CEO admits 'Macy's mistake' in removing display

[davidinalameda]

http://www.innewsweekly.com/innews/?class_code=Ne&article_code=2090&PHPSESSID=9cf78949e965ef75d25a9a99b9339cfe

Macy's East Chairman and CEO said that Macy's made a "mistake - unquestionably" when employees removed mannequins from the gay pride display at its downtown Boston location last week.

"Am I regretful that Macy's made a mis-step in this instance? Yes," Ron Klein writes.

In an exclusive letter to In Newsweekly, Klein blamed "an internal breakdown in communication," and declared that the controversial mannequins "were not removed because of pressure." However, he defended the companies decision to keep the mannequins out of the display explaining, that Macy's windows "traditionally do not feature mannequins in these 'community windows' because the introduction of merchandise has no role in our tributes."

[MADem]

1. Especially in MASSACHUSETTS...

Hell, this is the state that wouldn't let the shitty governor take the marriage rights away. I was stunned and disappointed at their actions. Not that I've bought anything at their overpriced barns, but it inclined me even more to never so do.

[ruggerson]

2. Good for him

I have a feeling many more progressives and centrists shop at Macy's than fundamentalist whack jobs. I would be surprised if Macy's didn't get most of its revenues from it big city and suburban mall stores. Very few of those customers are going to be upset by Macy's supporting gay rights. While many of those customers would be very upset by Macy's kowtowing to fundamentalist bullies. Wise business decision.

[ccpup]

3. My friends, family and I

here in NYC have returned, collectively, hundreds of dollars worth of merchandise we had recently purchased from Macy's. When asked why, we responded that since they caved to Right Wing Christian Pressure and turned their backs on the Gay and Lesbian Community, we no longer felt comfortable shopping there and would shop elsewhere in the future. It's not like we in NYC don't have Bloomingdale's, Bergdorf's, Barney's and a ton of other stores to go to, right?

[nofurylike]

6. that is great, ccpup! THAT'S the way to do it! i'll be taking your fine

example!


peace and solidarity!

[hraka]

7. Shop at GLBT friendly stores:

Take the time to research your store, not just the product.

HRC Buyer's guide:
http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm

Search for employers with non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation:
http://www.hrc.org/Template.cfm?Section=Search_the_Database&Template=/CustomSource/WorkNet/srch.cfm&searchtypeid=1&searchSubTypeID=1

This is only one organization's opinion. Check 'em out for yourself.

edit: Macy's parent company, Federated Department Stores, scored 86 out of 100 on HRCs list. Partners receive the same benefits as spouses. They didn't score 100 due to this:
Diversity Training
Sexual Orientation All employees required to attend
**Gender Identity/Expression Not offered**

[mitchtv]

4. The deed is done

I worked in Bloomingdale's, and Macy;s is no Bloomingdale's. Talk is cheap, it's really easy to apologize , kind of like having the best of two worlds.

[lindisfarne]

5. Exactly. Macy's could put the display back up for the same amount

of time it was intended to be up the first time around. That would be an appropriate apology.

[iconoclastNYC]

8. Wow.... count the hedges in that statement. PR-Speak at it's most cynical