Target defended itself on Tuesday against accusations by Internet activists that a women's "Trophy" T-shirt it sells is sexist and "encourages a rape culture."
Throughout June and July, many people on Twitter and other social media venues decried the shirt.
A petition to have the shirt removed from Target's inventory
was posted to Change.org in late June, and as of this week it has garnered over 10,000 signatures.
"Labeling any person as a 'Trophy' is demeaning their humanity and objectifying them as a tangible object that can be bought, used, and disposed of…The fact that no one at Target had the judgment to see this as demeaning and objectifying shows their ignorance to their own female market," reads part of the petition. "We are still viewed as 'things,' and Target wants to profit off of that."
The petition went on to say that the shirt "encourages a rape culture" and exposes the company's "sexism and gender bias."
This week, Target representative Molly Snyder responded to the accusations.
"It is never our intention to offend anyone and we always appreciate receiving feedback from our guests," she said in a statement to USA Today.
"The shirt you’re describing is part of a collection of engagement and wedding shirts that are available in our women’s and plus size departments. The collection also included shirts that say 'Team Bride,' 'Mrs.' and 'Bride.' These shirts are intended as a fun wink and we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests."