Pride flags at Philz Coffee are staying up.
The San Francisco-based coffee chain confirmed Friday it will keep Pride flags at locations after previously planning to update decor for “a more consistent, inclusive experience.”
Philz Coffee’s decision to reverse course comes after backlash and an online petition urging the company to keep Pride flags.
Philz Coffee CEO Mahesh Sadarangani said he made a mistake and apologized to his team, customers and the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I made a mistake, and I am sincerely sorry. To our team members, to our customers, and to the LGBTQIA+ community that has been with us since the very beginning, the confusion and hurt we caused around our new policy for Pride flags failed you,” Sadarangani said in a statement.
“The Pride flag is a symbol of safety and belonging for people who don’t always find that in the world, and that is not something I want to take away from anyone who walks into a Philz. I had the chance to sit down with San Francisco Pride leaders Suzanne Ford and Jupiter Peraza, both are trans women who led this conversation with grace, directness and a genuine commitment to finding alignment on what matters. I want to be clear about where Philz stands: our Pride flags are staying up. If a Pride flag came down, it can be put back up.”
Philz workers helped lead the effort, including an online petition calling for the company to reconsider.