Why Pride Month Collections Got Hiding Spots at Walmart and Target—And What That Means for Accessibility

Have you ever gone hunting for Pride Month merchandise in stores only to end up scratching your head? That’s exactly what happened recently, when a Business Insider article revealed that both Walmart and Target are keeping most of their Pride Month collections online rather than in-store. Surprising, right? You’d think during Pride, celebration items would be front and center—proud and loud. But instead, they're tucked away behind screens or hidden corners.

I read the article ‘I shopped at Walmart and Target to compare their Pride Month collections. They weren't easy to find.’ and it struck a chord. It made me wonder: How does this relative invisibility affect not just casual shoppers but communities that rely on visibility and accessibility for support and validation?

Here’s the catch: for many LGBTQ+ folks, Pride is more than just rainbow flags and merchandise. It’s about being seen and feeling supported — including in spaces that are usually more private, like fertility care.

The Quiet Struggle for Inclusivity in Retail

The article highlighted how major retailers are still hesitant to fully embrace Pride collections in physical stores. Instead of vibrant displays celebrating LGBTQ+ identities, these items linger mostly behind computer screens. This subtle sidelining sends a message that being LGBTQ+ might not be for day-to-day, in-your-face celebration—but rather something private or secondary.

And here’s why that matters: retail spaces are where people connect to culture, community, and support tangibly. When Pride is hidden, it’s harder for folks to walk into a store and say, “This place welcomes me.”

What Does This Mean for Fertility and Family Building?

Now, let’s connect the dots to another area where inclusivity really counts — fertility and insemination support for LGBTQ+ individuals and couples. For many, starting or growing a family isn’t straightforward. Often, the journey can feel isolating, especially when products or services aren’t designed with diverse needs in mind.

That’s where companies like MakeAMom come into the picture. They’re not just about selling insemination kits; they’re about creating accessible, affordable, and discreet ways for people to build families on their terms. Their product line, which includes specialized kits like CryoBaby for frozen sperm, and BabyMaker for those with sensitivities like vaginismus, acknowledges the unique paths people take toward parenthood.

Much like how Pride merchandise should be easily accessible and boldly displayed to affirm identity, fertility support should also be accessible, discreet, and tailored. MakeAMom’s approach — reusable kits shipped plainly without identifying info — speaks directly to the need for privacy and dignity in a sensitive journey.

The Bigger Picture: Visibility, Accessibility, and Respect

If retailers hid essential items for any other community, people would call it out. So why settle for subtle exclusion when it comes to Pride? And why accept one-size-fits-all approaches in fertility that don’t serve diverse bodies and identities?

This inward reflection pushes us to question: How can we, as consumers, advocates, and community members, push for more inclusive, visible, and accessible products and services? How can companies balance the need for discretion with the need for representation?

Here’s what I personally took away from all this:

• Visibility matters. Whether it’s a rainbow flag in a store or specialized insemination kits, feeling seen impacts every single step of someone’s journey.
• Accessibility is key. Online-only options are great for convenience but can also exclude those without reliable internet access or who prefer browsing in person.
• Tailored solutions build trust. Customized fertility kits and specially designed products show respect for people’s unique experiences.

What You Can Do Right Now

• Next time you’re shopping, whether for Pride Month gear or fertility products, consider where and how these items are available.
• Support companies that prioritize discreet, thoughtful solutions tailored to diverse needs.
• Share your stories and experiences so that retailers and brands realize that visibility and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords — they’re essentials.

And if you’re looking into fertility support that respects your journey and offers practical, cost-effective choices, don’t overlook platforms like MakeAMom. Their commitment to offering reusable, discreet, and specialized home insemination kits is a prime example of meeting people where they are, quietly championing inclusivity in a deeply personal space.

Wrapping It Up

Pride Month is about celebration, yes — but it’s also about visibility, acceptance, and affirming identities every day of the year. When major retailers hide Pride merchandise, it echoes a larger cultural tension around inclusion. The same tension plays out in fertility spaces.

So next time you notice how accessible or visible these support systems are, I challenge you to think deeper. Because representation isn’t just about color and flags—it’s about respect, support, and empowerment.

What do you think? Have you noticed these invisible barriers in retail or healthcare? Drop your stories below — let’s keep this conversation alive.