In what has unfolded as a controversial incident in Orlando, Florida, a Publix supermarket employee reportedly declined to write the word “trans” on a cake meant for a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. The refusal has incited a vigorous discussion on the intersection of commercial operations, personal expression, and political stances.
Yasmin Flasterstein, co-founder of the mental health support organization, Peer Support Space, relayed her experience at the Publix outlet on Colonial Drive. Her intention was to procure a cake for a celebration of the trans community at the Mexican Consulate, an event aimed at demonstrating solidarity with trans individuals amid an environment increasingly hostile to their rights and freedoms.
The Cake Controversy
Flasterstein requested the bakery department to inscribe “trans people deserve joy” on the cake. According to her account, the management interceded, asserting that the inclusion of the term “trans” would be tantamount to taking a political stand, which was against the company’s policy. Consequently, the cake was delivered with the abbreviated message, “people deserve joy,” leaving Flasterstein to complete the original statement herself.
The incident has prompted a wave of reactions on social media, with Flasterstein branding Publix’s policy as “shameful” and a dismissal of the stark realities of our contemporary world. She took to Facebook to share her account, highlighting the disparity in the company’s acceptance of the general phrase “people deserve joy” but refusal to endorse the specific message “trans people deserve joy.”
The Aftermath and Corporate Response
Following the incident, Flasterstein contacted Publix’s corporate office, raising questions about the company’s policy and its commitment to diversity. Publix’s official response, delivered via Facebook, expressed regret over the mishandling of the request and offered to fulfill the original cake order.
A Broader Context of LGBTQ+ Challenges in Florida
The event has taken place in a broader context of intensifying anti-trans sentiment in Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration. Recently enacted legislation restricts access to gender-affirming care and prevents trans individuals from using bathrooms matching their gender identity or participating on sports teams aligning with their gender. Additionally, the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill prohibits classroom discussions of gender and sexuality across all school grades in the state, leading to criticism about potential self-censorship among educators.