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Amid backlash, Target still launched its annual LGBTQ pride line. Hell yeah.

You might see a lot of rainbows during your next trip to Target.

For the fifth year in a row, many Target shoppers will find their local store covered in rainbows.

It's all part of the retail giant's annual #TakePride campaign celebrating the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community.

The launch, which comes ahead of LGBT Pride Month in June, features a variety of rainbow-themed apparel and merchandise, including shirts, hats, swimsuits, and beach towels. The products will be found in over 150 of Target's U.S. stores and online, according to a company spokesperson.

Target has repeatedly been threatened with boycotts from anti-gay and anti-transgender groups over its support for the LGBTQ community in recent years.

In 2014, the retailer publicly endorsed marriage equality. The following year, it announced it was ending gender-based signs in certain areas of its stores — like the toy aisles and entertainment sections — that needlessly assigned genders to products.

Last spring (after taking some heat for dropping the ball), Target launched a new kids home line with more gender-neutral items — a move, the company said, that helps parents shop for their kids while also helping squash gender norms. And Target explicitly stood on the side of transgender rights when it came to bathroom access in its stores, which ruffled enough feathers to spark a national boycott.

This year's #TakePride campaign is especially notable in the face of that backlash.

"We’re making our message loud and clear: Target proudly stands with the LGBT community," Laysha Ward, the company's executive vice president and chief corporate social responsibility officer, said on the #TakePride web page.

Customers let Target know just how much they appreciate the store having their back.

They're sending rainbow hearts — emojis worth a thousand words.

Target employees love the message #TakePride sends too.

Some are "freaking out" over all the rainbows (and rightfully so).

And others are glad some folks won't show up because of the campaign.

Target noticed all the fanfare online — and they are loving it.

While Target deserves credit for standing up for LGBTQ issues, it's not an entirely selfless move, of course.

As the tide has turned in favor of LGBTQ rights, many corporations have jumped on the bandwagon, highlighting same-sex couples in their ad campaigns and making public statements in favor of equality, hoping their advocacy draws positive attention from customers, boosting their bottom lines. It's commodifying a social cause, in a certain sense.

That point was also debated by some LGBTQ advocates on Twitter:

Still, it's commendable when companies stay on the right side of history, particularly when it's not the easiest thing to do.

And for that, Target, once again, hits the bull's-eye.

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Meet the 18-year-old advocating for teen mental health, one inspiring podcast at a time

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

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A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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