A coffee shop in Spokane, Washington, has issued an apology following widespread outrage over a transphobic sign posted outside the establishment. The sign, which read "Trans women are r******* men," was initially displayed outside 2nd Base Espresso.
Following the initial backlash, the sign was removed on Wednesday. However, the business further inflamed tensions by replacing it with a message that read, "Calm your t***," which was interpreted as dismissive of the concerns raised.
The controversy culminated in a protest outside the coffee shop on Sunday, organized by Elbe Seaton, who is openly queer. "It's standing up for what's right. It's letting people in my community know, letting the youth know, that they are cared about, seen and loved," Seaton told the Spokesman-Review. "Anyone who has seen those signs and felt bad, they need to know that is not the majority."
Mixed with the protest was a counter-protest supporting the coffee shop's right to freedom of speech. Aaron Hurley, a supporter of the coffee shop, stated, "It is the coffee shop owner's right...to be able to say whatever they want on the sign. I may or may not agree with it, but that still doesn't mean that you don't deserve the right. If you don't like what the sign says, you have all the right in the world not to buy, but if you're trying to say they can't put that on the sign, then that's where I step in, because the First Amendment is for everyone, even businesses."
The business also faced significant online criticism, with numerous negative reviews posted on platforms like Google. Recent reviews described the establishment as "trashiest place in town" and criticized both the "vulgar sign" and "rude staff."
2nd Base Espresso has a history of posting political messaging on its signage, including support for ICE and gun rights. Business records indicate the owner is Jeana Ruth Byran, who declined to comment when approached by the Spokesman-Review.