Walmart stands firm in its commitment to support the LGBTQ+ community during Pride Month, even as Target caved into pressure and removed its Pride Month displays and products from its online and physical stores.
The retail company's "Pride & Joy" collection features cool Pride-themed stuff from popular brands and items created by LGBTQ+ folks. They've got Pride t-shirts, pins that everyone can wear, and even Pride-themed accessories and home decorations.
Lattice Watkins, Walmart's chief merchandising officer, said that they "haven't changed anything" in their Pride product lineup.Â
Watkins also clarified that Walmart hasn't faced any threats because of its Pride merchandise which is why they haven't taken any extra security measures in their stores.
"In this particular case, when we think about security ...we have not done anything in particular differently related to security in our stores," she stated. Â
Just last month, Target removed some of its products after facing customer backlash and employee safety concerns over the retail giant's recently launched Pride Collection.
People got angry about a swimsuit that was friendly to transgender people and falsely claimed it was meant for kids. They also criticized a line of products made by British designer Eric Carnell, calling them "Satan-inspired."
This isn't the first time anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns have hit the internet. Earlier this year, Bud Light received a similar backlash following the beer brand’s controversial collaboration with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, and the beer's sales fell by 17% in just one week.
Walmart's decision to stick to its Pride merchandise shows its support for inclusivity and diversity. By not backing down in the face of potential threats, Walmart sends a strong message of unity to the LGBTQ+ community.
