Target has pulled some of the most controversial items from its Pride collection in the face of a “Bud Light” style boycott, but is doubling down on its commitment to LGBTQ causes and blaming “volatile” complaints for its decision.
In recent weeks, the retail giant has been vilified by families – especially mothers – for pushing transgender clothes, books and greeting cards into its stores.
Amid outrage and confusion over a range of women’s ‘tuck friendly’ swimwear yesterday, the company released a statement to insist the suits were only available in adult sizes.
Amid growing anger over the displays and concern over some of the designers featured, the company began having “emergency calls” to avoid such a voracious backlash as Bud Light had to make. face for his partnership with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney.
Target announced last night that it is removing some of the most incendiary merchandise from its Pride collection.
One of the most controversial items was this adult swim bottom, in the women’s section, which had “tuck friendly” labels in stores. It is still sold online
Other items include children’s swim skirts designed for “all gender expressions” and other swim tops.
Finally, in a statement last night, Target said it had removed some of the items that “were at the center of the most divisive behavior.”
“Since introducing this year’s collection, we have experienced threats affecting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being at work,” Target said in a statement.
“Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing elements that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior,” said Kayla Castaneda, crisis communications manager.
The company did not specify which items were removed from the shelves. Many of the swimsuits, onesies and t-shirts that sparked outrage remain available online.
Her partnership with Eric Cullen, a British transgender man, whose Abprallen brand promotes Satanism, is also sparking growing outrage.
Target is selling two of the brand’s items — a $25 slogan sweater with the words “cure transphobia, not trans people” wrapped around a sword, a $18 “too weird for here” tote bag and a “we belong everywhere” fanny pack that now looks sold out.
Eric – a transgender man – proudly shared photos of the collaboration on Instagram.
“These have already made transphobes mad at me and I feel like a celebrity to think they believe this is all one big conspiracy and that I have the power to brainwash anyone while I’m just a guy who draws pictures!” he said.
A closer examination of his other work reveals more sinister elements.
Eric Carnell is the British designer behind Abprallen, an LGBTQ brand that sells t-shirts, jumpers, bags and badges
Target is selling two of the brand’s items – a $25 slogan sweater with the words ‘cure transphobia, not trans people’ wrapped around a sword
An $18 ‘too queer for here’ tote bag is also on sale via Target’s website and in stores
Other items for sale on Abpralle’s Etsy shop are more sinister. Stickers and badges that denigrate “cis feelings” – the feelings of non-transgender people – and Fox News are among them
Badges for sale on the Abprallen site include one with the slogan “young, bisexual and voluntary”
A description on Abprallen’s Etsy shop details the designer’s interpretation of Satan
Badges with slogans such as “Satan respect pronouns”, “Young, Queer and Willing” and a lighter lapel pin with the words “burn down the cis-tem” are among other products.
He also modeled the “Satan Respects Pronouns” t-shirt on an Instagram page while wearing BDSM-style horns and no pants.
In a biography on the brand’s website, he says he’s always been fascinated by “the spooky and the mystical.”
“I juxtapose it with images of skulls and scary things – a focus of mine since I was a kid.” There is something magical about the unknown, the scary and the mystical, which is why I feature these themes so often in my art,” he says.
In a description on his Etsy store, he continues, “Satan loves you and respects who you are. You are important and valuable in this world and you deserve to be treated with love and respect.
The brand has now caught the eye of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. “Even by woke corporate standards, Target’s partnership with a Satanist to advance the trans kids agenda is remarkable. “Next time Target comes begging for help Republicans should say ‘good luck,'” he tweeted.
‘I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the satanic temple and to a lesser extent the church of satan, how they are so often misunderstood and demonized (pun intended) and how LGBT+ people are so often referred to as being a product of Satan or going against God’s will.
Books like ‘Bye, Bye, Binary – no one puts baby in a pink or blue corner!’ are also sold
“Satanists don’t really believe in Satan, he is just used as a symbol of passion, pride and freedom. It means to you what you want it to mean.
“So to me, Satan is hope, compassion, equality and love.”
The brand has now caught the eye of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton.
“Even by woke corporate standards, Target’s partnership with a Satanist to advance the trans kids agenda is remarkable.
“Next time Target comes asking for help Republicans should say ‘good luck,'” he tweeted.
Cullen has yet to respond to the critics.
Last night Fox’s Tomi Lahren warned that Target was heading for a major boycott.
“I think Target is about to find out very soon what happens when conservatives buy, or rather don’t buy, because they’re about to get Bud Light-ed.
“They moved it because they know well, because we set a precedent with Bud Light, that consumers are conservative, especially in places like the south, and we buy things and we have the power to don’t buy things. So pay attention to the target.
“I know you allow a small minority of the population to hurt themselves, but not here in Tennessee, and hopefully not in any city or state near you.”
