A top Target executive has criticized the aggressive behavior some customers have directed towards employees because of the retailer’s collection of LGBTQ-themed merchandise.
Company REMOVE several items from its collection for Pride Month in June, which celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, says a range of threats that make workers feel not safe. CEO Brian Cornell said in an internal memo that the move came after “many days of deliberation and difficult decision-making.”
“What you’ve seen in recent days goes beyond discomfort, and it’s heartbreaking to see what you face in our aisles,” Cornell told store employees in the memo, sent on Wednesday and viewed by Bloomberg. . He also thanked the service center staff for “their patience and professionalism in the face of so many angry, abusive and threatening calls.”
Fueled by the US culture wars, the mess consumed Target this week, with some critics blaming the company for the Pride Month collection while others criticized it. for creating a threat in stores and on social media. Cornell said he’s tried to chart a path between recognizing Pride Month and making changes that prioritize safety.
“For the LGBTQIA+ community, one of the hardest parts of all of this is trying to consider what adjustments we’re making to reduce these threats to physical safety. and the mentality of our team will affect you and your mental health and safety,” he said in the memo, previously reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Target didn’t say which items it was removing, but one controversial item was a bathing suit designed for transgender people. While some social media posts say the bathing suit is for kids, Target says it’s only available in adult sizes.
Target was down 2.8% at 2:43 p.m. EST in New York, on track for its sixth straight drop, its worst streak in five months.
