Target removes some LGBTQ Pride products after threats

US retailer Target has said it will remove certain items from its LGBTQ Pride Collection range due to threats and confrontations that have occurred in some of its stores. The company said the move was to protect its employees from what it calls “volatile circumstances” in some of its 2,000 shops.

In some states, Target has already relocated Pride Month merchandise to the back of the store. The collection has around 2,000 items and includes products with the rainbow motifs and messages such as “love is love” printed on t-shirts.

“Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work,” Target said in a statement.

“Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the centre of the most significant confrontational behaviour.”

A spokesperson said there had been an increase in incidents where Pride merchandise was being thrown on the floor. 

There are various Pride Collection products under review, but the ones being immediately reviewed, from US stores and its website, are under the Abprallen label, which has been criticised for using images of pentagrams, horned skulls and other Satanic visuals.