Starbucks has adamantly denied claims from its workers union that Pride decorations have been banned in a number of US stores.
“For the last two weeks, Starbucks workers have taken to social media to report that the company is no longer allowing Pride decorations in-store,” the Starbucks Workers United organisation wrote on Twitter on 13 June. “This seems to be the first year the publicly ‘pro-LGBTQ+’ company has taken this kind of stance.”
It said the company was “taking a cue from Target” after the retailer recently bowed to pressure from conservatives and removed some of its Pride collection from stores.
“If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack,” the thread continued. “A company that cares wouldn’t turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits.”
READ MORE: Target pulls some of its Pride collection after conservatives threaten staff
In a press release, Starbucks Workers United alleged that workers were “given a number of different reasons” as to why Pride decorations were no longer permitted.
These were said to have included a lack of available staff hours and safety reasons after some workers in Target were threatened by right-wing shoppers.
“We’re deeply concerned by false information that is being spread”
Starbucks has since refuted the claims that Pride decorations have been banned and said there “has been no change to any policy on this matter”.
“We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community,” a spokesperson for the company told GAY TIMES. “There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June.
“For Starbucks, U.S. Pride Month in June is just one of the moments we support and celebrate our LGBTQIA2+ partners and the community, and it’s our own partners who inform the commitments and actions we have continued to take for more than four decades.
“We’re deeply concerned by false information that is being spread, especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners. Starbucks has a history that includes more than four decades of recognizing and celebrating our diverse partners and customers – including year-round support for the LGBTQIA2+ community.”
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