American retailer Walmart has been criticised after it removed some LGBTQ-themed items from its website in a “war on woke”, with many seeing it as a reaction to Donald Trump winning the US presidential election.
The company also confirmed it would phase out terms such as “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DEI) in company materials.
It comes after a campaign by “anti-woke activist” Robby Starbuck who said the company had agreed to “remove inappropriate sexual and/or transgender products marketed to children”, review all funding of Pride marches, and end racial equity training.
However, a Walmart spokesman said many of the changes were in the works for several years and not a result of the conversation with Starbuck.
It said it was “willing to change alongside our associates and customers who represent all of America.”
Among the changes, Walmart will no longer allow third-party sellers to sell some LGBTQ-themed items on its website, including items marketed to transgender youth like chest binders, company spokeswoman Molly Blakeman said.
Walmart, the United States’ largest employer, with about about 1.6 million workers, has joined a growing list of companies that have stepped back from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts after feeling the heat from conservative activists.