The threats come after the US retailer removed a range of transgender-related products from its shelves
Target stores in at least three U.S. states have received bomb threats after management pulled LGBTQ merchandise from shelves amid a backlash from conservative shoppers.One message accuses retailers of being “Cowards who turned their backs on the LGBT community.”
“Targets are full of [redacted] Cowards have turned their backs on the LGBT community and decided to pander to the homophobic right-wing bigots who are protesting and vandalizing their stores,” Read the anonymous message sent to Cleveland 19 News on Friday.
“We will not stand by as the far right continues to hunt us down,” The message continued, with the author claiming explosives were planted at four Target stores in Ohio and one in Pennsylvania. Four Target stores in Utah received similar threats, and at least one store in the state was evacuated, KUTV reported.
No explosives were found at any of the locations, and Ohio State Police determined it was a hoax. Officials in Ohio and Utah are currently working to determine the culprit’s identity.
The controversy began when Target stocked its shelves with LGBTQ merchandise ahead of Pride Month in June.Projects presented include “friendly” Swimsuits – women’s swimsuits have an extra ‘pocket’ and crotch space to allow men to hide their genitals – and sweatshirts and bags read “Treating Transphobia, Not Transgender People” and “It’s so weird here.”
this “friendly” The swimwear has been mocked by conservatives online, with the London-based shirt and handbag designer accused of being a Satanist.Although he called the allegation “Incorrect,” He previously explained on social media that he is happy with the label.
After shoppers in several states toppled merchandise stands and angrily confronted employees, Target announced last week that it would remove some of its LGBT collections and relocate the rest to the back of certain stores in southern states.A source inside the company told Fox News the decision was made to avoid “The Budweiser Situation,” Refers to the beer brand’s controversial endorsement of transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, which sparked a boycott that cost parent company AB InBev an estimated $15 billion.
Yet Target’s attempt to appease angry conservatives has sparked fresh outrage in the LGBT community.California Gov. Gavin Newsom blamed the retailer “Sell out the LGBTQ+ community to extremists,” claim “There are systematic attacks on the gay community going on across the country.”
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