Just days into Pride Month, H-E-B’s reusable bags bearings the slogan “Y’all Means All” — the words superimposed on a rainbow-striped image of the state of Texas — appear to be sold out, not only in its San Antonio stores, but on the company’s website as well.
As major corporations like Target, Bud Light and others come under increasing attack over their visible support for the LGBTQ community through sponsorships, merchandise and rainbow branding, H-E-B too has become a target, with some on social media vowing to quit the beloved grocery chain.
H-E-B’s recent sponsorship of a Temple-area Pride event that included a kid’s area — perhaps not surprising, given that roughly one-third of same-sex couples in Texas are raising children — brought a wave of such sentiment.
“They’ve been doing it, targeting children in Temple, TX” wrote one Twitter user in response to another who posted a picture of the reusable bag. “@HEB say this isn’t so,” wrote that user. “Please don’t push social agendas on your customers!!”
Retailers such as Kohl’s, PetSmart and Walmart have faced backlash for selling Pride-related merchandise at a time when Republican-led state legislatures have introduced a flurry of anti-LGBTQ bills. Target pulled its Pride merchandise and promotional materials back from store windows recently as employees faced harassment and threats.
At some H-E-B stores in San Antonio, Pride Month collection can be easy to miss amid aisles filled with other seasonal merchandise like July Fourth dishware, clothing and water toys. The offerings appear to vary by store and include items like pillows, tumblers and framed prints.
H-E-B didn’t respond to several requests for comment about its Pride merchandise and whether it has faced protests or threats.
Its Twitter account did reply to a shopper who posted a photo of one of the company’s rainbow rose bouquets topped with a rainbow flag.
“You’re too sweet!!” replied the grocery chain’s official account. “We hope you have an amazing time celebrating Pride month.”
Luis Vazquez, executive director of the San Antonio LGBT Chamber of Commerce, noticed those bouquets at his regular H-E-B in the Deco District.
“There were about 15 bouquets when I went in the morning,” Vazquez said. He returned later that evening to pick up something he forgot. “There were only two left, and that made my heart happy.”
Vazquez said he appreciated H-E-B’s embrace of diversity, equity and inclusion at a time when many members of the LGBTQ community feel frightened and besieged.
Texas is responsible for more than 20% of the 500 or so Republican-led anti-LGBTQ bills introduced in state legislatures across the country, according to Human Rights Campaign, which earlier this week declared a “state of emergency” for LGBTQ Americans, “following an unprecedented and dangerous spike in anti-LGBTQ legislative assaults sweeping state houses this year.”
Last week Gov. Greg Abbott signed legislation barring trans youth from accessing transition-related care, such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Last year, he ordered state child welfare officials to launch child abuse investigations into parents who seek gender-affirming care for their transgender kids.
Vazquez said several of the chamber’s members have reported threats recently, prompting the group to develop an event it will hold next month focusing on mental health and care amid the threatening political climate.
He called the rise in anti-LGBTQ legislation and the increasing attacks on the community “heartbreaking,” but he also spoke of its resilience.
“We have endured many many years of discrimination, so this is not something that is going to stop us,” he said. “We’re going to continue to fight back, and advocate for equal opportunities for everyone.”
Vazquez also noted that inclusivity is good business, noting that LGBTQ customers’ buying power is estimated at over $1 trillion nationally. In Texas, the community numbers about 1.8 million people, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, based on U.S. Census surveys.
“Small businesses, including LGBTQ-owned, are still the lifeblood of our state, even if some lawmakers refuse to listen,” he said. “Companies are part of this movement because they see a return on their investment, … [and] employees are happier at work because they know they’re being supported.”
Just this week, Vazquez said, he’s received a half dozen phone calls from local small businesses interested in joining the chamber.
H-E-B is a financial supporter of the San Antonio Report. For a full list of business members, click here.
