Florida Target moves pride display to back of store
LAKE MARY, Fla. (FLV) – Target has moved a Pride month display to the back of the story at a Lake Mary’s Target store following recent controversy, according to reports.
Across the nation, the company is moving LGBTQ “pride” merchandise from the front of the stores to the back after reports of confrontations and recent worries of falling revenue.
The company has reportedly removed items that are “at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior.”
There have been alleged incidents of people confronting workers in stores, knocking down Pride merchandise displays and threatening posts on social media with video from inside stores, according to the Wall Street Journal.
“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 to USA TODAY.
”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,” the company said.
Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, tweeted, “Target workers are now being THREATENED for having #Pride gear. What on Earth is wrong with people? If you don’t like Pride merchandise… don’t buy it! Move on!”
Target workers are now being THREATENED for having #Pride gear.
— Rep. Anna V. Eskamani 🔨 (@AnnaForFlorida) May 24, 2023
What on Earth is wrong with people? 🤦🏽♀️
If you don’t like Pride merchandise… don’t buy it! Move on! https://t.co/bCoD5btdHm
Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice tweeted a photo of a shirt that said “free mom hugs.”
“You wear this shirt and try to give my kids “free Mom hugs” – it’s not going to be pretty for you. Why @Target? So many of your customers are Moms. Why are you pushing us out as customers? It doesn’t make sense. This is a shirt for a predator,” Justice said.
You wear this shirt and try to give my kids “free Mom hugs” – it’s not going to be pretty for you.
— Tiffany Justice (@4TiffanyJustice) May 25, 2023
Why @Target?
So many of your customers are Moms. Why are you pushing us out as customers? It doesn’t make sense.
This is a shirt for a predator. 👇 pic.twitter.com/qHYxQass54
President of the Human Rights Campaign Kelley Robinson released a statement regarding the merchandise removal.
“Target should not be responding so easily to criticism and threats from the likes of the Proud Boys. Target should put the products back on the shelves and ensure their Pride displays are visible on the floors, not pushed into the proverbial closet. That’s what the bullies want. Target must be better,” Robinson said.
