Macy's Finally Responds To Gay Snafu

So last week I posted about Macy's pulling 2 male mannequins from their Boston Gay Pride window display. Many people sent emails and called Macy's to express their disappointment in their actions. This past Sunday there was a protest at the Downtown Crossing Macy's (Jon and I popped in but didn't picket) so the pressure was mounting.

Finally, Macy's has responded publicly and I gotta say... just in time. As Season 3 of Project Runway is quickly approaching I've been in a panic. As you know, they announced that Banana Republic is "Out" and Macy's is "In" as the sponsor of Season 3 and with my boycott of Macy's - WHAT WAS A GUY TO DO?

Well, problem solved. I will however uphold my shopping ban on the chain because seriously what they did was retarded.

The response that was in the gay and lesbian paper InNewsWeekly. Macy's East Chairman and CEO Ron Klein said that Macy's made a "mistake - unquestionably" when employees removed mannequins from the gay pride display at its downtown Boston location last week:

To the members of the GLBT Community:

My appreciation goes to In Newsweekly for giving me the opportunity to shedsome light on a very troublesome week in Boston.First, let me stress that Macy's commitment to diversity and to the GLBT community is unwavering. Our history is rooted in inclusiveness, and it is a core principle of Macy's.

I do recognize, however, that during Boston Pride Week, our actions did not appear to support that commitment. Every one of us in the Macy's family sincerely regrets that what we had genuinely intended to be a celebration ofGay Pride Week became the center of a controversy. For many years, our company has dedicated a window in our Downtown Crossingstore in Boston to Pride Week, and we did so enthusiastically again this year.

When the controversy arose over the content of our display, the decision was made to maintain the display with no changes. We wanted to stand firm in our support of Boston Pride Week and the GLBT community - just as we always have. Unfortunately, as sometimes happens in large organizations, a miscommunication occurred and the controversial mannequins were removed. Again, they were not removed because of pressure - but because of an internal breakdown in communication. Macy's mistake - unquestionably.

Some can also call our decision not to return the mannequins to the window a mistake. Historically, our windows dedicated to causes and celebrations have always been executed through the use of text and props such as posters. We traditionally do not feature mannequins in these "community windows" because the introduction of merchandise has no role in our tributes.

I would ask the GLBT community to consider all that we did do - and have done -for Pride Week and the GLBT community. We did feature the Pride Week calendarof events in our window; we have done so for many years and are committed to doing so in the future. We hope the GLBT community will look past one element in a window display and recognize the exemplary record Macy's has in support of diversity and the GLBT community. We are one of the most supportive companies in the country to our GLBT employees, including many members of senior management, as well as, vendors, and customers. Our annual support of PrideWeek in Boston and in other cities across the country should clearly demonstrate our commitment.

Am I regretful that Macy's made a mis-step in this instance? Yes. I am also regretful that some may question our commitment to the GLBT community based onthis incident. However, I am hopeful that Macy's long track record of support for inclusionand diversity will be remembered by the GLBT community and will be a strong counter balance now that the facts are known.

As a Macy's employee, I am proud that our company supports and marches in Pride parades in Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, St. Petersburg, Seattle, and New York City (where I have personally marched for several years). I am proud of Macy's participation in AIDS walks in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Miami and New York City. I am proud of Macy's Passport fashion event, held in SanFrancisco and Los Angeles, that has raised $21 million for HIV/AIDs research since 1988. I am proud of Macy's 86 ranking in the Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index - the second-highest ranking possible. And I'm proud of all the community partnerships, events, awards programs, marketing campaigns, recruiting efforts, and education and awareness programs undertaken by Macy's with and for the GLBT community.

I can tell you with deepest sincerity that Macy's commitment to diversity andto the GLBT community always will be an important part of our company and ourcommunity outreach.