Target removing some LGBTQ merchandise following customer backlash
By Mahi Education
NEW YORK, May 23 (Reuters) -(This May 23 story has been updated to correctly state Carnell's first name Erik rather than Eric.)
Target, which launched its Pride Collection at the beginning of May, is removing some goods from its shops in response to negative consumer feedback,
claiming that it is doing so to ensure the safety of its employees, the company told Reuters on Tuesday.
As part of its Pride Collection, Target Corp (TGT.N) is selling more than 2,000 items, including clothes, books, music, and home furnishings.
The products include "gender fluid" mugs, "queer all year" calendars, and "Bye Bye, Binary," "Pride 1,2,3," and "I'm not a girl" books for kids ages 2 to 8.
"We've experienced threats impacting our team members' sense of safety and wellbeing while at work," Target said in a statement.
"Since introducing this year's collection, we've seen threats," the statement said.
The Minneapolis-based shop said, "Given these tense conditions, we are making modifications to our plans,
including deleting goods that have been the subject of the most serious hostile behavior.