Target’s decision to move their 2023 Pride Collection to the back of some stores has affected the national retailer’s only store on the Mississippi Coast.
In years past, Target in D’Iberville’s capsule celebrating the LGBTQ+ community was set up near the entrance, just past customer service and the dollar section. It was the end up customers saw as they came into the store to shop.
This year, however, the Pride collection is in the near back of the store, close to the men’s clothing and women’s active wear. The shelves are filled with clothing items for all people, including children. Many are designed by LGBTQIA artists from across the U.S. There’s also bags, hats, beach chairs, candles, cups and cards.
The Mississippi Coast Target store is one of many in Southern states where the Pride collection was moved to a less visible part of the store.
Target told the Associated Press the move was made “after confrontations and backlash in those areas.” It’s not clear if there has been complaints at the D’Iberville store located inside The Promenade shopping center.
LGBTQ+ community condemns Target’s decision
Target Corporation, based in Minnesota, has been a longtime supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. The company consistently scores 100% on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index.
The HRC named Target one of the best places for work for LGBTQ+ equality in 2022.
But the company is now facing backlash after removing certain items from the Pride collection and moving the display to the back of some stores.
For many in the LGBTQ+ community, the decisions made by Target appear to have been made to appease the far-right and anti-trans people who have been trolling their inclusive items — many made by people of color — and policies online.
“It is beyond disappointing that Target is caving to violent political extremists and betraying its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community by removing and relocating items in its Pride Collection from some of its stores,” said Dr. David J. Johns, executive director of the National Black Justice Coalition. “It’s giving pride pimping, which is beyond problematic.”
Johns said in a press release that the rights of LGBTQIA people could be in peril if a large company like Target can’t stand up to trolls and extremists.
“You can’t only support human rights where you are ‘safe’ from confrontation,” Johns said in the release. “Shame on Target.”
Pride items removed from Target
The Target Pride collection has been available since early May and received positive and hilarious critiques from TikTok stars when it first debuted.
Social media influencer Connor Clary was particularly taken by the “Live Laugh Lesbian” T-shirt and reviewed it for his 326,000 TikTok followers.
Clary said he couldn’t tell if the pale pink shirt “is hilariously and unintentionally ironic or amusingly self aware.”
“Either way, this is my new favorite catchphrase and I would like it to be etched on my gravestone,” he added, giving the shirt “six out of five stars.”
The T-shirt, which sells for $15, is still available online.
Target confirmed, however, that they did remove some of their Pride items after backlash ensued but would not confirm which products were taken off selves.
Though Target wouldn’t say which items would be taken off shelves to NPR, Reuters reported the company was removing items created by Abprallen.
“Tuck-friendly’ swimsuits for trans women were also targeted by conservative activists and anti-trans critics, the Associated Press reported.
What Pride items can be found in Mississippi Target store?
The D’Iberville Target store’s Pride capsule is filled with merchandise, including:
- T-shirts
- Robes
- Infant and children’s clothes
- Bucket hats and beanies
- Travel cups
- Pride flags
- Coasters
- Food items
- Pool floats and beach towels
The card collection, including ones that say “Out and Proud,” is apparently popular, with few cards remaining in the stand on Thursday.
