“When it comes to businesses giving into pressure by extremists, what does that mean for our community going forward?” he said. Stephen Elcock of Scottdale, president of the three-year-old Scottdale Pride Community group, expressed concern about the rising backlash against Pride merchandise and how some businesses have reacted to it by pulling or repositioning products. “I had people complaining, ‘You do USA Pride (apparel), but you don’t do the other (LGBTQIA) stuff.’” “Last year, we didn’t vocalize it as much,” Zimmerman said. It’s the second year she’s stocked special Vans merchandise for Pride Month, and she prepares by ordering the items eight months in advance. “I’d probably say a fourth of our customers are from the LGBTQ community.” “I’ve sold an entire stack of shirts,” co-owner Stacie Zimmerman said. “Oh no, your daughter might see a rainbow,” one person responded, adding, “Hot Topic had pride merchandise in the 90s!”Ī third mall store, locally-owned Rock Star, was sold out of its Pride-themed stickers and saw good demand for Vans brand Pride shirts. When the Hot Topic chain posted on its Facebook page on May 29 to advertise rainbow-accented jewelry “to wear with pride,” a pastor commented, “It’s getting to where I can’t walk my daughter through the mall.” “We have had a Pride display for as long as I can remember,” said assistant manager Arden, who declined to provide a last name. Messages left with the two retailers’ corporate media relations staff weren’t immediately returned.Īt another clothing store at Westmoreland Mall, Hot Topic, a display of Pride-related items close to the entrance recently featured everything from socks to “rainbow slime.” Representatives at the Hempfield Target and PetSmart stores contacted by the Tribune-Review declined to comment further on the issue. Newsweek reported the PetSmart chain drew fire from some on social media, including calls for a boycott, targeting the pet retailer’s “You Are Loved” collection of Pride-themed items. Target moved its Pride merchandise from the front of stores to the back in some Southern locations after confrontations and outcry from shoppers in those areas, according to the report. Painter said he believes that placement was made to help ensure the safety of the store’s staff after what Target experienced.Ĭiting staff safety and well-being concerns, Target removed some Pride-related merchandise from its stores nationwide after aggressive backlash in May from some customers who confronted workers, tipped over displays and posted threatening videos on social media from inside stores, the Associated Press reported. ![]() Comparing notes with managers of other stores in the chain, he concluded, “Our collection this year was targeted more for people that support this (LGBTQIA) community versus the actual community itself.”Ī recent visit to the Hempfield Rue 21 found Pride merchandise displayed well back from the front of the store. “Fortunately, we haven’t had anyone come in and say anything nasty about it,” store manager Alex Painter said of the Rue 21 Pride inventory at the Hempfield mall, though he noted the items haven’t been flying off the shelf. ![]() Many items feature the colors of the rainbow flag that is a symbol of LGBTQIA pride. Not everyone is taking to heart such messages supporting the LGBTQIA community during June, as evidenced by recent backlash against some major retailers that are offering Pride-themed items for sale. ![]() “Love wins” and “Love is love” are among the messages adorning apparel displayed in recognition of Pride Month at Rue 21, a chain clothing store at Westmoreland Mall.
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