Thousands Sign Petition to Boycott Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade over Trans Agenda

‘Tis the season to boycott. At least that’s what 36,000 petitioners have signed up to do with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Dating back to 1924, the parade has been a beloved kickoff to the holidays. As New York City streets are filled with floats, costumes, dancing, music, and all kinds of talent, the event has traditionally been designed for family fun. But One Million Moms (OMM), an organization of Christians, have launched a campaign against the parade for its “liberal nonsense.”

This year, two performances will be featured from the Broadway musicals “& Juliet” and “Shucked,” which both have key actors who identify as either transgender or non-binary. OMM and those participating in the protest are concerned with the LGBT agenda being so heavily promoted at an event geared toward the family. As the group stated, “Shame on Macy’s for promoting and sponsoring this type of entertainment. … It is clear that Macy’s does not have our children’s best interests in mind.” The statement concluded, “Macy’s needs to know that trust must be earned, and once trust is lost, it is difficult to get back.”

Kristen Waggoner, president of the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), also added to the criticism, insisting, “Macy’s inclusion of a non-binary transgender character in a parade is just another example of an ideological war that’s being waged on families, and customers are saying they’ve had enough. But it seems that corporate brands that were once trusted just still aren’t getting the message.”

This isn’t the first time the parade has featured LGBT content. In 2018, there was a same-sex kiss that was broadcasted for thousands to see. And in 2021, Kim Petras, a man who identifies as a woman, performed. Petras recently said in an interview that his “goal” is for his fans to engage in sex during his performances.

The protest is geared toward two non-binary identifying actors who will be featured in the performances during the parade. The musicals being showcased are “& Juliet” and “Shucked.” The actor, Alex Newell, uses all pronouns and plays the character, Lulu, in “Shucked.” The other actor, Justin David Sullivan, also identifies as all pronouns. He plays the non-binary character, May, in “& Juliet,” the reimagined Shakespearean classic where Romeo dies, but Juliet goes on to experience love and life “her way.”

OMM’s petition has received pushback, and the organization is now considered a “hate group” by The Southern Poverty Law Center, a controversial leftist group with their own internal scandals. The New York Times’ Stefanos Chen wrote that this boycott is “the latest attempt to force companies to reverse course on social issues that some far-right groups consider too liberal.”

But despite opposition, Waggoner said what we are seeing is “parents stand up” against woke ideology to keep events such as these “family friendly and not teach our children values that we object to.” Ultimately, OMM, ADF, and those who are speaking out have made it clear that families just want to be able to enjoy events without worrying about what they or their kids will be exposed to.

Meg Kilgannon, senior fellow for Education Studies at Family Research Council, commented to The Washington Stand, “I hope there is a dog show or something else possibly appropriate for family viewing on broadcast television that day.” She explained how moms “are busy making delicious Thanksgiving meals for their families and friends to enjoy” and serving their communities, and that “it would be nice if Hollywood or Broadway could show their appreciation for families by not forcing a sexual agenda into what seems like every kind of entertainment.”

Kilgannon concluded, “The innocence of childhood and the excitement of the Thanksgiving Day parades should not be mutually exclusive. It’s important to keep this kind of activity family friendly for the other participants in the parade as well, since high school marching bands, community dance troupes, and other family organizations have traditionally participated in the parade.”