Pride season is nearly in full swing, and that means virtually every company (except Chick-fil-a) will soon roll out their annual rainbow-tinted initiatives. State Farm insurance company appears to have tripped out of the gate.
Less than 24 hours after it became public, the company has abandoned a program to distribute LGBTQ-themed books to teachers, community centers, and libraries following a right-wing outrage campaign.
Just hours after news outlets started covering the book initiative, an internal email went out to all State Farm agents and staff members announcing the cancelation.
Victor Terry, chief diversity officer and vice president of public affairs, told employees State Farm would back out of its partnership with GenderCool, an organization that promotes LGBTQ teaching via speaking events, mentorship programs, DEI/HR consulting, and advising for parents of transgender children.
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“Conversations about gender and identity should happen at home with parents,” the email, obtained and published by the homophobic Libs of TikTok account, read. “We don’t support required curriculum in schools on this topic. We support organizations providing resources for parents to have these conversations,” Terry wrote.
The abrupt turnaround came after a whistleblower accused the company of “targeting” children as young as 5 with books about sexuality and gender identity, leading to intense backlash online. The program was intended to “increase representation of LGBTQ+ books and support our communities in having challenging, important and empowering conversations with children age 5+,” according to State Farm.
“At State Farm, we are committed to diversity and inclusion; they aren’t just words, they are truly part of how we do business and lead our organization. We recognize and value the diversity of all people, and support a culture of respect and inclusion in the communities in which we live and work, as well as our workplace. The LGBTQ+ community is a valued part of the communities we serve and are valued members of our workplace,” State Farm said in a statement.
In another statement emailed to Queerty, the company said: “State Farm’s support of a philanthropic program, GenderCool, has been the subject of news and customer inquiries. This program that included books about gender identity was intended to promote inclusivity.
“We support organizations that provide resources for parents to have conversations about gender and identity with their children at home. We do not support required curriculum in schools on this topic.
“As a result, we have made the decision we will no longer be affiliated with the organization. We will continue to explore how we can support our associates, as well as organizations that align with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, including the LGBTQ+ community.
“We recognize and value the diversity of all people and support a culture of respect and inclusion in the communities in which we live and work, as well as our workplace.”
The move hasn’t gone over well among many LGBTQ observers:
Grow a backbone @StateFarm https://t.co/IuW8sXIM4o
— Erica French Csapo (@EricaCsapo) May 24, 2022
Last night, State Farm, the insurance company, gave up on LGBTQ rights after being pressured by hateful extremists.
So much for being a good neighbor. I wrote about it here.https://t.co/m5VD6Nu2qA
— Charlotte Clymer 🏳️⚧️🇺🇦 (@cmclymer) May 24, 2022
Since the company is so clearly and easily moved by public backlash, State Farm customers should call their agent and cancel their policies.
— Parker Molloy (@ParkerMolloy) May 24, 2022
i’ll be canceling the State Farm insurance, switching to another company. You should too.
— Michelangelo Signorile (@MSignorile) May 24, 2022
Shame on you @StateFarm . https://t.co/kFKxUFjpvk
— Colleen •WearAMask• Barry 🇺🇦🌻 (@Cbeary1608) May 24, 2022
.@StateFarm is a horrible neighbor to LGBTQ families.
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) May 24, 2022
So @StateFarm = cowards. Teaching kids about different identities is suicide prevention. Comprehensive sex education prevents *actual* grooming. Don’t listen to right-wing pundits and bitter transphobes. State Farm should double down, not back off. GenderCool does important work.
— Finley Daniels ☭🇵🇸 (he/him) (@FinleyDaniels1) May 24, 2022
State Farm is caving to the bigots and bullies and helping them erase LGBTQ children.https://t.co/pzZXZ8oqAE
— John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) May 24, 2022
moretruth
If rumors are true, this would be a perfect time for “Jake from State Farm” to come out.
Heywood Jablowme
Their other spokesman in TV commercials, the old professor type with glasses, used to be the Nazi rapist in the “Oz” prison.
IanHunter
I didn’t see it as a great idea, but it’s the thought that counts. Isn’t it? Repubs and Trumptards are officially the new snowflakes. They cry about everything that isn’t going their way. They have no regards to the lives of anyone but their own. And begin…
hairyaries1959
After several years with State Farm, I dropped them over the Aaron Rodgers fiasco. I sent a message via their website which was referred to my local agent. He responded and provided me with a direct email to customer service. I sent and email and got a canned response that they’d respond in 48 hours. No response. Sent four more emails, got same canned response, but never anything else. Switched insurance companies and am glad I did.
nunya
“We [State Farm] don’t support required curriculum in schools on this topic. We support organizations providing resources for parents to have these conversations,” Who can disagree with this?
SDWalker96
Providing resources for parents to have these conversations is a good thing! Unfortunately though, parents don’t always know best, so good to have the support available elsewhere for those kids that need it
James
What conversation ? Like DeSatanis having a conversation about gay rights. GET REAL.
Agility
Literally any member of the LGBTQ population who was raised by parents who were not supportive of us would disagree with you.
DarkZephyr
Nunya, what is it about the LGBT community in general that you think is so potentially dangerous to children?
missvamp
we left state farm a few years ago & i couldn’t be happier.
Pharmguy55
State Farm needs to change their slogan to
“Not a Good Neighbor, State Farm need to Go” If I had State Farm, I would be on the phone with my insurance agent, canceling my insurance. They are officially morally corrupt. How dare they call themselves a good neighbor.
Polaro
Seems like State Farm got caught between a rock and a hard place. Noy sure why everyone is so upset that they stepped back from a very aggressive campaign that other companies did even bother. The left just likes to cancel at the drop of a hat. I really do not like you kind of people.
James
Go back to your trump rally.
ScottOnEarth
“I really do not like you kind of people.” You mean people who take a stand against cowardice and exclusion or vulnerable groups of people? I don’t really think anyone cares if you like us.
inbama
@James
If you think the only people concerned about teaching gender ideology to five year olds are Trumpanzees, you’re going to be in for a big surprise in November.
The Mayor of San Francisco just announced she won’t be part of Pride this year because activists won’t allow LGBT cops to march in uniform.
A successful movement for human and civil rights is being driven off a cliff by extremists.
PubicHairus
Polaro, what a tortured soul you are. I pity you.
Ronbo
Do avoid State Farm. A burst water pipe from two years ago is still not resolved. First they blamed the delay on Covid. Then they blamed it on an ex-employee. Then they blamed it on the plumbers. Now they blame me for only calling in 28 times! Thank God my phone tracked each time I called.
Oddly enough, they remind me repeatedly when payment is due.