Target Removing Pride Merchandise After Bigots Complained

Target has announced it is “making adjustments” to their Pride Month plans by removing some of its Pride merchandise from stores as well as shifting the remaining items to the back of stores. This comes after a small number of anti-LGBTQ customers have begun confronting store staff and managers, sometimes resulting in violence. https://twitter.com/thehill/status/1661155318259232768 From the Associated Press:

“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 Tuesday. ”Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior.”

Target confirmed that it has moved its Pride merchandise from the front of the stores to the back in some Southern stores after confrontations and backlash from shoppers in those areas.

It’s worth noting that Target has had a Pride collection for 10 years. This isn’t new. What is new is that the haters have learned that in 2023, violent intimidation works. And so, Target capitulated. https://twitter.com/MichaelEHayden/status/1661204524680245248 https://twitter.com/theseantcollins/status/1661382049222066176 https://twitter.com/AriDrennen/status/1661465807417925632

Why is @Target caving to bigots? Don’t feed their hate by compromising to bigotry and fear.

— MarleyCreek (@CreekMarley) May 23, 2023