More than 200 LGBTQ groups demand Target RESTOCK 'tuck-friendly' swimsuits and Pride merchandize
More than 200 LGBTQ groups are demanding Target restock its controversial Pride merchandise and take a stand against 'extremists' within 24 hours.
The Human Rights Campaign, along with GLAAD and the controversial GLSEN released a statement Monday, asking the retail giant and other businesses, including Bud Light brewer Anheuser-Bush, to 'reject and speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism going into Pride Month.'
Over 200 other progressive organizations also signed the statement, arguing that showing support for the community is good for business. It is not clear what action the coalition will take if Target fails to back the LGBTQ+ community within 24 hours.
But Target has lost $14 billion in market value since it was revealed that the chain was selling 'tuck-friendly' women's bathing suits and Anheuser-Busch lost more than $15 billion since TikToker Dylan Mulvaney posted an ad for Bud Light in early April.
It comes as Stephen Miller's America First Legal is demanding Target turn over all corporate books and records detailing its promotion of LGBTQ products and its decline in market value.
Target has lost billions of dollars in market capitalization in the span of a few days as it continues to face backlash for a Pride-themed clothing line
Target sold 'tuck-friendly' women's bathing suits, and a tweet inaccurately claimed it was also selling such bathing suits to children
As conservatives and moderates started to boycott Target last month, several stores in the South decided to move their Pride displays to smaller areas in the back.
CEO Brian Cornell also released a statement saying that the company had pulled several 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,' the firm said in its 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.'
But the decision spurred further backlash, this time by LGBTQ+ advocates.
Now, the coalition of pro-LGBTQ organizations is calling on Target to restock all of its Pride merchandise, ensure the safety of Target employees and release a statement.
The group wrote: 'We’re calling on Target to: (a) release a public statement in the next 24 hours reaffirming their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community (b) put Pride merchandise back on the sales floor and online in full (c) ensure safety of team members who are on the front lines.'
The letter added: 'When it comes to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, there is no such thing as neutrality.'
It claims that those who are supporting the ongoing boycott are 'extremists.'
'Their goal is clear: to prevent LGBTQ+ inclusion and representation, silence our allies and make our community invisible,' the groups argue.
'These attacks fuel hate against LGBTQ+ people just as we've seen this year with more than 500 anti LGBTQ+ bills that restrict basic freedoms and aim to erase LGBTQ+ people.'
The coalition also suggested it would continue to support Target and any other corporation that rejects criticism.
'Target, and all businesses, can leverage the support of LGBTQ+ organizations to navigate this hate, so that together, we can let extremists know unequivocally that just as with every other failed anti-LGBTQ+ campaign of the past, fear will not win.'
Since partnering with Mulvaney, Bud Light's parent company Anheuser-Busch has faced boycotts and declining sales
Following backlash, Target's CEO announced that it was removing some of the more controversial items from the shelves. A Pride adult bikini is seen here, still available on its website
The pro-LGBTQ+ organizations branded those that are speaking out against the Pride display 'extremists.' MAGA rapper Forgiato Blow is pictured with an unnamed woman at a boycott of the chain in Midtown Miami earlier this month
Target earlier faced similar backlash from Erik Carnell, a transgender man and Satanist, who designed much of the merchandise for the chain's Pride Month line.
The British designer, whose slogans include 'Satan loves pronouns,' said none of the clothes he designed for Target were 'Satanic.'
He also argued that companies like Target that launch products and campaigns for Pride Month seek to profit from LGBTQ people but fail to stand by them when challenges arise
'It's a very dangerous precedent to set, that if people just get riled up enough about the products that you're selling, you can completely distance yourself from the LGBT community, when and if it's convenient,' said Carnell.
'If you're going to take a stance and say that you care about the LGBT community, you need to stand by that regardless.'
Erik Carnell (pictured) is a transgender designer and artist whose products were pulled by U.S. retailer Target from its Pride Collection amid backlash from some customers
He denied that any of the clothes he designed for Target were 'Satanic.' Some Pride Month clothes for children are seen at a store in Austin, Texas
Target had been vocal about its support for LGBTQ groups in the past, creating Pride Month displays for years.
It also donated over $2.1 million to the pro-gay organization GLSEN, whose policies include ensuring school staff should 'ensure that all personally identifiable and medical information relating to transgender and nonbinary students is kept confidential'.
The retail chain says on its website that the organization 'leads the movement in creating affirming, accessible and anti-racist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students.
'We are proud of 10+ years of collaboration with GLSEN and continue to support their mission.'
But the company did not mention that its vice president for brand management, Carlos Saavedra, 43, also volunteers as a director for the organization.
He joined target in July 2019 and was made Vice President, Brand Management in January 2021, according to his LinkedIn page.
His profile says he joined GLSEN as a board member in May 2019 and was elected to the executive committee as treasurer in November 2021.
Saavedra's profile explains the organization's mission is 'helping create safe spaces in schools for LGBTQIA+ students'.
Carlos Saavedra, 43, is Target's vice president for brand management and also volunteers as a director at GLSEN, which supports LGBTQ youth in schools
Police officers stood outside a Target store in Miami as people protested across the street
But as news of Target's 'tuck-friendly' bikinis spread on social media value has plummeted by $14 billion.
And despite efforts by the brand to backpedal on its disastrous campaign, continuous stock falls led JPMorgan to downgrade its stock from 'neutral' to 'overweight,' citing 'too many concerns rising'.
'We continue to believe that the consumer is broadly weakening while the share of wallet shift away from goods (51% of [Target’s] sales) is ongoing,' wrote JPMorgan analyst Christopher Horvers, according to MarketWatch.
Horvers also cited 'recent company controversies' as the reason Target has suffered devastating financial losses, which came after 'an impressive run of 12 consecutive positive quarters'.
Now, ex-presidential advisor Miller's America First Legal is formally demanding Target be transparent about its 'radical LGBT political agenda.'
It is asking the company to turn over all corporate books and records detailing its promotion of LGBTQ products and its decline in market value.
'For Target to voluntarily and aggressively associate itself with this movement is an act of sabotage against Target shareholders and a destroyer of value — including for countless Americans for whom shares of Target are part of the pension funds, mutual funds and retirement accounts on which they depend,' Miller said in a statement.
'America First Legal is proud to represent American shareholders financially harmed by Target's descent into gender extremism and child exploitation,' he added.
Source: Daily Mail
