The popular home furnishings chain IKEA has announced that it will be hoisting the rainbow flag at its stores nationwide beginning June 1 in observance of Pride Month, and will also sell rainbow reusable shopping bags that will benefit the homosexual advocacy group Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRCF).
“We are excited to partner with the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for Pride Month,” Rafael Fantauzzi, company diversity and inclusion manager, said in a statement. “At IKEA, our culture is centered on the value of togetherness. We believe equality is a fundamental human right and that all homes are created equal.”
“To further show our commitment to equality and LGBTQ+ inclusion, on June 1, our co-workers will hoist the Pride Rainbow flag at all IKEA locations,” it outlined.
The shopping bags, which are a rainbow Kvanting version of the company’s customary blue frakta bags, will be sold for $3.99 with all proceeds going to HRCF and its youth and family homosexual advocacy programs.
“We invite all IKEA co-workers and customers to show their support for the rights of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities as we continue to press for a fully inclusive work environment and community,” IKEA further states on the UK version of its “diversity and inclusion” webpage.
The bag is currently for sale in the UK and Ireland, and flags were reportedly hoisted on May 17.
In its U.S. press release, the company lauded what it views as its various strides in regard to those who identify as homosexual or transgender, outlining that the company’s insurance plan offers benefits for homosexual workers and their household, and the “IKEA U.S. medical plan … covers a portion of gender confirmation counseling and surgery.”
IKEA also touted that 2019 marks the 25th year since it first ran a homosexual-themed advertisement, which it characterized as “groundbreaking.”
“The ad, which aired in 1994, was the first national TV spot to ever feature a gay couple — two men shopping together for a dining room table at an IKEA store,” the organization noted.
IKEA is among a number of companies that plan to celebrate homosexual and/or “transgender” pride in June. Gap has launched a “Love All Ways” campaign and will donate 15 percent of its proceeds from its pride collection to the UN Free & Equal initiative. Footwear companies Adidas, Reebok, Ugg and Nike have all announced their 2019 rainbow-themed collection, and mouthwash brand Listerine made its bottles rainbow stripes for the month of June.
Disney has also rolled out additional rainbow product, and Starbucks is selling a rainbow “love” tumbler for Pride Month. The sparkling water brand Bubly is additionally making available a “pride pack” with each can being a different color to represent the rainbow.
As previously reported, while a common theme among homosexual advocates is that they were “born this way,” the Bible teaches that all men are born with the Adamic sin nature, having various inherent inclinations that are contrary to the law of God and being utterly incapable of changing by themselves.
It is why Jesus outlined in John 3:5-7 that men must be regenerated by the second birth, or they cannot see the kingdom of Heaven.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’
Nicodemus saith unto him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’
Jesus answered, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, ‘Ye must be born again.’”
The gospel’s message, as stated in Matthew 1:21 and numerous other verses, is that “He (Jesus) shall save His people from their sins.” The Bible also explains in regard to the work of regeneration, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
In Mark 1:15, Jesus declared, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”