Why Are We Still Buying Maileg?

Sidenote: Please excuse misspellings and grammar issues. I wrote this as quickly as possible, so as to strike while the “iron is hot” so to speak.

I think this article might be my most divisive yet, so instead of my usual flowery style, with several metaphors per paragraph, I am going to stick with cold hard facts. I will not write anything that isn’t grounded in photo proof and will not assert a conclusion that isn’t both actionable and attainable. Over the next few minutes I intend to prove that Maileg, as a company, doesn’t support the LGBTQIA+ community. Overall, I believe this is a systemic issue at the core of the company’s values, as demonstrated by this instance and a previous issue.

Before we get going, let me say that if you don’t believe you have the right to question a company’s decisions due to your support, this article isn’t for you.

Technicalities: I have censored all names but my own and those who represent Maileg. I did not keep the same color for each member who commented. However, in each individual screenshot, the censor bar color does represent the same person. I just can’t guarantee it represents the same person in a different screenshot. It would’ve taken too long and I’m tired.

1. MailegUSA’s CEO is the Admin of the Official Maileg USA Group on Facebook. I verified this via LinkedIn. You can do so, as well. The Official Maileg USA Group is made up of predominantly white, cishet women.

2. A post requesting more diversity in the mice, especially as it pertains to LGBTQIA+ couples, was approved.

For reference, Maileg makes a “wedding set”, so to speak. It is a traditional gendered and heterosexual couple.

3. Several members of the group posted comments that can only be categorized as homophobic.

4. When other members requested that the Admin/CEO rein in the bigoted members (mutes or boots) on a separate thread I created, the CEO denied the request and tone policed.

5. The thread, where several LGBTQIA members had commented, was deleted.

6. Another thread was started on an already approved post, asking about the deletion, in which the Admin/CEO said he was walking on eggshells.

7. Admin/CEO was repeatedly asked to make a statement regarding the group and its’ policy on homophobia.

8. Commenting was turned off on the second thread.

Why can’t I find the dang screenshot?

9. Oh, and then I was booted.

10. Maileg issued a statement earlier this week. It was sent to me by a friend. In it, they state they are “NOT anti-LGBTQ+” (emphasis is theirs) but double down on policing “very inappropriate language”.

This is what happened. Nothing has been edited to be portrayed a certain way. There were certainly more egregious comments but I didn’t have a chance to grab screenshots of them before I was booted. The fact that I was booted sends a very clear message. At no point was I argumentative or aggressive. I asked questions and pushed back on crappy behavior. Maileg continues to insist they are not anti-LGBTQ+, but says nothing about pro-LGBTQ+. When you aren’t actively confronting a thing, you are letting it happen. And that makes you culpable.

For me, it’s a deal breaker. Every person deserves to be treated with respect and Maileg can’t provide an environment for that. Moreover, it doesn’t want to. It spent the entire weekend clamping down on those who would defend against homophobia versus those perpetrating it. Maileg’s market segment is mostly rich, mostly white, mostly heterosexual women. And this instance is just a continuation of them protecting these spaces for themselves. Outsiders be damned.

Sidenote: This isn’t Maileg’s first rodeo. Let’s not forget the “Cowboys and Indians” release that was extremely popular and continually is resold for mind-boggling amounts. See below:

So, anywho… we are too lower middle-class to throw away a perfectly good toy, so the mice we already have are here to stay. Besides, she loves them dearly. But they won’t be receiving anymore money from us until this issue is addressed. Looks like we’re gonna be a Jellycat family now.

I must reiterate for potential commenters that no one came to Maileg and asked them to make a statement about the LGBTQIA+ community. No one asked them to make “gay mice” or push a “homosexual agenda”. They were asked about making the brand more inclusive in a discussion group that is both managed by and directly represents the views of those in power at Maileg. When the “ask” was maligned and the thread became toxic, Maileg did nothing. When the company was asked, specifically, to protect some of their marginalized members, they did nothing. When they did eventually speak, it was to chastise those who tried to protect these members.

I’m asking Maileg to:

• Create a safer space for marginalized members in their official Facebook group.
• Enable modification on “paired heterosexual” sets on their website. (I understand pairs sold at retailers have their own websites and would be a much larger ask)
• Add more members to the admin team of their official Facebook group. As diverse as possible (the pool is shallow in that regard…)

You’re already on this blog and in this realm because you decided to pursue something different for your child. You already hold these vendors to high standards. It’s time Maileg delivered on those. Maileg lures you in with tiny accessories and miniature furniture. Yet, if it is at the price of bigotry and homophobia, then it’s all just a glorified mouse trap.

As always, I am human and capable of mistakes. I try to be the best ally and social justice activist that I can be – but sometimes I trip up. If you see something here that needs to be addressed, please feel free to email me or comment below.