Originally published June 4, 2023 1:16 pm PDT
Walmart now offers “breathable” chest binders.
QUICK FACTS:
- Walmart is offering LGBTQ products for Pride Month, although other companies have faced backlash and boycotts for doing the same.
- “We haven’t changed anything in our assortment,” said Walmart’s chief merchandising officer Latriece Watkins to Reuters.
- Walmart displays T-shirts with the phrases, “Woke Up Gay Again,” “Some People Are Gay,” and others.
- Onesies for infants feature the phrases, “I Love My 2 Moms” and “Proud Love.”
- The retailer is also selling a “breathable” chest binder for “trans, lesbian, and tomboys,” along with an array of other LGBTQ products, according to the company’s website.
WALMART ESG:
- Walmart offers “inclusive sourcing” to help “diversify and enhance our product offering to better meet customer needs while helping to foster equity and inclusion for suppliers,” according to the company’s equity and inclusion site.
- “Our U.S. businesses sourced more than $13 billion in goods and services from approximately 2,400 diverse suppliers in FY2023,” the site adds.
- ESG standards force a company to strive for equity and diversity over market demand in order to combat supposed social issues like climate change and sexual identity.
- “Walmart U.S. has established a DEI Marketing Board, which solicits feedback from a diverse group of associates across the company before marketing is launched,” Walmart adds in its “inclusive marketing” section.
- The website notes, “Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have supported the Ad Council’s ‘Belonging Begins with Us,’ ‘Love Has No Labels,’ and ‘Tear the Paper Ceiling’ campaigns.”
BACKGROUND:
- Amidst various retailers selling Pride products for children, the U.S. Department of Education wished children a “Happy Pride Month.”
- “Everyone in the school community should feel valued for who they are & free to be their authentic self,” the department posted on Twitter.
- “Our message to LGBTQI+ students, teachers, and staff as we begin #PrideMonth: ED has got your back,” the tweet added, displaying an image featuring LGBTQ items.
