Ozaukee County News

The retail chain Target announced plans Wednesday to remove controversial items from its collection celebrating Pride Month after calls for boycotts and a viral post from a Wisconsin activist who said she was “done” with the company.

Wisconsin activist Scarlett Johnson’s social media post on Twitter criticized Target for allowing sales on its online store “from Abprallen, a London-based designer of products that sometimes mix imagery and messages about gender with the macabre,” The Daily Wire said. Johnson specifically took issue with Abprallen’s products that included “Satan respects pronouns” T-shirt, a skeleton draped in rainbow colors and a “Trans Witches For Abortion” badge.

“Why did @target hire a satanist to design pieces for their recent ‘Pride’ clothing line,” Johnson tweeted. 

In thanking Wisconsin Right Now for reporting on the issue, Johnson tweeted, “I hope Wisconsin residents think twice before they give @target their business.” 

Abprallen’s Facebook page said selling the products “in Target stores is incredibly exciting.”

Target said in a statement Wednesday the retailer “has offered an assortment of products” celebrating June as Pride Month for more than 10 years.

“Since introducing this year's collection, we've experienced threats impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being while at work,” Target said. “Given these volatile circumstances, we are making adjustments to our plans, including removing items that have been at the center of the most significant confrontational behavior. 

"Our focus now is on moving forward with our continuing commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community and standing with them as we celebrate Pride Month and throughout the year,” the retailer added.

Some activists have been outraged by Target’s trans line, particularly with the inclusion of a tuck-friendly swimsuit for adults. The collection's children's apparel, which is also facing backlash, features slogans like “Just be you” and “Trans people will always exist!”, NBC News said.