Barclays' new Gay Pride logo is upsetting social media: 'This is not putting the customer first'
Words: Elise Solé
Barclays has a rainbow logo in support of Gay Pride — and some customers are threatening to change banks over it.
The temporary logo on the bank’s mobile app signifies June Pride month and currently appears on the Twitter pages of Barclays U.K., and Barclays U.K. Help.
Barclays was included on a list of companies that “consistently demonstrated exemplary practice to support lesbian, gay, bi and trans staff,” according to Stonewall, an LGBTQ advocacy group in the UK.
But some people are saying they dislike the colourful insignia and said they would take their business elsewhere.
“Not impressed....I’m not a member of the LGBT movement and wouldn’t want people to think I am,” wrote an app reviewer. And another reviewer commented that the logo was “unacceptable!”
So @Barclays recently updated their mobile app logo to support #pride—here's some of the reviews left on the app after this change happened pic.twitter.com/fMUoq1ajer
— aleksandar (@baffledbatista) June 27, 2019
@Barclays please explain to me why my app is laced in rainbow colours without my consent? I don’t recognise pride day so fix it
— AFG Fineboy DJ (@kunleg_) June 27, 2019
@BarclaysUKHelp as a Christian I find it offensive you have imposed the pride flag on my phone. I have been a barclays bankcustomer since I was 14 and mortgage customer,15 years in total. I will have to look into changing banks now. You
— matt (@gillorasp) June 29, 2019
Are there to provide a service not force political, social, ethical, moral views on your customers, please remember this in the future.
— matt (@gillorasp) June 29, 2019
Can someone tell me why my @Barclays app has changed to a pride flag colours? How do I change it back
— Kenzie (@kenzie_melling_) June 27, 2019
@Barclays Just called your customer services as I noticed my app icon had mysteriously changed colour.
Was told this is because Barclays are choosing to supporting LGBT activities this week, which is great. How about extending that choice to your customers? pic.twitter.com/VhN5zoOUXr— Andrew Robinson (@arobinson0) June 27, 2019
Why you forcing your view on someone else.
It's only YOUR VIEW— raya (@raya_perez) June 29, 2019
@Barclays Hey Barclays, why've you changed the colour of your logo in my phone app to the gay pride colours - without my consent? You're forcing me to advertise support for something I do not. Can you imagine my feelings if you'd made it a white supremacist flag and I'm black?
— Mike Booton (@mbooton) June 27, 2019
Barclays then took another controversial step by tweeting apologies to upset customers.
We’ve changed our logo to celebrate all of the Pride events that we’re supporting. We believe people should be free to be who they are and love who they love. While homophobia, biphobia and transphobia still exists in the UK, we’ll continue to actively support Pride. Jay
— Barclays UK Help (@BarclaysUKHelp) June 28, 2019
I can completely appreciate that Sam. We’re sorry if this has caused you any upset, we’ll take your feedback on board. Jason
— Barclays UK Help (@BarclaysUKHelp) June 27, 2019
Hi John, we’ve temporarily changed our logo to celebrate LGBT+ Pride. Its only practical to have one app tile at a the time and it will change back to our usual colours soon. Corrina
— Barclays UK Help (@BarclaysUKHelp) June 29, 2019
Why are you apologizing to bigots?
— 🏳️🌈⚡Gloria - The Trans Giant⚡🏳️🌈 (@TheTransGiant) June 28, 2019
Really? You’re sorry? Don’t add the rainbow if you are not up for defending it.
— Luke 🦑 (@goopery) June 28, 2019
But of course, the bank’s new look brightened many people’s day.
Barclays support gay pride!!! ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/VvHnGqcRqM
— Emily Badger (@EmilyBadger10) June 26, 2019
Seeing some of the comments been made against Barclays Bank in their celebration of pride month is honestly shocking. The amount of homophobia present in this day and age is actually disgusting.
— amy foster (@Amyfosterxxxx) June 29, 2019
@Barclays nailing it. That's the sort of company you want to work for kids. #Pride pic.twitter.com/1hbO3FwBtq
— Laura Martin (@lamcasserole) June 25, 2019
Switching my bank account to @Barclays thank you for supporting gay pride 🏳️🌈 #Pride2019 #Barclays
— Reaching Out For Potential (@reach4potential) June 29, 2019
A Barclays representative tells Yahoo Lifestyle, “We’ve temporarily changed our logo to celebrate LGBT+ Pride. It’s one of the many ways we stand in solidarity with our colleagues and customers on the journey for true LGBT+ equality.”
