Target Publicly Endorses Gay Marriage

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Target Corp. is adding its name to a legal defense of gay marriage, joining other large companies that have taken a stand on same-sex unions.

Target says it has signed a court brief backing marriage equality in a pending court case. Starbucks, Intel and Apple have publicly backed gay marriage advocates in court cases or ballot issues.

Nearly all of Minnesota's biggest corporations declined to take a position on the 2012 state referendum to ban gay marriage except for General Mills, which opposed the ban. The referendum failed and the state Legislature passed a bill recognizing same-sex marriage in 2013.

The case in which Target has filed a brief combines legal actions in Wisconsin and Indiana. Federal judges overturned gay marriage bans in both states and state officials appealed.