Old Navy Gets Backlash for Gay T-Shirts

Right-wing activists who are used to seeing an American flag across the front of Old Navy T-shirts are calling for a boycott of the clothing chain for its new tees featuring rainbow flags.

Old Navy is celebrating gay pride by donating 10% of proceeds from the new shirts to the It Gets Better Project, which seeks to combat teen suicide. And for that, the American Family Association says the store should be “ashamed.”

“This is a lifestyle of which participants ought to be ashamed,” said Bryan Fischer, the organization’s director of issue analysis, on his radio show Wednesday. “They ought to be embarrassed. They ought to be as embarrassed as Anthony Weiner is for their conduct.”

Fischer encouraged his listeners to drop by Old Navy stores and “let them know you are not going to be shopping at Old Navy until they get their minds right on this deal.”

He’s not alone. The Christian Anti-Defamation Commission has condemned the shirts as well. Both groups are listed by the Southern Poverty Law Center as notoriously antigay.

So far, Old Navy has continued to promote its plan to sell the “Love Proudly” shirts at 27 stores nationwide through the end of June. The Facebook page for promotion asks consumers to show they care: “With your support, we can create a prosperous and happy future for our LGBT youth.” Reports say the shirts have been selling fast.