In a dramatic turn of events, the entire staff of a Cinnabon store located in Los Angeles’ Northridge neighborhood walked off the job in protest against an alleged policy banning all Pride decor within the store. The 14 employees involved filed a civil rights complaint with the California Civil Rights Department, accusing Greg Reheis, the vice president of operations at 13th Floor Capitol/Pilot LLC, which owns the store, of issuing the discriminatory policy. The complaint, filed on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, calls for immediate action to stop the alleged discrimination and insists on proper training to ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
According to the complaint, Reheis sent out a message in a company group chat on June 16, demanding the immediate removal of any Pride flags displayed in the Cinnabon stores. He stated that the company does not discriminate or celebrate any particular race, ethnic group, gender-specific group, or religious group, effectively justifying the ban on Pride decor.
Vero Aguilar, a Cinnabon employee who has been out as a lesbian since 2011, expressed how Reheis’ messages made her feel like she had to conceal her identity once again, leading to a drop in self-esteem and discomfort in her own skin. Fears of further discrimination and lack of support for LGBTQ employees motivated the striking workers to take a stand and demand a safe and inclusive work environment.
The complaint highlights that the ban specifically targeted Pride decor, while the store continues to celebrate other holidays and participate in fundraisers associated with various groups, including religious ones. This selective treatment strongly suggests a homophobic and transphobic policy applied solely to Pride celebrations.
The situation at the Cinnabon store in Northridge reflects a growing trend of corporations stepping back from explicit support for the LGBTQ community, possibly due to fears of public backlash. Recent instances of boycotts and sales drops after supporting LGBTQ causes have led some companies to adopt conservative stances. However, employees at the Northridge store are determined to defend their civil rights and assert their identities, hoping to foster a work environment where diversity is celebrated and discrimination has no place.
The outcome of the civil rights complaint will be crucial in determining the future policies and practices at the Cinnabon store, as well as the broader message it sends about inclusivity and support for LGBTQ individuals in the corporate world.