Twin Cities Pride

GLBT Pride/Twin Cities has been asked to comment on the controversy over political donations made by corporations, including Target and Best Buy, to a political organizataion supporting a candidate for Governor with a history of anti-GLBT positions and policies.  We know that this is a painful dispute for all concerned.

Unfortunately, Twin Cities Pride is limited in its ability to respond to this dispute.  Unlike other GLBT advocacy groups, Twin Cities Pride is a Minnesota nonprofit corporation with an IRS 501(c)(3) status.  Under the law, 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in the kinds of political activity they can engage in.  The Board of Twin Cities Pride is highly protective of its 501(c)(3) status and is careful not engage in any activity that can be interpreted as lobbying, campaigning, endorsement of particular political candidates, or other partisan political activity.

Nonetheless, we stand firmly behind our mission statement and the principles of equality and human rights.  We require any sponsor or participant in the Pride Celebration to affirm their support of our mission.  We encourage the public to educate themselves about where all political candidates stand on these issues and vote with those fundamental principles in mind.