Kohl’s is a leading American retail store that has been around since 1962. They offer a variety of products such as clothing, home décor, and electronics and have over 1000 stores across the country. As the world progresses and becomes more accepting of diversity, it raises the question of whether Kohl’s supports the LGBTQ community. In this blog post, we will answer that question and take a closer look at Kohl’s stance on LGBTQ rights and inclusion.
History of Kohl’s support for LGBTQ
In recent years, Kohl’s has been showing its support for the LGBTQ community. One notable instance was when Kohl’s donated $100,000 to the Human Rights Campaign after the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, which had a predominantly LGBTQ clientele. While this gesture was appreciated by many, some still question if this is proof enough that Kohl’s is a supporter of LGBTQ rights.
In addition to the donation, Kohl’s has also taken steps to show its support within its own company. They have been recognized by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation as a “Best Place to Work” for LGBTQ Equality for several years in a row. They also offer domestic partner benefits to their LGBTQ employees.
Advertising and Marketing Inclusion
Beyond monetary donations and internal policies, Kohl’s has also made strides in making sure their advertising and marketing is inclusive of the LGBTQ community. For example, they released a Pride clothing line in 2019, which featured rainbow-colored clothing and accessories. They have also used social media to celebrate Pride Month and provide visibility to the LGBTQ community. These actions show that Kohl’s values visibility and inclusion for the LGBTQ community and is willing to put in effort to show their support.
Community Involvement
Kohl’s does not only show support to the LGBTQ community through corporate events, they also take an active role in supporting the community events and initiatives across the United States. In many cities where Kohl’s stores are located, the company has sponsored Pride parades, volunteering at LGBTQ events, and making donations to local LGBTQ non-profits.
Customer Inclusion
Separate from their internal policies and corporate events, Kohl’s values the inclusion of their customers and as a company, they have been taking the necessary steps to ensure that all of their customers feel welcome regardless of their identities or preferences. All the Kohl’s stores have gender-neutral restrooms in addition to the traditional gender-specific restrooms to support customers who may not be comfortable or may face harassment in traditional gender-specific restrooms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kohl’s is a company that has been taking steps to show its support for the LGBTQ community. They have demonstrated their support through monetary donations to LGBTQ organizations, internal policies and benefits for their LGBTQ employees, inclusive advertising and marketing campaigns, strong community involvement, and customer inclusion. While there may be more that the company can do, Kohl’s has undeniably taken positive steps to show that they are an ally to the LGBTQ community.
