The past six months have been challenging. Conversations, litigations, and threats targeting various groups have been frequent, often rooted in outdated stereotypes and misunderstandings.

Recently, Target announced significant changes to its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, shifting from specific diversity-focused programs toward cultivating a broader community of belonging. As someone who has proudly worked at Target for over a decade, initially, this announcement troubled me deeply. It was difficult to understand why the company chose to publicly announce such a shift amid a politically charged atmosphere. Honestly, my first reaction was anger. Target’s intent, to move beyond targeted diversity initiatives and towards broader inclusivity, initially felt disconnected from the urgent realities many were facing.

This situation was compounded by senior leadership’s lack of immediate recognition regarding how their message was being perceived. Many of my coworkers and I were deeply impacted, emotionally and mentally. Conversations at work shifted from feelings of inclusion and welcome to questions of belonging and safety.

During this time, however, my perspective shifted as I experienced the world through my teenage daughter, Harper. She recently completed eighth grade and participated in the History Day competition with a project on Karl Heinrich Ulrichs, a pioneering German gay rights activist from the mid-1800s. Attending the competition, I was inspired, but not surprised, by the number of young students whose projects passionately addressed issues surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, racial justice, and indigenous rights. Witnessing how naturally and openly younger generations engage with these critical topics provided a hopeful contrast to my own frustrations.

At CtK, we have always prioritized creating a welcoming community. In late 2017, we formalized this commitment in our updated welcome statement, embedding it clearly within our core values—specifically under the principle of "Embrace All God’s Children."

Pride month is both a joyful celebration and a necessary reminder of our society's troubled past and ongoing struggles. Here at CtK, we reaffirm our commitment to being an inclusive, welcoming space. This month, we proudly celebrate our stance, recognizing it as a continuous responsibility and privilege.

No matter where you find yourself on the journey of faith, we warmly welcome you here.