Local Community Advertising
An online petition is now circulating, demanding that a transphobic Halloween costume of Caitlyn Jenner be removed from store shelves.
The initial request to remove the item was directed at the popular costume store, Spirit Halloween.
“We demand that you revoke your ideas and production of a Caitlyn Jenner costume for Halloween,” read the online petition, which was kick started by Transfeminine Genderqueer Activist Addison Rose Vincent. “With a reputation of sexist, racist, and culturally appropriative costumes, we are concerned that this costume will continue your oppressive tradition with a transphobic costume of Caitlyn Jenner.”
Photo Credit: Anytime Costumes.
Anytime Costumes included a photo of the original Vanity Fair cover with Caitlyn Jenner in their costume description.
(Photo Credit: Anytime Costumes.)
The costume could not be found on the Spirit Halloween website, but is available via other costume stores, such as Anytime Costumes.
The “Call Me Caitlyn” unisex adult costume includes a white padded top, matching shorts, a brunette wig, and a sash.
“You probably won’t break any Twitter records when you wear this outfit like Caitlyn did when she first made her account, but you’ll be sure to get a few laughs out of your friends and the other guests at the get together,” read the costume’s description.
In response to the costume, Vincent has this to say, “Caitlyn Jenner is a hero and celebrated in modern day culture, but that doesn’t excuse the exploitation and transphobia you’ll be committing this Halloween. To make a costume out of a marginalized identity reduces that person and community to a stereotype for privileged people to abuse.”
“Do not turn Caitlyn Jenner into a costume. Your profit will only lead to greater transphobia and marginalization of an already at-risk community,” concluded Vincent.
The online petition has over 2,600 signatures and has garnered immense support via Twitter.
The fact that there's a Caitlyn Jenner Halloween costume is one of the most disgraceful and hurtful things I've heard in a while
— Lal (@LalLinnn) August 25, 2015 .@Caitlyn_Jenner Halloween costume: Mocking the #transgender community is degrading, disrespectful & harmful. We are humans, not jokes.
— Marni Panas (@marnipanas) August 25, 2015 I love Halloween more than your average dude, and @SpiritHalloween will not be getting a penny from me or friends this year. #CaitlynJenner
— Vince Kiernan (@VinceKiernan) August 25, 2015Spirit Halloween also sells an assortment of "Native Princess" costumes, including a "Pocahontas" version. Meanwhile, Anytime Costumes has a variety of "sexy costumes," 45 of which are described as Native or Indian wear.
Local Community Advertising