Secondary Boycotts Against Businesses Displaying Rainbow Flags

• Published date: 14 June 2023
• Law Firm: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
• Author: Mr Christopher A. Cole

In recent weeks, there has been a groundswell of so-called group "boycott" activity aimed at businesses that have publicly expressed solidarity with historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. Prominent examples include boycotts against Bud Light (a beer made by Anheuser-Busch), Target, NorthFace, and Kohl's. The latter retailers have been accused by certain groups of displaying rainbow "PRIDE" flags in their stores, which have emerged as a political and cultural wedge issue - especially during PRIDE month.

Group boycotts have a long and illustrious history, dating back to the civil rights movement. The NAACP famously organized boycotts by African-Americans of white-owned businesses as a means of demonstrating economic clout and bringing pressure to bear on...