Dozens of big companies from Delta and Coca-Cola to Walmart are sponsoring LGBTQ+ Pride events and displaying racks of Pride-themed merchandise. But this year, the rainbow has lost some shine. Longtime Pride sponsors like Bud Light and Target have come under attack by conservatives for their LGBTQ-friendly marketing. Calls to boycott Kohl’s, Lego and Southwest Airlines for their LGBTQ-friendly marketing have also popped up in recent days. Nonetheless, many big companies are still backing Pride celebrations. Some say they want to support their LGBTQ+ employees. They also don't want to turn their back on a population with significant spending power.
I’ve been keeping an eye on which large retail chains in my town have pride displays and don’t (particularly if they did last year). Meijer still had theirs at about the same size as before, which isn’t that big but at least it hasn’t changed. It was farther in the back of the store, but it was also right in front of the toy aisle, so if right wing pressure was the issue then I doubt that’d be the choice they made. Dick’s Sporting Goods had nothing and last year they had their stuff in the center aisle. Granted, this was on June 1st, it’s possible they didn’t have it out yet…but I am not holding my breath.