Activist group says Starbucks removed PRIDE decorations, but company denies it.

Starbucks Accused of Dialing Back LGBTQ-Themed Decor During PRIDE Month

Starbucks, the popular coffee retailer, has been accused by an activist group of toning down PRIDE displays in its franchises across the United States, with two weeks still left to go of PRIDE month. However, Starbucks has denied the claim.

The group, Starbucks Workers United, took to Twitter to share the news, stating that management in several Starbucks franchises had opted to remove PRIDE decorations. They attributed the apparent change in policy to the recent backlash and boycotts aimed at retail giant Target over PRIDE displays that featured “coming out” greeting cards and “tuck-friendly” and “binding” swimwear for trans-identifying children. The group suggested that Starbucks was trying to avoid a similar drop-off in market capitalization.

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. This seems to be the first year the publicly “pro-LGBTQ+” company has taken this kind of stance.

— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) June 13, 2023

Starbucks Workers United argued that union stores should not have been able to take down the decorations without first returning to the bargaining table, but that many had done so anyway. They also attacked management for allegedly adopting changes to transgender insurance benefits that reportedly put a greater financial burden on the employees.

If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack. A company that cares wouldn’t turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits.

— Starbucks Workers United (@SBWorkersUnited) June 13, 2023

The group concluded that “true allyship with the LGBTQ+ community is negotiating a union contract that legally locks-in our benefits, our freedom of expression, and ways to hold management accountable.”

Starbucks has since denied claims that any stores were told to remove PRIDE decorations, telling Florida’s Voice, “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.”

Takeaway

• Starbucks has been accused of dialing back PRIDE displays in its franchises across the United States.
• Activist group Starbucks Workers United has suggested that Starbucks is trying to avoid a drop-off in market capitalization.
• Starbucks has denied the claims, stating that it has a history of recognizing and celebrating diversity.

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