Apple Confirms Sales of Apple Watch Pride Edition Band Will Support LGBTQ Groups

[MacRumors]

Apple began publicly selling its Pride Edition Woven Nylon band for Apple Watch during WWDC week earlier in June, one year after it handed out a similar band to its employees at Pride events in San Francisco.

During its first few weeks up on Apple.com, the company made no mention as to whether any portion of the profits made off of the band would go towards LGBTQ organizations, but a new change made to the band's webpage has confirmed that Apple will be helping out such advocacy groups with profits made from the rainbow-emblazoned Pride band.

As spotted by Redditor N-Code, the new Product Information section of the Pride Woven Nylon band confirms that a portion of proceeds from its sales in the United States will help benefit LGBTQ groups including GLSEN, The Trevor Project, the Human Rights Campaign, and PFLAG. Internationally, ILGA will see the same donations. A new banner referencing the donation support was also added to the main Apple Watch page on Apple.com.

The changes were made yesterday, with the Wayback Machine internet archive providing a point of comparison dating back to this past Saturday, June 17.

Apple's full statement on the Pride band donations reads as follows:

Apple is proud to support LGBTQ advocacy organizations working to bring about positive change, including GLSEN, the Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG and The Trevor Project in the U.S. and ILGA internationally. A portion of the proceeds from Pride Edition band sales will benefit their important efforts.

Apple runs similar donation initiatives with many of its product lines, most popularly being (PRODUCT)RED. Apple devices sold with that banner have a portion of their proceeds donated to the Global Fund to help raise awareness and fight HIV/AIDS. Last year marked Apple's tenth year anniversary in supporting (PRODUCT)RED'S causes.

At the time, Apple CEO Tim Cook commented on the company's support of causes such as (PRODUCT)RED and pro-LGBTQ organizations, addressing critics who believe his and Apple's public stances are made to endear millennial customers into buying products in the Apple ecosystem, among other criticisms. In response Cook said, "We haven't shied away from being visible on a number of topics, and if it's something in our wheelhouse, we'll always be visible and stand up to protect as well as advance people's rights."

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple Confirms Sales of Apple Watch Pride Edition Band Will Support LGBTQ Groups

 

[Sefstah]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

 

[cogitodexter]

Delighted to see PFLAG included in the organisations being assisted.

They do excellent work helping bring peace to families that are struggling to come to terms with newly out family members.

Well done Apple.

 

[chriscrk]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

Honey, you've got a big storm coming.

 

[cogitodexter]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

And as for you, you're not forced to buy it, but if you can't appreciate that LGTBQ people are still significantly discriminated against and *still* fighting stigma (from people like you) then you're going to have to realise that you're part of the problem and probably not who this promotion is aimed at.

 

[rikscha]

I couldn't possible buy this simply for the name. The Pride Edition ? What the fudgecake.

 

[autrefois]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

If it makes you feel better, I guess you could consider all the other watch bands as being non-gay pride. (Look, I'm not wearing a rainbow watchband!)

I am very happy they have a wrist band supporting LGBTQ rights. People who live in more progressive parts of the country may not realize how bad it still is in a lot of the US and the world for non-heteros.

But given how most Apple products are made, I hope they come out with an Amnesty International (human rights) or "No Sweat" (worker rights/anti-sweatshop) product soon. Apple is a premium brand and extremely rich company; they need to do more for the people who make their products.

 

[cogitodexter]

I couldn't possible buy this simply for the name. The Pride Edition ? What the fudgecake.

Nobody's forcing you honeybunch.

 

[doelcm82]

I couldn't possible buy this simply for the name. The Pride Edition ? What the fudgecake.

I don't understand your objection.

 

[polymersayb]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

No it doesn't. If you're the group with the power (in this case straight cis people have the power because they have no fear of being harassed or assaulted when in public with their partner, whereas non-straight couples typically are not able to show affection in public to say the least and trans people basically struggle with anything in public) then you need no special recognition. LGBTQ people are searching for acceptance and equality and this is one way that they can show they are fighting and for people to show their support.

Almost any political issue is nuanced, but for me, if you don't support LGBTQ rights you are wrong, period. Like, this shouldn't even be a political issue. Mind your own business and don't worry about who people love or how people choose to express themselves. Go enjoy life some, and then go work to fix some real issues.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. This has actually been on my mind quite a bit recently. Weird place to let it out I have to say...

[I'm not in the LGBTQ community so please do tell me if I'm wrong or need to fix any nuance.]

 

[guzhogi]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

Until straight people are told they should go to hell for living in sin and risk getting murdered for being straight, I don't put much stock in this argument.

 

[earthTOmitchel]

No it doesn't. If you're the group with the power (in this case straight cis people have the power because they have no fear of being harassed or assaulted when in public with their partner, whereas non-straight couples typically are not able to show affection in public to say the least and trans people basically struggle with anything in public) then you need no special recognition. LGBTQ people are searching for acceptance and equality and this is one way that they can show they are fighting and for people to show their support.

