Boston Macy’s Removes Gay Mannequins

Until yesterday, two male mannequins, one wearing a rainbow flag, stood watch inside a Boston Macy’s. At their right was a calendar for Boston Pride, a nine-day gay pride event.

Macy’s removed the mannequins in response to a letter and phone campaign organized by a fringe conservative religious site MassResistance.

The group’s president, Brian Camenker, told the Boston Herald how the display bothered him. “They were male mannequins with enlarged breasts, and one was wearing a skirt. It was really disgusting,” he said.

Christina Stewart, a Macy’s Customer Service Specialist, sent out a mass email to complainants, “I regret that we have offended you in any way in our commitment to be inclusive. We thank you for taking the time to inform us of your concerns and hope that you will reconsider your decision to visit us again.”

Now Macy’s must contend with the GLBT community. The Towelroad blog writes, “Did they happen to think about what their gay customers and employees would think of the move? Obviously not. I’ll think twice before stepping into another Macy’s until the store reassembles the display and apologizes.”

Has MassResistance has ever gone to Abercrombie & Fitch?

The full text of Macy’s email, and Macy’s contact info, after the jump…

    “Like many other community initiatives and organizations that Macy’s has supported over the years, including
    window displays and programs in celebration of Black History Month and St. Patricks Day, the window currently
    showcasing events for Boston Pride week at Macy’s downtown supports a diverse part of our community. Macy’s
    respects the many backgrounds, traditions, beliefs and heritage of all our customers and will continue to support
    a range of community causes, organizations, and initiatives that add to the cultural diversity of the markets we
    serve.

    Our intention is always to welcome and include all members of the communities we serve, and certainly is never intended to cause any discomfort to you or any of our shoppers. I regret that we have offended you in any way in our commitment to be inclusive. We thank you for taking the time to inform us of your concerns and hope that you will reconsider your decision to visit us again.

    Sincerely,

    Christine Stewart
    Customer Service Specialist
    Macy’s
    Y000cds@macys.com”

Here’s more Macy’s contact info:

Ronnie Taffet
Vice President, Public Relations
212/704-1802
Macy’s East

Elina Kazan
Director, Publicity
212/494-4624

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