PetSmart is the latest company under fire for “going woke” and promoting the LGBTQ+ agenda, according to Newsmax. The pet company reportedly revealed pride-themed clothing for the animals in anticipation of June, the LGBTQ+’s Pride Month. The collection is dubbed “You Are Loved” and features dog bikinis, butterfly cat leashes, and reptile cape costumes.
This is nothing new for the company, which has celebrated Pride Month since 2019, but critics are now calling for a boycott similar to those being called for Bud Light, Target, and Chik-Fil-A. Target is experiencing backlash for promoting pride clothing in the children’s section featuring items that say, “So happy that you’re queer.” A viral video shows a woman presenting some of the items to viewers.
Twitter users are now criticizing PetSmart for doing the same with dogs. One user posted an image of the store’s online website which shows dogs dressed in rainbow-colored bikinis. Users were quick to say that the store has been added to the boycott list.
But other Twitter users praised the display, noting that PetSmart always had pride products in their stores. One user said that the store was showing support to all people. Covering their store in pride merchandise is not enough, however. PetSmart has recently announced a $200,000 donation to the Gay Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), an LGBTQ advocacy group that has reportedly called on schools to hide students’ gender identity from their parents.
Target also donated $2.1 million to GLSEN. The group has also come out in support of explicit books shown to children in school libraries. Laysha Ward, the executive vice president and chief corporate social responsibility officer for Target, has defended the stance of GLSEN and Target, claiming that children need a safe environment to learn, suggesting that LGBTQ+-themed books and clothing is the way to best protect them.
