Walmart is ending some of its diversity initiatives, including removing LGBTQ-related merchandise from its website and winding down a nonprofit that funded programs for minorities. This decision comes as the company, along with other businesses, faces pressure from conservative activists and the fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision on affirmative action programs. Companies like Tractor Supply, Lowe’s, Ford, and Molson Coors have also scaled back their diversity and inclusion efforts in recent months.
Walmart stated that it is willing to change alongside its associates and customers to foster a sense of belonging, to provide opportunities for all, and to be inclusive. The company will no longer allow third-party sellers to list certain LGBTQ-themed items on its website, and has stopped sharing data with organizations like the Human Rights Campaign. Walmart has also phased out supplier diversity programs and moved away from using the term “diversity, equity and inclusion” in its documents and employee titles.
Despite these changes, Walmart will continue to support events like Pride parades and provide funding with more guidelines on how it can be used. The decision to make these changes follows pressure from conservative activist Robby Starbuck, who had threatened a consumer boycott of Walmart. Starbuck praised Walmart’s changes as a victory in the effort to end corporate “wokeness.” Walmart had engaged in conversations with Starbuck and had already begun making some DEI-related changes prior to their interaction.
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