Costa dealing with boycott over ‘trans man’ caricature on espresso van

Coffee chain Costa is dealing with a boycott after a caricature of a ‘trans man’ – with what look like double mastectomy scars – was pictured emblazoned on one in every of its vans. 

Gender-critical campaigners have accused the corporate of being “irresponsible”, arguing the cartoon is “glorifying irreversible surgery” and ” promoting the mutilation of healthy young girls”. But Trans rights activists have claimed that ‘high surgical procedure’ – which, like all surgical procedure, carries plenty of dangers – “doesn’t harm people” and “saves lives”.

And Costa has defended the mural “in its entirety”, claiming it “showcases and celebrates inclusivity”. However, the picture has sparked a livid backlash – with #BoycottCostaCoffee trending on X, the social-media platform previously known as Twitter.

The Costa van caricature depicts a surfer who’s identifiable as a ‘trans man’ due to scars which are typical of a breast removing operation.  While the picture was taken within the UK it’s not clear the place – and Costa has reportedly refused to disclose its location.

Actor-turned-activist Laurence Fox tweeted: “Dear Costa Coffee. You are promoting the mutilation of healthy young girls. I hope you are boycotted out of existence.” The Reclaim Party chief urged his 388,000 followers to purchase their coffees “from a coffee shop tomorrow instead of a child mutilation support group”.

James Esses,  co-founder of Thoughtful Therapists – a bunch of counsellors and psychologists who’re anxious concerning the impression of gender ideology on younger folks – tweeted: “Dear Costa Coffee, Could you kindly explain why you are glorifying irreversible surgery performed on healthy breasts of women for a mental health condition?”

However, a GP who founded a charity that she says has helped “hundreds of individuals transition safely” has defended Costa and the image.  Dr Helen Webberley – who earlier this year won a High Court appeal against her suspension as a doctor and can now work again – said: “I do know the place I’ll be stopping for my morning cuppa tomorrow morning.”

“Everyone shouting #BoycottCostaCoffee as a result of it ‘promotes the mutilation of teenage ladies’ have fully missed the purpose. Top surgical procedure is a very routine and regular process that helps scale back gender dysphoria in trans males – a debilitating psychological well being situation that sadly takes so many lives yearly. Top surgical procedure doesn’t hurt folks – it saves lives. Good on @CostaCoffee for being on the correct facet of historical past.”

The NHS says that top surgery risks include necrosis, haematoma, seroma and infection. And critics – like the Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine – say that there is “no proof” that ‘gender-affirming’ surgeries improve mental health and, by doing so, save lives.

A 2019 study that claimed to show a reduction in mental health treatment utilization among transgender individuals after gender-affirming surgeries was later corrected by the American Journal of Psychiatry (AJP). The publication acknowledged a number of flaws in the study

After reanalysing the data, the AJP said the “outcomes demonstrated no benefit of surgical procedure in relation to subsequent temper or nervousness disorder-related well being care visits or prescriptions or hospitalisations following suicide makes an attempt in that comparability”.

Maya Forstater, who is on the board of Sex Matters, a human-rights organisation that campaigns for clarity on sex in law and policy, also slammed the Costa cartoon.  She said it was “irresponsible” and “offered a lie”.

Forstater, told the Telegraph: “The cartoon-like picture of a young woman who has had her breasts surgically removed is shocking and irresponsible.  Young women are being sold a lie that if they have their breasts removed and take hormones they can become men, or at least avoid being women.”

A spokesperson for Costa said:”At Costa Coffee spokesman stated: “At Costa Coffee we celebrate the diversity of our customers, team members and partners.

“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.”