Target and Hulu and Disney, Oh My
It’s not surprising I’ve chosen this topic to discuss this week. I feel like I have been oscillating between stages of grief for days and I am pretty certain it’ll continue. I am sad and I am angry. I despise that I am no longer surprised when companies prove over and over that they don’t know how to stand up for what is right. They don’t know how to prove the correct thing to do is make people feel seen, heard, and represented.
Last week when Target caved to threats by conservative right-wingers wanting Pride merchandise removed from stores many hearts grew heavy and anger boiled. Just a week before Pride month begins Target has managed to insult and isolate themselves from the queer community at large. They have let down their LGBTQ+ employees who once felt safe and supported but now feel hurt and confused. All for what?
I have read that Target doesn’t want to be another “Bud Lite incident” (and if, godforbid, you don’t know what that means just give a quick visit to your friendly neighborhood Google search) and to that I say, don’t be a damn coward and set an example. Target’s response to the conservative’s request was to remove partial or entire Pride displays in many of their stores. Queer artists who collaborated with Target on Pride merch to be sold had their items, their hard work, stripped from racks never to be seen, supported, or worn. Again, all for what? So some child won’t turn gay as soon as they see a rainbow? <insert eyeroll>
Days later, in celebration of Pride month arriving, what does Hulu and Disney+ do? They remove two popular shows within the queer community from their platforms. Motherland: Fort Salem and DC’s The Runaways. Removed. Completely. At a time when networks add LGBTQ+ shows and episodes and specials to their services because they know people will be seeking them out, you have two shows with great positive representation disappear from existence. Without anywhere to buy, rent, own, or stream people are left feeling blindsided and disrespected.
Perhaps their reasoning is the also deplorable “we don’t want to pay out residuals on these shows” which, don’t get me started on that (I 1,000% stand with the WGA). Either way, the optics are simply abysmal. I’m sure there are plenty of other shows that have also disappeared and yes, that blows, but when the percentage of shows with positive LGBTQ+ representation is so insanely low to begin with, it makes noise. The ripple effect is nauseating and makes the fight for good, smart, queer content that much harder.
It’s exhausting feeling continuously let down. It is exhausting being continuously let down. Let’s do better, shall we?
