Target's decision to move its Pride month section to the back of the store after receiving threats from homophobes has been widely criticized as cowardice.
Joining that criticism was actress Rachelle LeFevre, who was in the Twilight movies. In an emotional post to Instagram, she said that her child, who is non-binary, was so excited to see the Pride section up front and center the last time they came in.
But now that the Pride section has been hidden away towards the back, she says she can't bring her child there again.
"[T]hey chose to send the message that LGBTQ+ people aren't worth protecting or fighting for."
There were those who agreed with her and empathized with her kid.
\u201c@PinkNews This fills me with joy, but also breaks my heart. She looks like a normal every day mom, but supports her childs identity and now has to explain to a 7 year old why they cannot be celebrated at target. Hope that little non binary angel still finds joy in pride month!\u201d— PinkNews (@PinkNews) 1685381100
\u201c\ud83d\udc94\u201d— indkarinne (@indkarinne) 1685525993
However, after she posted her video to Instagram and some outlets picked up on it, she was widely accused of all sorts of wrong and horrible things, as many homophobes are trotting out the accusations of "grooming" that get used again and again whenever LGBTQ+ people are mentioned.
In the caption of the video, LeFavre added an update:
"UPDATE: If you came here and posted hateful, ignorant garbage, please just unfollow me."
"I’m sorry for whatever happened to you to make you susceptible to such lies and made your heart so hardened with hate, I truly am and I suggest you use your precious life force to find joy and fill your days with more love and more joy because you clearly aren’t finding it here."
The comments are both predictable and disturbing to read.
Others focused on Target's role in this.
\u201c@qlmoffical @Target Bigots aren\u2019t contained geographically. Angering not-bigoted customers nationwide & trying to stop loud bigots with a hide/shrink strategy solves nothing! Bigots can\u2019t be appeased! Unless you cede it all to them, you\u2019re still a bigots\u2019 Target! Please do better\u262e\ufe0f\ud83d\udc9f\u269b\ufe0f\u201d— Queer Lives Matter (@Queer Lives Matter) 1685518400
\u201c@qlmoffical @Target is a private company. Any conduct that is intended to damage your merchandise is an illegal act and should NOT be allowed or condoned. Target must prosecute all of these people before the law. Businesses should NOT allow this type of bullying and homophobia. It is illegal\u201d— Queer Lives Matter (@Queer Lives Matter) 1685518400
Someone pointed out even after moving the section to the back, Target is still being targeted.
\u201c@qlmoffical The bigots haven't stopped making hateful videos towards Target even after they did that.\u201d— Queer Lives Matter (@Queer Lives Matter) 1685518400
Others said they aren't seeing the true meaning of their actions.
\u201c@PinkNews These companies need to realize that when they do things that hurt the LGBTQIA+ community, they're also hurting those of us who love members of this community, like us moms, dads, siblings, friends, allies, etc...\u201d— PinkNews (@PinkNews) 1685381100
LGBTQ+ people have come too far, really, to let this go unnoticed.
\u201cShe's so right. We've come so far in this fight and to let the bigots win isn't an option. Be loud, be heard, be seen, don't back down. Ever.\u201d— \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f Blasphamouse \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f (@\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f Blasphamouse \ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\u26a7\ufe0f) 1685532958
Pride month is June in the United States and several other countries.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram