Cowardice? I Agree
Lately, we have seen company’s fold under the pressure of conservative views and ideals. Tragically at the cost of disillusioning the LGBTQ community across the country. Not that this is anything new. The term “Bud Lighting” has been coined to describe these actions named for Anheuser Busch’s collapse to the actions and opinions of a few immature and ignorant individuals. This refers to a “strategy to crush rainbow capitalism. Boycotting ‘woke’ companies”. In the case of Bud Light, people not only boycotted the beer but actually destroyed the product by shooting at it. This came about because of Anheuser Busch’s promotional campaign with Dylan Mulvaney, a TikTok star who is also Trans. This was a single can of beer sent to Dylan to commemorate “a milestone in her transition.” Sales fell and Anheuser Busch back tracked as fast as they could. Nothing effects policy like the almighty dollar.
Conservatives Emboldened
After the success of the Bud Light campaign, conservatives are emboldened by their success. As major companies try to become inclusive of all parts of our society, others are doing their best to stop this movement. Companies such as Adidas with gender inclusive swimwear and The North Face using environmentalist and drag queen Pattie Genia as a spokesperson are helping to push us forward.
Tweet from a conservative activist, “The goal is to make ‘Pride’ toxic for all brands. Our campaign is making progress. Let’s keep it going.”
The latest in the series of cowardly retreats is Target. Large supporters of Pride month (June) they offer many products online and in stores to celebrate with the LGBTQ community. Target has been supporting the LGBTQ community for 10 years. It took a few days to change that. People have been posting videos of customers attacking displays and confronting employees. So, Target removed and/or relocated Pride items to less visible spots or in many cases off of the sales floor entirely.
Brian Cornell, Target CEO, recently told Fortune, Leadership Next Podcast, that he was proud of his company’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
“When you walk into a store and you feel at home, and if it represents the community, it makes a huge difference.” But maybe not enough of a difference. Republicans are sponsoring and passing 100’s of bills across the country that restrict or even remove the rights of the LGBTQ people, especially the Trans community. California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Target’s CEO, saying that he is “selling out the LGBTQ+ community to extremists.”
A great quote from the President and CEO of GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis.
“Anti-LGBTQ violence and hate should not be winning in America, but it will continue to until corporate leaders step up as heroes for their LGBTQ employees and consumers. And do not cave to fringe activists calling for censorship.”
In later developments, Target stores in Utah, Ohio and Pennsylvania have been threatened by bomb threats in response to these efforts to hide or remove LGBTQ merchandise. This time by supporters of the LGBTQ community. This was sent to Cleveland 19 News:
“Target is full of cowards who turned their back on the LGBTQ community and decided to cater to the homophobic right wing redneck bigots who protested and vandalized their store.”
One of the glaring problems with this is that we have established another blueprint on how the ignorant and uneducated can get what they want. Shoot stuff up on social media and use violence to keep others down. Why not? It works. They are going to keep doing it until it does not work anymore. Unfortunately, I cannot see that ending soon. When will we, as a society, have had enough? Do people have to die? They already have. When will we wake up?
