LGBTQ lawyer slams Target for standing with queer community amid controversy
An LGBTQ lawyer and mother of a member of the queer community went after Target over its “rainbow capitalism” after the wholesaler reversed its pride month collection due to public outcry.
told Heather Hester fox digital that Target’s response affirmed that the organization was “only doing this for the money” and that the company’s recent actions are a “massive betrayal” of the LGBTQ community.
“Rainbow capitalism is essentially, you know, selling Pride products for profit and not necessarily getting behind the community with support,” Hester said. “That’s what happened, right? There are a lot of things involved, but that’s what happened in the end.’
Target has lost market value since viral videos showed its LGBTQ clothing — including “tuck-friendly” gear — for sale in stores.
A controversial part of the store’s pride line were bathing suits advertised as having “extra crotch coverage” and room for “tucking in.” The design is ostensibly aimed at individuals with male genitals who want swimsuits designed for women
Large merchandise displays for Pride Month appeared in stores across the country and included an extensive children’s Pride line and swimsuits advertised as “tuck-friendly,” meaning that male genitalia can be accommodated in a product in more feminine style.
Hester argues that it’s important that such items are available to anyone who needs or wants them.
“It’s something that hasn’t been easily accessible to transgender people. And trans people are people,” she told Fox. “It’s traditionally something you have to look really hard to find, and usually 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.”
“There is so much value in that. People are just uncomfortable because it’s new. But being uncomfortable isn’t a bad thing,” she added.
As backlash began over the expanded pride displays for children and trans-friendly women’s swimsuits, Target CEO Brian Cornell stated that the company would make “adjustments” to its display plans, including removing displays that are “centered stood out from the main confrontational behavior’ in some of its stores.’
Employees reported being given 36 hours to “move all of our Pride stuff, the whole section, into a section that’s a third the size.” From the front of the store to the back of the store, you can’t have anything on mannequins and no large signage,” Fox said.
The move came as Target lost $14 billion in market cap in two weeks and the stock was cut by JPMorgan.
Hester noted that Target may be in a similar situation to Bud Light after successfully alienating everyone — Christian conservatives and the LGBTQ community. Everyone’s angry, right? And that, I think, is not what they wanted to happen.”
Pictured: Adult Pride Bikini Swimsuit – Black – $25 at Target – this suit was one of the styles advertised as having extra room in the crotch to “tuck in”
Retail giant Target’s market value plummeted more than $14 billion on Wednesday, as shares continued to fall in June
Some target workers report being given 36 hours to massively downsize pride collections in stores as backlash against the aggressive pride line began to catch wind
The LGBTQ community, including Hester’s son, denounced the company, saying, “They don’t really support us. They only care about money.’
California Governor Gavin Newsom joined the criticism on Twitter late last month: “Target CEO Brian Cornell selling out the LGBTQIA+ community to extremists is a true profile of courage.
‘These are not just a few shops in the South. There is a systematic attack on the gay community across the country. Wake up America.
“This doesn’t stop here. You are black? You are Asian? You are Jewish? You are a woman? You are next.’
In response, controversial right-wing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene wrote, “No one is attacking the Gavin gay community.”
“They don’t want their kids forcibly exposed to the radical side of pride with ‘tuck it’ and ‘tie’ kids’ clothes and messages while they’re just shopping at Target. We do not support your California child circumcision industry. Actually, I want to end it.’
In particular, some protesters objected to the extensive children’s clothing line of pride clothing
Pride baby onesies that are part of Target’s extensive collection at a store in Maryland
Target Pride Pet merchandise in the pet section of an Atlanta, Georgia store
Pride Month merchandise goes on display at a Target store on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. In the south in particular, the company has been forced to roll back some of its pride displays
Some consumers seemed to fully agree with Greene’s position and urged a boycott.
“Target is much worse than Bud Light ever was. Time to boycott!!!’ wrote one Twitter user.
Another wrote: “All Christians and religious should boycott Target. We need to send a message to these awake companies that choose 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 monthly line is a self-proclaimed devotee of Satan.
The retailer has been in the firing line for a host of other LGBTQ-related issues, including an alleged partnership with a K-12 education group focused on persuading schools to enact policies that increase parents’ knowledge of the ongoing intrusion. – gender reassignment at school.
The education group provides sexually explicit books to schools as part of its gender-based curriculum, according to Fox.