Overview
- A leaked internal message likened LGBTQ+ Pride products to hypothetical MAGA merchandise and urged pausing their promotion as “politically charged.”
- CEO Matt Meeker issued a public apology, calling the remarks “disrespectful and hurtful” and accepting responsibility for the lapse.
- BarkBox confirmed it will not remove its Pride collection and will make the items available only as optional add-ons for subscribers.
- The company pledged to donate 100% of revenue from its 2025 Pride products to an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.
- Conservatives such as Jenna Ellis and LGBTQ+ advocates have criticized the handling of the Pride line, mirroring other retailers’ recent pullbacks from Pride and DEI initiatives.