Many members of the LGBT community have pushed back against companies turning profits from pride merchandise. Pride merchandise has already seen its fair share of criticism. These two are the cutest! Get these #PrideOUTLoud looks from and in select stores and online now: /P2Uv3zBf2i And while homosexuality isn't a crime in Turkey, gay rights activists have said it is not safe to be homosexual, and there are no laws protecting the LGBT community. Homosexuality is a criminal offense in India and Bangladesh. But, a statement from H&M revealed that the items were manufactured in China, Turkey, Bangladesh and India.
Each item features a tag that says that 10 percent of each sale will go to United Nations Free & Equal, a global campaign that promotes equal rights and fair treatment for all gender identities and sexualities. The company introduced its first pride collection this year, featuring shorts with rainbow ribbons and "Equality"-branded tote bags. But many argue until there are changes in the countries Primark chooses to use for manufacturing, it's not enough.Īnd then there's H&M. Primark has attempted to correct the company's image by releasing a statement that said it would be donating 20 percent of the sales of its pride products to Stonewall, an LGBT charity in Europe.
“Well, no, it’s not if you live in Myanmar.” "One of the Primark T-shirts printed in Myanmar says ‘Love Is Love,’” Steve Taylor, a board member of the European Pride Organizers Association, told the New York Times. Get Pride ready at #Primark ?️? #pride2018 /gqyffW9us6 In Myanmar, being gay can lead to imprisonment. The company has been selling rainbow fanny packs and sequined caps, but a statement from the company confirmed that some of the items in the collection are manufactured in China, Turkey and Myanmar. Massive retail chain Primark has faced backlash from LGBTQ advocates.
Retailers like H&M, Target, Primark and Levi Strauss have been known to manufacture their merchandise in countries where it is illegal to be gay, or where gay individuals are regularly persecuted.
The New York Times recently published an article delving into the manufacturing origins of some pride apparel, and the findings aren't exactly positive. And while we think it's great that more retailers and brands are showing their support, there's an ugly truth we can't ignore. With Pride Month celebrations kicking off this month, retailers have been pushing their exclusive pride merchandise collections.