The woman who was accused of being “transphobic” by a transgender Starbucks employee says the whole spat stemmed from her using the word “lady” to describe a staff member without realizing they didn’t “identify” like a woman’.
Vanessa Thomas, 55, was seen on camera being berated by the manager of the trans shop near the Southampton ferry terminal, Hampshire.
Ms. Thomas revealed to family and friends that she had tried to pay for her coffee in cash, but was told by a Starbucks employee that this would not be possible.
A trans-branch manager then interrupted her saying she could only pay by card to which Ms Thomas hit back, ‘I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to the lady behind the counter’, leading to a furious argument.
The Starbucks employee has since been fired. and now the police have confirmed that they are investigating the incident.
A family member told MailOnline, “The Starbucks trans employee got very angry and told Vanessa that the person behind the counter does not identify as a lady. And then it all started and she was accused of being transphobic.
“The whole incident left Vanessa very upset and distraught and she is currently on vacation to recover.”
Vanessa Thomas (pictured) was seen on camera being berated by a trans-Starbucks store manager at the branch at the Southampton ferry terminal, Hampshire
The incident is believed to have been recorded by Mrs Thomas’s partner, Mark Andrews, 60, who posted it on social media
The 55-year-old, who lives in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, says the member of staff “threw her belongings in the air” when she was physically removed from the cafe.
The incident is believed to have been recorded by Mrs Thomas’s partner, Mark Andrews, 60, who posted it on social media.
In response to the video, Ms. Thomas posted that it did not capture the full gravity of what happened.
She writes, “The store had cameras so I had to be cool it was so much worse he snatched my bag and by (sic) it up in the air over the counter and he picked me up and by (sic) me out then slammed the door and smashed the glass in,” followed by two laughing emojis.
Ms Thomas adds: ‘He then put on his coat and did a runner. I reported it to the police and Starbucks, it was out of order.’
In another message she writes: “I was in complete shock, I reported to Starbucks and the police.”
A friend of the family told MailOnline that the altercation started after Ms Thomas was told by a Starbucks employee who served her that they do not accept cash payments.
The friend added, “Vanessa just said, ‘Oh, another company doesn’t take cash payments.’ A transgender Starbucks employee then confronted her and told her to pay by card.
“Vanessa told her, ‘I’m not talking to you, I’m talking to the lady behind the counter.’ The Starbucks employee got very angry and told Vanessa that the person behind the counter does not identify herself as a lady. And then it all started and she was accused of being transphobic.”
The friend revealed that Ms Thomas is ‘distraught’ and ‘shocked’ by the incident and has gone on holiday to recover.
A transgender woman was fired from Starbucks after footage showed her berating Ms Thomas and allegedly assaulting her partner who filmed the incident
Footage shows the transgender woman approaching the man who is filming after the argument before knocking his phone out of his hand
During the angry confrontation, footage shows Ms Thomas defending herself, saying, “You are rude, never call me transphobic. You do not know me.’
In response, the transgender Starbucks employee 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 gets heated, as Mrs. Thomas insists, “don’t call me transphobic.”
The transgender employee then claps Ms. Thomas’s and rejects her request for a refund, adding, “You’re transphobic, leave now.”
Repeatedly, Mrs. Thomas 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.
A family member told MailOnline, “The Starbucks trans employee got very angry and told Vanessa that the person behind the counter does not identify as a lady. And then it all started and she was accused of being transphobic”
Without warning, the employee steps forward and leaps to the phone, demanding that the man hand it over as he appears to be attacking it.
In a message, Mr Andrews reveals that he filmed the altercation and that seven other people witnessed it.
He writes, “The situation happened so fast and what happened off camera was horrific! The world we live in, huh!’
He adds: ‘I must be getting old because I feel the world we live in now is a snowflake infested world – have an option, be what you want to be BUT don’t ram it down my throat – live and let live! And buy coffee with cash!! I hope Starbucks deals with this person and the police deal with this?’
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 family member added: ‘The whole incident has left Vanessa very upset and distraught and she is currently on holiday to recover’
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.”