Bad Romance: Target Wins Ethical Award, Lady Gaga Still Nixes Deal

Target has been named one of the World's Most Ethical Companies for 2011 by Ethisphere Institute, an international business ethics organization. But international superstar Lady Gaga disagrees. Gaga has killed a deal to release an exclusive version of her new album at Target stores, thanks to the company's support of an anti-gay politician.

Last summer Target made a $150,000 donation to Minnesota Forward and its affiliation with a controversial gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer. Emmer held some extreme anti-gay views and was affiliated with a group that reportedly advocated executing homosexuals.

Emmer ultimately lost the election but not before Target was the subject of a massive protest, forcing the retailer to re-examine how it makes political contributions in the future. That incident came as a surprise; Target had long been considered a progressive company and extends benefits to same sex partners.