New York Attorney General Letitia James, D., came out with a forceful statement Wednesday on retail giant Target removing or tamping down some Pride Month merchandise in the wake of conservative backlash.
James called Target’s move the "wrong" decision on Twitter and claimed she and other state officials were "urging" the store to reverse its decision.
In her Twitter thread, James also mentioned the existence of a letter that she and several state officials signed and addressed to the company to demand they not pull their Pride items and displays from store locations throughout the country. It marked the latest example of the store taking hits for what progressives viewed as capitulation to right-wingers.
James wrote, "Target's decision to pull some of its pride merchandise because of backlash from anti-LGBTQ+ customers is wrong."
She added, "Hatred and bigotry can't win: New York elected officials and I are urging Target to reverse its decision and stand up for #LGTBQ+ rights."
James’ tweets follow Target’s decision last month to adjust its merchandising plans, especially for some stores in the south and more rural parts of the U.S.
CONSUMERS CREEPED OUT BY TARGET'S 'TUCK-FRIENDLY' WOMEN'S SWIMWEAR: 'SHOPPING ELSEWHERE'
At the time, the company forced several stores in those areas to move LGBTQ Pride merchandise away from the front of their locations due to customer outrage.
Some of this merchandise included "tuck-friendly" bathing suits for transgender individuals, as well as mugs that had the words "gender fluid" on them. Other Pride products were marketed to children.
Prior to the decision, Target held an emergency meeting to respond to outrage in a way that would avoid a "Bud Light situation," where it might lose billions of dollars in market value and revenue thanks to customers dropping the company’s products.
James has presented herself as an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ community in recent months, embracing some of the movement's more controversial aspects, like the promotion of a Drag Queen Story Hour for children.
James hosted her own Drag Story Hour for New York families in March, which was sponsored by The Brooklyn Public Library and several LGBTQ groups.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, D., also promoted the event, saying, "Drag storytellers, and the organizations that support them, are advancing a love of diversity, personal expression, and literacy that are core to what our city embraces… I thank Attorney General James for hosting this event that clearly says New York City is the place where you can be yourself and love who you want."
