Defending the rights of the LGTBI community is becoming a risky activity for some American companies. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has turned the spigot on with his harassment of Disney, but conservative groups have targeted numerous companies with harassment and threats of boycotts over their inclusive policies or messages.
The distributors of Target and Kohl’s, the restaurant chain Chick-Fil-A, the beer brand Budweiser, Lego Constructions and even M&M’s candy They have been the target of attacks that have cost companies billions in market value. In the background, there is an offensive against the ESG principles of sustainable investing – environmental, social and corporate governance criteria – which some conservatives attack as progressive impertinence. Despite everything, many companies are proud of their support.
The worst-case scenario is companies that have faltered and have faced opposition from both culture clash trenches, as happened to Anheuser Busch — owner of Budweiser and many other beer brands — and Target. While some calls for boycotts and confrontations took place via social media, in the case of the distribution chain, tensions, violence and threats erupted in some stores and the police had to intervene.
Department store chain Target added around 2,000 items to its gay pride collection this year, including clothing, books, music and household items. Among the items for sale were some from the Rebound brand, which collaborates with transgender designer Erik Carnell, controversial for his satanic creations, as well as children’s books such as Bye Bye, Binary or I’m not a girl. It was these products and others like a sweater with a slogan that said it cures transphobia, not trans, or a swimsuit that was presented as suitable for helping trans people hide their genitals (and the one on networks incorrectly said to be intended for children). triggered a bullying reaction from some customers.
“Since the launch of this year’s collection, we’ve seen threats that impact the sense of security and well-being of our team members while they’re on the job,” the Minneapolis-based company admitted in a statement. “Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing elements that have been at the heart of the most significant confrontational behaviors,” he added, angering LGTBI groups.
Target’s boss himself admitted in a report published by Insider that he was concerned the withdrawal of goods would affect the “well-being and psychological safety” of the LGTBI community. “We are by your side now and will continue to be, not just during Pride Month but every single day,” he said. Target has fallen to its lowest level in three years in the stock market, with a 18% plunge over the past month and a loss of more than $10,000 million.
The biggest contributor to sales and stock valuation was Anheuser-Busch, which gave away a can of Bud Light beer bearing his likeness to transgender star Dylan Mulvaney in April. That decision, conveniently mixed with some hoaxes, prompted a boycott from conservative consumers. According to Nielsen data, bud light sales have plummeted, falling 25-30% in just a few weeks. Many consumers have uploaded videos of beer spilling on the floor to their social networks.
The company’s management fired those responsible for the campaign and Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth released a statement trying to calm things down without much success: “We have never pretended to be part of a discussion that divides people. Our goal is to bring people together over a beer.” Nevertheless, the decline in sales spread to other brands in the group, such as Budweiser and Busch. Its shares are down 15% in two months, taking the company down about $15,000 million.
Persecution and harassment can reach insane levels. Some die-hards have launched a campaign against fast-food chain Chick-fil-A simply because it has a director for diversity, equity and inclusion who has actually been in office since 2021. The company has been criticized for giving to groups hostile to the LGTBI collective, pointing out that its corporate purpose is: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.” To have a positive impact on everyone who comes into contact with Chick-fil-A.”
That didn’t free her from bullying. On Elon Musk’s uncompromising Twitter making hate speech more visible, an influential conservative commentator In a message with more than seven million views, he pointed out in a mafia-like tone: “We have a problem. Chick-fil-A just hired a Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. That’s bad. Very bad. I don’t want to have to boycott. Do we have to boycott? AND He added, already right in the realm of barbarism: “Right now it’s only a matter of time before they start putting tranny sperm in ice cold lemonade.”
The most politically significant case was that in which Disney confronted Ron DeSantis over the law banning the conveyance of sexual orientation and gender identity, known to his critics as “Don’t Say Gay”. Disney has halted investments in Florida and is taking DeSantis to court. Gay Days are now held in the parks, bringing thousands of people together every year.
culture war
Previously, some companies were concerned that their support for the LGTBI community would be perceived as inauthentic. Now fear is to become the subject of a harassment and boycott campaign. Anti-LGTBI activists are making no secret of their intentions: “The goal is to turn pride into something toxic for brands.” If you choose to throw this crap at us, know that there will be a price. It won’t be worth what they think they’re gaining. First Bud Light and now Target. Our campaign is progressing. Let’s move on.” Popular author, activist and conservative commentator Matt Walsh has 2.1 million followers on Twitter.
In May and June 2022, there were 400 calls for a boycott related to Pride on social media. According to the consulting firm RILA Global Consulting, there were already more than 15,000 in May this year. North Face, Walmart, Kohl’s and Lego have had to grapple with such campaigns, which appear to be a reflection of the country’s growing polarization and intolerance. Dozens of anti-transgender laws have been passed in Republican states.
The harassment of inclusivity and equality as social principles is part of a broader crusade, with strong support from the Republican Party, against ESG-based investing. It was created by Republican states like Texas and Florida, but has reached the federal congress as part of the culture war that is polarizing the country. Republicans view these sustainable criteria as a progressive imposition. US President Joe Biden used his veto for the first time to stop this offensive.
More than a dozen red states are promoting anti-ESG laws that prevent public funds from being managed according to these criteria or from making bids on companies that use them in a way they deem discriminatory. Texas, for example, wants to use it to defend its powerful hydrocarbon sector.
“ESG criteria and sustainability are the subject of increasing regulatory attention in all jurisdictions,” BlackRock warns in its latest annual report. “Some states or state officials in the United States have passed or proposed legislation, or have taken official positions, preventing or prohibiting state public entities from doing certain business with entities that the state has determined boycotts or discriminates against certain sectors, or who consider certain factors.” “We consider ESG in their investment and voting processes at the meetings,” he adds.
Principles like equality, sustainability, diversity and inclusion have gone from something companies brag about to being a risk factor. Restaurant chain Cava, which is completing its IPO, warns in its brochure, “These initiatives and objectives are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which may not be foreseeable or beyond our control.” targets are criticized for any revision of those initiatives or targets, or for failing or being perceived as having failed in achieving those initiatives or targets,” he explains.
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