COFFEE chain Costa has defended a mural of a trans man with what appears to be double mastectomy scars amid calls for a boycott.
Gender-critical campaigners have hit out at the company with James Esses, the co-founder of Thoughtful Therapists, claiming that it “glorified” the surgery and that is was “dangerous and damaging” to young girls.
GB News presenter Laurence Fox alleged that the chain was “promoting the mutilation of healthy young girls” and said he hoped they “are boycotted out of existence”.
Nigel Farage (below) was also among those to discuss the advertisement on his GB News programme.
He said: “I find the whole thing truly and utterly extraordinary. We know there are a very tiny, tiny percentage of the population that choose that form of gender reassignment, of mutilation, we know that some live to regret it.
“Quite why big brands and big chains think they have to advertise this I don’t know but maybe that is part of the rottenness that is going through the corporate culture from Dr Marten’s boots to my bank.”
The photo was taken in the UK although it is not yet clear exactly where and Costa have so far defended the mural “in its entirety”.
The company said it “showcases and celebrates inclusivity” while others also backed the mural and that it wanted to “celebrate diversity and inclusion”.
A spokesman said: "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."
One Twitter user thanked Costa, saying: “As a trans man with similar scars, thank you Costa for the representation.”
Another said that it was a “great advertisement for Costa” and described it as a “lovely illustration”.
Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle also defended the move on TalkTV, saying “it is a body that exists and all those things should be celebrated”.
