4w ago

Walmart pulls back on DEI efforts, removes some LBGTQ merchandise from website

www.cnbc.com Walmart pulls back on DEI efforts, removes some LGBTQ merchandise from website

The big-box retailer, the nation's largest, joins a growing list of companies feeling the heat from conservative activists.

Summary

Walmart is scaling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts amid conservative backlash and changing cultural pressures.

The company removed LGBTQ-themed items, stopped sharing data with advocacy groups, and phased out supplier diversity programs and its Center for Racial Equity, created in 2020.

Walmart also rebranded its diversity roles, though it will continue funding events like Pride parades under stricter guidelines.

Activists opposing DEI policies, like Robby Starbuck, have praised these changes.

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37 comments

Thanks for the heads up OP. Everyone reading probably knows someone who works there or has worked there themselves. Everything they do sets a weighty precedent for workers, to put it mildly.
its former chief diversity officer role is now called the chief belonging officer
... these petty assholes.
I wish this news bit had at least mentioned Walmart's White Christian fundamentalist roots. Or how they destroy local businesses and source overseas for their 'free market,' their anti-union activism, low wages, shit healthcare options, well-documented sexism and racism in the workplace, etc. In 2020, Walmart president and CEO Doug McMillon was an advisor to Trump. Walmart's political spending in 2024 alone should've been at least a footnote. Context matters so much.
- The anti-union shit is insane. I know there are laws forbidding anti-union propaganda at the workplace; but every Walmart back room I've been in has been fucking plastered with anti-union bullshit, as well as anti-union videos being shown as part of the training.
  
  Their anti-union work is legendary. Walton inspired frikkin Bezos.
  That they can talk about "pulling back on DEI efforts" in the news bit and not mention that most of Wally's workforce is women and PoC? News in a vacuum.
  They haven't "stepped back from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts after feeling the heat from conservative activists." Walmart IS the Conservative activist in this situation.
  
  Walmart had meat cutters at one point. Good job performed by skilled workers, protected by a strong union. But Walmart would rather remove them from all stores than pay fair wages and benefits, so that's what they did. Walmart will straight up close stores and exit profitable markets rather than negotiate with a collective bargaining group. It's all about control...

37 comments