Target is facing a consumer boycott over its Pride Month collection which features transgender swimsuits for children, books called ‘bye bye binary’ and a handful of items made by a British designer whose slogans include ‘Satan respects pronouns.’
Target unveiled its Pride Month collection at the beginning of May, fresh on the heels of the Bud Light Dylan Mulvaney controversy.
While there were some initial grumbles about the ‘tuck-friendly’ swimsuits in the women’s section, much of the expansive collection of clothes, books and home décor has gone unnoticed.
But attention – and outrage – has now turned to one of the designers whose works are showcased, and his apparent penchant for the satanic.
Eric Carnell is the British designer behind Abprallen, an LGBTQ brand that sells t-shirts, sweaters, bags and badges.
Eric Carnell is the British designer behind Abprallen, an LGBTQ brand that sells t-shirts, sweaters, bags and badges.
Target is selling two of the brand’s items – a $25 slogan sweater with the words ‘cure transphobia not trans people’ wrapped around a sword
An $18 ‘too queer for here’ tote bag is also for sale via Target’s website and in stores.
Target is selling two of the brand’s items – a $25 slogan sweater with the words ‘cure transphobia not trans people’ wrapped around a sword, an $18 ‘too queer for here’ tote bag, and a ‘we belong everywhere’ fanny pack that now appears to be sold out.
Eric – a transgender man – proudly shared photos of the collaboration on Instagram.
‘These have already got the transphobes infuriated with me and I feel like quite the celebrity to think that they believe this is all some big conspiracy and I have any power to brainwash anyone when I’m just some guy drawing pictures!’ he said.
A closer look at his other work reveals some more sinister material.
Badges with slogans like ‘Satan Respects Pronouns’, ‘Young, Queer and Willing’ and a lighter pin with the words ‘burn down the cis-tem’ are among other products.
Badges for sale on Abprallen’s site include one with the slogan ‘young, bisexual and willing’
Other items that are for sale on the Abpralle Etsy store are more sinister. Stickers and badges which denigrate ‘cis feelings’ – the feelings of non transgender people – and Fox News are among them
A guillotine pin with the words ‘homophobe headrest’ and pair of axes calling for the ‘fight for trans rights’ are also for sale online.
A description on Abprallen’s Etsy store details the designer’s interpretation of Satan.
He also models the ‘Satan respects pronouns’ t-shirt on an Instagram page while wearing BDSM-style horns and no pants.
In a bio on the brand’s website, he says he has always been fascinated with the ‘frightening and mystical’.
‘I juxtapose it with imagery of skulls and spooky things – an interest of mine since I was a child. There’s something magical about the unknown, the frightening, and the mystical which is why I so frequently feature these themes in my art,’ he says.
In a description on his Etsy store, he goes on: ‘Satan loves you and respects who you are. You’re important and valuable in this world and you deserve to treat yourself with love and respect.
The brand has now caught the attention of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton. ‘Even by the standards of woke corporations, Target’s partnership with a Satanist to push the trans agenda on children is remarkable. ‘The next time Target comes begging for help, Republicans should respond, “best of luck,”‘ he tweeted.
‘I’ve been thinking a lot lately about The Satanic Temple, and to a lesser extent, The Church of Satan, how they’re so frequently misunderstood and demonised (pun not intended) and how LGBT+ people are so often referred to as being a product of Satan or going against God’s will.
‘Satanists don’t actually believe in Satan, he is merely used as a symbol of passion, pride, and liberty. He means to you what you need him to mean.
‘So for me, Satan is hope, compassion, equality, and love.’
The brand has now caught the attention of Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton.
‘Even by the standards of woke corporations, Target’s partnership with a Satanist to push the trans agenda on children is remarkable.
‘The next time Target comes begging for help, Republicans should respond, “best of luck,”‘ he tweeted.
Cullen has yet to respond to the criticism. Inquiries went unanswered on Tuesday morning.
On TikTok, furious mothers have taken to filming themselves in the store’s aisle, shocked and disgusted by the Pride displays.
Target released a statement today to insist that the ‘tuck-friendly’ swim bottoms that enraged so many were not available in children’s sizes.
There are other kids’ swim skirts and suits still being sold online with ‘all gender expressions’ considered.
Pride onesies with slogans like ‘I am proud always’ and ‘It Takes All Kinds’ are also for sale.
