News & Opinion
Here we go again! Kohl’s, one of the largest department stores in the country, is amongst the latest line of retailer companies facing backlash for their Pride merchandise. Kohl’s customers have taken to social media in a wave of anger against Kohl’s Pride Month collection, calling for consumers to boycott the retail giant.
#BoycottKohls began to trend on Twitter on May 29, only a few days before Pride Month, which begins June 1st.
Source: National Review
At the center of this outrage was their children’s merchandise, specifically a gray onesie designed for 3-month, 6-month, and 9-month-year-olds. The onesie depicts cartoon people of color cheering together. One member of the group holds up the Progress Pride Flag, an updated version of the Pride Flag that includes colors that represent trans and non-binary individuals, marginalized LGBTQ+ communities of color, and the thousands of people that died during the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s.
According to the product description on Kohl’s website, the onesie is meant to “celebrate the joy that comes from living authentically and unapologetically during Pride month and all year long…”.
Most notably, conservative TPUSA contributor and influencer, Morgonn criticized Kohl’s merchandise calling the products “disgusting” and “promoting transgender ideology”.
This news comes shortly after Target faced similar reactions after several employees were confronted by upset customers due to their Pride merchandise. The company responded by relocating Pride displays and products to the back of stores, specifically in their southern locations.
As of recently, Target has lost $10 billion in market value following the controversy. On the contrary, companies like The North Face and Adidas have also received opposition for their Pride ads and products, but have stood firm in their support of their respective Pride campaigns.
How will Kohl’s respond to this backlash? Will this sudden rage be a reactive trend for other retail stores this Pride Month? Gayes let us know what y ’all think!