On the first day of June, which the left has used as yet another month to promote their left-wing agenda, NBC Nightly News fretted that conservative pushback against corporations shoving LGBTQ products in their faces has forced many companies to rethink engaging in politics.
Fill-in anchor Tom Llamas kicked off the segment worried: "Pride month starts today, a celebration of the LGBTQ community that this year is at the center of a culture clash that's giving some companies second thoughts about supporting the cause." This is a common talking point in the leftist media. Their allies on the left can push their ideology on children and that is okay with them, but if parents fight back then it's a "culture war" or "culture clash."
Llamas then turned to Stephanie Gosk who bragged about how ubiquitous woke companies' virtue signaling is during "Pride Month": "There’s no missing its kickoff. Rainbow flags are everywhere. There are T-shirts and hats. Apple has a watch. Absolut Vodka has a special bottle."
"But this year the landscape has shifted," Gosk said disappointedly. "Some corporations stepping into a fierce fight over transgender issues."
Gosk huffed that "Target moved its pride month merchandise, including a transgender-friendly bathing suit to the back of some of its stores after customer backlash."
She then turned to George Chauncey a Columbia University professor to worry that "20 states have passed bans on transgender medical treatment for minors."
"Does this very angry debate cast a shadow over some of the progress that has been made?" Gosk asked.
"I think everyone is aware that issues that seemed to be settled just a few years ago are up for grabs again," Chauncey responded.
The backlash from parents seems to be working since Gosk ended the segment bemoaning that "Pride organizers across the country tell NBC News Digital that their once eager sponsors are now more hesitant, growing fearful of backlash will target their bottom line."
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NBC Nightly News
6/1/2023
6:41:59 p.m. EasternTOM LLAMAS: Pride month starts today, a celebration of the LGBTQ community that this year is at the center of a culture clash that's giving some companies second thoughts about supporting the cause. Stephanie Gosk reports.
STEPHANIE GOSK: June is pride month, and there’s no missing its kickoff. Rainbow flags are everywhere. There are T-shirts and hats. Apple has a watch. Absolut Vodka has a special bottle.
GEORGE CHAUNCEY (COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AMERICAN HISTORY PROFESSOR): Companies have gotten more involved in pride as a sign of how the whole culture is changing.
GOSK: But this year the landscape has shifted.
BEN SHAPIRO: You're going get rainbow vomit on everything across corporate America.
GOSK: Some corporations stepping into a fierce fight over transgender issues. It plays out over state houses.
REP. ZOOEY ZEPHYR (D-MT): When you bow your heads in prayer you see the blood on your hands.
GOSK: And on cable news.
LAURA INGRAHAM: The same people who encourage minors to have life-altering hormones and surgery on their genitalia, and even begin transitioning without parental consent. They have done and are doing enormous damage to young people.
GOSK: Target moved its pride month merchandise, including a transgender-friendly bathing suit to the back of some of its stores after customer backlash.
UNIDENTIFIED WOMAN: Okay, these are like naked people on shirts.
GOSK: Its stock price dropped more than 15 percent in two weeks.
DYLAN MULVANEY: I got some Bud Lights for us.
GOSK: Bud Light marketed a customized can featuring transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney, triggering an outcry. Sales dropped nearly 30 percent. There are calls to boycott Kohl's because of its pride-themed baby clothes, and North Face, the outdoor company as well.
PATTIE GONIA: We like to call this little tour the Summer of Pride.
CHAUNCEY: The transgender issues still seem strange and scary to people.
GOSK: 20 states have passed bans on transgender medical treatment for minors.
Does this very angry debate cast a shadow over some of the progress that has been made?
CHAUNCEY: I think everyone is aware that issues that seemed to be settled just a few years ago are up for grabs again.
GOSK: Pride organizers across the country tell NBC News Digital that their once eager sponsors are now more hesitant, growing fearful of backlash will target their bottom line.
