Apple donating some proceeds from Apple Watch Pride band to LGBTQ groups

Some of the money generated from the "Pride Edition" nylon band for the Apple Watch is going towards LBGTQ advocacy groups in the U.S. and abroad, Apple quietly announced this week.

The accessory's product page was updated on Wednesday with an additional paragraph, noting that "a portion of the proceeds" will go to several U.S. organizations, namely GLSEN, PFLAG, the Human Rights Campaign, and The Trevor Project. Internationally, only ILGA — the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association — will receive any funds.

The company didn't say how it's planning to divide donations.

As a company Apple has long backed LGBT rights, for instance being one of the first major U.S. businesses to extend benefits to same-sex couples. Current CEO Tim Cook is himself gay, and has not only marched in the San Francisco Pride Parade but spoken out on related political issues. Recently, an Apple statement condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's withdrawal of some transgender rights.

Typically though the only charity associated with Apple products is (Product)Red, which funnels cash to the Global Fund, in turn working to combat AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Earlier this year the company launched a special (Product)Red iPhone 7, finally donating proceeds from one of its flagship devices, instead of just iPods and accessories.

24 Comments

anton zuykov 9 Years · 1056 comments

About 7 years ago

Great! Except that you still lose, Apple. Now, you have to change that band, because it is now (somehow) oppressing some minorities even though it was never meant for people of color, unless you think that there blue, green, orange and yellow people. Sigh

http://www.dailywire.com/news/17397/philadelphia-lgbt-rainbow-flag-add-black-and-brown-frank-camp

wreighven 10 Years · 70 comments

Nothing wrong with that at all. I don't donate to LGBTQ causes (I donate to cancer research), not because I don't support that community, it's just not a priority in terms of my charitable donations. That being said, I don't see how anyone would have an issue with this. If you're offended (for some arbitrary reason), just don't buy the band. Seems simple to me.

paxman 17 Years · 4729 comments

wreighven said:

Nothing wrong with that at all. I don't donate to LGBTQ causes (I donate to cancer research), not because I don't support that community, it's just not a priority in terms of my charitable donations. That being said, I don't see how anyone would have an issue with this. If you're offended (for some arbitrary reason), just don't buy the band. Seems simple to me.

:smile: I think this a self regulating kind of situation. If for some reason you are offended by this you are highly unlikely to be interested in buying the band. It is possible and valid to be against something on the grounds of principle, however. Purchasing the band needn't be part of the equation. (I wager we'll find out soon enough right here)

peterhart 8 Years · 163 comments

anton zuykov said:

Great! Except that you still lose, Apple. Now, you have to change that band, because it is now (somehow) oppressing some minorities even though it was never meant for people of color, unless you think that there blue, green, orange and yellow people. Sigh

http://www.dailywire.com/news/17397/philadelphia-lgbt-rainbow-flag-add-black-and-brown-frank-camp

Only Philly did that. It's not a national change. No one "owns" the rainbow flag. Was just a suggestion that came about and a small group added brown and black stripes due to a few instances of people of color in that city. Apple does not lose and it's not likely they will change the band; the rainbow has nothing to do with skin color.

razorpit 17 Years · 1793 comments

peterhart said:

anton zuykov said:

Great! Except that you still lose, Apple. Now, you have to change that band, because it is now (somehow) oppressing some minorities even though it was never meant for people of color, unless you think that there blue, green, orange and yellow people. Sigh

http://www.dailywire.com/news/17397/philadelphia-lgbt-rainbow-flag-add-black-and-brown-frank-camp

Only Philly did that. It's not a national change. No one "owns" the rainbow flag. Was just a suggestion that came about and a small group added brown and black stripes due to a few instances of people of color in that city. Apple does not lose and it's not likely they will change the band; the rainbow has nothing to do with skin color.

LOL, you think it is going to stop in Philly?