Disney, Kohl's, other woke companies are disguising their DEI schemes: Report



By all appearances, normalcy advocates and the Trump administration have successfully demolished much of the private-public DEI regime. Appearances are, however, often deceiving.

Consumers' Research highlighted in a new report the trend of big companies publicly suggesting that they are ditching their DEI policies, programs, and language, but in reality rebranding the same divisive efforts under the corporate buzzwords "inclusion and belonging."

"It's the same racism under a different name," Will Hild, executive director of Consumers' Research, said in a statement to Blaze News. "Rebranding from DEI doesn't change the anti-white and anti-Asian nature of these activities. Corporations should focus on serving customers by finding and retaining the best talent, not engaging in a retrograde racial patronage scheme."

Consumers' Research, a nearly century-old consumer protection outfit that has worked in recent years to combat environmental, social, and governance initiatives, pointed out such rebranding efforts at Disney, Dollar Tree, Kohl's, Nationwide, and UPS.

'Inclusion and belonging are part of our fabric.'

UPS, for instance, previously had a page titled "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion," where the company stated:

Diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our fabric and the legacy of our founders. Our rallying cry, You Belong at UPS, guides us in creating a culture of belonging where every UPSer experiences a safe, welcoming workplace where they can be their truest selves.

The page has since undergone minor cosmetic changes. It is now titled "Inclusion and Belonging" and states:

At UPS, inclusion and belonging are part of our fabric and the legacy of our founders. It's part of our core values and guides us in creating a culture where every UPSer experiences a safe, welcoming workplace where they can be their truest selves.

Consumers' Research noted that the company — which continues to provide a 50% discount off the initial franchise fee for potential franchisees who are members of select identity groups — also continues to have identity-based employee resource groups, including for black, Asian, Hispanic, non-straight, handicapped, female, and "multicultural" employees.

'We have evolved our framework.'

Kohl's made the news last month for wiping DEI references off its website. These too were cosmetic — an effort, Hild suggested, to "keep their DEI programs afloat ... and avoid scrutiny for doing so."

Bloomberg indicated that the retailer similarly swapped out DEI on its website for "inclusion and belonging." Previously, Kohl's had a DEI page where it detailed its efforts to "embed DEI throughout our business," identified its "diverse owned brands & suppliers," and advertised its identity-based business resource groups.

The Kohl's diversity page is now more or less the same, albeit with fewer rainbows and more commitments to "inclusion and belonging."

As part of the change, Michelle Banks, the company's chief DEI officer, became the Kohl's chief inclusion and belonging officer. The continuity in practice was such that she did not even bother with a new entry on LinkedIn.

Banks told Bloomberg, "We have evolved our framework to focus on inclusion and belonging."

It appears to be the same story at Dollar Tree.

Whereas before the company noted online that it was committed to "developing [a] DEI mindset" and having its associates "embrace and celebrate diversity, equity & inclusion," now Dollar Tree claims online that it is committed to "developing [a] mindset of inspiring belonging" and having its associates "embrace and celebrate [its] culture of belonging."

'Efforts to disguise wokeness in fact confirm that these companies are well aware that Americans want to move on from DEI.'

Disney's shareholders appear committed to riding the DEI train until the wheels come off despite at least one federal civil rights complaint. However, Consumers' Research noted that the company nevertheless announced changes to its DEI programs in February "to focus on business outcomes."

With the exception of the elimination of the Reimagine Tomorrow initiative, which sought to highlight stories based on the race or sexual preferences of the people telling them, the changes at Disney again largely came down to word substitutions.

Axios reported that the "diversity and inclusion" factor Disney used to evaluate executives' performance is now called the "talent strategy" factor. The company also changed the name of its "business" employee resource groups to "belonging" employee resource groups, signaling an embrace of the new language.

Like the other woke companies, Nationwide apparently wavered in its explicit "unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion," as it too has jumped aboard the "belonging" train. The insurance company now claims to have an "unwavering commitment to belonging, respect and fairness."

