Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Pride of place
Retailer sticks to its guns after social media outcry
Now let’s have all our major retailers set up their displays too FACEBOOK COMMENT YESTERDAY
PRIMARK is sticking to its principles after being bombarded with complaints over its Belfast Pride window display.
A man took to Facebook to encourage Christians to “express their concern” to the store’s manager.
He said: “I’ve just been to Primark in Belfast city centre and discovered they as a store are ‘proudly supporting Stonewall’ and have a display of rainbow items in advance of Belfast Pride.
“Christians in greater Belfast ought to email the manager to express their concern about such support being afforded to LGBT.”
The post was shared almost 2,000 times online. And while some agreed with him, many jumped to the retailer’s defence.
One said: “I applaud Primark for supporting a section of our community that is still not being treated equally in Northern Ireland.
“Now let’s have all our major retailers set up their Pride displays too. There is no room in our society for bigotry and homophobia.”
Some who hit out at the display shared the complaints they sent to the manager.
One read: “My family and I will no longer be shopping in your store.
“The reason being, your company’s very in your face support of the political movements that are Stonewall and Pride.”
But rainbow flags and clothing remain in place.
Belfast Pride Day 2018 takes place on Saturday.
A number of events have already been held across the city including the Belfast Pride Awards at City Hall, Alternative Queer Ulster at Stormont and the annual Pride Church Service at All Souls Church.
Primark has defended its Belfast window display, saying it is proud to support the event.
A spokesman said: “Primark’s position on LGBTQ rights is well-known and the company supports equality for all. It is proud to be supporting Pride, and proud of its partnership with Stonewall.”