Local Target shoppers weigh in on company's HB2 opposition

More than half a million people have signed a petition saying they will no longer shop at Target stores after the announcement that Target opposes the state's HB2 law, while continuing to follow the Federal Equality Act, which provides protections to LGBT individuals.

Diann Bucher of New Bern says, "Sadly because of this change in their policy we will not be shopping at Target again."

A petition from the American Family Association already has over 550,000 supporters boycotting Target.

Bucher says, "I would not want my grandchildren or myself in a bathroom and a man walk in."

But some say they can see both sides of the argument, especially when it comes to making transgenders feel included.

Jovi Warner says, "I know some transgender people and they want to use what they want to be as a restroom."

But proponents of the law say it's about protecting people from sexual predators entering the bathrooms.

Warner says, "I think it does kind of open the door for people that are like sex offenders to use bathrooms without any repercussions."

Target sent a statement saying they certainly understand and respect that there are a large number and variety of opinions, but they firmly stand behind what it means to offer an inclusive work environment and place to shop and they continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target.

The American Family Association is calling for a single occupancy unisex bathroom as a "common-sense approach and a reasonable solution" to the issue.