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Old Navy sells gay pride t-shirts, but only in twenty-six stores
By Jessica GentileMay 31st, 2011, 10:00 pmComments (17)
It's pretty awesome to see a nationwide retailer get in on the gay-pride action. But it's also disappointing to find out that their LGBT support only spans twenty-six stores (out of over a thousand) in only sixteen states. Old Navy, everyone's favorite vendor of one-dollar flip-flops, is currently selling t-shirts with rainbow-colored messages like "Love Proudly" on them, and donating ten-percent of the proceeds towards the It Gets Better campaign. But they're only being sold at a fraction of their stores, mostly those in urban areas, leaving kids in Kentucky stuck with nothing but those garish American-flag tees.
So is this an attempt to avoid anti-gay boycotts from red-state America? Or are they just trying to cash in on LGBT-friendly regions of the U.S.? Neither, actually, at least according to the company. Old Navy says that like all new products, the t-shirts are enjoying a test run in several markets, and if they sell well, they'll likely be distributed at more stores. According to a message on their Facebook page:
While we understand your frustration at the limited numbers of stores that will carry this line of shirts, please know that this is a step in the right direction. With enough positive feedback, it’s possible that we will continue this tradition next year and have the product available in even more locations. Feel free to spread the word and have your friends send their positive requests to expand the availability!
Hmm, it's easy to be skeptical, but let's hope they stick to their word. America could surely use all the gay-friendly exposure it can get.
Commentarium (17 Comments)
I guess that is better than not selling them anywhere.
that's great that they are selling them and totally fair that they choose to sell them where they think they will actually sell. It's misguided liberal idealism to suggest they sell them in places where they simply won't sell. You sound young and inexperienced to suggest otherwise.
I think for a store with a customer base like Old Navy's even selling them in 26 stores is a huge step. They're going to be feeling the backlash from crazies whether the stores in their areas carry the shirts or not, I'm guessing the reason they're not putting them in all of their locations is simply because they don't want to be stuck with a bunch of "pride 2011" shirts that aren't going to sell.
I love how the liberals want everyone to accept everybody. To each his own, right? It's actually "to each his own, as long as you agree with me." If you are a liberal, stop and think about it. Is not that pretty much the reaction? (As evidenced by "backlash from the crazies".) I'm a Christian nurse working in pulmonary intensive care unit. I will continue to take care of those suffering the ravages of AIDS with love and compassion. You keep screaming out there but anytime you want to come in and visit the men, women and children hurt by this disease....well, I'm sure they'd appreciate it. Don't bother spewing your hate at me. My patients are some of the most wonderful people you'd care to meet. Occasionally we get the hater that blames everyone else for their predicament but not too often. I do what I do because I care. We are all God's children. Many of my patients are repeat patients so we get to know them pretty well. We do get attached to each other. I'm invited to their homes and I try to make time to go. A few over the years we've had for dinner at my house. I don't have to condone the lifestyle to have the friendship. You can love the sinner (who is not a sinner?), but hate the sin. I try to attend the funerals of those who have become friends and those who families and partners have abandoned them. I don't want people to die alone. I love and obey God. I believe there is a right and a wrong. Just because we don't use the word "sin" anymore, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I believe God loves us in spite of who we are. Spew your liberal hatred at me if you want. It doesn't really matter. I'm married to a liberal who used to proudly tell me how liberals are great about being able to see things and UNDERSTAND things from both sides. That is not what I've witnessed in the eleven years we've been married. My husband is an amazing, wonderful man but what I see in his news media is more mocking than trying to understand. Very sad. I won't be buying Old Navy or Gap. They may never know they've lost my account. It doesn't matter. You stand by what you believe and allow me to stand by what I believe. Actually, follow your "to each his own". Name calling is typical. How about actually engaging in real conversations. The liberals will find the "crazies" can be pretty decent people. The "crazies" will find the liberals aren't all evil. Some are pretty decent people. Whoa! Decent people on both sides of the aisles? Now there's a thought! Maybe, if we moved the career politicians out of the way we could find that out.
old navy still exists?
Gays don't do GAP?
GAP stands for Gay And Proud. Or perhaps Guys Against Pussy.
GAP actually stands for Ghetto Asian Pap.
This is common in the fashion industry, and not simply because of the content. Retailers will always sell where they think they can make a profit. Obviously small cities in the South are not going to buy these shirts, so why waste money manufacturing, shipping, and distributing these to stores where they aren't going to sell. Like they said, if these shirts end up selling well, I'm sure they will move to other stores in liberal areas.
Are they planning on selling Straight Pride shirts in the Bay area? Oh wait, that's wrong, isn't it. I shouldn't be proud to be straight because that makes me a hater. That's what they get for electing me Prom King and not Queen in high school. Damn, what's a neo-con to do once I untwist my panties? So everybody is lauding Old Navy for not having the balls to go all or nothing? Way to go Old Navy! The pro-gay movement actually loves it when somebody is curious and wants to experiment before they commit to it. I'm sure O.N. has always been pro-gay from it's inception, it's just now realizing that it's okay to come out.
Your comment is completely incomprehensible.
It's not their fault that you can't read, hrm.
You'll never be cool, Old Navy, just stop.
Smart move, following in the footsteps of Lady Gaga and exploiting the gay community for financial gain. Now that it's a proven market strategy watch for this type of thing to pop up everywhere.
Only a matter of time until McDonalds releases rainbow colored "Pride" McNuggets.
Now WHICH states are selling the shirts?
That's rlealy thinking out of the box. Thanks!