An LGBTQ advocate and mother of a queer community member took down Target over its “rainbow capitalism” after the mass retailer scaled back its Pride Month collection amid public outcry.
Heather Hester told Fox Digital that Target’s response confirmed that the organization “was only in it for the money” and that the company’s recent actions represented a “major betrayal” of the LGBTQ community.
“Basically, rainbow capitalism is about selling Pride products for a profit, not necessarily standing behind the community with support,” Hester said. “That happened, didn’t it? There are a lot of things that come into play, but that’s what happened at the end of the day.”
Target has lost market value since viral videos showed its LGBTQ clothing — including “tuck-friendly” gear — being for sale in stores.
A controversial element of the store’s Pride line were swimsuits, which were advertised as having “extra crotch coverage” and “tuck in” space. The design is said to accommodate people with male genitalia who want women’s swimsuits
Large Pride month merchandise displays were on display in stores across the country and featured an extensive Pride line for children and swimsuits advertised as “tuck-friendly”, meaning male genitalia are housed in an otherwise female product can .
Hester claims it’s important that such items are available to anyone who needs or wants them.
“It’s something that’s not readily accessible to trans people.” And trans people are people,” she told Fox. “In the past it was something that took a very long time to find and tends to be available at higher prices, so to have something that’s available and to be able to say, ‘Oh, wow, that’s me, and there’s something.’ For me.”
“It has so much value.” People just feel uncomfortable because it’s new. But feeling uncomfortable isn’t a bad thing,” she added.
As the backlash against the extensive Pride displays for children and trans-friendly swimsuits for women began, Target CEO Brian Cornell stated that the company would make “adjustments” to its display plans, including removing displays that were “in the have been at the center of the most important events”. confrontational behavior in some of its branches.
Employees said they had 36 hours to “take all of our Pride stuff, the entire area, and move it to an area a third the size.” “From the front of the store to the back of the No mannequins or large signage are allowed in stores,” Fox said.
The move came as Target lost $14 billion in market cap in two weeks and its stock was downgraded by JPMorgan.
Hester noted that Target may have found itself in a similar situation to Bud Light after successfully alienating everyone — Christian conservatives and the LGBTQ community. “Everybody’s crazy, aren’t they?” And I don’t think that’s what they wanted.”
Pictured: Pride Adult Bikini Brief – Black – $25 at Target – This suit was one of the styles advertised as having extra “tuck in” room at the crotch.
Retail giant Target’s market value collapsed by more than $14 billion on Wednesday as shares continued to fall into June
Some Target employees report they were given 36 hours to massively downsize Pride collections in stores as opposition to the aggressive Pride line gathered momentum
The LGBTQ community, including Hester’s son, slammed the company, saying, ‘They don’t actually support us. They only care about the money.’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom echoed the criticism, writing on Twitter late last month, “Selling the LGBTQIA+ community to extremists, Target CEO Brian Cornell is a real test of courage.”
“It’s not just a few shops in the South.” Systematic attacks on the gay community are occurring across the country. Wake up America.
“It doesn’t stop here. You’re black? are you asian are you jew You’re a woman? You are the next one.’
In response, controversial right-wing Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote, “No one is attacking the Gavin gay community.”
“They don’t want their children to be forcibly exposed to the radical side of pride by ‘tucking’ and ‘tying’ children’s clothes and texting just by shopping at Target. We do not support your California child genital mutilation industry. In fact, I want to end it.’
Some protesters protested against the extensive range of Pride clothing for children in particular
Proud baby onesies that are part of Target’s extensive collection at a Maryland store
Target Pride Pet merchandise in the pet department of a store in Atlanta, Georgia
Pride month merchandise is on display on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at a Target store in Nashville, Tennessee. In the South in particular, the company was forced to withdraw some of its displays of pride
Some consumers seemed to agree wholeheartedly with Greene’s stance and called for a boycott.
“Target is way worse than Bud Light ever was.” Boycott time!!!’ wrote one Twitter user.
Another wrote, “All Christians and religious must boycott Target.” We must send a message to these bright-eyed corporations who are choosing evil as their marketing tactic. It’s just sick. “Target Pride Month Partner Brags About Satanism: Satan Respects Pronouns.”
The British transgender designer of much of Target’s Pride Month line is a self-proclaimed lover of Satan.
The retailer has been in the line of fire over a host of other LGBTQ-related issues, including an alleged partnership with a K-12 education group focused on convincing schools to implement policies that help increase parents’ knowledge of the limit ongoing activities of their children. gender transition in school.
According to Fox, the education group is making sexually explicit books available in schools as part of its gender-specific curriculum.