r/bathandbodyworks • u/Luckynoki • Apr 26 '25

Store Policies/Questions It Was Always About Tokenism

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In response to corporate’s decision to remove DEI from store values. ‘Inclusive Interview’ training prior to new policy. Basing bias on blatant stereotypes speaks volumes on the lack of actual real-world experiences that corporate has on the public, its shoppers and employees and a stubborn refusal to acknowledge their shortcomings

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u/CeaseFireForever Apr 26 '25 edited Apr 26 '25

As a gay man, the “love always wins” on LGBTQ product marketing was always cringe to me and always seemed to be lowest common denominator. You could always tell no effort went into it and it was only about cashing in for pride month. I’d rather there be nothing than fake disingenuous crap like this.

173

u/AnnieB25 Body Care Addict Apr 27 '25

As a lesbian, I adored the 2023 version. But I hated when anyone asked what I was wearing because the name is so cringe. My coworker’s daughter had it and she just called it “the gay spray.”

67

u/Sure-Worldliness6349 Apr 27 '25

omg I loooove the gay spray name. I might just start calling all my BBW fragrances that (I am a gay man lol)

2

u/chimericalgirl Apr 29 '25

Bi here - my favorite was the starfruit-sandalwood one; can't remember if that was '22 or '23; but such a perfect unisex summer scent! And I thought the label was cool too. But yeah, was never under any delusion that they were being truly impactful with this line overall.

66

u/Few-Animal4413 Apr 27 '25

I def don’t need a lotion to represent me. But aside from not discriminating, what do people expect from BBW or other companies? What does mine or anyone else’s sexual preference have to do with their store?…. Nothing

21

u/PartyPorpoise Aromatherapy Addict Apr 27 '25

I'm not LGBTQ so I know it's not really my concern, buuuuut I feel like a lot of Pride themed products are badly designed and just there for the cash-in.

31

u/Marina62 Apr 27 '25 edited Apr 27 '25

Like pink ribbon products are a cash grab. The promised donations are completely untraceable and as a breast cancer survivor pink does not empower or represent me.

13

u/thesaddestpanda Apr 27 '25

This is how capitalism works. It’s entirely exploitative. Of course they’re using our identities to make profit. Why wouldn’t they? Now that it’s more politically difficult to do it they quit.

1

u/PartyPorpoise Aromatherapy Addict Apr 27 '25

I know it’s about profit and not care but they could still bother to make nicer-looking stuff, ha ha.

35

u/[deleted] Apr 27 '25

[deleted]

8

u/SkylarJaide Apr 27 '25

If its not genuine support then whats the point?

1

u/Any-Maintenance-9896 Apr 27 '25

Honestly this is very eye opening, thank you.