'Woke' Crayola faces boycott after being accused of pushing transgender agenda to children: 'Just let them be kids!'
Crayola – the crayon company – is accused of pushing a transgender agenda to small children. The crayon company is now facing a potential boycott over the controversial content.
Crayola – which reportedly has a target market of ages 2-10 – shared images of a transgender model on its social media accounts. Crayola promoted Julian Gavino AKA The Disabled Hippie, on the crayon company's Facebook and Instagram pages to celebrate "Disability Pride Month."
"Julian Gavino, (he/him) is a fashion model, writer, and activist who identifies as a transgender man," Crayola wrote. "He was born with a progressive neurological condition. Julian is passionate about advocating for his respective communities. As someone who grew up not seeing anyone who looked like him in the media, Julian is determined to normalize disabled and trans bodies in the fashion world."
Gavino said he "felt out of control with what was happening to my body," but when he "started pushing the boundaries on what I would usually wear," it helped him "cope."
Crayola posted three images of Gavino, including one where he is wearing a leopard-print jumpsuit and another with a lime green jacket with a chain bra as well as latex pants and high-heeled boots.
Crayola disabled all comments on Instagram and limited who could comment on Facebook.
Soon after the post was exposed, the hashtag #BoycottCrayola took off.
A Twitter user said, "Crayola Has lost me a customer. Crayola CEO: What does this have to do with crayons? #BoycottCrayola."
A concerned mother added, "WTH?! No more Crayola. There are a lot of other brands to buy from. #BoycottCrayola #gowokegobroke."
A woman wrote, "Really inappropriate content for children. Usually I buy a ton of supplies to donate, this year we will be leaving Crayola out of the donation. Kids don’t need to be taught about sexual preference or changing genders while trying to color."
A Facebook user declared, "Stop! Children need to be protected from this! It is sad when I want to go against the school supply suggestions and NOT buy Crayola. Get off the woke bus. Go woke, go broke."
Someone threatened, "I guess I’ll be switching the brand of crayons I buy for my children."
One person stated, "Thanks Crayola since you've decided to make this political. I'll NO longer be purchasing your product!"
A commentator said, "Our kids don't need to be pushed through media and this is messed up. I support LGBTQ but I don't support pushing our children in these ways. JUST LET THEM BE KIDS!"
Another advised, "Stick to crayons."
A social media user noted, "Just sell crayons, is it that hard?"
However, there were dozens of commentators who agreed with the crayon company posting a transgender activist on Crayola's social media page. The supporters claimed that "representation" and "equity" were important, some said the post was "amazing" and "fantastic."
Crayola became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hallmark Cards in 1984.