Walmart pulls back on DEI efforts, removes some LGBTQ merchandise from website
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The big-box retailer, the nation's largest, joins a growing list of companies feeling the heat from conservative activists.

Summary

Walmart is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts amid conservative backlash and changing cultural pressures.

The company removed LGBTQ-themed items, stopped sharing data with advocacy groups, and phased out supplier diversity programs and its Center for Racial Equity, created in 2020.

Walmart also rebranded its diversity roles, though it will continue funding events like Pride parades under stricter guidelines.

Activists opposing DEI policies, like Robby Starbuck, have praised these changes.

  • Seleni@lemmy.world
    31·
    23 days ago

    Really, that’s what these businesses are good for: a barometer of social pressures and cultural views.

    A poll can be twisted whichever way, pundits on TV can say whatever they want, but at the end of the day a company will do what makes it the most money. It’s the truest measure of what the majority of society thinks.

    So if being LGBTQ friendly gets them more money, they will, and if being nasty to LGBTQ people gets them more money, they’ll do that.

    Them pulling LGBTQ stuff back is far more a condemnation of society than of the company.