On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) claimed, with no evidence, that a “systematic attack” is being perpetuated against pro-LGBTQ groups.
As Fox Business reports, Newsom was responding to the recent controversy involving the retail giant Target, where the company initially debuted pro-trans clothing for the upcoming month of June, which is known as “pride month.”
However, after the selection of clothing featuring “tuck-friendly” swimsuits and pro-trans clothing aimed at children received widespread backlash from customers, the company resorted to moving these displays to the back of the store in many locations.
Newsom accused Target of “selling out the LGBTQ+ community to extremists,” further claiming that tThis isn’t just a couple stores in the South. There is a systematic attack on the gay community happening across the country.”
“Wake up America,” he continued. “You’re next.”
The company has since claimed that the decision to move the trans clothing to the back of the stores only happened in a few locations in the Southern U.S., prompting Newsom’s claim that it was more widespread than just that region. However, it has since been confirmed that the decision did take place primarily in stores located in the states of Arkansas, Georgia, and South Carolina.
The backlash against Target follows a large-scale boycott against the beer company Bud Light, after the brand started a partnership campaign with Dylan Mulvaney, a male actor who has spent the last year pretending to be a female, complete with cans featuring Mulvaney’s face. The boycott has led to plunging sales for Bud Light, to the point that the company has been forced to buy back cases of unsold beer that expired on store shelves.