"Every one of these departments needs to be dismantled and removed, root and stem," stated Will Hild of Consumers' Research. 'Efforts to disguise wokeness in fact confirm that these companies are well aware that Americans want to move on from DEI, which is why they're trying to push it behind their backs."

"The simultaneous acknowledgment and disregard of consumers’ preferences is as insulting as it is embarrassing," added Hild.

Fox News Digital indicated that Kohl's, UPS, Nationwide, and Dollar Tree did not respond to requests for comment about the report.

The consumer advocacy group's report on the woke companies' DEI rebrand is part of its broader "Woke Alert" campaign.

Blaze News previously reported that Consumers' Research offers a free "Woke Alert" text service that notifies grocery shoppers and other American consumes which brands are linked to the left's cultural, economic, and social agendas. Subscribers are notified when an organization or brand ceases to merely sell a product and instead begins peddling a radical ideology.

At the outset, the service enraged California Rep. Robert Garcia (D), who stated, "The right wing is hell-bent on moving our country backwards, and this new text service is laughable."

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

FACT CHECK: Instagram Post Falsely Claims Kohl’s Has ‘Pulled Out’ Of The RNC

A screenshot of a tweet shared on Instagram claims retailer Kohl’s has purportedly “pulled out” of the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC).   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Joey Mannarino (@joeymannarinous) Verdict: False The claim is false. A June 8 statement shared on Kohl’s corporate website indicates the retailer has […]

Kohl's and Target exposed for pouring money into LGBT group that seeks to indoctrinate children with gender ideology and undermine parental rights



Retail chains Target and Kohl's are presently facing conservative "Bud-lighting" boycotts for targeting children with LGBT activist apparel. It appears that kids' fashion is not the only thing these woke companies seek to change.

Kohl's and Target have both poured significant amounts of money into an organization that pushes gender ideology on children as well as policies that undermine parental rights.

GLSEN

The Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network is a New York-based organization that promotes gender ideology and sex-change acceptance in K-12 schools throughout the country.

The group appears committed to:

  • transforming teachers into LGBT doctrinaires;
  • incorporating gender ideology and pro-sex-change content into school curricula as a means of raising "the awareness of all students";
  • pressuring schools to implement activist-approved policies, thereby ensuring classrooms accommodate their social-constructivist dogmas; and
  • weaponizing student-led clubs to buttress their pressure campaigns.

Where indoctrination is concerned, GLSEN insists that "students of all ages must be given an opportunity to learn that the words 'gay,' 'lesbian,' and 'transgender' are adjectives that should be used with respect" and that "it is never too early for schools to set up a foundation of understanding and respect" for non-straight sexual preferences.

Fox News Digital reported that one of the books in GLSEN's "Rainbow Library," provided to ideologically compliant schools free of charge, is titled, "Beyond Magenta."

Here is an excerpt from this particular book, which describes a 6-year-old child as "sexually mature": "I was sexually mature. What I mean by sexually mature is that I knew about sex. From six and up, I used to kiss other guys in my neighborhood, make out with them, and perform oral sex on them. I liked it. I used to love oral. And I touched their you-know-whats. We were really young, but that's what we did ..."

In addition to peddling LGBT propaganda that sexualizes children, the organization also pushes for elementary school children to "explore" their "gender identity and expression"; transvestic boys to be included in girls' sports; teachers to teach that sex and gender are distinct; and the use of false pronouns from an earlier age.

GLSEN also seeks for gender ideology to be integrated into all subjects, including math.

In addition to sowing confusion, the organization insists on keeping kids' primary sources of clarity in the dark.

The Daily Caller highlighted a GLSEN guide from 2022, in which the organization stressed the importance of teachers hiding information about a student's so-called "gender identity" from parents and guardians.

"The fact that a student chooses to use a different name, to transition at school, or to disclose their gender identity to staff, educators, or other students does not authorize school staff to disclose a student's personally identifiable or medical information to anyone," says the report.

