Skittles, known for their catchphrase, “Taste the rainbow,” has recently faced criticism over their new packaging that includes the message, “Black Trans Lives Matter.”
Wrigley Company, a division of Mars, Inc., produces Skittles. A visit to Skittles.com reveals a prominent link labeled, “SKITTLES Pride,” and when activated, the following message appears: “There’s a story in every rainbow.”
The company elaborates, “We’ve relinquished our rainbow so the LGBTQ+ community can share theirs. During this Pride Month, we’re spotlighting narratives from the LGBTQ+ community. Our journey starts with featuring the creations of five adept artists on our SKITTLES Pride Packs, each unfolding their distinct tale.”
Displayed are five redesigned candy packages, all in the spirit of pride.
Skittles chose to replace the conventional rainbow design with LGBTQ+-supportive artwork, crafted in association with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.
This marks the fourth consecutive year Skittles collaborated with this entity.
Among the new designs, one depicts the sun and moon strolling on a rainbow, hand in hand. Another design presents the word “PRIDE” in vibrant hues, accompanied by an image of a mouth from which a rainbow flows, and the terms “bi, ace, lesbian, queer, trans, and gay.”
However, the design drawing the most attention showcases children skateboarding on a halfpipe, adorned with the slogans “skate & live,” “joy is resistance,” and “black trans lives matter.”
One comment on X, previously known as Twitter, read, “@Skittles aims to mold your kids into BLM & LGBTQ+ advocates,” adding a mention of the drag queen image on the package. Another user urged, “Cease Skittles purchases immediately,” while a different individual proclaimed, “Go woke, go broke. Skittles boycott is overdue.
“On the same platform, user @RWMaloneMD pointed out, “Take a detailed look at the label – ‘Black Trans lives Matter’ is amidst a cartoonish setting filled with children. Skittles, from Wrigley Company, a Mars division, is clearly targeting kids. It’s not just the brand; it’s the overarching company, Mars, at play.”
Mars, Inc. was approached for comment by Fox News Digital, but a response was pending.
While a fraction voiced opposition to this initiative, many remained indifferent.
“Just to put things into perspective, their motto has always been “taste the rainbow,” remarked an X user.
However, others opined that Skittles should face repercussions akin to Budweiser’s recent experience.
Previously, in April, trans advocate Dylan Mulvaney highlighted that Bud Light sent packages showcasing the activist’s image, marking Mulvaney’s one-year “girlhood” milestone. This collaboration between Bud Light and Mulvaney sparked ire among conservative social media circles. Kid Rock, for instance, made a video using Bud Light cans as shooting targets, exclaiming, “F— Bud Light and f— Anheuser-Busch!”
Subsequent to this incident, Bud Light observed a decline in their sales, a trend capitalized on by competitor beer brands.
