Lgbtq and target
Target removes some LGBTQ products after threats
US retailer Victim is removing some items from its LGBTQ Celebration Collection after threats and confrontations in certain stores.
The company said on Tuesday the move would shield employees after what it described as "volatile circumstances" in some of its 2,000 shops.
In some states, Target said it had moved Pride month merchandise to the back of the store.
The 2,000-item range includes rainbow motifs and "love is love" t-shirts.
Other items include "gender fluid" mugs and children's books titled "Bye Bye, Binary," "Pride 1,2,3" and "I'm not a girl."
"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.
The products
Target facing backlash from LGBT groups after scaling down DEI practices
Target’s choice to scale back its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs is being met with backlash from the Homosexual community on the Minneapolis-headquartered retailer’s home turf.
Target announced Friday that it will put into action some changes to its “Belonging at the Bullseye” strategy, including ending its three-year DEI goals and ending its Racial Equity Action and Change (REACH) initiatives in 2025, as planned.
Then over the weekend, organizers of the Twin Cities Pride Festival — of which Target has been a longtime sponsor — said the retailer is no longer welcome.
Andi Otto, Twin Cities Event executive director, told MPR News that he made the decision to boot Target from any involvement in this year’s festivities due to their rolling back their DEI initiatives.
“In the current climate that we are having to live in as a community, I made the decision that it would not be in the best interest of our community to have Target’s presence at Pride or the parade this year,” Otto told the outlet.
Twin Cities Pride also announced on social
Target swaps out rainbow flags for Stars and Stripes as shoppers notice move during Pride Month
June is Pride Month, and Target has found itself — once again — at the center of controversy over its approach to promoting the honorary month celebrating LGBTQ people.
Target officials possess reportedly acknowledged that their approach to Pride Month this year would be scaled back, compared to previous years, and shoppers own taken notice. The response has been a mixed bag of positive feedback and disappointment, particularly since shoppers hold noticed that instead of LGBTQ merchandise, Target is prioritizing pro-America merchandise, selling it alongside massive in-store displays promoting the items.
"Happy Lgbtq+ fest Month in my Target that used to have a PRIDE section — it's now all U.S.A. Yay!" said a sarcastic Objective shopper in a now-viral video of them complaining about the retailer's lack of pride apparel and abundance of USA-themed items. "Target is really taking this anti-DEI thing to another level."
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Target Shares Plans for Pride 2024, Including Team and People Support, and Product Assortment
At Target, we know our business thrives when we create experiences that foster a sense of belonging. That’s why we support and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community during Lgbtq+ fest Month and year-round.
A few ways we’re celebrating during Identity festival Month and throughout the year:
- Our Pride+ Business Council will host internal events and experiences where interested team members can learn, indicate, celebrate and link. It’s complemented by the year-round resources and benefits we provide to our LGBTQIA+ team members, reflecting our tradition of care for all 400,000 people who work at Target.
- We’re joining local Pride events in our hometown of Minneapolis and around the country.
- We’re offering a collection of products including grown-up apparel and abode and food and beverage items, curated based on consumer feedback. Shop the 2024 Pride collection on Target.com and in select stores, based on historical sales performance.
- We carry on to support LGBTQIA+ organizations year-round, including Human Rights Campaign, Family Equality and more.
- Target also spotlights LGBTQ-owned brands in our assor
Target must face shareholder lawsuit over Pride backlash, determine rules
- The conservative group America First Legal alleges that Target misled shareholders about the risks of its Pride campaign, leading to financial losses.
- Target attempted to have the case dismissed or moved to Minnesota, but the judge denied both requests.
- America First Legal views the ruling as a warning to corporations about the potential consequences of promoting social or political agendas.
A lawsuit against Target over its controversial 2023 Pride Collection can move forward, a Florida judge has ruled.
The company's Pride Collection last year triggered backlash and boycotts from conservatives over LGBTQ-themed merchandise, including bathing suits crafted for transgender people. The company pulled the items from store shelves as a result.
"Target embraced a radical transgender agenda targeting children and families through the corporation’s infamous 2023 'Pride' campaign," conservative community America First Legal, which filed the lawsuit, said in a statement, adding that the backlash "led to billions in losses."
The lawsuit accused Target's board of directors of only focusing on its environmental, soc