Target has pulled some of the most controversial items from its Pride collection in the face of a ‘Bud Light’ style boycott, but is doubling down on its commitment to LGBTQ causes and blaming ‘volatile’ complaints for its decision.
Over the last few weeks, the retail giant has been reviled by families – particularly mothers – for pushing transgender clothes, books and greeting cards in its stores.
Yesterday, amid outrage and confusion over a range of ‘tuck friendly’ female swimsuits, the company released a statement to insist the suits were only available in adult sizes.
Amid growing anger over the displays and concern about some of the designers featured, the company started having ’emergency calls’ to avoid a backlash as voracious as that which Bud Light faced for partnering with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Finally in a statement last night, Target said it had pulled some of the items that have ‘been at the center of the most confrontational behavior.’
‘Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and wellbeing 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 center of the most significant confrontational behavior,’ crisis communications manager Kayla Castaneda said.
The company did not specify which items had been taken off-shelves. Many of the swimsuits, onesies and t-shirts that sparked outrage remain available online.
There is also growing outrage over its partnership with Eric Cullen, a British transgender man, whose brand Abprallen encourages Satanism.
Target is selling two of the brand’s items – a $25 slogan sweater with the words ‘cure transphobia not trans people’ wrapped around a sword, an $18 ‘too queer for here’ tote bag, and a ‘we belong everywhere’ fanny pack that now appears to be sold out.
Eric – a transgender man – proudly shared photos of the collaboration on Instagram.
‘These have already got the transphobes infuriated with me and I feel like quite the celebrity to think that they believe this is all some big conspiracy and I have any power to brainwash anyone when I’m just some guy drawing pictures!’ he said.
A closer look at his other work reveals some more sinister material.
Badges with slogans like ‘Satan Respects Pronouns’, ‘Young, Queer and Willing’ and a lighter pin with the words ‘burn down the cis-tem’ are among other products.
He also models the ‘Satan respects pronouns’ t-shirt on an Instagram page while wearing BDSM-style horns and no pants.
In a bio on the brand’s website, he says he has always been fascinated with the ‘frightening and mystical’.
‘I juxtapose it with imagery of skulls and spooky things – an interest of mine since I was a child. There’s something magical about the unknown, the frightening, and the mystical which is why I so frequently feature these themes in my art,’ he says.
In a description on his Etsy store, he goes on: ‘Satan loves you and respects who you are. You’re important and valuable in this world and you deserve to treat yourself with love and respect.
‘I’ve been thinking a lot lately about The Satanic Temple, and to a lesser extent, The Church of Satan, how they’re so frequently misunderstood and demonised (pun not intended) and how LGBT+ people are so often referred to as being a product of Satan or going against God’s will.
‘Satanists don’t actually believe in Satan, he is merely used as a symbol of passion, pride, and liberty. He means to you what you need him to mean.
‘So for me, Satan is hope, compassion, equality, and love.’
The brand has now caught the attention of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton.
‘Even by the standards of woke corporations, Target’s partnership with a Satanist to push the trans agenda on children is remarkable.
‘The next time Target comes begging for help, Republicans should respond, “best of luck,”‘ he tweeted.
Cullen is yet to respond to the criticism
Last night, Fox’s Tomi Lahren warned Target was headed for a major boycott.
‘I think that Target really soon is about to find out what happens when conservatives shop or rather don’t shop, because they are about to get Bud Light-ed.
‘They have moved it because they well know, because we set the precedent with Bud Light, that consumers are conservative, especially in places like the south, and we buy things and we have the power not to buy things. So, Target beware.
‘I know that you allow a small minority of the population to run roughshod, but not here in Tennessee, and hopefully not in a city or state near you guys.’
* Article From: The Daily Mail
