Costa Coffee has responded to online backlash against a mural depicting a person with top surgery scars, created for Pride last year.
The artwork was designed for the store’s Brighton and Hove branch, depicting a trans-masculine person with chest scars denoting top surgery.
An image of the mural has now resurfaced a year later and is rapidly circulating in transphobic circles on Twitter.
James Esses, a former Childline volunteer, sparked the discourse after accusing Costa of “glorifying irreversible surgery performed on healthy breasts of women for a mental health condition.”
A @CostaCoffee spokesman: “The mural, in its entirety, showcases and celebrates inclusivity…to encourage people to feel welcomed, free and unashamedly proud to be themselves”.
Supporting women to be themselves by encouraging them to fundamentally change themselves?
Disgrace. https://t.co/yrzYdLa39S
— James Esses (@JamesEsses) July 31, 2023
A spokesperson from the coffee chain has since defended mural.
READ MORE: Trans-exclusionary ‘LGB’ acronym only used by 3% of LGBTQ+ Brits, study finds
“At Costa Coffee we celebrate the diversity of our customers, team members and partners,” a separate statement from Costa Coffee explained to ITV News.
“We want everyone that interacts with us to experience the inclusive environment that we create, to encourage people to feel welcomed, free and unashamedly proud to be themselves.”
“The mural, in its entirety, showcases and celebrates inclusivity.”
Other writers have stood by Costa on the platform.
Without even looking or knowing anything about why #BoycottCostaCoffee was trending in the UK, I KNEW the Gender Critical movement were involved. Permanently angry and aggressive – opposing ANYTHING that hints at love or inclusivity. Reject Terfism – it’s an illness ❤️🏳️⚧️🫶 pic.twitter.com/gxxLIT2jyD
— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) July 31, 2023
Saw Costa was trending. Turned out it’s because they have an illustration of a trans masc person and all the bigots are losing their minds about trans people existing. Great advertisement for Costa really. Thanks everyone, it’s a lovely illustration. ✌️ #boycottcostacoffee pic.twitter.com/pCQjN2bbNc
— Ugla Stefanía Kristjönudóttir Jónsdóttir (@UglaStefania) July 31, 2023
#BoycottCostaCoffee is no longer trending on the platform.
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