According to Parents Defending Education, GLSEN "uses a 'youth safety' message to achieve political goals."

Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, the executive director of GLSEN, said in a January 2022 interview, "LGBTQ+ young people in schools and their student groups, like GSAs, have always been the hub, kind of the breeding ground, the soil from which these sparks of activism come up," adding, "What we understand is that young people — period — are going to help us understand the vision forward and the way forward to the future."

Kohl's and Target pay to undermine parental rights and normalcy

Target — recently called out for peddling LGBT onesies for babies, "tuck-friendly" bathing suits, drag queen books for kids, and Satanic agitprop — has long partnered with GLSEN.

The company states on its corporate DEI page, "We're proud to partner with GLSEN for more than a decade, working to ensure all students have a safe place to learn. Target annually supports GLSEN and its mission to create affirming, accessible and antiracist spaces for LGBTQIA+ students."

Fox News Digital reported that Target has donated at least $2.1 million to the indoctrination group.

Kohl's, which has over 1,100 stores in 49 states, announced in December that it had doled out $5 million to various groups. Among these groups was GLSEN, which Kohl's awarded a $35,000 grant.

The company indicated that these funds would go toward "the organization’s Education and Youth Services initiatives, which produce research-based tools that enhance educator and student capacity to create the kinds of respectful affirming and LGBTQIA+ inclusive classrooms and schools that every child deserves."

TheBlaze previously reported that Kohl's underscored in its 2022 ESG report that it is in the business of woke evangelization, stating, "We believe embedding DEI in everything we do requires an ongoing journey of listening, learning, and taking action."

The corporate leadership behind Kohl's is not interested in just selling toddler-wear inscribed with transsexual slogans, but "embracing opportunities to address racial, gender, sexual orientation, and economic disparities."

One of the company's stated goals is to commit $20 million "to diverse communities from 2022 to 2025," including members of the so-called "LGBTQIA+" community, noting it had already committed roughly $8 million of that goal last year.

The two companies appear have been rewarded for their carriage of LGBT activist gear and financial support of gender ideology in schools.

Forbes noted that Kohl's was ranked as a top 50 company last year on DiversityInc's Top Companies for LGBTQ Employees, "the standard metric in ESG reports on the internal policies of a company." Target was ranked #4.

Both companies were also recognized for their compliance with perfect Corporate Equality Index scores from the Human Rights Campaign, a powerful LGBT lobby group.

Willingham-Jaggers, who calls herself "non-binary," is upset that her outfit, which undoubtedly aided with the woke companies' ESG scores, is now being scrutinized. She claimed over the weekend that recent efforts to highlight GLSEN's indoctrination efforts and the organization's ties with big businesses amounted to "attacks."

Willingham-Jaggers said in a statement, "These recent attacks from right-wing extremists show how important and necessary the work that we do is."

The GLSEN executive director added, "We cannot let a violent, angry minority hold our democracy, our school system, or our community hostage. As GLSEN and LGBTQ+ people continue to face attacks, we’re committed to our mission and to the students that rely on us, and we’ll continue to fight to ensure that every single student can go to school free from fear."

Another LGBT activist outfit, GLAAD, similarly got its dander up about GLSEN's exposure.

GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said, "Right-wing media spread dangerous lies about GLSEN yesterday and put a target on them. ... The inaccurate and hateful attacks on our friends at GLSEN are reprehensible."

It is unclear whether Willingham-Jaggers and Ellis regard quotes from their organizations' materials as constituting "attacks."

Woke corporations are finding this out: Tomi Lahren youtu.be

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

Kohl's faces potential 'Bud-lighting' over its LGBT agitprop targeting toddlers



Concerned parents and other conservatives, newly reminded of their capacity to hold businesses accountable, are prepared to once again wield the power of the purse. This time, the department store chain Kohl's is the business believed to be deserving of a chastening.

Kohl's is ostensibly in the business of selling clothing, bedding, appliances, and ephemera. Some shoppers have highlighted that the retail chain is also in the business of peddling LGBT propaganda.