Almost any political issue is nuanced, but for me, if you don't support LGBTQ rights you are wrong, period. Like, this shouldn't even be a political issue. Mind your own business and don't worry about who people love or how people choose to express themselves. Go enjoy life some, and then go work to fix some real issues.

[I'm not in the LGBTQ community so please do tell me if I'm wrong or need to fix any nuance.]

Works for me

 

[Gutwrench]

Apple has a right to promote what they wish. If it troubles anyone they're free to avoid their products.

Btw, how well has Apple Watch done?

 

[rudychidiac]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

You have your rights, so just sit aside silently.

 

[Sefstah]

And as for you, you're not forced to buy it, but if you can't appreciate that LGTBQ people are still significantly discriminated against and *still* fighting stigma (from people like you) then you're going to have to realise that you're part of the problem and probably not who this promotion is aimed at.

You're right and I agree. The point I'm making is that, if there was a watch band that was to only support straight people, the LBGT would go nuts and file lawsuits! It's got to work both ways right? "People like me"?? I'm just trying to be equal here buddy.

 

[chriscrk]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

When straight people start getting murderer for being straight, sent to concentration camps for being straight, denied rights to marry or adopt for being straight, be discriminated against or denied services for being straight... then you have permission to ask for your "straight pride" watch band.

 

[Sefstah]

It doesn't have to work both ways? Then you don't support equality. I think you're missing the point.

No it doesn't. If you're the group with the power (in this case straight cis people have the power because they have no fear of being harassed or assaulted when in public with their partner, whereas non-straight couples typically are not able to show affection in public to say the least and trans people basically struggle with anything in public) then you need no special recognition. LGBTQ people are searching for acceptance and equality and this is one way that they can show they are fighting and for people to show their support.

Almost any political issue is nuanced, but for me, if you don't support LGBTQ rights you are wrong, period. Like, this shouldn't even be a political issue. Mind your own business and don't worry about who people love or how people choose to express themselves. Go enjoy life some, and then go work to fix some real issues.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. This has actually been on my mind quite a bit recently. Weird place to let it out I have to say...

[I'm not in the LGBTQ community so please do tell me if I'm wrong or need to fix any nuance.]

doesn't

 

[5105973]

It's great that the proceeds of the band sales will go to support the cause it represents.

But I have to say that a rainbow means a lot of things to lots of different people. I see that particular variant of the rainbow pattern for example and think about the 70's and Robin Williams' character Mork. Or even the original Apple logo. As a pet owner "Rainbow Bridge" is another association.

When/how did the rainbow symbol or colors get associated almost exclusively with LBGT? I haven't been living under a rock, I am aware that it is, I'm just fuzzy on the history of it. I'm thinking it was in the 90's but I don't remember how. I was working 70 hour work weeks back then so I was a zombie and missed out on a lot of stuff that happened in my early adulthood. I even missed Seinfeld and most of Friends!

Edit to Add: sorry I didn't realize this thread was going to get so ugly so fast. I didn't mean to ask a comparatively frivolous question here. I was just curious about the history and significance of the symbolism since it is something I was alive for but clearly missed.

 

[Skika]

Until straight people are told they should go to hell for living in sin and risk getting murdered for being straight, I don't put much stock in this argument.

But liberals always blame straight white people for everything.

 

[5105973]

A watch band that supports gay and lesbian communities? Where's the watch band that applauds the straight people? It's got to work both ways or else it's sexist. Funny how that works huh?

Aw come on, we are not being thrown out of our families or our churches or being beaten up or ostracized or committing suicide over being straight. And even in the US that all still happens. So no things are not equal. If they were then we would get persecuted for preferring the opposite gender. If that were ever to happen for some reason beyond my reckoning I would hope compassionate gay people would support and stick up for us.

 

[chriscrk]

You're right and I agree. The point I'm making is that, if there was a watch band that was to only support straight people, the LBGT would go nuts and file lawsuits! It's got to work both ways right? "People like me"?? I'm just trying to be equal here buddy.

If you truly care about equality, saying "just trying to be equal buddy", then maybe instead of standing up for straight people having the right to have their own watch band, you should first stand up for gay people to have the same basic rights as straight people, and you know, the right to not get murdered because of who they love.

How about we solve that "trying to be equal" problem first? I think it might be a bit more important.

 

[Sefstah]

You have your rights, so just sit aside silently.

No thank you. I'm fighting for equality here!

 

[blacktape242]

what about the black and brown colors that were added??

 

[Sefstah]

When straight people start getting murderer for being straight, sent to concentration camps for being straight, denied rights to marry or adopt for being straight, receive discrimination or denied services for being straight... then you have permission to ask for your "straight pride" watch band.

If having a "straight" watch band isn't ok, then neither is having a "gay" watch band.

 

[blacktape242]

And as for you, you're not forced to buy it, but if you can't appreciate that LGTBQ people are still significantly discriminated against and *still* fighting stigma (from people like you) then you're going to have to realise that you're part of the problem and probably not who this promotion is aimed at.

You want stigma? what about the mental health awareness band? Thats a far bigger problem in the world then who people want to love. I could care less about who people want be with, I just don't care, go for it, have a ball.
Just my two cents.