Starbucks is facing severe backlash in India over its #ItStartsWithYourName advertisement. The ad, featuring an elderly couple, drew criticism from many social media users who claimed it promoted sex change.
The commercial depicts the elderly couple waiting at a Starbucks store for their son Arpit. The father is visibly upset about his son’s decision to undergo a sex change.
However, they are pleasantly surprised when a young girl joins them, revealing that she is their son Arpit, who has now turned into a transgender woman, Arpita. In a heartwarming moment, the father accepts his child’s decision and expresses that, regardless of an extra alphabet in her name, she will always remain close to him.
The advertisement triggered threats of a boycott from disgruntled netizens. This ad has created outrage among a section of people, mostly right-wing activists, who claim to believe in the traditions and culture of Sanatan Dharma.
One such user wrote, “Are you in India to do business or to promote wokeism nonsense?” Another said, “What does selling coffee got to do with gender unless you want to run a #SexChange propaganda in India.” Another furious user wrote, “These Bast*rds are trying to sell their trans religion here in India. Boycott Starbucks for ever.”
