“Emergency” meetings were held by Target officials on 19 May to discuss how to address the threats made to staff, according to The New York Post.
A spokesperson told The Daily Beast: “Since introducing this year’s collection, we’ve experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and wellbeing while at work … Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior.”
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Target added that its “focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year.”
The US retailer did not confirm which products would be removed or what additional changes it would be making as a result of the threats.
Gavin Newsom, Governor of California, accused Target’s CEO of “selling out the LGBTQ+ community to extremists”.
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“This isn’t just a couple stores in the South. There is a systematic attack on the gay community happening across the country,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Wake up America.
“This doesn’t stop here. You’re black? You’re Asian? You’re Jewish? You’re a woman?
“You’re next.”
GAY TIMES has contacted Target for comment.