Prominent actor Rachelle Lefevre, best known for her role in the Twilight saga, has voiced her disappointment and concern over retail giant Target’s decision to relocate its Pride 2023 capsule collection. Lefevre accused the company of attempting to erase the LGBTQ+ community in response to conservative backlash. With Pride month just around the corner, this incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by companies that support and platform the LGBTQ+ community.
Target’s Pride 2023 collection, a collaboration with LGBTQ+ artists, features a vibrant array of LGBTQ-supportive clothing, including “tuck-friendly” women’s swimsuits. However, since the release of the collection on May 9, the company has faced physical and verbal attacks from right-wing campaigners, including alt-right internet personality Ethan Schmidt, who has accused the store of “grooming.”
In response to the mounting backlash, Target made the controversial decision on May 22 to remove the items that have been the subject of the most significant confrontations and to relocate the displays to the back of the store. The company cited the safety and wellbeing of their staff and customers as the rationale behind this move. Nevertheless, the decision has drawn criticism from artists who collaborated with Target and prominent LGBTQ+ celebrities like Lil Nas X, who argue that it capitulates to anti-LGBTQ+ demands.
In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Lefevre expressed her frustration and dismay regarding Target’s relocation of the Pride display. Lefevre revealed that her non-binary child, aged seven, had felt empowered and celebrated upon seeing the display just days prior. She tearfully explained how moving the Pride section to the back of the store diminishes the visibility and significance of LGBTQ+ representation, thereby giving in to the efforts of homophobic bigots who aim to erase queer identities.
Lefevre concluded her video by calling for better treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing that negotiations with such intolerance should not be the norm. Her post garnered attention and received both support and backlash. Despite facing criticism from right-wing individuals, Lefevre remained steadfast in her stance, urging those who spread hate to unfollow her and seek joy and love instead.
As the controversy unfolds, Target has yet to address the ongoing backlash against its decision to scale back its Pride displays. This incident highlights the challenges faced by companies seeking to support the LGBTQ+ community while navigating conservative opposition during Pride month. It raises important questions about allyship, visibility, and the struggle for acceptance and inclusivity in society.