Target held an emergency meeting amid growing backlash to displays that show “tuck-friendly” bathing suits that allow men to hide their genitals in a woman’s swimsuit. The displays are part of the company’s LGBTQ Pride initiative.
A Target insider said there were “emergency” calls on Friday and some managers and district senior directors were told to tamp down the Pride sections immediately to avoid becoming the next Bud Light.
“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. From the front of the store to the back of the store, you can’t have anything on mannequins and no large signage,” the Target insider said.
“We call our customers ‘guests,’ there is outrage on their part.
“This year, it is just exponentially more than any other year.
“I think given the current situation with Bud Light, the company is terrified of a Bud Light situation.
“The call was super quick, it was 15 minutes.
“The first 10 minutes was about how to keep your team safe and not having to advocate for Target.
“The last five was, ‘Move this to the back, take down the mannequins and remove the signage.’
“It’s all under the guise of trying to increase swim sales.
“Everyone was like, ‘Thank God,’ because we’re all on the front lines dealing with it,” the insider said.
If @Target wants to push trans issues on kids and advertise clothes where kids can tuck or bind their chests then we must put Target in a bind by transitioning our money elsewhere or tucking away the $$$ we save by boycotting them. I’m done. Are you? pic.twitter.com/bbakme62By
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) May 23, 2023
Target does NOT deserve our business!!!
BOYCOTT TARGET!!!!! pic.twitter.com/R2YyM62rXP
— Graham Allen (@GrahamAllen_1) May 23, 2023
They’re afraid. We are winning. Target directly went after children. This is 10x worse than Bud Light.
Make sure everyone you know sees this! pic.twitter.com/v5IOIlD6sa
— Declaration of Memes (@LibertyCappy) May 23, 2023