Is Starbucks banning LGBTQ Pride decorations? Company denies union claim
Starbucks workers’ union said the company on Tuesday banned decorations for LGBTQ Pride Month.
The company, however, refutes the claim.
The group, Starbucks Workers United, is alleging that the company’s corporate management has been asking its workers in roughly 21 states to take down Pride decorations over the last two weeks.
“If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, especially during a time when LGBTQ+ people are under attack,” the group posted on Twitter. “A company that cares wouldn’t turn their back on the LGBTQ+ community to protect their already astronomically high profits.”
The Oklahoma City Starbucks Workers United tweeted Oklahoma City union stores were instructed to remove Pride flags from their stores.
Starbucks Workers United posted a TikTok video allegedly depicting employees removing Pride decorations from a Wisconsin location.
@sbworkersunited STARBUCKS IS BANNING PRIDE FLAGS ACROSS THE US. 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. 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. In union stores, where Starbucks claims they are unable to make “unilateral changes” without bargaining, the company took down Pride decorations and flags anyway – ignoring their own anti-union talking point. Starbucks is powered by many queer workers, but management has failed to materially support the LGBTQ+ community. Last October, some workers have reported that their transgender benefit plan changed, causing them to pay out of pocket fees and lose access to certain providers If Starbucks was a true ally, they would stand up for us, even 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. 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. #pride #pridemonth #rainbowcapitalism #shameonstarbucks #starbucks #starbuckssucks #prideflag #pridedecor #starbucksbarista #starbucksstore #targetlgbtq #starbuckslgbtq ♬ Makeba – Jain
The union also tweeted a collage of posts and comments allegedly made by Starbucks employees who were instructed not to decorate for Pride.
Starbucks denied the accusations.
“We unwaveringly support the LGBTQIA2+ community. There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June,” Andrew Trull, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement to NBC News.
“We’re deeply concerned by false information that is being spread especially as it relates to our inclusive store environments, our company culture, and the benefits we offer our partners. There has been no change to any policy on this matter and we continue to encourage our store leaders to celebrate with their communities including for U.S. Pride month in June.”
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.