Lush warns customers not to enter shop if they 'show signs' of transphobia or racism

'If you are showing signs of any of racism, homophobia, sexism or transphobia, we recommend you isolate and educate yourself,' sign reads

Olivia Petter
Wednesday 05 August 2020 09:17 EDT
Comments
(Lush Edinburgh)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A Lush store in Edinburgh has put a sign outside its door asking customers not to enter if they are showing signs of “Covid-19, racism, homophobia, sexism or transphobia”.

The sign, which went up on 3 August, was installed after the store was “targeted by a transphobic group”, Lush explained in a Facebook post.

“Our store is a space for compassion and respect for all, and we will not condone or support acts of hate,” the company said.

“If you are showing signs of Covid-19 please follow government guidelines to isolate and get tested,” it added.

“If you are showing signs of any of racism, homophobia, sexism or transphobia, we recommend you isolate and educate yourself.”

It comes after Lush invited people into its shops to wash their hands for free to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in the UK in early March, prior to lockdown.

“Since we’re universally known as ‘that soap shop’, from Friday 28 February we’re using our shop windows to promote the hand-washing guidelines as advised by the NHS in the UK and other public health organisations around the world,” the company said in a statement at the time.

“The winter months are always a time when hand hygiene matters because coughs and colds pass around, but the current situation with the spread of the new Coronavirus means that it is more important than ever that people regularly wash their hands and observe best practice.

“It is also important that people understand the full, effective routine of washing as advised by the health authorities to maximise the removal of germs.”

The company statement continued to stress the importance of preventing the spread of coronavirus.

The sign is not a nationwide policy for all Lush stores.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in