What We Know About Claims That Starbucks Is Banning Pride Decorations

Is Starbucks the latest company to back down to conservative pressure about Pride?

On June 13, the Starbucks Workers United Twitter account tweeted “BREAKING: In the middle of Pride Month, Starbucks BANS Pride decorations in stores across the United States.”

“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,” a follow-up tweet in the thread reads. “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,” the thread continues.

These cases are most likely true on individual store levels, however, a representative for Starbucks said that the company is not removing Pride decorations.

In a statement to Newsweek, a representative fro Starbucks said:

“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.”

“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,” the statement continues. “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.”

This year's Pride season has been one of the most divisive in recent history. Conservatives are violently threatening stores and companies that show support for the LGBTQ+ community, including destroying Bud Light in stores after the company worked with trans influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

Hopefully, Starbucks won’t join the likes of Bud Light and Target in backing down its support for the LGBTBQ+ community and Pride.