LGBTQ advocate slams Target for falling stand behind queer community amid ... trends now
An LGBTQ advocate and mother of a member of the queer community went after Target for its 'rainbow capitalism' after the mass retailer dialed back its pride month collection due to public outcry.
Heather Hester told Fox Digital that Target's reaction confirmed that the organization was 'in this just for the money,' and that the company's recent actions are a 'huge betrayal' to the LGBTQ community.
'Rainbow capitalism is essentially, you know, selling Pride products for profit and not necessarily standing behind the community with support,' said Hester. 'That's what happened, right? There are a lot of things that go into that, but that is what happened at the end of the day.'
Target has lost market value since it viral videos showed its LGBTQ clothing - including 'tuck-friendly' gear - on sale in stores.
One controversial element of the store's pride line were swimsuits that were advertised as having 'extra crotch coverage' and room for 'tucking.' The design is ostensibly to accommodate individuals with male genitalia who want swimsuits designed for women
Large pride month merchandise displays went up in stores all over the country and, among other things, featured an expansive children's pride line, and swimsuits that were advertised as 'tuck friendly,' meaning able to accommodate male genitalia in an otherwise female-style product.
Hester claims it is important that such items exist for anyone who needs them or wants them.
'It's something that's not been readily accessible for trans people. And trans people are people,' she told Fox. 'It has historically been something that you have to look really hard to find, and are typically at higher price points, so to have something that is available and to be able to be like, ‘Oh, wow, that's me and there is something for me.''
'There's so much value in that. People are just uncomfortable because it's new. But being uncomfortable is not a bad thing,' she added.
As backlash to the extensive pride displays for children and trans-friendly swimsuits for women began, Target CEO Brian Cornell declared that the company would make 'adjustments' to its display plans, including removing displays that 'have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior' at some of its stores.'
Employees reported being given 36 hours to 'take all of our Pride stuff, the entire section, and move it into a section that’s a third the size. From the front of the store to the back of the store, you can’t have anything on mannequins and no large signage,' according to Fox.
The move came as Target lost $14billion in market capitalization in two weeks and its stock
