On Tuesday, Starbucks Workers United (SBWU), a union representing Starbucks employees made a startling claim: the coffee giant is allegedly banning all Pride decorations in its stores nationwide for the duration of Pride Month.
According to the union, this ban was implemented two weeks ago, sparking outrage among leftist media outlets like The New Republic, who accuse Starbucks of capitulating to far-right anti-LGBTQ sentiments.
The controversy follows recent boycotts targeting companies such as Target and Bud Light, due to their promotional campaigns and merchandise endorsing transgender-friendly ideals.
As tensions rise, other retail establishments, including Garth Brooks’ new Nashville bar, find themselves under scrutiny for standing firm in support of Bud Light and unabashedly criticizing dissenting voices.
While Starbucks has yet to confirm the alleged ban, according to SBWU: “Starbucks has instructed workers in at least twenty-one states to remove Pride flags and decorations from stores, in a move that has enraged workers.”
Taking a cue from Target, who bowed to anti-LGBTQ+ pressure and removed pride merchandise, corporate and district management are taking down the pride decorations that have become an annual tradition in stores.
— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) June 13, 2023
Accounts from various locations shed light on the situation. In Oklahoma, workers were told that removing Pride decorations was a safety precaution following recent attacks on Target. Meanwhile, employees in Massachusetts were informed that labor hours were insufficient to accommodate Pride decorations.
A Starbucks store in Madison, Wisconsin took to Instagram, expressing dismay after their district manager removed Pride decorations, justifying the decision as “not welcoming for everyone.” If these claims are substantiated, Starbucks’ decision would come as a shock, given the company’s long-standing pro-LGBTQ stance.
Earlier this year, Starbucks collaborated with artist Tim Singleton to create a series of special multi-colored Pride-themed tumblers. However, the union contends that Starbucks has repeatedly failed to support the LGBTQ community, including its own employees.
The union alleges that transgender Starbucks workers faced changes to their health benefit plan last October, resulting in out-of-pocket expenses for certain treatments and limited access to specific providers.
As public opinion sways, Starbucks finds itself at the center of a contentious debate. The extent of the ban remains uncertain, but the allegations alone have sparked a firestorm, emphasizing how decisions companies make when confronted with diverse social and political viewpoints can make or break them.
