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Kate Plummer
May 24, 2023
Target Holds ‘Emergency’ Meeting Over LGBTQ Items
content.jwplatform.com
American retailer Target is removing some items from its LGBTQ Pride Collection after seeing "volatile circumstances" in some of its stores.
The company said the move to remove products including "love is love" t-shirts and "gender fluid" mugs would protect employees from threats and confrontations in certain stores.
"Since introducing this year's collection, we've experienced threats impacting our team members' sense of safety and well-being while at work," Target said in a statement.
"Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the centre of the most significant confrontational behaviour."
A spokesperson said there has been an increase in incidents of Pride merchandise being thrown on the floor.
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The products Target is withdrawing are being removed from all its US stores and its website, the spokesperson told Reuters news agency.
Reacting to the news, many people slammed the retailer for what they said was giving in to pressure.
\u201cI\u2019m honestly not at all shocked by Target & Bud Light pulling back LGBT support. We\u2019re just profit to them and they\u2019ve never been allies. Rainbow Capitalism is bullshit\u201d— Victoria \ud83c\udf80 \ud83d\udd06 (@Victoria \ud83c\udf80 \ud83d\udd06) 1684936175
\u201cTarget has a massive security operation designed around making sure no one steals toothpaste yet they can\u2019t protect their employees from violent bigots\u201d— allergy haver (@allergy haver) 1684936356
\u201cThe way that Bud Light and Target are reacting to the far right angry at including LGBTQ+ people is EXACTLY why many of us have railed against corporate pride.\n\nIf your advocacy consists merely of rainbows that disappear at the first gust of fascist wind, it amounts to net harm.\u201d— Erin Reed (@Erin Reed) 1684934868
These kinds of arguments shouldn't have to happen in 2023.
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