Target Excludes Trans Women From 2022 Pride Collection

In a historic move, Target is now the first American box store to carry underwear and swimwear for the trans population. Missing from the collection are feminine underwear for people who tuck and padded bras for those needing to enhance their chest.

“The long-awaited 2022 lineup has more options for pets and toddlers than for femme-identifying people. Target can and must do better,” Qwear Fashion team member Blessitt Shawn B. says.

Target has been the topic of controversy during past pride collections that missed the mark, and this move is a clear attempt to meet the community’s needs. They are partnering with two queer-owned brands, TomboyX and Humankind, and their pride collection includes binders, underwear for packing, sports bras, boyshorts, swim trunks, swim tops, and unisuits.

Gender-affirming garments are medically necessary for trans people to move about the world safely. Until now, these garments have been difficult to get — especially for children, who can’t easily access gender affirming underwear without parental support due to garments only being sold online.

“I always look forward to Target’s commemorative collections — I have all of their Signature Inspiring Women Barbies that honor Black History Month (except for Katherine Johnson, help!) I am a massive fan of their collaborations with various diverse artists who represent all walks of life,” Blessitt says. “So I was disappointed to see no trans femme items in this year's entire PRIDE collection. Trans and femme presenting folks continue to lead social change in our society, art, and fashion without recognition or appreciation of any form, and Target should use this moment to fix that.”

The collection further marginalizes a population who suffers high mortality rates due to violence, lack of access to spaces such as shelters and bathrooms, and lack of medical care. Uplifting the masculine while excluding the feminine sends the message that trans women don’t matter and don’t deserve basic medical care.

Co-founder for the North Carolina Transgender Action Committee Vivian Taylor says notes that this exclusion could not have come at a worse time. “The exclusion of trans women is heartbreaking to see, especially as around the country state governments are explicitly banning trans girls from school sports, bathrooms, and other educational opportunities.”

Vivian, who wrote her Masters thesis on transgender employment outcomes, also mentioned the economic disparities in the community. “Many employers willing to hire trans masculine people are still not willing to hire trans women, as can be seen in which models were hired for Target’s campaign.” Vivian explained that companies make decisions based on money and not the public good. “Because AFAB trans and nonbinary people tend to be slightly more economically secure and therefor have more disposable income to spend on fashion than trans women, brands are more likely to chase trans masculine people’s money. This is unfair and further marginalizes trans women. Trans women’s economic challenges mean we deserve greater efforts at inclusion, especially during Pride.”

Journalist and artist Lara Americo says, “I'll always be thankful to Target for making attempts to be inclusive.  I hope in the future there are more items for people throughout the spectrum of gender.”