Target to Pull Some Pride Themed Merchandise After Customer Backlash

(KNSI) — Target says it is pulling some of its LGBTQ Pride merchandise after alleging customers are threatening to harm their employees.

The Minneapolis-based company issued a statement saying, “Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work. 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 exact items were not listed, but those named on an online petition asking Target to remove them included books such as The Pronoun Book and The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish Swish Swish. There are also “tuck friendly” bathing suits, but the company says those are aimed at adults, not kids. However, a black swim skirt is advertised as being “Thoughtfully fit on multiple body types and gender expressions.”

There is a section for Pride-themed merchandise for babies and kids, including swimwear for children, on the Target website that is not always labeled as such but is under the Pride tab.

Any merchandise Target does pull from its stores, it will also yank from its website.

In a recent search of local Targets, Pride merchandise is displayed as shoppers enter the front doors. It can also be found sprinkled throughout the shelves. Meanwhile, Fox News reported other stores still had Pride-related products, but they were moved to the back of the store in a special section.

June is National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month.

___

Editor’s note: The products listed were available as of publishing time. That may change as Target removes merchandise.

___