Starbucks fires trans employee who abused female customer in ‘wrong gender confrontation’
A transgender woman has been fired from Starbucks after footage showed her verbally abusing a female customer and allegedly assaulting a man who filmed the incident.
The collision broke out on Sunday, April 30, at a Starbucks outlet near the Southampton ferry terminal, Hampshire.
The 56-second clip shows the employee on the same side of the counter as the customer, arguing with her.
The person who recorded the incident said the woman apparently said something “transphobic” to upset the employee, who angrily refuses to serve her.
Footage shows the female customer saying, “You are rude, never call me transphobic. You do not know me.’
A transgender woman has been fired from Starbucks after footage showed her berating a female customer and allegedly assaulting a man who filmed the incident
The 56-second clip shows the employee on the same side of the counter as the customer, arguing with her
In response, the transgender woman says, “You call me a man, you’re transphobic, Karen.” Go now.’
“Karen” is a mocking insult imported from the US, aimed at middle-aged white women. Feminists have criticized it as a misogynistic term.
The conversation heats up, as the woman insists, “don’t call me transphobic.”
The employee then claps the woman’s face and rejects her request for a refund, adding, “You’re transphobic, leave now.”
Repeatedly, the woman is told to ‘go away’ and that she is ‘treacherous’ before the employee appears to see a man using his smartphone to film the encounter.
Without warning, the employee steps forward and leaps to the phone, demanding that the man hand it over as he appears to be attacking him.
The images sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many users copying Starbucks’ Twitter account and demanding answers.
Australian women’s activist Sall Grover shared the clip on Twitter, writing: ‘When women see men who think they are women in feminine spaces, they often get out as quickly as possible.
The employee appears to notice a man using his smartphone to film the encounter
Australian women’s activist Sall Grover shared the clip on Twitter, writing: ‘When women see men who think they are women in feminine spaces, they often get out as quickly as possible’
Transsexual performer Buck Angel added, “Haha they crumble fast! Wing notes show themselves.’
Debra Gordon posted, “This person should be fired! They are there to serve customers – not to abuse them’
Annabelle Bond wrote: ‘Stop allowing this behavior. No employee should treat a customer like that’
Balena Bros labeled the employee’s behavior as ‘unacceptable’
The images sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many users copying Starbucks’ Twitter account and demanding answers
Activist Kellie-Jay Keen, who was recently harassed by trans rights activists in New Zealand, also shared the clip. She said, ‘Which branch is this? We should all go’
‘[They] don’t say anything, because we all know how men react when we say something they don’t like.’
Activist Oli London also shared the video, tweeting, “Is this an acceptable way for staff to behave Starbucks UK?”
Debra Gordon posted, “This person should be fired! They are there to serve customers – not to abuse them.’
Annabelle Bond wrote: ‘Stop allowing this behavior. No employee should treat a customer like that.’
Transsexual performer Buck Angel added, “Haha they crumble fast! Wing notes show themselves.’
Others labeled the employee’s behavior as “just” and “unacceptable.”
Activist Kellie-Jay Keen, who was recently harassed by trans rights activists in New Zealand, also shared the clip. She said, ‘Which branch is this? We should all go’
A Starbucks spokesperson said: “The licensee has confirmed that the partner (employee) is no longer with the company. Starbucks does not tolerate this type of behavior and we are deeply sorry for the experience this customer had.”