention to those news last year, they would have noticed the reasoning corporations like Target were supporting candidates who embraced an anti-lgbt agenda. Target at some point said, "[we] seek to advance policies aligned with our business objectives." And therefore support anti-lgbt candidates because pro-lgbt candidates are anti-business of course. At least that's the conclusion Target gives.

However, it is obvious that Target's "business objectives" are not aligned at all with Twin Cities Pride's missions or messages and should not be participating in its events.

According to a report, "documents filed with the Federal Election Commission in October 2010, Target continued donating to anti-gay politicians even after Steinhafel reaffirmed the company’s long-standing support for gay rights and committed to reforming the review process for future political donations."

I was warned by someone who used to be part of Pride many years ago that Pride today is not what it used to be, that many organizers are more interested in corporatizing lgbt movements (i.e. having access to their resources). It might be true huh?

At least I know this time I won't be getting my Target tattoo on my arm this year. I know Lady Gaga would agree with me.