Twin Cites Pride officials have reacted to Target’s recent pull-back on its diversity programs, announcing that the Minneapolis-based retailer would be allowed no role in the organization’s festival or parade.

“We are deeply disappointed in their announcement,” Andi Otto, executive director of Twin Cities Pride, said on social media Friday. “We are committed to continuing conversations with them about the impact it has on our community and those in our community who are their employees.”

The day before, Otto had said that how Target’s changes to its programs would affect the “long-standing partnership” between Target and organization was uncertain.

Target said Friday it was scaling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives of the sort that have come under attack from conservative activists and, as of this week, the White House with Donald Trump newly installed as president.The Minneapolis-based retailer said changes to its “Belonging at the Bullseye” initiatives would include ending programs to help Black employees build meaningful careers, improve the experience of Black shoppers, and promote Black-owned businesses following the police killing of George Floyd in 2020. Unlike some of the other companies retooling or retiring their diversity initiatives, Target’s work to build a more inclusive workforce predated 2020.

Target, which operates nearly 2,000 stores nationwide and employs more than 400,000 people, said it already had planned to end the program this year. The company said Friday that it also would conclude certain DEI goals it had set in three-year cycles.

The goals included hiring and promoting more women and members of racial minority groups, and recruiting more diverse suppliers, including businesses owned by people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, veterans and people with disabilities.

Target has long claimed to be a fierce corporate advocate for the rights of Black and LGBTQ+ people. In a memo to employees, Kiera Fernandez, Target’s chief community impact and equity officer, described the DEI decisions as a “next chapter” in the company’s decades-long process to create “inclusive work and guest environments that welcome all.”

But the retailer has been accused by some of vacillating in diversity efforts in recent years.

After a 2016 company statement supporting transgender employees and customers using whichever restroom or fitting room matched their gender identity, some customers threatened a boycott, and the company made more single-occupancy bathrooms available. Some 2023 Pride Month merchandise was removed after online complaints, and Pride Month products were not stocked at all stores in 2024.

Target could not be reached for comment Sunday night.

This year’s Twin Cities Pride Festival is June 28 and 29, with the parade occurring on the second day.

This report includes information from the Associated Press.