NEW YORK (AP) – Target is removing certain items from its stores nationwide ahead of Pride month and making other changes to its LGBTQ merchandise nationwide after facing backlash from some customers, including violent confrontations with its employees.
“Since the launch of this year’s collection, we have experienced threats that impact the safety and well-being of our team members 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 the focus of significant confrontational behavior.”
Target declined to say which items were removed, but among those that drew the most attention were “tuck-in-friendly” women’s swimsuits, which allow trans women who have not undergone gender-affirming surgery to hide their privates. designs by ricocheta London-based company that designs and sells occult and satanic-themed LGBTQ clothing and accessories has also drawn backlash.
Pride merchandise has been on sale since early May. Pride month occurs in June.
Target confirmed it has moved its Pride merchandise from the front of stores to the back at some stores in the South following confrontations and backlash from shoppers in those areas.
Target’s monthly Pride collection was also a topic several misleading videos In recent weeks, there have been social media users who falsely claimed the retailer sells “tuck-friendly” swimsuits for children or in children’s sizes.
The moves come as beer brand Bud Light is still grappling with backlash from customers angry at its attempt expand its customer base through partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney. Bud Light’s parent company has announced this triples its marketing Spending in the US this summer as it tries to recover sales lost by the brand’s partnership with the transgender influencer.
Target and other retailers, including Walmart and H&M, have been expanding their LGBTQ displays to celebrate Pride Month for about a decade. This year, transgender issues — including gender-responsive health care and participation in sports — have been a controversial issue in state legislatures, and backlash has turned hostile.
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