Originally published June 13, 2023 11:23 am PDT
Amidst ongoing so-called “Pride Month” celebrations, the workers’ union for Starbucks, the multinational coffee chain, has asserted that the company has prohibited the display of Pride decorations in its stores.
This report was made public on Tuesday, with the union asserting the company made this decision halfway through the month of Pride celebrations.
“In the middle of Pride Month, Starbucks BANS Pride decorations in stores across the United States,” they tweeted.
The Starbucks Workers United Twitter thread continued:
For the last two weeks, Starbucks workers have taken to social media to report that the company is no longer allowing Pride decorations in-store. This seems to be the first year the publicly "pro-LGBTQ+" company has taken this kind of stance. Taking a cue from Target, who bowed to anti-LGBTQ+ pressure and removed pride merchandise, corporate and district management are taking down the pride decorations that have become an annual tradition in stores. In union stores, where Starbucks claims they are unable to make “unilateral changes” without bargaining, the company took down Pride decorations and flags anyway - ignoring their own anti-union talking point. Starbucks is powered by many queer workers, but management has failed to materially support the LGBTQ+ community. Last October, some workers have reported that their transgender benefit plan changed, causing them to pay out of pocket fees and lose access to certain providers. If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack. A company that cares wouldn’t turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits. True allyship with the LGBTQ+ community is negotiating a union contract that legally locks-in our benefits, our freedom of expression, and ways to hold management accountable.
Starbucks finds itself amid a broader backlash from conservative groups against corporations that push non-traditional ideologies onto consumers.
Earlier this year, Bud Light faced significant backlash after initiating a campaign featuring Dylan Mulvaney, a prominent transgender-identified influencer.
Furthermore, the controversy escalated when retail giant Target showcased its “Pride”-themed swimwear line and products emblazoned with satanic slogans.
Yielding to the outcry, Target decided to withdraw its anti-traditional merchandise.
The controversy has also proven costly for Bud Light, leading to a significant dip in its market value by billions.
Andrew Trull, a spokesperson for Starbucks, issued a statement denying any alterations in the company’s stance or policies concerning “Pride” or other heritage month celebrations.
“We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community,” he stated. “There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June.”
Over the past fortnight, several Starbucks employees have taken to social media platforms, suggesting the company has banned Pride-themed decorations at its stores.
This report was shared by the Starbucks workers’ union via a tweet.
In response to these claims, Trull expressed deep concerns about the spread of false information that could potentially affect the company’s reputation for inclusivity.
“We’re deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners,” he concluded.
Conservative influencer and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk took to Twitter to celebrate Starbucks’ apparent pullback.
“BREAKING: Starbucks has banned Pride decorations in its stores halfway through Pride Month, the company’s workers union has revealed. Leftwing Trans activists claim this means Starbucks is ‘caving,'” Kirk Tweeted.
“Good! Keep the pressure on, folks.”
