Starbucks Bans Employees From Wearing Gear In Support Of Black Lives Matter
As the company announced that it’d be permanently closing over 400 stores in North America, Starbucks also released a statement to employees banning them from wearing any gear in support of Black Lives Matter as it may incite violence.
The internal memo obtained by BuzzFeed News, reminds staffers that any clothing or accessories bearing messages in support of the Black Lives Matter movement is prohibited under the company’s policy that these messages “advocate a political, religious or personal issue.”
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While the company regularly allows or even encourages staff to wear pins in support of LGBTQ+ equality, especially during Pride Month in June, a black transgender employee counters the fairness. The employee, identified as Benson, says, “Starbucks LGBTQ+ partners wear LGBTQ+ pins and shirts, that also could incite and create violent experiences amongst partners and customers. We have partners who experienced harassment and transphobia/homophobia for wearing their pins and shirts, and Starbucks still stands behind them.” Benson affirms, “Our movements are just too controversial for Starbucks to stand behind.”
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