The retailer, which has over 1,100 stores in 49 states, notes on its website, "We are committed to amplifying and affirming the voices of the LGBTQIA+ community, celebrating the joy that comes from living authentically and unapologetically not just this month, but all year long."

Kohl's catalogue makes clear its commitment to advancing the LGBT agenda.

Turning Point USA ambassador Alex Lorusso noted that among the company's activist apparel is a "Baby Sonoma Community Pride Bodysuit Set," fitted for newborns, 3-month-olds, and toddlers of various sizes.

"Celebrate the joy that comes from living authentically and unapologetically during Pride month and all year long," says the outfit description on Kohl's site.

\u201cIn case you need clothes for your Gay or Trans 3 month old, Kohl\u2019s has you covered\u201d
— ALX \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8 (@ALX \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8) 1685314649

Extra to selling LGBT activist baby bibs and kitsch, Kohl's also has a "gender-free fashion brand" and an activist underwear brand called TomboyX.

Like many other big companies, Kohl's activism appears to be driven, in part, by a desire to maintain its ESG score, which is based on its internal policies as well as on the degree to which it signals its ideological compliance in outward facing actions.

Forbes noted that Kohl's was ranked as a top 50 company last year on DiversityInc's Top Companies for LGBTQ Employees, "the standard metric in ESG reports on the internal policies of a company."

Target — which similarly faces a conservative boycott over its LGBT onesies for babies, "tuck-friendly" bathing suits," drag queen books for kids, and Satanic agitprop — happens to have been ranked #4 on that same ESG-linked list. Walmart was ranked #6.

Kohl's also has a perfect Corporate Equality Index score put out by the Human Rights Campaign, a powerful LGBT lobby group. This CEI score again reflects a company's subservience to the LGBT agenda.

According to Forbes, "A perfect CEI score requires donations to LGBTQ+ causes, refusal to donate to non-religious organizations that discriminate based on LGBTQ+ issues, and support of gender transition."

The company underscores in its 2022 ESG report that it is in the business of woke evangelization, stating, "We believe embedding DEI in everything we do requires an ongoing journey of listening, learning, and taking action."

The corporate leadership behind Kohl's is not interested in just selling swimwear and toasters, but "embracing opportunities to address racial, gender, sexual orientation, and economic disparities."

One of the company's stated goals is to commit $20 million "to diverse communities from 2022 to 2025," including members of the so-called "LGBTQIA+" community, noting it had already committed roughly $8 million of that goal last year.

While Kohl's is keen to push an agenda, conservatives appear keen to push back, proposing a Kohl's boycott or what some online are referring to as a "Bud-lighting," reported the New York Post.

TheBlaze previously reported that the conservative boycott of Bud Light over the beer's partnership with transvestite TikTok personality Dylan Mulvaney has been incredibly successful, as reflected by the $15.7 billion drop in Anheuser-Busch InBev's market value since April 1.

Target, another woke company caught participating in the left's cultural imperialism, has also been dealt a significant blow. Its market shares have slipped by roughly 12.6% — roughly $10 billion in market value — since conservatives began their boycott, reported Fox News Digital.

Twitter user End Wokeness wrote, "Looks like Kohl’s didn’t learn a thing from Bud Lite and Target."

One user responded, "We already know what to do. Kohl's bud light moment."

Conservative commentator Kyle Becker suggested that Kohl's, Target, and Bud Light are all "trash companies whose main customers are lower/middle class. All of them making the stupid marketing decision to Go Woke. All of them insulting Christians and normal working class parents. This will be a painful lesson for three brands that the majority of Americans don't really like anyway."

Morgonn McMichael of Turning Point USA wrote, "Kohls’s with the PRIDE BABY clothes… stop targeting children it’s gross. #BoycottTarget was the beginning here’s another to add to the list."

YouTuber "Twisted Luck Truth" was among those who first drew attention to Kohl's LGBT clothing for children:

Kohls joins Target in targeting kids youtu.be

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!