(Fox News) More than 200 LGBTQ groups angered by Target’s decision to pull Pride merchandise from shelves are demanding the company “denounce extremists” and restock all the Pride merchandise in stores and online.
The Human Rights Campaign, along with GLAAD, GLSEN and other groups, released a statement asking Target and other businesses like Anheuser-Busch to “reject and speak out against anti-LGBTQ+ extremism going into Pride Month.” More than 200 other progressive and LGBTQ organizations signed on to the statement, which argued that showing support for their community was good for business.
The organizations laid out a three-part demand that calls on Target to restock all the Pride merchandise both in stores and online, ensure the safety of Target employees and release a statement “reaffirming their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community” within 24 hours.
Target Pride Month display (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The coalition suggested they would continue to support Target and other businesses who rejected criticism from consumers.
“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,” the statement reads.
Target displays LGBTQ-themed apparel annually leading into June. However, the retail giant came under increased scrutiny after consumers noticed stores selling “tuck-friendly” women’s bathing suits for transgender people and Pride apparel for children and infants.
The company responded to widespread backlash over the Pride merchandise by moving some Pride products to less prominent sections of the store and removing other merchandise altogether. Target said it moved the products to ensure employees’ safety.
Many Target locations across the country feature June Pride month displays on an annual basis. (Brian Flood/Fox News)
Several of the designers who partnered with the company spoke to the media about their disappointment in the company not standing by their products when faced with backlash.
“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,” Abprallen designer Erik Carnell told Reuters.
Another designer for the Pride collection said Target had removed most of their collection from stores “due to threats from domestic terrorists.”
