An official Twitter account for the retail giant Target said Thursday it has removed a book from its shelves after an unverified Twitter user posted a complaint over the book’s questioning of transgenderism.
“I think the trans community deserves a response from @AskTarget @Target as to why they are selling this book about the ‘transgender epidemic sweeping the country,’” a Twitter user named BlueIris04 posted Thursday. “Trigger warning: Transphobia.”
“Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention,” Target responded. “We have removed this book from our assortment.”
Thank you so much for bringing this to our attention. We have removed this book from our assortment.
— AskTarget (@AskTarget) November 12, 2020
The book in question, Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters, written by Abigail Shrier, covers the topic of transgenderism with children and “examines the growing social phenomenon of transgender identification among teen girls and how underage medical ‘transitions’ can be a form of self-harm,” according to the Federalist.
“Target.com just made my book disappear,” Shrier posted on Twitter. “Does it bother anyone that Woke activists and spineless corporations now determine what Americans are allowed to read?”
https://t.co/NRY9T9nAfA just made my book disappear.
Does it bother anyone that Woke activists and spineless corporations now determine what Americans are allowed to read? https://t.co/dbIbjm96Ll
— Abigail Shrier (@AbigailShrier) November 13, 2020
The apparent removal of the book drew criticism from many on social media, including human rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
“To my horror, I’ve learned that @AbigailShrier‘s book has been removed from @Target,” Ali tweeted. “I’ve read it. Every grown-up who is in a position of looking after teenage girls (parents, teachers, therapists, religious leaders, coaches, etc) should read this book.”
To my horror, I’ve learned that @AbigailShrier‘s book has been removed from @Target. I’ve read it. Every grown-up who is in a position of looking after teenage girls (parents, teachers, therapists, religious leaders, coaches, etc) should read this book.
— Ayaan Hirsi Ali (@Ayaan) November 13, 2020
“Why does Target support censorship?” Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe tweeted.
Why does Target support censorship?
— Lisa Boothe (@LisaMarieBoothe) November 13, 2020
“Cowardly moron,” Columnist Rita Panahi tweeted.
Cowardly morons.
— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) November 13, 2020
In a statement to the Washington Examiner Friday afternoon, Target said the book will be re-added to the online store.
“Yesterday, we removed a book from Target.com based on feedback we received,” the retailer said. “We want to offer a broad assortment for our guests and are adding this book back to Target.com. We apologize for any confusion.”
