(Corine Gatti, Headline USA) Target is facing backlash for its new efforts to force sexual deviancy and Satanic merchandise on children, removing only certain items from stores across the country, while the company struggled to deal with its own promotional campaign.
Target executives hit the panic button on the pushback ahead of the consumer campaign for June Pride month to avoid a “Bud Light situation” as consumers were livid about the store displays, the Gateway Pundit reported.
While Target did not disclose which items were being removed, the “tuck friendly” swimsuits designed for trans women and occult- and satanic-themed clothing from the London-based company Designs by Abprallen have been the most contentious and repulsive to buyers.
Abprallen’s trans designer Eric Carnell addressed the criticism of the brand’s “Satan respects pronouns” messaging, saying, “This is simply a nod to the fact that we believe in respecting everyone’s chosen gender identities. It has nothing to do with Satanism.”
Abprallen mixes satanism with its pro-LGBT activism, asserting on its Instagram page that “Satan loves you and respects who you are; you’re important and valuable in this world and you deserve to treat yourself with love and respect.”
.@Target withdrawing controversial family-friendly #trans-themed products from its stores is being blamed on vague unspecific "threats" for PR purposes. They know liberal media will focus on this instead of how they f—ked up by not vetting the artist they promoted. British… pic.twitter.com/d98kNZFKAz
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) May 25, 2023
Some southern Target stores were forced to move LGBTQ Pride merchandise away from the front of their locations after customer “outrage.” Target stores in South Carolina, Arkansas and Georgia moved its Pride sections due to backlash from customers.
Spokeswoman Kayla Castaneda said the stores are making adjustments to plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the “most significant confrontational behavior,” she said in a recent statement. But she did not expand on what items were being moved.
Target’s response is a reminder of Bud Light’s attempt to redeem itself after their Dylan Mulvaney disaster.
And “the criticism has been widespread,” Castaneda added. “Folks are reaching out with feedback…and while some are sharing it with constructive criticism, they disagree with product decisions that we made.”
Some Target managers and district senior directors were reportedly given “emergency” calls on Friday, instructing them to take action on the Pride sections immediately, Fox News Digital reported.
“We were given 36 hours, told to take all of our Pride stuff, the entire section, and move it into a section that’s a third the size,” an insider told the outlet.
According to the same insider, the first 10 minutes of the call focused on keeping the employees safe and not having to advocate for the company. But then came the surprising instruction: “Move this to the back, take down the mannequins and remove the signage.”
Reactions from the public is resulting in Target losing money since the outcry first started.
Target shares were down more than 3% at Tuesday’s close before the company announced it was ditching some LGBTQ merch. On May 17, Target had a $74.29 billion market cap as of May 24, it’s $65.95B.
“The Target Satanic Groomer boycott has already shaved off more than $8B in company value,” tweeted Rogan O’Handley.
