Controversial Starbucks Ad Promoting Transgender Acceptance Sparks Boycott Trend
The ad, intended to promote a message of acceptance, faced significant backlash on social media platforms, with numerous individuals expressing anger and claiming their sentiments were offensive. The hashtag #BoycottStarbucks swiftly gained traction on Twitter, becoming a trending topic.
Get ready to be whisked away into a digital storm of spirited discussion as Starbucks unleashes its latest advertisement, commanding the spotlight and igniting a chorus of praise and intense criticism throughout social media.
The coffee titan finds itself in the eye of a tumultuous controversy as diverse voices clash head-on, debating the audacious nature of its message.
Reuters
The coffee giant found itself amid controversy following the release of an advertisement on May 10th centered around inclusivity and transgender rights.
Long Beach City College
The ad, intended to promote a message of acceptance, faced significant backlash on social media platforms, with numerous individuals expressing anger and claiming their sentiments were offensive. The hashtag #BoycottStarbucks swiftly gained traction on Twitter, becoming a trending topic.
In the ad, a transgender woman reunites with her long-lost father in a vibrant and bustling Starbucks outlet.
A woman named Arpit, now identifying as Arpita, shares a close bond with her mother, who joins her at a Starbucks outlet. However, her father is still grappling with accepting her new identity. The ad begins with the parents eagerly waiting at Starbucks.
The father, visibly uneasy, dials Arpita's number, still saved as "Arpit." Finally, Arpita walks in and warmly embraces her parents. Her father then proceeds to the caf¨¦ counter to order their coffee.
Arpita is pleasantly surprised when the Starbucks barista announces, "Three cold coffees for Arpita."
This heartfelt moment reveals her father's acceptance as he chooses "Arpita" as the name to be written on the coffee cup, aligning with Starbucks' cherished tradition.
"Beta, you are still my child. Only a letter has been added to your name," the father tells her. Starbucks India echoes a message of acceptance and love, tweeting, "Your name defines who you are - whether it's Arpit or Arpita. At Starbucks, we love and accept you for who you are. Because being yourself means everything to us," accompanied by the hashtag #ItStartsWithYourName.
Watch the ad here:
The ad sparked various reactions on the internet.
Your name defines who you are - whether it's Arpit or Arpita. At Starbucks, we love and accept you for who you are. Because being yourself means everything to us. #ItStartsWithYourName. ? pic.twitter.com/DKNGhKZ1Hg
¡ª Starbucks India (@StarbucksIndia) May 10, 2023
Communications strategy consultant Karthik Srinivasan tweeted, "To see something inclusive and non-judgmental in these days of polarizing communications and weaponized hate... is genuinely welcome."
The replies to this tweet truly depict the rot in Indian society. Anything, even with a modicum of love, is hated. https://t.co/QmbnnqF41P
¡ª Pooja ? (@Pooja_Chaudhuri) May 11, 2023
Have you ever wondered why ads on trans issue always show Arpit turning Arpita and never or very rearely Arpita becoming Arpit? Guess, why? https://t.co/aGINJ157D1
¡ª Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) May 12, 2023
Twitter user Sanjeev Verma posted, "Initiatives like this will help rid our heavily prejudiced world of transphobia. Bravo."
However, another segment of the internet targeted Starbucks for the ad.
Starbucks can't protect their own transgender employees against blatant discrimination, but instead choose to sack them. Repeated incidents showcasing it's not a safe working environment for them.
¡ª Kushal (@kushfehmi) May 11, 2023
Such advertisements are produced every once in a while to whitewash their image. https://t.co/xgQzAZlBdL pic.twitter.com/UDrlbQ0jwB
Indian-American writer Sadanand Dhume labeled it "a large dose of extremist American gender ideology." Another user tweeted, "Starbucks brings woke to India by the trans campaign."
What's wrong with you @StarbucksIndia ? Focus on your core business and stay away from all this unnecessary wokeist balderdash you are trying to push here in India.
¡ª bithika (@bithika11) May 11, 2023
Zabardasti udta teer lene ka shauk ho gaya hai then be prepared for the pain. #GoWokeGoBroke. https://t.co/VSjJzVDKBO
It's worth noting that Starbucks is not the first brand in India to face backlash for an advertisement. In 2020, the famous jewelry brand Tanishq encountered significant social media trolling over an ad featuring an interfaith baby shower, leading to its removal.
In 2021, ethnic wear brand FabIndia faced calls for a boycott from a social media section for its "Jashn-E-Riwaaz" festive collection.
As the Supreme Court of India continues its deliberation on petitions seeking legal recognition for same-sex marriage, the Central government has disclosed that three states have expressed their opposition to the proposed measure.
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